Ramblings

We had an ice storm yesterday.




Pretty, huh? It didn't bother me much since the roads were fine. I did however get another snow day today. We've had more than we're allowed this year so this one today will have to be made up. I don't care. I'd rather go one more day in warm weather than go out there today in the snow and blowing freezing cold.

This is March, yes? Spring is close by, I hope.

I'm cleaning and doing laundry today. This way Saturday will be a play day all day long.

Here's a secret... shhhhhhhhh...... Adam has a birthday next Thursday. He's going to be... well... forty something. We're not doing much special for it because we're saving our pennies for a road trip over my spring break. I can't wait!! It's always nice to get out on the open road with Adam. We seem to be at our best then.

This weight thing is frustrating me!!! I have gained a couple pounds. Never fear though... I'm all over it like - as my twin would say - a duck on a June bug. Or is that a June bug on a duck? No matter. The point is, I'm on it. I'm pretty sure that eating sugar free chocolate is my cause. PMS is a horrible thing without chocolate but I will not not not purchase anymore. I've also kicked up the exercise a bit. This morning I was back down a pound. See, I am eating more normal like now and have to really watch. I had gotten used to the first six months of not having to be all that careful. I knew it wouldn't last forever and I'm ready to meet the challenge and get those couple of pounds back off. Not only that, I still have my goal of 157 to get to. I am pretty sure I will and that this is a very temporary set back.

The pup is laying by my side. He's so sweet. We just love him to death however ... there is one little problem. He turns into Kujo over stupid stuff like Popsicle sticks and Kleenex. Now, don't tell me to watch the Dog Whisperer guy. We've done that. He will bite your arm off for a Kleenex. If it's a toy or something he's allowed to have he will let you take it from him. We've been handling it by double teaming him. One of us will distract him by getting him to come out of hiding to play while the other goes to the hiding spot and takes the goods and throws whatever it is at the moment in the trash. Other than that, any suggestions?

Gosh I hate winter but I sure do love snow days.

I recently sent a bunch of recipes to Terpsichore. She's decided that she can cook after all. Once she saw that her family didn't need medical attention and that the food actually tasted good she has decided that cooking's not so bad after all. I'm going to post one of the recipes here. This is my newest favorite dish. I've always loved chicken and dumplings but I swear to you, this is the best I've ever eaten. I actually started with a recipe and tweaked it by adding ideas of my own. After making it three times I don't think I can make it any better than this. If you try it and find a way to improve it, by all means tell me!!!

Chicken and Dumplings

INGREDIENTS

• 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 6 cups college inn chicken broth
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 1 small bag baby carrots
• 2 chopped onions
• 2 tablespoon butter
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2-3 Tbs. Chicken bullion granules
• 2 cups all-purpose baking mix
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cold water

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot over medium heat, simmer chicken in 6 cups broth until no longer pink. Remove chicken, cool and shred. Keep the broth!!!!!
2. Return shredded chicken to pot and stir in butter, salt and pepper. Cook until chicken reaches desired tenderness, 15 to 60 minutes.
3. Add soups, vegetables, butter, salt, pepper and bullion.
4. In a bowl, stir together baking mix and milk until smooth. In a separate bowl, stir together flour and 1/2 cup cold water until smooth. Stir flour mixture into soup; bring soup to a rolling boil.
5. Drop baking mix mixture by tablespoonfuls into the boiling water, neatly around the chicken. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes. Then cover and cook 10 minutes more. (Sneak a spatula under the dumplings to prevent chicken from sticking to the bottom of the pot.) Serve hot.

I cook the chicken on the stove in the morning, transfer the broth to a large crockpot and then mix everything in letting it slow cook all day adding the dumplings a few hours before surving. The longer the dumplings are in there, the better they are.

Laundry is calling my name and I have to tend to it before the pup runs off with a dirty sock or underwear or something. Yes, he steals those things too and will bite you for them. Grrrr.... how can he be so very sweet but turn so mean over something so stupid? We just don't battle him. We have a system but sometimes I get ticked and grab for what he's taken. He's only broken my skin once with his teeth. It's okay. He has all his shots. And don't tell me "I'd shoot that dog" or something else. We love him. That's NOT an option. I mean seriously. Look at this face. What's NOT to love??