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.

Flea Market Finds

If you have not already been made aware: I, Katie Claire Newton, am a collector. A collector of anything really. Well, almost. Anyway, Katie B. and I went out this past Saturday in search of Abilene's hidden treasures, and I am so pleased with the things I discovered!

A metal, lace picture frame, which will be used as a jewelry display. (More on that idea later.) Two jars of buttons; one collection of blues and greens, and the other of yellows and oranges. A folding wooden ruler. A bag full of foreign and domestic vintage stamps. A brown vintage purse, for 79 cents. A floral handkerchief from Paris; atleast that's what it says on the tag. And, a vintage red suitcase. The suitcase is in perfect condition, and it cost a mere $2.71. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.


Buttons. I've collected them since I was in tenth grade, and I still don't seem to have enough. If you have any that you would like to get rid of, I'd be more than happy to take them off your hands. smile


Last but not least, stamps. I've never bought vintage stamps before, usually because they are not listed at the thrifty prices I like. But I bit the bullet and bought these, and paid a mere buck twenty-five for them. Ones from Hong Kong, New Zealand, Israel, Kenya. For the U.S., Girl Scouts of America, Peace Corps, Wildlife Conservation, Tom Sawyer, and tons of Presidential, Christmas, and Artist themed ones. Not quite sure what I'm going to do with all of them. Any ideas?


Hope you had a lovely Monday!

Black and White Cookies

While living in the Bronx several summers ago, I had an established tradition each afternoon. . . I would walk several blocks to the nearest corner store and purchase two things: one black and white cookie and one grape soda. Not quite sure why I started this, or why I desired that combination, but I did.

Anyway, I recently came across this magazine/website.



Household cooks from all over the states can share their favorite family recipes. I have already used from several of them and they are great! Here's the recipe for Black and White cookies:

Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
2 Tbls. shortening

Step 1:
Beat the sugar, butter, and cream cheese together until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla. When mixed in, add the flour; mix well. Divide dough in half. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out the dough, but not too thin. (The dough is tender, so you can have a thicker cookie.) Cut the dough into desired shapes. Bake for 8 minutes or until barely light brown. (I baked mine for about 10 minutes, but my oven is also 40 years old. . . just watch them closely.) Cool completely on cookie rack.


Step 2:
Melt semisweet chocolate chips; set aside. (Rather than using the microwave, I melt mine by using a double-broiler. Less likely to burn in my opinion.) Combine white chocolate chips with shortening; melt slowly. Dip half of each cookie in the melted white chocolate*; cool until set. Brush melted semisweet chocolate on the other half**; let set completely. Makes 24 cookies.

*Useful tip: I cut several medium sized squares of parchment paper and placed the paper over half of the cookie. Though this makes things a bit messy, it made the middle line much more straight and pretty.
**Use the back of a spoon to smooth on the semisweet chocolate.


Hope you enjoy!

Franklin

Every time I visit, I am reminded how much I miss this place....


And these people.


Texas is great and all, but there's something special about Tennessee. Perhaps it's the tall green trees, and my dear friends who I only see about twice a year now. (I need to start writing more letters; I also love receiving snail mail, hint hint). smile. Being in Tennessee makes my heart happy, and I'm glad we were able to visit, even if it was for only three days. Here are some pictures from this weekend.... enjoy!


Each time we visit grandmom and granddaddy Daniels, I learn something. Granddad still has his playful sense of humor, and grandmom always shows her abundant love and hospitality. Thanksgiving better come quick!


We walked around downtown Franklin with mom. She treated us to Starbucks, and bought us an Oregon handtowel :) Heath and I ate dinner at the Mellow Mushroom. . . if you have not eaten there, you should go. Great atmosphere and wonderful pizza!

On Saturday morning, we went to the Farmer's Market. One of my favorite things to do while I'm home.


We bought fresh kettle corn.....


This guy enjoyed it a little too much. smile! He walked around the entire place like this.


We ate lunch with Aunt Lynn at Wild Ginger. It was great to see you, Aunt Lynn! You and Heather better come visit us in Portland... I'm counting on it! (Order the Firecracker; it's a sushi dish with salmon. By far my favorite dish I've had in a while. The Skittle salad is great as well. Andrea: you and Andrew should to eat there... tonight!)


Saturday night, my sweet friend married her best friend.


Katie looked beautiful and I'm so glad we were able to be there. God is so good, and I know he will bless Katie and Robert in their new life together. Congrats, friend!

Heath and I enjoyed getting dressed up. . .



And, we got to see Julie!!!! Sorry we didnt' have more time, friend. Guess you'll just have to come out to Portland!

We also visited with Grandmom and Granddad Morrison. I forgot to take a picture, so we'll just have to wait until California at Em's reception. It was great to see them all settled in their house!

If you were wondering, not only has my plant not died. . .


there's another bud on it's way! Guess I'm doing something right.

Spring has Sprung

. . . and hopefully the heat is here to stay for a while. Lately, I've enjoyed opening all of the windows and listening to the birds sing, though sometimes I fear for birds flying into our house. I have a feeling I wouldn't react calmly. Heath and I ate dinner on our porch several nights ago, and it was wonderful!



If Abilene weather will cooperate, we might be able to do this a few more times before the move. smile
This little beauty is new to us, and I love how bright and cheery it makes me feel early in the morning as I leave for work. Theresa, my lovely mother-in-law, gave it to me for my birthday.



A new one just started blooming several days ago. Sure hope I don't kill it!

Quick update: Heath and I are in Franklin for the weekend. Visited Grandmom and Granddad Daniels today, going to visit Franklin Farmer's Market tomorrow, and Katie Dodge's wedding is tomorrow night! I'll post pictures of everything in a few days.

Portland update: I've scheduled over 10 appointments to view apartments in the Beaverton area (about 10 miles west of Portland). We'll be visiting our future city in two weeks! Pray that we find a good place to live.

I hope your day was lovely.