Friends house friday's

Good Lord did I ever eat too much tonight.  Kateena's night for dinner and she made Paula Deen's chicken pot pie..... Sooooooo gooooood.  Here is the link for the recipe- FYI she left out the egg.  I am ready to burst, and of course I was responsible for desert- which came from the local bakery-I got the kids cupcakes and indulged Kateena and I with lobster tails.  Let me tell you, short of going to Mike's in the North End of Boston, these were the best lobster tails around.  That being said, I am currently having a hostile debate with my body over keeping all this food down.  Holy Moley, I am in actual pain from eating too much, curse you delicious food, curse you!!!


You'll have to excuse me now, Kateena is peer pressuring me into buying 10 boxes of Hamburger helper as it will be on sale for .39 a box after our coupons.  Yikes, forget the over eating, I feel sick just thinking about where to put all the boxes.


Once I have tabled the matter of the Hamburger helper, she and I then have to start hashing the details of the birthday parties of the manlet and his quite frequent accomplice.  It's months in away, but a party planned in advanced with some careful thought can be spectacular.  

decisions, decisions.....

Unhappy with the gym we are currently with, Kateena and I are searching for a new place, which is turning out to be a work out in and of itself.


Is it so much too ask-and apparently it is- to have a gym that has ample equipment, group classes, and a kids room, reasonably located for a non astronomical monthly fee?  Magic 8 ball answer...... all signs point to yes.


I want to take Kateena's suggestion on doing to couch to 5k program and overcome my terror of running.  However, we really only have the wee hours of the morning to work out and I am not crazed about the two of us running in the dark. Just the non safeness of the whole thing.


About to dress the manlet for school, and then off we go in search of the apparent Holy Grail of gyms.  Wish us luck.

We interrupt this Tuesday Lose day for ......

Happy Valentines Day!!!!  There is no way I am working out or weighing in today, today is a day of love and that includes the love of oneself.  So no hateful weight machines, treadmills, elliptical, or cross trainers.  I am all about the hugs, kisses from the manlet, smelling the roses from the hubs and enjoying the day- which yes includes Godiva chocolates!  We will resume the self image hatred programming tomorrow.  lol


Valentine's day started yesterday for Kateena and I due to the kids school schedule.  We were invited to deliver valentines the kids had made in school to a local senior residence.  I am embarrassed to admit, I was not whole heartily up for the activity, but I went as I knew it was a good experience for the kids.  I am SOOOO glad I went, the kids liked handing out the cards and I loved spending some time with the residents talking.

 

Ok, so clearly my photo placement skills need work, but these were too cute not to post.

The manlet awoke to find his Valentine display and was soooo loving it!  Lot's of hugs and kisses!  It's the 1st real Valentines where he understood, he was excited to give his bus driver his gift and his teachers too! 

 

Poor skills, I know.

I was even so in love with the manlet I made heart-ish shaped pancakes.

I am now going to open my chocolates and enjoy a few chocolates with my coffee.  Happy Valentines Day!

Valentine's a day early?

It's nearly valentine's day so I had to send the manlet into school with Valentines for his school mates (some kids go MWF others just Tue Thurs).  The teacher and the school gave great care to advise that treats be non edible- as to avoid allergies and parents who may frown upon sugary treats.  I assure you I am not against the candy, I am a HUGE fan of candy and have the waist line to prove it, especially on the holidays.  Kateena and I made very cute treats using glow sticks a month ago and sent them in today.  Manlet gets off the bus and lo and behold..... CANDY!  A sack full.  Now again, for the sake of redundancy, I have no problem with candy, however, it would have been much more convenient to go ahead and make some sweet and crafty treats.  Instead we played by the rules and sent in the glow sticks.  I wish that the rules applied to everyone not just some.


The teacher and bus driver gifts came out super cute and were super easy.  check em out.  FYI the bus box came from the target dollar spot.

The tags read "you were 'mint' to be my valentine."  Teachers always seemed to have mints when I was a kid so..... well it's the thought that counts right?

Menu Monday. TGIM!

What a weekend.Exhausting!  The kids went for a Valentine Stroll sponsored by the local business owners.  It was so adorable.  Cold but adorable.

We then ran around- as we swore we would not do to get the last of the teacher/bus driver gift supplies.  It was not the early night we planned by a long shot.  
Home to find the shocking news that Whitney Houston had passed away.  Such a great talent to be lost for such foolishness is heartbreaking.  I hope where she is now, she has found freedom from the demons that hounded her in this world.  Jennifer Hudson's Grammy tribute was lovely.  I normally am not a Grammy watcher but I was interested in seeing how the passing of Houston was acknowledged.  Katy Perry, liked her performance.  Tabloids were all a buzz about how she was slamming her ex in it.  I didn't see it.  Eminem picked up an award for his album Recovery.  I may lose followers, but I am a fan of Eminem and am happy to see him pick up the grammy for the latest work.  Nicki Minaj?  Have no idea what that whole this was about, but I did not enjoy it. Ick.


So onto my menu plan:
Monday:  Roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans.


Tuesday: Asparagus Chicken and pasta and here is the recipe:


4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 (8 ounce) package sliced mushrooms
• 1 pound asparagus
• 1 cup heavy cream
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Place chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.
3. While the chicken is baking, place the chicken stock, garlic, and onion in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, and cook until liquid is reduced by half. Stir in wine, and continue to cook until reduced and slightly thickened.
4. Add the mushrooms and asparagus to the chicken stock mixture. Reduce heat, and simmer until mushrooms are tender. Stir in the heavy cream, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Season with salt and pepper, and serve over the baked chicken

I serve it over bowtie pasta.  


Wednesday: Kidgits night at the Mall


Thursday: Left overs


Friday: Friends House Friday @ Kateena's- I make dessert- I am thinking watergate salad.  


Saturday: Italian Creamy crockpot chicken. 


So there is my meal plan.  Nothing exciting, but hey, it is what it is.  Kateena most likely will be posting later and if you are still looking for ideas- pop onto Orgjunkie.com for their meal plan blog hop

Have a great week!!! 

Friend's house Friday

All is quiet here on this Friday.  The chillins' have been remarkably good- and with out the aid of any controlled substances!  lol Dinner was a great success as well, the crock pot lasagna was a hit with all!  

and soooo easy!  I got the idea from Creating thru Life here.  And THEENNNNN


Despite being exhausted from an all night reading 55 Shades of Grey ( a book recommended by my friend ) all night (and make no mistakes it will keep you up all night!)- Kateena made this most incredible creation.....OMG  Ready?  It's called Banana Caramel Xango ( pronounced Cha-ngo).  It was voted Dallas' best dessert by the Dallas Observer - so of course my Texan gal had to make it.  It is so good you'll wanna slap your mamma, her mamma and a couple of old biddies just out of sheer joy.

Using a heavy hand mixer or stand type mixer, beat the cream cheese and the sugar together until it is soft and smooth.  Add the cheesecake and flavoring and continue beating, until smooth. 

 (Place this mixture down the center of Tortilla Shell if you want the Cheesecake center)

Place a generous portion of Cream down the center of the Tortilla shell.  *I removed 3/4″ on both sides, but this is optional.  Fold in sides, then begin rolling from the bottom – up and over the cream.  Roll as tightly as possible, then secure with toothpicks before frying in hot oil.  Once golden brown, place on paper towels to drain.  Coat thoroughly in Cinnamon and Sugar mixture. 

Well all is quiet now, so I am going to take advantage and post. Have a great weekend.

What's cooking Wednesday? OPA!

I really do like this recipe and it has been far too long since i made it.  My sister in law is the QUEEN of this dish.  You how the song goes "if I die young, bury me in satin"?  Ya if I die young, bury me with these potatoes! Chicken with lemon -- Kotopoulo Lemonato
Ingredients
2 to 3lb. ready to cook, quartered Roaster 1/2 cup Butter juice of 1 1/2 Lemon 1/2 cup hot Water 1/2 cup chicken stock 2 teaspoon Salt 1/4 teaspoon Pepper 5 Large potatoes quartered length wise
1 tbls oregano
Preparation
Saute chicken in frying pan in hot butter until golden on all sides; remove to 3 quart casserole.Add potatoes, pour over the strained lemon juice and water. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and oregano. Bake covered for 1 hour, or until chicken is tender, basting every 20 minutes. Remove chicken to heated platter; pour sauce over chicken.