Paprika Chicken with Dumplings

This recipe came with a Schwan's order I placed. I finally tried it (without the Schwan's brands) and it was delicious. Hubby loved it as well. Our 16 month-er passed. I had to make a few changes to the recipe which are reflected below.

Ingredients:

1 to 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup diced onions

1.5 cups chicken broth

1 cup sour cream

2 tbsp paprika

3 southern style refrigerated biscuits

1/4 cup flour

Cut chicken into 1" cubes. Saute' chicken in lightly-oiled, non-stick skillet until light brown. Stir in onion and cook until they are tender.

Add chicken broth, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in sour cream and paprika.

Cut biscuits into quarters. Roll into balls using the flour and drop into sauce. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until dumplings (biscuits) are cooked.

If sauce is too thin, add additional flour while cooking.

I served this with green beans. It was a big hit!

March Money Madness

Tomorrow begins March Money Madness in our household. The month of March is our money challenge month to save as much money as we can. We place three jars in a central location labeled with three things (that we vote on) that we will be saving towards. This year, the three jars are:

• Christmas


• Vacation


• Long Term Savings

You never know how much money is collected in each jar until the end of the month. I have a funny feeling that the vacation jar will be the popular one this year.

My goals to save for March are to not eat out at all, to collect all loose change, to earn some extra money with side jobs, AND to spend $100 or less on groceries per week.

Since tomorrow begins March Money Madness, I am hoping to go out to dinner tonight to get it out of my system. Thank goodness for leap year!

Hebrews 11:1

I really like this verse.

"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead."

The Smaller Two

Here is a section where I will post an update of news about the smaller two (Savannah and Addison).

• Addison got her first acting gig. She is in a skit at church this Sunday. Although she doesn't have any lines (heh), her dress rehearsal is Saturday. She is going to portray....a baby. Yep, I know it is a stretch. The stretch is that she is playing a baby boy. :)


• Both girls had their appointment today: Savannah weighs 20 lbs, 13 oz and Addison weighs 8 lbs, 6 oz.


• When I submitted the paperwork to their daycare, the director was so impressed with Savannah's vocabulary, etc that she suggested moving her into the 2 year old room already. Yes, our little genius is skipping a grade already.


• Addison has a very small hernia, that, according to the doctor, will close on it's own and will not require surgery.


• Savannah is now a walking fool and only crawls about 15% of the time! We will be chasing her before we know it.

The Supermom Files

I AM a supermom; at least I was this morning.

What did I do to earn this temporary title? Are you ready? I took both girls (~16 months and 1 month) to their well child visits to the pediatrician for check-ups and shots. We ran some errands after the appointment and I was just so proud of my mad mommy skills! Let me tell you that a HUGE double stroller gets stares everywhere you go!

The girls are doing well; a little fussy, but recouping just fine from the shots and stress.

Immigration Soap Box

I received this as part of an e-mail today, and all I have to say is A-MEN!

CHEAP LABOR? Isn't that what the whole immigration issue is about?

Business doesn't want to pay a decent wage. Consumers don't want expensive produce. Government will tell you Americans don't want the jobs. But the bottom line is cheap labor.

The phrase "cheap labor" is a myth, a farce, and a lie. There is no such thing as "cheap labor." Take, for example, an illegal alien with a wife and five children. He takes a job for $5.00 or 6.00/hour. At that wage, with six dependents, he pays no income tax, yet at the end of the year, if he files an Income Tax Return , he gets an "earned income credit" of up to $3,200 free.

He qualifies for Section 8 housing and subsidized rent.He qualifies for food stamps. He qualifies for free (no deductible, no co-pay) health care. His children get free breakfasts and lunches at school. He requires bilingual teachers and books. He qualifies for relief from high energy bills.If they are or become, aged, blind or disabled, they qualify for SSI. Once qualified for SSI they can qualify for Medicare. All of this is at (our) taxpayer's expense.

He doesn't worry about car insurance, life insurance, or homeowners insurance. Taxpayers provide Spanish language signs, bulletins and printed material.He and his family receive the equivalent of $20.00 to $30.00/hour in benefits. Working Americans are lucky to have $5.00 or $6.00/hour left after paying their bills and his. The American taxpayers also pay for increased crime, graffiti and trash clean-up.

Cheap labor? YEAH RIGHT! Wake up people!

What are you reading

I saw this on the Thrifty Mommy blog. Pick up the book you are reading, turn to page 123, go to the fifth sentance and post the next three...

Here is mine:

"In light of your obvious skill as a dissector, this poor conduct is doubly disappointing. Do not let it happen again."
"It won't sir."

This is from The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen.

Top 20 Parent Hacks: Tips for Organization, Kid Optimization

I loved this post with tips for parenting organization. I will be applying a few of these for sure! Anyone else?

read more | digg story

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Living with an Addict - Part 2

So the relapse continues...

Monday night, my husband left and didn't return till Tuesday evening. He stole about $500 to go on this binge, bringing the total to a whopping $2500 in the last month to month-and-a-half or so. Why am I concentrating on the money aspect? Well, because that is what sends me over the edge. I STAYED on the phone with the bank on Tuesday trying to block the card he had (that I did not know about). Finally, it worked out, but the damage was done. I hate that I am treated with such disrespect and lied to over and over. But, to have him steal from me and our family? That is the worst right now. Since I am still on maternity leave and have no income, we just can't afford this kind of damage.

Upon his return, he assumed he was not staying (since I had packed all of his belongings). I wanted to talk before that door was closed forever. I wanted him to convince me that he could do it. That he was going to give it everything he had in order to remain a member of our family. That we were important enough to him for that. Well, he just didn't convince me. I don't know what he could have said to convince me, but I just wanted to feel important to him. Like he would choose me and our daughters over drugs and alcohol once and for all. I just don't think he can say that at this point.

He is pretty much on lockdown to work and the house with no access to money at all. Does that mean, he can't find a way? Of course not. There are no guarantees. Not even close. I know that unless I feel like he is putting EVERYTHING he has left into this and I feel like we are the most important thing to him, I am done. It is no longer worth it to me at that point. I just think he no longer knows what to do and he is giving up. It angers and saddens me that he is the one that gets to make that call.

I hate being lied to, I hate feeling last in line of things that are important to him, I HATE watching him drain our bank accounts. I think that is what is going to make me draw the line. He is beginning to affect the girls emotionally and I won't let that continue, but financially I can't let him cripple us and that will probably be what ends it.

I have read a lot of material both online and in books about living with addicts and probably 85% of the people end up having to leave. I didn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it. I wanted to make it work. I had people in message boards tell me that I was probably going to need to get out and that they recommend doing it sooner rather than later. My brain totally agrees and has for a long time now, but man...I can't get my heart to go along with that, even though it gets broken all of the time. What is up with that?

Did you know...

...there is a Google Catalog search engine? I didn't until I "stumbled" across it today.

Hilarious stuff from another blogger

I am telling you; Sarah author of the OK Where Was I blog, is freaking hilarious...

Check her out.

http://www.okwherewasi.com/my_weblog/2008/02/blog-germs-pine.html#trackback

How to thoroughly clean your fridge

According to Clean Home Journal (http://www.cleanhomejournal.com/)

1. Turn control dial to "0" in both freezer and fridge.

2. Ditch old food and store good food in a cooler or on a side counter.
3. Place shelves in sink, scrubbing with soap and water. Then wipe clean.
4. Clean the inside of fridge.
5. Remove vegetable and meat compartments: clean up all spilled juices and thoroughly rinse.
6. Clean corners and rubber gasket with a toothpick. (I have never in my life done this - should I have admitted this?)
7. Clean door racks and reinstall.
8. Wipe the top of the fridge with a feather duster (edited to add - OR scrub top of fridge if needed).
9. Clean the exterior door and sides.
10. Clean hinges and nameplate with a toothbrush (are they kidding?).
11. Move fridge out from wall, vacuum and brush up dust, lint and pet hair on floor and around coils (no comment).
12. Sanitize your drip pan (another no comment....drip pan?
13. Put fridge back into place – and keep it clean! Weekly cleanings help reduce spoiled food odors. A box of baking soda left open on a shelf absorbs odor. Some cleaning experts suggest placing a coffee can filled with charcoal in your fridge and replacing it every six weeks to two months.

Wouldn't it be easier to just buy a new fridge? LOL! My wish list fridge is shown above. Of course that will be purchased just as soon as I win the lottery.

Pancake Add-Ins

Sick of the same old stack of pancakes? Try one or more of these yummy add-ins:

1. Fresh blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries

2. Chopped or sliced fresh strawberries

3. Sliced RIPE bananas

4. Sliced or chopped fresh pears or apples

5. Pineapple tidbits, canned or fresh

6. Granola

7. Chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or toasted almonds

8. Chocolate chips

9. Butterscotch chips

10. Shredded coconuts

The Sleep Lady's 8 Rules of Infant Slumber

"There was never a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him to sleep." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Sleep Lady (Kim West) authored a great book called Good Night, Sleep Tight. As we made our plans for Addison's sleep schedule (in preparation for my return to work), we stumbled upon her eight rules of infant slumber.

1. Create a flexible feeding and sleeping routine.

2. Encourange soothing techniques other than nursing.

3. Offer a pacifier for soothing and sucking, but not as a sleep crutch.

4. Sometimes feed your baby when he wakes up after a nap - not just when you are trying to get him to sleep.

5. Put him down drowsy but awake at least once every 24 hours.

6. Introduce one bottle a day - even if you are committed to breastfeeding - by the second or third week.

7. Create a sleep-friendly environment.

8. Carefully think through the whole question of co-sleeping and the family bed.

These rules are broken down in great detail throughout the book which goes over sleep suggestions for children of all ages with issues of all types. I highly recommend this book as a resource for parents.

Magazine Recap - Good Housekeeping 3/08

This is a post about things I found interesting in recent magazines...

• A good walking shoe should have a beveled heel - one that andles about a half inch up at the back - with a sole curving toward the front.


• Nothing could be better than a towel warmer for your bathroom.


• The Trailing of the Sheep Festival takes place in Idaho from October 10 - 12 commemorating the area's history as a major sheep center. There are petry readings, storytelling events, music performances, a sheep folklife fair, a guided wakl to view sheepherder tree carvings. There are spinning, weaving, shearing, and cooking demonstreations and workshops. There is a sheep parade where over 1500 sheep make their way through the town to their winter home.


• To make a string basket (with or without your children) simply turn a bowl over and cover the outside with plastic wrap. Soak pieces of yarn in a wide dish of Elmer's glue. Pull out strands and drape over the blow, wiping off excess glue with your fingers. When bowl is covered with yarn, let dry overnight. Remove bowl and peel plastic away from strings - your bowl will stand on its own and look great.


• Cool product: Gianna Rose Atelier Bath Bees (bee shaped sunflower oil-infused bath beads) http://www.giannarose.com/


• When grease is splattered, spritz a mix of ammonia and water on the mess to tackle the job easily.
• The Women in Red: Join columnist MP Dunleavey and a group of women as they seek to strip away the myths around money, liberate themselves from debt and find financial sanity.

Stupid Questions I should know the Answers to...

1. Where does salt come from? Salt is primarily found underground in rock form or dissolved in the world's oceans and some lakes. Salt is also found on the surface of ancient evaporated seabeds like the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah and in Death Valley National Park in California. It is produced using three methods: Rock salt mining, solar evaporation, and vacuum evaporation.

2. What is the difference between broth and stock? The basic difference between a stock and a broth is this: a broth isseasoned (with salt) and a stock is not. A stock is never served on it's own, a broth may be. Really a stock is an unfinished product thatis waiting to be transformed into a soup or sauce by a talented chef.

aHa!

An aHa! from http://www.realsimple.com/:

Use an old tissue box to store and dispense plastic grocery bags.

The Smaller Two

Here is a section where I will post an update of news about the smaller two (Savannah and Addison).

1. Savannah has, in total, eaten 3 pieces of crunchy dog food.


2. Reggie, our Boston Terrier, was used as a pillow for the first time today (by Savannah).


3. Addison's Law - No matter how long you burp me or how long you have a burp cloth or blanket under me, as soon as you remove it, I will spit up on your shirt.


4. Another sisterly act - Savannah took off one of her costume necklaces today and laid it in the bouncy seat with Addison.

Do you have that tux in a 2T?

I am a very casual person. Because of this, while my daughters are young (and I still pick all their clothes), they are very casual as well. But every now and then I get a strange urge to dress them to the hilt (OK...so far it has only happened once). Others however, are wanting to see them dressed up on holidays etc. What is a girl to do? Spend $40 on a dress that will only be worn once. Or worse. Spend that money on a dress that will only be worn for pictures and then changed out of for the more comfortable onesie? I just cannot rationalize that. AT ALL.

So, what IS a girl to do? I found the answer at http://www.gagas.com/. Yep. Formalwear rental for kids. Rent a nice outfit for Easter, or Christmas, or portraits, or any occasion you want....then just ship it back. The dress shown above can be rented for three weeks for $17. This is not just flower girl dresses and ring bearer tuxes that I am talking about. Check it out for yourself.

Want one better? The clothes that are never rented or worn, are sold INCREDIBLY CHEAP on their site as well on the Clearance page. Unbelievable. Seriously. Most clothing is around $25.

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Romans 8 Brings Me Peace

My bible study this week took me to Romans 8 and made me feel good about where I am with my spirituality.

For those who question, "If God loves us and has saved us, why is there pain?" One answer can be found in Romans 8: 17 (And since we are his children, we will share his treasures...But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering).

For those who have questions about prayer, Romans 8:26-27 provides some answers (The Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don't even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who know all hears knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying).

There are answers to how we are saved in Romans 8:1-4, information about death in Romans 8:10, information about trust Romans 8:24-25, and much more.

My favorite verses are this: For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels won't, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God's love away. Our fears for today, or wrries about tomorrow, or where we are - high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean - nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us. (Romans 8: 38-29)

Introducing The Warren Brothers

The Warren Brothers are my absolute favorite singers and have been for some time. Although, most people have never heard of them, I think they are unbelievable songwriters, singers, and entertainers. I have friends who tease me that I have made them up, but believe me, they are not a figment of my imagination.

I love all of their albums including:

• Beautiful Day in the Cold, Cruel World


• King of Nothing


• Well Deserved Obscurity


• Barely Famous Hits

You may have seen them on the HILARIOUS "Barely Famous" that lasted a few seasons on CMT. If none of this rings a bell, perhaps some of their songwriting credits are more familiar to you. they wrote/co-wrote some big hits that are out there:

• Red Umbrella (Faith Hill)


• If You're Reading This (Tim McGraw)


• Anyway (Martina McBride)


• and many more!

So I just wanted to spread the word and give a shout out about two hard-working, but "barely famous" guys in country music. I am waiting for the Warren Brothers to return to my neck of the woods. If they happen to come to your area, I highly recommend going to see them. Seriously! They are freaking hilarious and super talented.

Netflix review

I am constantly asking people what movies they have seen lately or what has come on Netflix. So, I decided to reciprocate with this...my last five Netflix movies (and my next 5 that are coming).

The last five:

• Ratatouille - This was an adorable animated film. I really enjoyed it. It was very original. I spent time during the movie wondering how someone cae up with the idea for that movie. DH and I also spent WAY to much time trying to figure out which celebrity was the voice of each character. I gave it 3 stars (would have given it 3.5 if you could do half stars in Netflix).


• Saw IV - I love the Saw movies. This one was a little confusing for me cause I was constantly trying to remember things from the previous movies. I still enjoyed it a GREAT deal and got squeamish at times and enjoyed the twists and turns. I gave it 3 stars (mostly cause of my confusion trying to remember details and characters from the previous movies).


• 28 Weeks Later - Very much enjoyed this film. I enjoy how this and its predecessor were filmed. I preferred the first one, but this one was enjoyable as well. I gave it 3 stars (am I sensing a trend?).


• Knocked Up - Since I just had a baby a few weeks ago, I really enjoyed this movie and many times turned to DH and said, "See! I told you!" and was very happy that there was proof that I am not the only one who experienced some of the lovelier pregnancy symptoms. I gave it 3 stars (OK...how lame am I).


• License to Wed - This was funny (again it was even funnier due to having a new baby). How twisted is Robin Williams' character in this flick? DH found Mandy Moore's performance to be especially impressive. Truly, he was just hoping she would get naked! Guess how many stars I gave it! LOL!

Next 5 to come:

• A Good Year


• Bridge to Terabithia


• Carolina


• Candy


• We are Marshall

All I want for Christmas is...

Yes. I know it is only February, but this was on my list last year. I told people that I knew what I wanted, but they shouldn't buy it for me YET.

The Amazon Kindle, an eReader, is my dream gift right now. During the Christmas 2007 season, the Kindle cost $399. I thought, since this is a new product, that if I just waited till Christmas 2008, the price would come down and perhaps there will have been an upgrade by then (I was taking my ideas from the launch of the iPhone). Well, demand still is WAY beyond supply and Amazon cannot keep up. I am not thinking the price will be dropping by Christmas 2008. It is still going on my list.

As an avid reader with VERY LITTLE room in my house for books, I go through a couple books a week and end up giving them aways to friends and family. Some days I finish a book and (YIKES) do not have a new book to start. That is a horrible feeling for me. I cherish my time reading in bed before going to sleep. When I don't have anything to read, I feel cheated of that time to myself. Well, the Kindle would solve that problem. I would just order a new one on the spot. I also would not have to worry about storage issues for used books. This is my perfect gift. Avid readers...check it out.

NASCAR Returns

God bless the return of NASCAR! And, as always, we start with the granddaddy of 'em all - The Daytona 500. This season is going to be extremely interesting...Gibbs switched to Toyota, the Car of Tomorrow will be driven every race, Jeremy Mayfield has a full time ride again, Junior is now driving for Hendricks, a whole flock of open wheel drivers are coming over to NASCAR... yep, an interesting year.

GO JEREMY! Good luck with your first full time year with Haas in the #70 Chevrolet. We know you will have a great year and show the skeptics what your long time fans already know....you kick SERIOUS ass! For anyone interested, check out the absolute BEST driver fan site: Team Mayfield (http://www.team-mayfield.com/).

Cats are Funny

OMG! Have you all seen the site LOLcats (http://icanhascheezburger.com/)? It is the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. The pictures above are samples from the site. I haven't stopped laughing since I found it. And I am turning into a LOLcat spammer. I can't tell you how many people I sent pictures to. So now I have to share it with all of you.

Chan Pie Gnon....uh...what?

I love these! Chan Pie Gnon are mushroom shaped teethers that come in pink, blue, and yellow. I think they are adorable and am planning on buying one for Addison. Actually, I think perhaps we will ask the Easter Bunny for one next month (can you believe Easter will be here so soon?). I know you can find them on http://www.amazon.com/ for about $13. Aren't they cute?

Sidebar: Savannah did not like teethers at all, but I am hoping Addison will enjoy it. Is it possible that she will be as "toothy" as Savannah? That child got teeth early and they just kept coming.

Living with an Addict

My husband has been clean and sober for 9 days today. He is an alcoholic and an addict. He goes on drinking or drug binges once or twice a week or so. He is working to stay sober. He is going to meetings, started going to church again, and yesterday started seeing an addiction counselor. But this post is not about him; it is about me. It is about the person on the other end of an addiction - the person left at home.

Through the last year or two I have slowly been broken down by the addiction and the addict. I have been broken mentally, emotionally, and even physically. Nine days ago, he left on a binge and was gone for three days. Yet again, I felt that I could not take one more relapse, one more day or night wondering where he was and what to do. Of course I want to help him get clean in any way I can, but I also know my most important job is to protect my daughters and myself. He never comes home drunk or high. He stays gone and sulks back the next day. How many times have a questioned whether to leave him? Too many to count. How many "discussions" have we had the day after about how we can prevent it from happening again? How many promises have been broken?

I cannot decide if I am an incredibly strong person for staying or an incredibly weak person. This is what I do know. I know that I want to give my daughters the chance to have and know their father. I want to give myself the chance to grow old with the love of my life. Because even with all of the pain I have endured, I know what this man wants to be and what he can be. I have seen it in him. So, here I remain praying with all my might that he can beat it, that he can win. Because if he wins, so do we.

My Bucket List

I have had a "List of things to do before I die" since I was in college. I have actually completed quite a few! Out of the 39 items that are currently on there, 13 have been checked off including pet a tiger and publish a poem. I wanted to share a few of the items on my list that I have not yet checked off, that I hope to accomplish before I kick the bucket. Here are a select few:

• Sail a boat


• Drive a dog sled


• Get "locked" in a cell in Alcatrez


• Ride in the pace car at a NASCAR race


• Learn to tango


• Swim with a dolphin


• Learn to throw a lasso


• Ride on an elephant


• Publish a photograph

Addicted to...Medical Thrillers

Hello, my name is Amy and I am addicted to reading medical thrillers.

Who are the top three medical thriller authors? I vote for Robin Cook, Karin Slaughter, and my absolute favorite, Tess Gerritsen. If you enjoy a good medical thriller, pick up a book by Tess Gerritsen. You will be up all night, unable to set it down. I even read one of her books while in labor. The doctors and nurses couldn't believe I could read while in labor, but seriously, I couldn't stop.

If you are going to start with one of her books, I would suggest picking up The Surgeon or Harvest.

From The Surgeon book jacket: "He slips into their homes at night and walks silently into bedrooms where women lie sleeping, unaware of the horrors they soon will endure. The precision of the killer's methods suggests he is a deranged man of medicine, propelling the Boston newspapers and the frightened public to name him "The Surgeon."

Easy Peanut Chicken

Well, I tried this recipie from Kraft Food and Family last night and all members of the family LOVED it! I served it with soy ginger noodles and a tossed salad. Check out the website at http://www.kraftfoods.com/.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup catalina dressing

3 Tbsp peanut butter

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1 lb. bonesless skinless chicken breasts, cut into lengthwise slices

2 Tbsp dry roasted peanuts, chopped

1/4 cup chopped green onions

Mix dressing, peanut butter and soy sauce in large bowl until well blended. Add chicken; toss to coat. Cover; refrigerate ten minutes to marinate.

Preheat broiler. Remove chicken from marinade. Thread chicken evenly onto eight soaked wooden skewers. Place on rack in broiler pan.

Broil four minutes on each side or until cooked through. Serve sprinkled with peanuts and green onions.

I actually did not have skewers and cooked the chicken on a pizza stone. It still turned out WONDERFUL and very moist.

Let's Build a Word

Well, Savannah is completely hooked on the PBS show, "WordWorld." It is a very cute show where the world is made up of animals, buildings, and objects that are made of the word that describes it as you can see in the picture from the website http://www.wordworld.com/.

The upsides: It is an adorable show with likable characters. It is not too annoying for adults. It is educational and concentrates on teaching spelling.

The downside: We have a DVD player in the van and Savannah always wants to watch WordWorld. We only own one WordWorld DVD that has 4 episodes on it and there are currently only two DVDs out (a third comes out in the beginning of April). I AM SO SICK OF THOSE 4 EPISODES!

Check out this show on PBS Kids. It really is great for young kids.

Heart Day 2008

Valentine's Day is two days away and as lame as it sounds, my heart belongs to my husband and two beautiful daughters. It still seems strange to say "daughters" for both the fact that there is now an "s" at the end of the word, but even that I am a mother at all. It has been more than 15 months, Savannah has become the apple of my eye, and yet I still am flabbergasted at the fact that I have children. It really is a dream come true.

So, this year, my candy heart just reads, "LOVE."