Just a quiet hello

It's been a long while since I've sat down here and let you in on our lives. I've been tagged, but since I'm not on the computer that can work for the tag, I'll have to take care of that business later!

The kitchen is pretty much stuck where you see it. Early next week one of my customers plans on dropping off my new piece of countertop. I don't even know what it looks like, except it is glossy black! I told him we were looking for a remnant of granite, or marble or quartz and since he does that kind of work, he's taking care of it for me. I'm anxious to see it! We had planned to put a new can light in today with dad's help (he's here visiting while mom is in AZ at her brother's), but they found that there isn't enough room in the ceiling at that point to do so. Instead, they put a third light in the living room -- something we'd been planning on doing for quite some time. It will be very helpful for the Meeting on Union Sundays. I guess when I have some days off this week I'll have to work to paint the ceiling -- especially now that we know the can lights aren't going to work for us! I hate painting, but so does Kent and so if I don't do it, who knows when it will get done. Kent is working late all this week, too, while his boss is on a cruise, so that should give me plenty of time to get the dirty deed done!!

Like I mentioned, Dad is here with us. He drove up today and will have to go back tomorrow. Kind of a bummer that he has to work on Monday, but anyway. A fast trip for him and then we made him work while he was here! He was such a sweetie and brought me a cool card display stand. It has two rings that hold sheet protector things and I can put cards in it that I make and/or receive. What a great way to display the awesome works of art that I have received over time! I can use it to photograph the cards I make, too.

Well, as you can see, there isn't much going on here at the moment, but I felt I should at least say "Hi". Hoping you are all doing well, too!

The End is Near!!!

The Sunday before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day we ordered our new cabinets. We were given a 4-5 week wait time and well -- exactly 2 weeks later, here we are!! We still need a countertop (as you can see) and the toe kicks and trim need done. We have to figure out lights and paint the ceiling, but essentially, the kitchen remodel is done! I guess that means we have to invite you to dinner so you can see it for yourself!!

STAY AWAY!

This is Tiana and I. Kent thinks he's immune because he didn't love on the kids while they were here, but we may well show him!!
Speaking of feeling lousy, I feel bedtime comin' on! Never mind the 2 hour nap today, the all day nap yesterday, it's BEDTIME!!

Family Time!

Well, it's been awhile, what with the kitchen remodel and all, but then there's the whole reason it had to get done -- company was on the way!! For the first time, just in time for her first birthday, we got to meet Zoé! Justin, Kathy, Wyatt and Zoé came out to celebrate her first birthday, and of course the grandparents had to come, too! And so what better thing do you do than take a picture? There's no better thing at all! So, enjoy this hint at our family -- Zoé and her birthday Build-a-Monkey and then the rest of us taken this morning after Meeting!

Tonight's Yumminess!

One of the ladies over on Cuppas and Cards posted this fabulous, oh-so-timely crock-pot recipe. We had it tonight, at Tiana's begging and it is soo good -- AND HEALTHY!!

Lime Chicken Tacos

1-1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 Tbsp. lime juice
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 c frozen corn
1 c chunky salsa
12 fat-free tortillas (6 inches) warmed
Sour cream, shredded cheese and shredded lettuce, optional

Place the chicken in a 3-qt slow cooker. Combine lime juice and chili powder; pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until chicken is tender.

Remove chicken; cool slightly. Shred and return to the slow cooker. Stir in corn and salsa. Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes or until heated through. Serve in tortillas with sour cream, cheese and lettuce

Makes 12 tacos

1 taco (calculated without sour cream and cheese) = 148 calories
2 g fat (trace saturated fat)
31 mg cholesterol
338 mg sodium
18 g carbs
1g fiber
14 g protein

What's a girl to cook in a kitchen like this? I'll use the microwave, the electric skillet, and a tossed salad to round out the veggies! Tonight's dinner: Fried Chicken and Gravy!! (with Stovetop Stuffing, of course!)

Fried Chicken with Cream Gravy
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
¼ c. flour
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. paprika
¼ tsp. pepper
2 Tbs. oil
½ c. evaporated skim milk
½ c. chicken broth

Rinse chicken pieces; pat dry with paper towels.
In a plastic bag, combine flour, salt, paprika and pepper. Add a few chicken breast at a time to the bag; shake to coat. Remove chicken from bag, shaking off any excess coating in the bag. Reserve remaining flour mixture.
In a 12" skillet heat cooking oil. Add chicken and cook, uncovered, over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, turning to brown evenly.
Reduce heat; cover tightly. Cook 30 minutes. Uncover and cook 10-15 minutes more or till chicken is tender and no longer pink. Drain chicken on paper towel. Keep warm.
Pour fat from skillet and discard.
For gravy, in a small bowl, slowly stir milk into reserved flour mixture. Stir in chicken broth. Add mixture to skillet. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1-2 minutes more. Serve gravy over chicken.

207 calories
29 g protein
6 g carbohydrate
8g fat
73 mg cholesterol
332 mg sodium
313 mg potassium

The brick wall is breaking...

With enough beating of the head on the brick wall, there is now a bit of light through the hole that's been created! I think the website will be a "GO" for cardmakers and scrapbookers! I've been a part of a group of women for about 5 years and there have been issues with 2 of the sites we've been on, so I'm hoping to be able to promise to them many more years of stable chatting and sharing! Ahh! It's been fun, now just to see if it stays on the upward swing! If you want to peek, here's the site: Cuppas and Cards