Tough Bird

I have to say I considered myself to be a pretty good cook.  Lately however if I try to cook chicken it just doesn't seem to work out very well.   Last night is the perfect example.   I tried to make and easy baked chicken recipe I do ALL the time with a white sauce.  It's easy and I just put on some rice in the rice cooker and steam some spinach and we should be set.  Also, it's usually enough for two meals.  Perfect!  Dinner for Monday and Wednesday!  

The chicken however was dry and tough - which all chicken that I cook seems to be lately.  How in the world this happened with the white sauce on it I have no idea.    I mean I have literally cooked this dish dozens of times.  It's a "go to" as I like to call it.   Oh and the rice?   Well not quite sure what happened there but it was cooked and crunchy on the bottom.   Good night I tell ya.......

Thankfully my sweet husband is very patient and pushed the rice to the side and just ate his toast.  

I'm hoping this little trend is over after the jellybean arrives.  But who knows.   Maybe its not me and its the chicken?   Needless to say tonight we will be having taco's.  Can't mess that up.   And its perfect for me in my "don't really care for meat or chicken right now" state.   Not sure if I mentioned it but the jellybean has turned me into a vegetarian of sorts.   Don't get me wrong I still enjoy a good burger ever once in a while but at night I would be cool w/ tons of veggies. 

Generous

So yesterday I'm in a meeting minding my own, taking notes, trying to pay attention and not miss any action items and suddenly the meeting is over and the room is filling w/ people.   My people - the ones that weren't already in the meeting w/ me.   They just kept coming.   And then I notice everyone is looking at me smiling and they are carrying presents.   And then it hits me - this is for Jack and then I see my husband and then I start to cry. 

You see I am not one for surprises or being the center of attention and this is chocked full of both.  Jaci had planned the whole thing.   And the attendance was beyond what I would of expected.   One of my bosses wife had made homemade treats (lovely fudge type cupcake brownies w/ raspberry on top and carrot cake minis), the cafe brought in some salty treats and I sat down in front of everyone - with G at my side to open presents with all my people looking at me.   Did I mention that there were cameras?  Another thing I'm not real keen on is getting my picture taking so basically I'd won the trifecca.   Don't confuse the sarcasm with ungratefulness however.  I was beside myself.  Here were basically all my people taking time out of their very busy days to come down and celebrate me - or more importantly Lil' J - did I mention it was overwhelming?

The presents were unreal and beyond generous.  To start with Jaci had collected enough money from everyone to buy us our stroller as well as many other wonderful gifts (ear thermometer, sheets, clothes, booties, etc.) as well as a gift card and some just good ol' cash.  If I wasn't overwhelmed by the sheer attendance when I saw the stroller I was beyond.   And hence I teared up.   Its just so unreal to think of how generous people are.  

Its one of those moments where you realize you just need to sit back and take it all in.  G told me later I was funny and tired to take control of the whole thing but really one is not in the situation every day and that is what I do w/ all these people - control them.   In a nice way of course but I think you know what I mean. 

Here are some pictures that people have sent to me......

Before - the presents (thats the stroller under the purple) and you can see the treats

All in all an example of how blessed I am to work w/ the people I do.  Again their generosity is beyond what any of my expectations would ever be.  Also, so great for Jaci to arrange all this - without my knowledge - not everyone would do that for us.  So glad G was there with me - it made it all so much more easy for me. 

Also I suppose this is good practice for what will happen at the end of August......the J's shower with my friends.  

Artichoke

Not only did I take lemonade cake to the family reunion but I also took deviled eggs and another new dish that I can't remember what blog I found on but found the credit for the recipe here on a site called Shutterbean.

This goes in the file as something to make again as well.  Could be an appetizer, potluck dish, or side dish.

Here's the recipe:

makes 16 squares

• 2 6oz. jars artichoke hearts
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• a dash of Tabasco
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 2 cups sharp cheddar, shredded
• salt & pepper
• cooking spray

Preheat oven to 325F. Spray a 9 inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside. Add the juice from one jar of artichokes to a small skillet with the onions & garlic and saute over medium high heat until onions are translucent, 4-5 minutes. Take the artichokes out of the other jar and chop them, discarding the juice. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs, add the Tabasco and breadcrumbs and stir. Stir in the artichokes, onions and cheese. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool briefly. Cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

Product before hitting the oven.....didn't take any "after" pics but there are some on the link that is at the top of the page

Its funny because when I took the foil off someone said - "Oh yum artichoke dip"  And I have to admit it does look a little like that.   But it is not a dip at all and is more like a frittata or something from that family.   You will want to double this recipe but no need.  It is rather rich and you can cut the squares rather small - after all people can always come back for seconds if they want.

TGIF!  

I hope the weekend if full of sunshine!

Wednesday Wisdom

from here

Lemonade

I will be honest here.   There are many a time when I use a mix from a box when baking.  I know, I know  but lets face some days its just easier.   People loved my cupcakes and used to beg for the recipe which always made me laugh.   One day I came clean with a friend and told her it was from a good friend named "Betty".  Frosting on the other hand is a different story.   That has to be made from scratch.  I've yet to taste a store bought one that taste good.

All that being said I am going to a reunion this weekend and decided to make the following cake I found on Baked Bree - its called a lemonade cake.  I figured since summer has officially started around here this would be perfect.   And as she mentions in the blog is a great one to bring out in the depths of winter when you need a little sunshine.

The recipe is super easy and really probably includes most of what you already have on hand.  You might just have to pick up the lemonade concentrate and the buttermilk.  I also think it would be fun to do it with limeade but the first time I make things I like to stick to the recipe for the most part and the play around later.  I also plan to make these into cupcakes but this time a sheet cake seemed easier.  The almond extract is my only addition on this one.   I just can't help myself.   If its savory odds are it will have curry in it and if its sweet odds are it will have almond extract in it - its just the way I am.

Here's the recipe:

Cake
1/3 cup butter, room temperature
3 eggs
2 1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups sugar
1/4 cup frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon or so almond extract
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
Frosting
1/3 cup butter, room temperature
3-4 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup plus 2 Tablespoons frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon or so almond extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. For the cake.....
3. Beat butter and sugar together. Add eggs one at a time. Add lemonade concentrate and vanilla.
4. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
5. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture. Add 1/2 of the buttermilk. Repeat until all of the buttermilk and flour is incorporated.
6. Pour into a 9×13 that has been coated with cooking spray. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.Cool completely.  For my oven it was more like 27 minutes so I suggest checking after 25 minutes.
7. For the frosting......
8. Beat the butter until smooth. Add 1 cup of sugar. Add in 1/3 cup of the lemonade concentrate and vanilla. Gradually add the rest of the powdered sugar. Add remaining lemonade until you get a nice consistency.
9. Spread frosting over cooked cake.

Cake cooling......

Frosted and done!  The blueberries might of been a touch too far but oh well!

My helper might of gotten a little too close when I was making the frosting....

All in all it was a success and is definitely I cake I would make again.   It has a rough texture though so I wouldn't make this into anything but a sheet cake - in other words my gut was right not to make this into cupcakes.  The buttermilk kept the cake moist and the cake did not have a tang but boy did the frosting.

A great picnic cake as it did transport well

4th

The last 8 or so years I have spent the holiday at my parents beach house.  There have been many variations of this over the years with different parts of G's family being a part of it.   But always on the 4th we are there w/ my parents having a BBQ and watching fireworks either from the beach or from the front porch.

This year however was different.  Being that the 4th is smack dab in the middle of the week and I only got Wednesday off we spent it at home.  Largely due to the fact that I am saving every last hour of my vacation for when Lil J gets here.  We had met G's mom for breakfast on the other side of town so instead of coming home we decided to go on a short road trip....... 

Mt Hood - so pretty and still lots of snow

Timberline - I know you can't see it but there are people skiing and boarding on the mountain!  One lift was open.  The parking lot was packed.  Who would of thunk that people could spend the 4th skiing?

 

Me and my belly at the base of Mt Hood/Timberline

 

Mt. Jefferson - just ignore the power lines

After we left Timberline we drove around Mt Hood and ended up in Hood River.  Such a pretty valley.  So pretty to see all the fruit trees - mostly cherry.  Should of taken more pictures I know but I didn't.   We stopped in Hood River for lunch at a local hamburger joint that was all locals and us.

And then it was on down the Gorge to Multnomah Falls.  This place was packed, after all its something to go and do about an hour out of Portland for free.  Families of all shapes and sizes all over.  The Falls were so pretty and creating a light mist.  We toured the gift shop and read all about the history grabbed ourselves a ice cream cone and headed back to our car.

We were home by around 3 pm.   Was perfect.  Gave me time to have a little cat nap. 

One thing I realized from this little road trip.   We do live in one of the prettiest places on earth.  I know this but its always good to be reminded.   Our landscape is so diverse as well.   To think that we were never more than a couple of hours from home and yet our scenery was constantly changing.   Yes we do get a lot of rain but that is why everything is so green -  we've had a wet spring and it shows.   Keep in mind that being able to ski over the 4th is not normal but I'm sure fun for those that enjoy such things.  They say its nothing but sun for the next 10 days or so - no rain in sight.  Not sure if I believe them but will be interesting to see how it all plays out.  I am thankful we have air so even if it truly does get to 90 on Sunday our house will stay cool. 

Wednesday Wisdom (on Tuesday)