Cooking Tonight -- Pecan Crusted Chicken

I could write about the Oscars; I could tell you what I think about Brad Womack's quest for love; I could share what we had for dinner.

 Looks like food it is. This was pretty easy and not very time consuming. I didn't toast my pecans (maybe that would help with them becoming a crunchier crust). I used panko instead of bread crumbs and Tobasco mustard instead of honey mustard. They came out great. Well, the flavor was great. I would have liked a crunchier crust, but I might have over-honeyed and added too much EVOO. I don't have any food porn pics. 

 Pecan Crusted Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pecans. toasted
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
• 1/4 cup honey mustard

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Using a food processor, grind the pecans into fine crumbs. Transfer to a wide, shallow bowl and stir in the bread crumbs and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Rub each chicken breast with honey mustard, then coat with the pecan mixture. Place on a nonstick baking sheet and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Bake until the juices run clear, 15 to 20 minutes.

Sunday Fun

Thanks again to  My Life in the Men's Room for this blog idea. 

TODAY:

Outside my window... it's windy!

I can't wait to ...see my pitos on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. It's been way too long since I've seen my girls and their petites!

I am listening to... Eminem's "I Need a Doctor." Oh, and I discovered I love Pandora's Kid's Radio channel. I can't wait for The Sheriff to sing and dance along with me.

I am wearing... workout clothes. I will run today. I will run today.

I am loving... anything to do with hummus. I could probably eat it with a spoon at this point. I should start making my own; that stuff isn't cheap!

I appreciate... cereal boxes! The Sheriff loves playing with them.

From the kitchen...Doing simple Oscar appetizers for dinner tonight, and by simple, I mean SIMPLE! We will probably have some cocktail shrimp (thank you HEB), cheese, bread, and maybe some salsa for good measure. One of these things is not like the other! Maybe I'll try some bruschetta instead!

I am proud... of my patience lately. I haven't been perfect, but much improved. 

One of my favorite things (this weekend) ...the Dollar Store! AND the way The Sheriff laughs at me when I dance around second-line style with a towel to "Carnival Time" to wipe his face after eating.

I am grateful...that God loves us even when we fail. 

I am thinking about... packing for our LA trip.

What I dreamed this week ... last night was about feeding Wyatt. I was having a mild panic attack before bed that he wasn't getting enough or the right stuff or a variety of foods fast enough.

I am praying...for the good fight. Still.

Shrimp... got a B- for his Church performance today. It wasn't until the Consecration that he went all Chatty Charlie on us.

What I realized... I am a micromanaging Momma! (Sorry Cowboy)


Planning for the weekend.. It's almost over! So let's recap then. My weekend started Wednesday night with our first book club meeting, and by meeting I mean party. Appetizers were abundant and the wine, well, we all brought some! BUT, we did discuss the book The Surrendered. It wasn't my favorite read, but interesting, and made for some good discussion about one's past and how that affects the present.  Thursday night I went with the neighborhood ladies to a pajama party charity event.  This is the first year we've gone and didn't know what to expect, but with our matching leopard bottoms and hot pink shirts, we pranced on in there, enjoyed some good company and good wine, and a few indulgences along the way. I wish I had pics!

Thankfully Cowboy took on the babysitting trifecta with style as I continued my social escapade Friday night and met some LA girls for dinner and chocolate. Can't beat it! We didn't take any pictures there either. What's wrong with us?

A picture thought I am sharing...

Hoping this saves my dry lips!

GIVE-AWAY

Nope it's not on my blog, folks. I don't have enough readers for that. But for the readers that I do have--check this out!

I know you are crafty. Could you use a tool to help you flawlessly cut materials for your projects? Check out this Silhouette and the give-away.

I want to win it for my M<3M!

Sewing Grandmothers Rock!

 I love my mom. She's a real life Wonder Woman, and I'm loving learning more about her as a grandmother. Check out The Sheriff with his Mamie Jewels!

Not only is she just so loving and fun with him, but she seems to LOVE sewing for him and his cousin. She's got two little grandsons (so far) but it's not keeping her from making fun things.

Which is WHY I'd love to help her win this!  She's a hard worker, plays (and prays!) with the best of them, and is so deserving of this cutting machine bundle. Come on Mamie Jewels! Win! Win! Win!

I'm in this for two reason:
A) The Sheriff will get some great stuff out the deal!)
B) But mostly, I want her to have great fun playing with her new sewing toy!

It's One of Those Days

Just busy....

On the agenda:

Early morning blood work for change in insurance policy. Are you seriously going to ask me all the questions that my husband probably filled out when applying AND that I could have done much faster on my own?
I have the biggest veins on the planet and have had to give blood many times. Are you really that bad at sticking people?

Enough complaining about that. It's done.
The Sheriff is cutting more teeth, so he's a bit more clingy that usual.  But that's not stopping me today. Making his apples and pears to freeze AND

Oreo Truffles!

Tonight is our first book club courtesy of Tales from Chenoland. We read The Surrendered, and KC proposed we bring a memory dish to coincide with themes from the book. Thank the Lord none of us have experienced the devastating events in the novel and our dishes will have a much lighter tone.

My memory dish------------------ NEVER SAY DIE OREO TRUFFLE SHUFFLES!



This next link won't embed. BUT, if you need some inspiration today, if you need to know that it's our time, click me!

Las Vegas Cake Pops

I did a little bit of looking back at ye ole pictures this weekend, and first, could not believe how many pictures of food I have. Dear Sheriff, when we pass away and you look back at our lives in photographs, please do not think we are that weird.

Anyway, I came across my Las Vegas Dice Cake Pops and realized that I never blogged about these gems. I think they came out really cute, and of course, always really tasty, so they must be shared.

If you need instructions, visit Bakerella, or check my Lady Bugs out here.  But I just made squares instead of balls, and I actually liked forming the squares better, but it was somewhat harder to keep the shape when coating with the chocolate. My decorating tools weren't the best. The red decorating gel smeared and sort of "melted" at some point. They came out really cute for the pics, but making these again, I'd find the right tools for the trade to decorate.

And here are the sweet friends that helped us a) lose our money b) celebrate Cowboy's 30th and c) party it up Vegas Style!

The girls--sorry guys. We are cuter anyway!

If you are interested in purchasing cake pops/balls for any events you have in the future, let me know. They are super easy to make, but if you don't trust your own culinary instincts, give me a holler.

NY Res--Setting 'Em Up and Knocking 'Em Down

I told myself I'd learn something new about technology this year, and I should have said some things about technology because looky-looky here--I've got some blog updates. Cowboy showed me how to add the Twitter widget. TO BE FAIR (that's for you Cowboy), it's not that hard to figure out, but he's the gentle push I need to get these things done. Maybe it's not just about learning but exploring. My, I mean our, next project will be update the template with my own picture.

I'm really proud of myself for it being February and me actually still having my goals in mind. If I make resolutions, I've usually forgotten them by now. I'm watching Cowboy look up html. Hmmm, I think I'll go get some ice cream instead. ;)

Deliberate Breaking of Resolution

So I said I will read these books (all of them) this year. I will not. Not gonna happen. Why not? Well, I just cannot get into Faithful Place. I can't.

Having a baby has taught me that life is too short to read books you don't like. Boom. Face.

What now?

Friday Fun Revisited

Thanks again to  My Life in the Men's Room for this blog idea. 

TODAY:

Outside my window... great weather for bringing little ones outside AND finding some exercise for yourself. We went on a stroller playdate with our friends Julia and Teddy (who is, I think, 5 days older than Wyatt). Everything was going great. I found the park. We were tackling the hills while avoiding the bikers. Then everything changed. The Sheriff decided he had enough and wanted to lay down his law with a nice meltdown. Did I carry him most of the way back while pushing an empty stroller? Yes. At least I got an arm workout in. I just couldn't leave him in there. We were walking to exercise and relax. There was none of that happening for anyone with him crying. Poor Teddy was even looking at him like, "What's the matter, bro? Just relax." Everyone, well by everyone I mean Wyatt, settled down for a swing. Next time we bring cameras! Any mom advice for the stroller meltdown? He is cutting teeth. It could have been that or being uncomfortable in the stroller position or maybe just being too hot. I lean towards it being hot. He drank some water back at the car and then was much better.

I am laughing at... an old Cowboy comment--after I had fixed my hair a while back, he walked into the bathroom and said, "It smells like a Jager-bomb in here."

I am listening to... American Idol hopefuls. I think is the last Hollywood night. 

I am wearing... jammies. It's Thursday night. You'll read this tomorrow, so don't get your panties in a bunch.

I am loving... The Sheriff finding his voice. I will never tire of those squeals.

I appreciate... time spent with a snuggly Sheriff. So what if he won't hold his own bottle.

From the kitchen...Will have a blog post coming soon with what we've tried this week. I made an excellent Val. Day meal and a new crock pot go-to move. This weekend will probably hold pork burgers (technically not from the kitchen but the grill) and homemade Sloppy Joes. I need to get back on a health kick.

I am proud... of my big bro.

One of my favorite things...THIS makeup palette.

I am grateful...that the Sheriff goes to bed early.

I am thinking about... how I will read all of the books I requested at the library that have come in at once. 

What I dreamed this week ... something awful last night! I don't remember the details, but I remember being up several times because of it. 

I am praying...for the good fight.

Shrimp... has cut another tooth and is working on one more!

What I realized... I am very blessed to have Cowboy in my life. He is husband/father extraordinaire.


Planning for the weekend.. a birthday party on Saturday with new friends!



A picture thought I am sharing...

Rant From Da Burbs--Recycling Edition

Seriously, people! You have a garbage can spilling into the street with cardboard boxes, milk cartons/jugs, plastic, etc. I understand the instability of the can itself and the wind knocking it down. That is not today's issue.

The issue, dear neighbors, is your lack of recycling. The city could not make it easier. It provides the bin (which you don't even have to make a special trip to pick up. They bring it to you.). It provides the service. It provides you with a handy magnet letting you know which products are acceptable. Said magnet also tells you holiday recycling schedule.

We fill ours to the brim almost every week, and many times we can't fit it all. I save our junk mail inside until there is a sizable amount and bring it outside (to do so daily would be a pain to me, but maybe that might help with Project De-clutter). Now this does not name me Go Green Goddess of the Year by any means. I am guilty of throwing out that bottle of Hidden Valley Light Ranch simply because it's too much of a pain to rinse out. I justify this by reviewing in my head just how much water it takes to get it cleaned out. Anyway, come on folks.

On the other hand, dear recycling team, please know that a pile of cardboard is indeed meant to go on your recycle truck and not the garbage one. Sometimes it just can't fit in the blue bin, but you know what cardboard is. You know that your handy magnets tell us that we can recycle cardboard. The short version--take the pile of cardboard!

Cashing in on NY Res--Cookbook Recipe Week 3 Country-Style Ribs

So how many weeks has it been since New Years? Let's not count because this is only recipe 3. I'm ok with that. Honestly, I didn't think I'd make it this far!

You HAVE to make this. Reading this post and casting this recipe aside is just not an option. It can feed a crowd if need by or can feed you for a few days if you love cooking once and eating a bunch.

I did add salt and pepper to the ribs before putting the sauce. I don't know where you get your ribs, but mine don't come salted! And you know my philosophy--when in doubt....

I also had about 5 lbs of ribs, so increased the amount of sauce.

Next time I would consider putting Cowboy's pork rub on the meat first for extra zing, but the recipe as is turned out fantastic. Perfect texture!

Country-Style Ribs Baked in Barbecue Sauce (courtesy of Joy of Cooking)

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds country-style ribs
• 1½ cups barbecue sauce
• 1 cup orange juice

• Position a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 300.
• Arrange ribs in a 13 x 9 baking dish. Whisk the sauce and orange juice together, pour the sauce over the ribs and turn them to coat completely with the sauce. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 3 hours. Uncover, increase the oven temperature to 350, and bake the ribs for 1 hour more, turning them once after 30 minutes. Do not worry if they fall apart a little when turning them over. Remove the ribs to a warmed platter and let stand for 15 minutes. Spoon off the fat from the sauce and serve the ribs with the sauce.

I have "food porn" on my iphone but haven't taken pictures off it yet, so will attach with next post if you are really interested. 

A Little Puddin' -- A Whole Lotta Flava!

I decided to beat being "iced" in last week by doing two things (among others like chasing The Sheriff around with a camera): cleaning the icebox and making homemade chocolate pudding pie. Yes, my friends, even the pudding. There was no J-E-L-L-O to be found within those cookie crust walls.

First, let's take a look in the icebox. There is no "before" picture. That might be too embarrassing. We aren't that close yet, blog readers. Who am I kidding? Only my best friends subject themselves to reading this. I think it's mostly for the pics of the kiddo anyway.

But take a look at the after. 

 I feel like a celeb featured in some Food Network magazine. Do notice, Bob and Jillian, the lowfat yogurt and fresh fruit. G2--packs less sugar. We've got milk (and formula). There are grilled chicken breasts in the tupperware on the left. And check out the fresh veggies in the drawer. Wait, ignore that beautiful chocolaty piece of heaven featured front and center.

Nevermind, feast your eyes on it and the recipe below.

And They Said There'd Be Snow

But

They were sitting on a throne of lies!
We had no snow Friday morning when we woke up at 6:30. In fact, we had no snow at 3:00 am when I couldn't sleep (probably too excited about SNOW), AND when had no snow at 5:00 am when up for the same reason.

But we were stuck inside for a few days since it was so stinking cold out. Here's how we passed the time.

First, we tried to handle our own bottle. Turns out hitting it and chasing it around with my new scooting moves is much more fun.

While the weathermen/women were swimming in their own pool of meteorological lies, we swam in this toy, also known as the most difficult to figure out how to get the water inside! Thank you amazon.com reviewer who explained the directions not included with the package itself.

 At first we showed some interest, but did find the towel a bit more entertaining.  Tummy time with this water mat wasn't a hit just yet, but who knew sitting on it would be so much fun.

And time with Sophie is always well spent. 

 Chasing (and popping bubbles)

 We tried to take pictures with Piglet for turning 7 months. These are getting harder as the Sheriff would much rather be mobile.

7 months and stylin'

 This, my friends, is the toy that got me officially "scooting" as they say.

 Oh my gosh, she said, "The white stuff is snow-where to be found!"

Stay tuned to find out not only which annoying household chore I tackled, but how to make a delicious pudding pie.

New Years Resolution Recipe #2 --NOLA Flava'

So I don't know if I've quite kept to my resolution and cooked out of a real cookbook every week, but I'm doing my best. Here's what this week held. This dish was super easy, super tasty, and there are leftovers! Can't ask for much more.

My pictures did not come out quite as nice as the ones in the cookbook which is a given. I don't have the right lighting, props, or staff hired solely to make my food look beautiful. Let's just worry about taste people!

Spicy Beef And New Orleans Red Rice Skillet Dinner
(from The Deen Bros Take It Easy Cookbook)

1 T olive oil
1 lb ground beef
2 1/4 t salt
2 celery ribs, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 green pepper, seeded and diced
2 cups chicken broth
one 14 oz-can tomato puree
1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain rice
1 teaspoon sugar
2 t Tabasco or other hot sauce

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Crumble the beef into the skillet and season with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Brown the beef, breaking it up, for 5-7 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink. Drain.

Reduce the heat to medium high and saute the diced celery, onion and green pepper in the skillet for about 5 minutes, or until tender. Add the browned beef, chicken broth, 1 1/2 cups of water, the tomato puree, rice, remaining 1 3/4 teaspoons salt, and the hot sauce. Bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, covered, for 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender.

**Chef's note--Would I make any changes? Maybe add more heat with extra Tobasco. A tasty jalapeno might make another nice addition.

Also watch your pan/cooking time. As we continue this cooking tour, to the right you will see what I was left with after transferring the dish to it's serving bowl. Quite a bit stuck to the bottom of the dish and started to burn. Maybe stirring during the 40 minute cooking time would be helpful. I didn't want to let out steam as rice cooked though.

The Wonderful World of Sports--Rings and Things and Fine Array

Need to catch up on your sporting news, or should I say gossip? Here's what ye old Google Reader held for me this morning:

1. Those drinking the Jay Cutler hateraide are still binge drinking. Are these guys mad about his injury/lack of or jealous of his woman? I'll let you be the judge of that.

2. We've talked about championship rings before. You win the championship, and you acquire a shiny piece of bling bling to add to your accessories. But "not so fast," says the University of Alabama when their cheerleading squad took home the glory. Refusing to recognize cheerleading as a sport is sure to cause some controversy. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. 1560 The Game's SEC Guy would surely have something to say about this.

3. Ochocinco wants to change his name again?  Here's an idea: make yourself truly relevant on the football field, and we'll call you whatever you want.

4. I don't know if you heard, but IT'S SUPER BOWL WEEK! Inez Sainz caused quite the stir at Media Day. I just learned about her incident with the Jets through this article.  Surprised that it happened with the Jets? No.
She brings an interesting dynamic to the sports reporting world though, and raises questions about how women will continue to play a role in this field. At the end of the day I think if you dress like this (scroll down), you are asking for unwanted attention. Women deserve to look their best, but sequins? Really?


5. Speaking of women, Michael Silver posts the following rant about Super Bowl's Sunday's date with Porn Sunday 

That there is something called National Porn Sunday; that it is actually an anti-pornography event taking place near Dallas the day of the Super Bowl, rather than a series of more private gatherings created in honor of one of my Morning Rush writing breaks; and that athletes such as Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck(notes), Cowboys quarterback Jon Kitna(notes), Packers defensive lineman Ryan Pickett(notes) and ex-NFL quarterback Josh McCown(notes) have lent their support to xxxchurch.com, the Las Vegas website behind the movement. Really, guys? That’s your crusade – trying to ensure that those of us who might look for a little diversionary arousal on our laptops or TV sets, in the privacy of our homes or hotel rooms, cleanse our sinful souls by keeping it PG-13? Look, I know there are major problems with the porn industry, and I understand that it’s largely degrading to women and has the potential to inhibit legitimate intimacy in some individuals. But this is America, and if some of us have our days enhanced by watching, say, two lovely women making out on camera, is it really anyone’s place to get involved? Some might speculate that this is a matter that’s between me and my wife and the 46-inch LCD screen in our bedroom. I’m not going to say one way or the other, but unless Hasselbeck, Kitna, Pickett, McCown and company want to come party at our place, their input is immaterial. In fact, I’d tell those guys to butt out, but they might blow a gasket over the terminology.


Say what you want Mr. Silver, but I disagree and applaud these athletes standing up for an issue that most people just don't want to talk about.  Thank you Hasselbeck, Kitna, Pickett, and McCown for being role models for adults, both young and old, and it's especially refreshing for young people today to see men in your industry vocalizing an unpopular stance in today's hyper-sexed society.

This and That

I absolutely love this commercial. (And I even hate rodents.) Regardless, it does not get old and cracks me up every time




While I'm hoping that the Super Bowl trophy is taking a trip to Mr. Rodgers' neighborhood this Sunday, I love love love Polamalu's dimples. Just darling.

I am finally putting to use the toilet paper rolls I've been saving for CCE. We are making forgiveness bugs--catch it! :) I hope the kiddos come out better than mine as they will color them and add some style. I'll be sure to take some pics. In the meantime, hope you all catch this bug. Forgive your neighbors. Forgive your family. Forgive yourself. :)

I've got to get to the post office. I HATE the post office.

I also hate changing the roll of toilet paper, but I did today. After two empty ones were sitting on top. All I can do is laugh at myself.

Brrrrr... Houston Winter

So yesterday the Sheriff and I took a walk with his legs hanging out of the stroller, and I was worried that I was going to be a terrible mother because I have yet to buy sunscreen for the petite. I just knew those little legs were going to be all red when we returned. They were fine. But while we are on the topic--what do my fellow mommas out there use for their babies? Good brands? What about for sensitive skin? (If I don't get any comments back, I'm going to be mad at you. That means you!)

BUT, here we are, the very next day, woken up early by hurricane sounding wind and rain, and finding our way into the 20s tonight.  Plus, there is a possibility of snow flurries on Friday. I was definitely thinking about this chance when I was awake listening to the elements, mostly about what we will put on the Sheriff for him to go outside and enjoy his first snow. I don't really have any super warm clothes because let's face it, the weather described above, sunburn included, is more typical. I guess it will be all about layers. He doesn't even have any mittens, so I'm thinking we'll use some socks. He will be quite possibly the most awkward looking snow baby there is, but let's hope for snow anyway. I'll post pics for sure. Maybe we'll work on our snow dance in the meantime. As you can see below, it's going to take some work. With grass that green, a sun hat that cute, and a smile that big, I don't know if we are ready for the white stuff.