What your TV can tell you

Your TV can tell you a host of things - the weather, news, daytime dramas, what's in or out, hot and not.  I am fascinated when I visit people and their recorded shows list pops up.  It says a lot about what people do in their spare time.  In the spirit of a quick blog before I call it a night, here is what is on mine as of today:

• So You Think You Can Dance
• This is a newly found Lane and Payden go-to summer fave
• What Not to Wear
• Secretly I wish Stacey Clinton would come visit with her $5k card
• Kate Plus 8
• Ever since Jon left, I am just not into it.  Delete
• Bones
• My FAVORITE show - not on in the summer. 
• House
• My second favorite show and also not on in the summer
• Giada at Home
• Love her, love her food.  And I've met her!
• Rachel's Week in a Day
• What I would do to cook five meals in one day for the week
• The Biggest Loser
• Love the show but Lane won't watch it with me.
• The Office
• What will the world be like with out Steve Carrell on The Office?
• Monster-In-Law
• Movie with J-Lo
• Ocean's Twelve
• Personally, I was good at keeping it at 11

So that's a peek into what's on the DVR. 

After all that, there is nothing on or recorded that interests be, so I am watching Swamp People.  Something must be wrong in the world.

Remembering...

My dad got re-married Saturday.  It was a joyous occasion for him and his new bride, Shelly.  I am so thrilled that he has found a companion and partner for the next chapter of his life I cannot help but to think back on my mom.  Since I love lists, it only seems appropriate:

1.   Outside our home was a sign that read “Love Deeply.”  And my mom did.  Loving is being selfless and she was so selfless.  When her sister died suddenly she left two boys behind and my Mom raised them.  I cannot think of a way to love more deeply than to love two boys that are not even your own.  Then she had her own kids and she loved us so deeply too.  In memory of her, I have a matching sign that also reads, “Love Deeply.”

2.   My mom loved to cook.  Most of the memories of my mom were centered on a meal.  I would like to think that has been passed onto me.  She cooked every night for the four of us.  Not only did she cook every night for the family but she got up every school day and made a hot homemade breakfast.  First, I am surprised that I don’t weight 500 pounds because it was so yummy and good ole Southern style breakfast.  But secondly I didn’t realize until I was older how out of the ordinary that is.  Her homemade biscuits were the best.  She made them very small, only about one and a half inches in diameter.  They were adorable and delicious.  

3.   Speaking of cooking, she started a recipe box for me when I was really little, probably six years old.  In it are my favorite recipes with commentaries like, “A Christmas Morning Tradition” and “You called these cheesy potatoes.”  I have that recipe box in my kitchen and it contains all my childhood favorites. 

4.   Often when I think of my mom in the kitchen I think of a white sweatshirt, shorts and flip flops.  That was her “at home” outfit in rain or snow.  Sometimes I feel like I need to channel her and so I throw on my grey Polo sweatshirt, some shorts and flip flops and cook away.

5.   My mom was a great listener.  I remember sitting at the bar while she cooked and just talking.  She would ask great questions, which to me is the sign of a good listener. 

6.   My mom was not for inside dogs.  I type this as my two BIG inside dogs drool over my dinner.  Sorry mom.

7.   Sometimes when life got stressful, I would vent to her and she would start her next sentence with, “Now here’s what we are going to do.  You need to take a good long bath and get some time to think and then we will …..”  She believed that a good long bath could cure a lot of things.  I believe that is great wisdom.

8.   My mom had the most unique handwriting of any person I have ever met. Each letter stands meticulously on its own and with its own personality.  R’s were always capitalized whether they needed to be or not.  I admired her uniqueness in just about everything.

9.   My mom was so thoughtful.  I can remember at least once a week in school there would be a note, favorite piece of candy, a picture, you name it - in my lunch box at school.  I hope I said thank you enough for those small, meaningful acts of thoughtfulness.

Although it only scratches the surface, it felt so good to share those things.  Thanks for indulging me.

Mom and Me - November 2006



Make Your Own Gift

A good friend of mine just moved into a new house and is graciously hosting my husband and me for dinner.  I wanted to bring her a hostess gift and house warming gift but didn't know what exactly to get her, nor what she needs. 

She is a meal-planner like me but we all know post-it's are not so glamorous and I always lose my grocery list 4-5 times during the week anyway, so I thought I would make a prettier one that stays put and it is your kitchen when you need it.

Here is a picture:

 

How to make it:

1.  Purchase or re-purpose an 8 x 10 frame. 

2.  Cut scrapbook paper to match your kitchen motif - cut a few different patterns and colors

3.  Place the paper where you would typically put a picture

4.  Purchase a dry-erase marker and viola!

This is a great item to place family reminders, quotes, Bible verses, or my personal favorite, the grocery list - all dressed up.

Go-To Meal

I pride myself in being a pretty decent meal planner, but there are a few meals that are go-to meals when you haven't meal planned. You know, the days you open the fridge and hope for the best!  This recipe is one of those go-to meals.  I almost always have the ingredients on hand and just enough time to throw it all together.  I learned to cook Chicken Scallopini when I first started cooking.  At the time, it seemed so difficult.  Now, I can cook it with my eyes closed.  Well, maybe not, but you get the drift.  I don't always have capers on had so you can live without them too.

This go-to recipe can be served with anything - orzo pasta, frozen veggies, a light soup like tomato-basil soup, etc.  The possibilites are endless.

This recipe is from Cooking Light:

Chicken Scallopini

Prepare chicken breasts scallopini-style by pounding them into thin, quick-cooking servings, then dredge in lemon juice and breadcrumbs and sauté for about 3 minutes on each side. The white wine sauce with capers complements the flavor of the lemon juice, and makes a great topping for wild rice.

Ingredients

• 4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/3 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
• Cooking spray
• 1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 4 teaspoons capers
• 1 tablespoon butter

Preparation

Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Brush chicken with juice, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in breadcrumbs.
Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until chicken is done. Remove from pan; keep warm.
Add broth and wine to pan, and cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in capers and butter.