January is coming to an end...

A few things..... some Thoughts, a Recipe, Paint Color, and playing with Daddy :)

Well, January is almost over. Can you believe it! Another Birthday has come and gone for me. The holidays are over, and life is back to normal. I think this is the hardest time of the year for me. The Winter blues can tend to set in. There is not as much sun, it's cold, snow on the ground, and not many holidays, no vacations, or days Chris has off from work. Winter seems to go on forever!! Especially, since I haven't been skiing in a few years. And spring is a long long time away. Now is the time I start dreaming of summer, and planning the things we will do when it's warm outside again.

Every year we talk about doing a Winter trip. Something fun, when its gloomy and wintery outside. And we never get around to it. But things are about to change!! Thanks to my Aunt and Uncle, who are letting us stay at their cabin this weekend! We are about to spend 4 glorious days with some family, Snowmobiling, sledding, playing ping pong, games, watching movies, drinking hot chocolate, and of course eating yummy food!! I'm so excited. It's just the little getaway that I NEED right now. Something fun :) And I'm sure I will have a full report for you next week, when we get back!

On another note, I have found an awesome food site, that I've been getting some amazing recipes from. I thought I would share one of the recipes that is next on my list to try! And if you try it before I do, maybe you can let me know how yummy it is :) There's even a picture at the bottom of the recipe, so you can see just what you'll be making!

Crispy Chicken with Creamy Italian Sauce and Bowtie Pasta

www.jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com Time: 45 minutes Yield: 6 servings Recipe from Jamie Cooks It Up! 3 large chicken breasts 5 C corn flakes 3/4 C flour 1/2 t salt 1/2 C milk 6 T olive oil 1 12 oz package bowtie noodles (farfalle) Sauce: 1 10 oz container Philadelphia Cooking Cream (Italian Cheese and Herb Flavor) 2 cans cream of chicken soup 1 C chicken broth 1/2 C milk fresh parsley, chopped (optional) 1. In a small food processor crush the corn flakes into crumbs. 2. Add the 1/2 t salt to the 3/4 C flour. Stir to combine. 3. Place the flour, milk and crushed cornflakes each into their own separate pan. Loaf pans work well for this. If you don't have three loaf pans, do not dismay. You could use pie tins, or round cake pans...what ever works for you. 4. Place your chicken breasts in a gallon sized Ziploc bag and seal the top. Pound the chicken flat with a meat mallet. You will really be thankful for the Ziploc bag in this step. Who wants a bunch of chicken guts flying around their kitchen? Not me...that's who. 5. Take a pair of sharp kitchen scissors and cut each breast in half. 6. Dredge the chicken in the flour. Be sure it gets covered on both sides. Lay the floured chicken onto a small cookie sheet and slide the sheet into the freezer. Let it hang out there for about 5 minutes. 7. Start cooking your pasta. 8. Remove the chicken from the freezer and dredge each piece in the milkand then immediately into the corn flake crumbs. Again, be sure both sides are covered well. 9. Add the olive oil to a hot skillet. 10. Carefully lay each chicken piece into the hot oil. Sprinkle with a little bit of salt and pepper. Cook over medium high heat for about 5 minutes.... or until the underside of each piece is nice and golden brown. Turn the pieces over. If the bottom of the pan is dry add just a bit more olive oil to the side of the pan. Swirl the pan around a bit to let the oil flow to all sides. 11. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Let the chicken cook for about 7 more minutes, being careful not to burn the bottoms. Burned bottoms are not advised. In any shape or form. Thank you. 12. When your chicken has been cooked through remove it from the pan and place it on a plate. Cover with tin foil. 13. Into the same pan pour your broth. Philly Cooking Creme, Cream of Chicken, and milk. Whisk the sauce around and let it get all warm and bubbly. Should only take about 3 minutes. 14. Slice your chicken into strips and serve over your cooked pasta and sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley if you choose. Enjoy

I think I have finally found my new Paint Color! I'm planning on painting my main living room and dinning room :) Well, what do you think? I can tell you, that I didn't think I would go with a cool color, because I'm all about the warm ones, but I'm loving this! Mostly because my couch and chair are red, and I just love how the red lamp in this photo goes so well with this paint. I also , think it's new and IN, and there is also a bit of green in my couch as well. I think it's a winner!!! One of these months, when I get that HUGE project done, I'll have to post some pics. But for now this is your tease! :)

P.S. Thank you Pinterest!

And last but not least, a few more pics of the girls outside playing with their Daddy! The BEST Daddy in the whole world. He really is so much fun. He had the girls running around chasing him in a major snowball fight, laughing so hard they would fall down, sledding, and enjoying themselves to the Max! What more could you wish for? :) It's been a good January.