I'm always looking for new things to do with chicken, so I found this recipe and, of course, added some things to make it mine.
- 1-1.25 pounds of chicken- either cut up or shredded
- 1 box of penne
- 1 10 ounce box of frozen spinach, thawed. Make sure you wring the excess water out-- there will be a lot of it.
- 2 ounces of cream cheese
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- 2T of sun-dried tomato vinaigrette dressing
- 1 glove of garlic clove, chopped
-1 small red onion, chopped
-6 mushrooms, chopped
- 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, divided
- Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and Pepper to taste.
Preheat oven to 375.
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta for about 11 minutes (you don't want it completely done b/c it's going to continue cooking in the oven). Drain the pasta well.
Cook your chicken- add salt and pepper. When it's about halfway through, add the dressing and continue cooking until just cooked through. Add the onions, garlic, and mushrooms- salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 3-4 minutes. Add your spinach and break it apart. Cook for another three minutes. Add your chicken broth and cream cheese- add salt and pepper. Cook until the cream cheese is melted. Add the mixture to the cooked pasta.
Put about half of the mixture into a 13 x 9 casserole dish. Add 1 cup of mozzarella and some grated Parmesan. Add the other half of the mixture to the dish. Add the remaining mozzarella and more Parmesan on top.
Bake in the oven for about 15-17 minutes.
It is one of the best casseroles I've ever made... still eating the leftovers!!!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
How I Know I Own a Great Dane
... And yes I mean besides the food and the size ...
Some people we know that have a Dane used to tell us that he had his own designated spot on their bed that he would sleep, and if anyone got in his way he would pout and pace and make noises until they got up.
WELL... when we got our furniture, we said, "Paisley is not allowed on the furniture. It's new... blah, blah, blah..." Yeah that lasted about a week. We have a couch, a recliner, and an over-sized chair-- and Paisley can pretty much sleep and sit where she wants now (it's kinda hard to control the power and weight of a Great Dane). So recently her place to sleep has been on the couch beside of her daddy.
A couple of nights ago, I was sitting in her spot and she started pacing.. pacing around the coffee table, pacing around the room... she would NOT lay down. I took her out, thinking that would make her lay down... NOPE. She's still pacing... then she comes over to me and puts her head on chest and sighs. And she's pacing again and making noises and looking at Josh.
Then it hit me, and I said, "I'm going to get up. Let's see how long it takes for her to get in my spot."
I got up and walked to the kitchen, and as soon as I got up-- I get the look like, "Are you watching me? When you're not looking, I'm going to get on the couch." And sure enough when I was far enough away, the front paws get up on the couch and the look of, "Oh am I going to get away with it? Is she watching me?" The back paws go up and she plops down.. within 5 minutes she was zonked out.
And tonight.. Paisley ate her kibbles and came over to look at me like, "Mama get up so I can lay down on the couch." And as soon as I got up, she climbed up and is now out like a light.
I LOVE this dog-- she's awesome!!!
Some people we know that have a Dane used to tell us that he had his own designated spot on their bed that he would sleep, and if anyone got in his way he would pout and pace and make noises until they got up.
WELL... when we got our furniture, we said, "Paisley is not allowed on the furniture. It's new... blah, blah, blah..." Yeah that lasted about a week. We have a couch, a recliner, and an over-sized chair-- and Paisley can pretty much sleep and sit where she wants now (it's kinda hard to control the power and weight of a Great Dane). So recently her place to sleep has been on the couch beside of her daddy.
A couple of nights ago, I was sitting in her spot and she started pacing.. pacing around the coffee table, pacing around the room... she would NOT lay down. I took her out, thinking that would make her lay down... NOPE. She's still pacing... then she comes over to me and puts her head on chest and sighs. And she's pacing again and making noises and looking at Josh.
Then it hit me, and I said, "I'm going to get up. Let's see how long it takes for her to get in my spot."
I got up and walked to the kitchen, and as soon as I got up-- I get the look like, "Are you watching me? When you're not looking, I'm going to get on the couch." And sure enough when I was far enough away, the front paws get up on the couch and the look of, "Oh am I going to get away with it? Is she watching me?" The back paws go up and she plops down.. within 5 minutes she was zonked out.
And tonight.. Paisley ate her kibbles and came over to look at me like, "Mama get up so I can lay down on the couch." And as soon as I got up, she climbed up and is now out like a light.
I LOVE this dog-- she's awesome!!!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Chicken Mushroom Provolone Sandwiches..
This recipe originally came from Williams-Sonoma, but I altered the recipe to make it mine.
- Thick Textured Bread-- I used Sourdough.
- Thinly Sliced Chicken Breasts (you can use Oscar Mayer or Sara Lee, but I used actual chicken breast and cooked it through). I sliced the breasts even more to make them thinner.
- 1 cup of fresh white or brown mushrooms
- Slices of Provolone Cheese (the original recipe called for Gruyere)
- Salt/Pepper to taste
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
If you use actual chicken breasts and cook them through, remove them from the pan and add your mushrooms to the same pan. Saute over medium heat and set them aside. Slice your bread so your slices are thick enough so they won't fall apart in your panini maker. Put cheese on both sides of the bread. Put your chicken on one side of the bread, and the mushrooms on the other. Put the sandwich together and put in the panini maker until the cheese is melty and gooey.
Don't have a panini maker? You can use frying pans.. put the sandwiches in one pan over medium heat and put a foiled-covered brick or another frying pan on top of the sandwich to flatten the sandwich and add weight.
Pair it up with some sweet potato fries, and you have got yourself an awesome Bistro meal..
- Thick Textured Bread-- I used Sourdough.
- Thinly Sliced Chicken Breasts (you can use Oscar Mayer or Sara Lee, but I used actual chicken breast and cooked it through). I sliced the breasts even more to make them thinner.
- 1 cup of fresh white or brown mushrooms
- Slices of Provolone Cheese (the original recipe called for Gruyere)
- Salt/Pepper to taste
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
If you use actual chicken breasts and cook them through, remove them from the pan and add your mushrooms to the same pan. Saute over medium heat and set them aside. Slice your bread so your slices are thick enough so they won't fall apart in your panini maker. Put cheese on both sides of the bread. Put your chicken on one side of the bread, and the mushrooms on the other. Put the sandwich together and put in the panini maker until the cheese is melty and gooey.
Don't have a panini maker? You can use frying pans.. put the sandwiches in one pan over medium heat and put a foiled-covered brick or another frying pan on top of the sandwich to flatten the sandwich and add weight.
Pair it up with some sweet potato fries, and you have got yourself an awesome Bistro meal..
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
What I Have Learned in SC.
So we have been in SC for a little over a month now-- and it's amazing the things I have learned so far...
1. People are just as crazy in SC as they are in NC.
2. Alligators really do live in the ponds and marshes and lakes.
3. Squashed armadillos exist too (saw my first one rolled over on the way home today).
4. School zones in the pm are between 3.15 and 4.00- 45mph, and not 1mph over or the cops will get you (no this hasn't happened to me but they are watched very closely)
5. Hurricanes- even off the coast of Africa- can make the waves and rip currents bad (good for surfers, bad for everyone else).
6. Paddleboarding is extreme fun but extremely hard. Your upper legs have to be strong.
7. Surfboards, paddleboards, and those other board things are expensive.
8. Paddleboards are heavy.
9. Jellyfish are plentiful in the month of August ONLY. They start going away in September.
10. Jellyfish stings hurt. Now granted I only got stung by a small one. And some of them can't hurt you. But they still hurt. To get rid of the burning and stinging: spray vinegar on it.
11. You're not allowed to keep live sand dollars. If they're dead, keep as many as you want. Otherwise leave them alone.
12. The most important thing I have learned is that there are ophthalmology offices that treat their techs and pay their techs what they're worth. I have never worked at a place that treats their techs so well. For instance, we shut down Friday pm to have a pool party. Monday was Labor Day. This morning I came and signed off on my time sheet and noticed that not only did I get paid for Labor Day, but I got paid for Friday pm. Plus I got to leave early today to meet the cable guy. When I asked about getting my hours in so I got paid for Labor Day, I got a very strange look and then the response of, "No you get paid regardless." If it were "anywhere else" (and you girls know where I'm talking about), it would have been, "I hate that for ya. You have to get your hours, or you don't get paid for yesterday."
13. Another important thing I have learned, and I'll end on this: I've learned and remembered what it is to be happy... This was a GREAT decision to move down here.
PS... For those of you that question if I'm really down here or not, YES I AM!!! Just because my cell number still says 828 doesn't mean a thing. Josh's best friend has lived in Savannah for the past 4-5 years, and he still has an 828 number. However with Josh's new job, we'll have to switch to 843.
PSS... One more little tidbit, and I'm officially done-- We officially have internet again. Woo!!!
1. People are just as crazy in SC as they are in NC.
2. Alligators really do live in the ponds and marshes and lakes.
3. Squashed armadillos exist too (saw my first one rolled over on the way home today).
4. School zones in the pm are between 3.15 and 4.00- 45mph, and not 1mph over or the cops will get you (no this hasn't happened to me but they are watched very closely)
5. Hurricanes- even off the coast of Africa- can make the waves and rip currents bad (good for surfers, bad for everyone else).
6. Paddleboarding is extreme fun but extremely hard. Your upper legs have to be strong.
7. Surfboards, paddleboards, and those other board things are expensive.
8. Paddleboards are heavy.
9. Jellyfish are plentiful in the month of August ONLY. They start going away in September.
10. Jellyfish stings hurt. Now granted I only got stung by a small one. And some of them can't hurt you. But they still hurt. To get rid of the burning and stinging: spray vinegar on it.
11. You're not allowed to keep live sand dollars. If they're dead, keep as many as you want. Otherwise leave them alone.
12. The most important thing I have learned is that there are ophthalmology offices that treat their techs and pay their techs what they're worth. I have never worked at a place that treats their techs so well. For instance, we shut down Friday pm to have a pool party. Monday was Labor Day. This morning I came and signed off on my time sheet and noticed that not only did I get paid for Labor Day, but I got paid for Friday pm. Plus I got to leave early today to meet the cable guy. When I asked about getting my hours in so I got paid for Labor Day, I got a very strange look and then the response of, "No you get paid regardless." If it were "anywhere else" (and you girls know where I'm talking about), it would have been, "I hate that for ya. You have to get your hours, or you don't get paid for yesterday."
13. Another important thing I have learned, and I'll end on this: I've learned and remembered what it is to be happy... This was a GREAT decision to move down here.
PS... For those of you that question if I'm really down here or not, YES I AM!!! Just because my cell number still says 828 doesn't mean a thing. Josh's best friend has lived in Savannah for the past 4-5 years, and he still has an 828 number. However with Josh's new job, we'll have to switch to 843.
PSS... One more little tidbit, and I'm officially done-- We officially have internet again. Woo!!!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Official Blufftonians
Tomorrow, August 20th, will be our three week anniversary that we have officially been moved and settled into the state of SC. Greetings from Bluffton!!!
We spent the whole week- and yes I do mean the WHOLE WEEK- packing crap up and finally loading it into the 27 foot U-Haul... oh and doing my final good-byes to my co-workers and friends. Friday morning we got up after sleeping on the floor and finished the ends and outs up, did our apartment inspection, and drove 5 hours to the sweltering heat of SC (I did have a minor breakdown when leaving Hickory, but honestly I think I was too tired and focused to really think about it). Our poor little town home went from shambles and boxes everywhere to a pretty cute little place to live and call home. Josh's pictures adorn our walls and somehow seemed to complete the moving process. We threw away our beloved blue couch- that we have had for about eight or nine years- and threw away Paisley's crappy blue recliner and have replaced it with not-yet-broken-in furniture. What's even greater is we have enough room and enough furniture for EVERYONE to sit-- it's GREAT.
The week before I started work, we explored our little area and have discovered three little back roads that bypass things and make things easier to get around. We've also discovered public beach accesses where the parking is free and not a lot of people know about. We've discovered Hunting Island and snooty Fripp Island (where as big as the island is, they have no gas stations.. just an FYI). Hunting Island is a really cool beach- it's a State Park, as well as the beach. You have to pay to park, but you can also buy a pass for $50 that will last you the whole year and will get you into any state park in SC with free parking. We've already made our money up... Let's see Josh has discovered and read about crab pots and saltwater fishing. Just about everyday that I was off, we went to the beach in some form or another.
The week I actually started work, I discovered the sometimes hellacious traffic- tourists and school- and if you're going into the island in the mornings... it sucks. There, of course, aren't any back roads, so if there is any kind of holdup, you're going to be stuck-- could be five minutes or three hours. I did my orientation and followed for a day and a half-- then I was working up on my own and now workup more patients than the experienced people do (I'm not bragging, I really do- the doctors and supervisor has told me this). Everyone there is super nice- it's a small practice- so there aren't any cliques or coworker drama. Of course, being me, I'm still trying to feel people out and not get in the way. The flow of patients is really awesome compared to what I'm used to, and when they say, "Oh my gosh it's going to be busy today," I look at the schedule and think, "I worked with one doctor that saw 47-60 patients in one session.. this is nothing." I think that's why I work so hard and fast, is because, that's what I'm used to. The supervisor and doctors are super nice-- they're not afraid to eat lunch with their techs and take super good care of them... better than I've ever been treated before. The patients are nice, as well-- you would think that being Hilton Head, there would be nothing but snooty people.. but really, they're some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.
Let's see what else is going on... oh the air is amazing... the salty, beachy smell is something that I have not gotten tired of yet. I was telling Josh I still hope I enjoy that smell when we're here in five years b/c that's one smell I do not want to EVER get tired of. It really hit me that we live here a couple last week when we got to go the beach after I left work. I thought, "Wow I'm really not a tourist... I really live here." :)
Food wise we haven't really tried anything new... we did eat chocolate chip cheese cake with Bailey's whip cream on top that was awesome. OH the grocery stores are phenomenal down here (and you know how I am about grocery stores). There are Publix stores everywhere, and they are by far my favorite-- fresh sushi is made every day, the seafood is fresh, their produce and pastry section is divine, AND in the frozen section they have sensor lights so when you walk by, they sense you and light up. When you walk away, the lights turn off. It's a GREAT store!!!! On the agenda this weekend may be me fixing crab cakes and such, so we can see if crab catching will be our forte.
Well I have written a book here, but as you can see, I've had three weeks to catch up on. I'm studying for my COT exam again (3rd time's a charm), and I've started to think more about my writing... the kids are doing great and seem to be happy with the move. They especially love all the frogs and toads that are in our area-- we've seen signs for alligators but no sightings, and I have yet to see a snake or an armadillo. :)
Au Revior-- more later as I get more news and more time.
We spent the whole week- and yes I do mean the WHOLE WEEK- packing crap up and finally loading it into the 27 foot U-Haul... oh and doing my final good-byes to my co-workers and friends. Friday morning we got up after sleeping on the floor and finished the ends and outs up, did our apartment inspection, and drove 5 hours to the sweltering heat of SC (I did have a minor breakdown when leaving Hickory, but honestly I think I was too tired and focused to really think about it). Our poor little town home went from shambles and boxes everywhere to a pretty cute little place to live and call home. Josh's pictures adorn our walls and somehow seemed to complete the moving process. We threw away our beloved blue couch- that we have had for about eight or nine years- and threw away Paisley's crappy blue recliner and have replaced it with not-yet-broken-in furniture. What's even greater is we have enough room and enough furniture for EVERYONE to sit-- it's GREAT.
The week before I started work, we explored our little area and have discovered three little back roads that bypass things and make things easier to get around. We've also discovered public beach accesses where the parking is free and not a lot of people know about. We've discovered Hunting Island and snooty Fripp Island (where as big as the island is, they have no gas stations.. just an FYI). Hunting Island is a really cool beach- it's a State Park, as well as the beach. You have to pay to park, but you can also buy a pass for $50 that will last you the whole year and will get you into any state park in SC with free parking. We've already made our money up... Let's see Josh has discovered and read about crab pots and saltwater fishing. Just about everyday that I was off, we went to the beach in some form or another.
The week I actually started work, I discovered the sometimes hellacious traffic- tourists and school- and if you're going into the island in the mornings... it sucks. There, of course, aren't any back roads, so if there is any kind of holdup, you're going to be stuck-- could be five minutes or three hours. I did my orientation and followed for a day and a half-- then I was working up on my own and now workup more patients than the experienced people do (I'm not bragging, I really do- the doctors and supervisor has told me this). Everyone there is super nice- it's a small practice- so there aren't any cliques or coworker drama. Of course, being me, I'm still trying to feel people out and not get in the way. The flow of patients is really awesome compared to what I'm used to, and when they say, "Oh my gosh it's going to be busy today," I look at the schedule and think, "I worked with one doctor that saw 47-60 patients in one session.. this is nothing." I think that's why I work so hard and fast, is because, that's what I'm used to. The supervisor and doctors are super nice-- they're not afraid to eat lunch with their techs and take super good care of them... better than I've ever been treated before. The patients are nice, as well-- you would think that being Hilton Head, there would be nothing but snooty people.. but really, they're some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.
Let's see what else is going on... oh the air is amazing... the salty, beachy smell is something that I have not gotten tired of yet. I was telling Josh I still hope I enjoy that smell when we're here in five years b/c that's one smell I do not want to EVER get tired of. It really hit me that we live here a couple last week when we got to go the beach after I left work. I thought, "Wow I'm really not a tourist... I really live here." :)
Food wise we haven't really tried anything new... we did eat chocolate chip cheese cake with Bailey's whip cream on top that was awesome. OH the grocery stores are phenomenal down here (and you know how I am about grocery stores). There are Publix stores everywhere, and they are by far my favorite-- fresh sushi is made every day, the seafood is fresh, their produce and pastry section is divine, AND in the frozen section they have sensor lights so when you walk by, they sense you and light up. When you walk away, the lights turn off. It's a GREAT store!!!! On the agenda this weekend may be me fixing crab cakes and such, so we can see if crab catching will be our forte.
Well I have written a book here, but as you can see, I've had three weeks to catch up on. I'm studying for my COT exam again (3rd time's a charm), and I've started to think more about my writing... the kids are doing great and seem to be happy with the move. They especially love all the frogs and toads that are in our area-- we've seen signs for alligators but no sightings, and I have yet to see a snake or an armadillo. :)
Au Revior-- more later as I get more news and more time.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Ham and Cheese Panini... oh my.
Our cable has been out for the past month or so-- so that means no Food Network, which really bums me out. However my Internet is NOT down, so I got on Food Network's website and found a sandwich that Ann Burrell had made... And that is how I discovered Sweet Pepper Relish. Oh my gracious-- it's so good.
Ciabata Bread
Smoked Ham
Provolone and Swiss Cheese
Sweet Pepper Relish
Slices of Red Onion
Olive Oil
Cut the bread in half and drizzle the olive oil in the bread. Put a thin layer of the relish on (I did it only on half the bread, but do it on both sides if you choose). Layer the Provolone and Swiss on one side of the bread and several slices of ham on the other. Put the thin slices of onion on. Spray your panini maker and cook/bake until the cheese is melty and gooey.
It's a GREAT sandwich--- that Sweet Pepper Relish is sweet and spicy, and so good.
Yummy goodness.
Ciabata Bread
Smoked Ham
Provolone and Swiss Cheese
Sweet Pepper Relish
Slices of Red Onion
Olive Oil
Cut the bread in half and drizzle the olive oil in the bread. Put a thin layer of the relish on (I did it only on half the bread, but do it on both sides if you choose). Layer the Provolone and Swiss on one side of the bread and several slices of ham on the other. Put the thin slices of onion on. Spray your panini maker and cook/bake until the cheese is melty and gooey.
It's a GREAT sandwich--- that Sweet Pepper Relish is sweet and spicy, and so good.
Yummy goodness.
Monday, July 5, 2010
4th of July fun..
Josh and I went up to Kentucky this weekend to see his family and celebrate the 4th with everyone. His aunt, Shelly, had a cookout and fireworks "show" at her house. Now I love the Beam side of the family-- they're a lot like my family- laid back, fun, silly, etc. There are more children in this family which always makes the gatherings more interesting and definitely funny.
Josh and I were getting ready to head out to Shelly's house, and we were trying to figure out if we were going to Paisley or not. I really didn't want to because she's a big girl, and I didn't want either one of us to have to deal with her. But Josh brought up a very good point, "If we take her, then she'll get worn out. And she'll sleep-- if she sleeps, we sleep." So we took her.
It's a good thing we did!!! Everyone- adult and child- loved on her... EVERYONE!!! The kids gave her Cheetos and bites of cake and hotdogs... but the greatest Paisley had was a marshmallow. Now this was no ordinary marshmallow- this was a little girl's marshmallow. Here's what happened.
There's a three year old little girl named Abigail who is the cutest, funniest, drama queeniest thing EVER. She can cry and pooch that lip out at the drop of a hat. All the kids were outside getting their marshmallows ready for the campfire. Abigail had come back inside, for whatever reason, and was standing in the doorway. She had her little bowl with her marshmallow inside when all of a sudden you see this black and white thing take a couple of steps towards her. The nose goes into the bowl, and you see Paisley starting chomping on something. Everyone's trying to pull Paisley back and they're yelling, "Paisley!! Come here!!! What's in your mouth?? What do you have???!!" Then you see Abigail's face drop. She looks in her bowl and looks at Paisley like, "What just happened there?" Then you see the chin quiver and the little mouth turn into a frown. Someone said, "Abigail.. what did Paisley do?!" She responds very soft and meek, "She. Just. Ate. My. Marshmallow." Everything changes after that-- we started laughing hysterically, and Abigail walks outside and starts crying and screaming, "PAISLEY ATE MY MARSHMALLOW!!!!!"
After the fireworks are done, Abigail comes back in and walks towards us but definitely keeps her distance from the marshmallow stealing thief. Josh asks her, "Are you still mad at Paisley for eating your marshmallow?" And her little head nods. Of course after two or three minutes have passed, Abigail is loving on Paisley-- and the whole "Paisley stole my marshmallow" thing is over. But oh it was great!!!!!
Josh and I were getting ready to head out to Shelly's house, and we were trying to figure out if we were going to Paisley or not. I really didn't want to because she's a big girl, and I didn't want either one of us to have to deal with her. But Josh brought up a very good point, "If we take her, then she'll get worn out. And she'll sleep-- if she sleeps, we sleep." So we took her.
It's a good thing we did!!! Everyone- adult and child- loved on her... EVERYONE!!! The kids gave her Cheetos and bites of cake and hotdogs... but the greatest Paisley had was a marshmallow. Now this was no ordinary marshmallow- this was a little girl's marshmallow. Here's what happened.
There's a three year old little girl named Abigail who is the cutest, funniest, drama queeniest thing EVER. She can cry and pooch that lip out at the drop of a hat. All the kids were outside getting their marshmallows ready for the campfire. Abigail had come back inside, for whatever reason, and was standing in the doorway. She had her little bowl with her marshmallow inside when all of a sudden you see this black and white thing take a couple of steps towards her. The nose goes into the bowl, and you see Paisley starting chomping on something. Everyone's trying to pull Paisley back and they're yelling, "Paisley!! Come here!!! What's in your mouth?? What do you have???!!" Then you see Abigail's face drop. She looks in her bowl and looks at Paisley like, "What just happened there?" Then you see the chin quiver and the little mouth turn into a frown. Someone said, "Abigail.. what did Paisley do?!" She responds very soft and meek, "She. Just. Ate. My. Marshmallow." Everything changes after that-- we started laughing hysterically, and Abigail walks outside and starts crying and screaming, "PAISLEY ATE MY MARSHMALLOW!!!!!"
After the fireworks are done, Abigail comes back in and walks towards us but definitely keeps her distance from the marshmallow stealing thief. Josh asks her, "Are you still mad at Paisley for eating your marshmallow?" And her little head nods. Of course after two or three minutes have passed, Abigail is loving on Paisley-- and the whole "Paisley stole my marshmallow" thing is over. But oh it was great!!!!!
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