Chicken Noodle Soup

This is just one of those comfort foods that I will always enjoy. I came across this recipe in a recent Rachel Ray magazine, and have made it several times recently. Believe me, you can't go wrong with this one....

Here's the recipe for "Cure-A-Cold Spring Chicken Soup":
2 pieces skinless, boneless chicken breast
2 onions, 1 halved & 1 chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 bay leaf
2 T. extra-virgin olive oil
3 carrots, chopped or thinly sliced
4 small ribs of celery, finely chopped
1 t. sugar
Salt & pepper
One 32oz. container (4 c.) of chicken broth
1/3 lbs. wide egg noodles
4 scallions, thinly sliced on an angle
¼ c. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
¼ c. fresh dill, chopped
Grated peel of 1 lemon


-In a large saucepan, combine the chicken, halved onion, garlic, bay leaf & enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat & simmer gently until the chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
-While the chicken is cooking, in a soup pot or a Dutch oven, heat the EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots and celery; add the sugar & season with salt & pepper. Cover the pot & cook until the vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes.
-Add the chicken broth & 2 cups water to the pot & bring to a boil. Shred the poached chicken into pieces & add to the soup. Stir in the egg noodles & cook until al dente, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat & stir in the scallions, parsley, dill & lemon peel. Season with salt & pepper.



Enjoy! Today, Heath and I are going to do some packing, browse at several flea markets, and maybe do some shopping at Home Depot. Hope your day is lovely!

Mail...

After purchasing my camera Sunday night, I have been anxiously awaiting its arrival. This afternoon, one could only imagine how elated I was to see this package waiting for me on my doorstep. I was so happy about it I even took a picture...


While overcome with joy and excitement, I snatched my box up quickly and ran inside, later realizing that I had left my keys in the door. This I apparently deemed worthy of a picture as well. (I was excited, can't you tell?!?)


I wanted to share this moment with Heath, so I waited five, whole, long minutes to open the box. I thought about writing a blog about my new camera... posting pictures of the pretty red flowers in my backyard, and what I cooked for dinner. As Heath opened the door, I began to tear open the box, and saw this...


A crazy antenna. Heath bought this for us to use in Portland so we don't have to pay for cable. Heath thought this was hilarious. I did not. Now it kind of is, but not then. :) My impatience has now set in... I just can't wait!

In other news, my time with Communities In Schools will be complete on June 2nd. I have been so blessed through working with these students, and it will be hard to leave, knowing that I mostly likely will never see any of them again. We have been planning an end of the year party for both of my middle school campuses, and I volunteered to make all of the desserts... yeah, I'm not quite sure what I was thinking.


I borrowed several 13x9 pans and raided Walmart's shopping aisles, and quickly decided to make brownies and Rice Krispie treats. 2am, 4 pans of Rice Krispies, 4 pans of brownies and 2 more about to come out of the oven. Hope the kiddos enjoy! :)

Project Complete

... and it only took one year. I feel very accomplished today; I finished the project that has been on my brain for over a year, and it's great. For months, I have been collecting the magazine inserts from thousands (literally) of magazines. Most of them were recovered at Pawpaw and granny's house only because they own every issue ever printed of Taste of Home and National Geographic. smile. I wanted to make an address file, and figured reusing the magazine inserts would give it a unique flare. Here they are:



I'm planning on starting my Etsy shop a week or so after we settle into our new home, and these will be my first listing. I've been thinking about starting a shop for a while now, so I'm excited to actually follow through on the idea. If the items don't sell, you might just be the recipient of one on your birthday or for Christmas. :)

This weekend has been great. Heath and I have relaxed, enjoyed time spent with friends, and spent several hours watching Seasons 2 & 3 of The Office. Packed several boxes today. (For some strange reason, I've really enjoyed packing and getting rid of things lately. I'm sure my attitude about this will change in the next week or so.) Heath and I ate at Sharron's BBQ tonight, and it was incredible. I hadn't realized how much I had been craving BBQ... I will be eating there at least another 4 times before we leave! And, last but certainly not least, I will soon be the proud owner of a Canon Rebel XSi!!! We purchased it online Saturday evening, and it should arrive on my doorstep sometime this week. I am SO thrilled to be able to take "artsy" pictures again. I'll let you know when it comes in!

Happy Monday to you, my friend. Hope this day treats you well

Ode to my Canon 10D

When I purchased my camera five years ago, I had no idea how much I would actually enjoy taking pictures. Since I'm in a reminiscent mood, I thought I would share a few of my favorites from the past several years...

My first flower from Heath...


Several friends engagement photos...


I toted my camera around NYC all summer, as captured the many different cultures in the Bronx and Manhattan...


And, captured a spectacular fireworks show beneath the Brooklyn Bridge...


Sweet moments at a dear friends wedding...


My bridal bouquet. I love flowers, especially the eyelash tulips...


Nature. I sat with this butterfly for a good, long hour when Heath and I went camping in Fredericksburg...


I've been blessed through photography. I think it's made me realize how beautiful and intricate God's creation truly is. Macro photography is my favorite; this type of photography captures the small, intimate details, drawing the viewer to one subject. It's nice to notice the details that are often overlooked.

Well, hello there....

It is currently 10:40p.m. and 83 degrees in our house. Heath has been asleep for twenty minutes now (I know, he's aging fast). Oh, and did I mention our living room looks like this...


This is how it will look for the next month. I'm very grateful to have the extra bed, desk, and boxes for our new place, it's just a little in the way right now. oh well. Abilene's heat wave made my Gerber daisy's wilt a bit, and our kitchen feels like a sauna when I turn on the oven or stove top. Oh, the joys of the south. Heath and I also like to keep our electric bill low... 41 dollars to be exact.

I started and finished a project today, and I'm pretty pleased with the result. Remember the metal picture frame I purchased several weekends ago? Well, here it is, new and improved.




First, I removed the glass and frame backing. I purchased a roll of Fiberglass screening, similar to what you would use for a screen door. Then, I hot-glued the netting to the back of the frame. ta da! I appreciate this craft because it's useful and pretty!

I must admit, blogging has made me miss my Canon camera... a lot! Did you know my camera died? It was a very sad day. I've been scouting out my replacement camera, and would greatly benefit from your suggestions. Hope you are having a lovely week, friend.

Portland

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Heath and I went on a little adventure. Heath, Theresa (my mother-in-law), Mira (a Newton-family friend), and I packed our bags and headed out to the Northwest early Wednesday morning. Mira lived in Portland for twelve years or so, so it was very helpful to have her as our guide! Boy, did we have fun. smile.

I decided to post the following pictures to give you just a glimpse of what you will surely see in person.... right?!?!

The flowers and trees in the Portland area are beautiful!!! I wanted to take pictures of every single rhododendron and tulip I could find... they seemed to be four times the size of any I've ever seen. Must be the rain.


The Rose Garden in Washington Park. Though there were hardly any roses in bloom, this garden was quite impressive to view, and it made me really excited to visit back in June. (Many rose pictures to come!)


We learned that you must be prepared for rain at all times, hence our hooded jackets. It never rained like it does in the south, just drizzled... a lot. And even hailed on us a few times. I think Heath and I might suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) while living up there... sunny days seem to be few and far between there. That's why we are moving in the summer!!!


When you come to visit, I'll have a bouquet of those waiting for you. Guaranteed. Now, won't that be lovely!


Multnomah Falls. One of the most majestic places I have visited. Pictures just don't do it justice.




Last but not least, we found our apartment! It's settled in a great location, just steps (literally) away from the MAX station. We'll also have two bedrooms so our lovely friends and family can come to visit! Can't wait to cook lots of salmon and start my garden.