Noms Volume 1

I'm happy to report that I am succeeding in my new job as domestic engineer.  I can't say that all of the toys are kept picked up off of the floor since I have a toddler who likes to get five toys out of the box for every two that I put away but I do, however, have a home-cooked meal fixed for my  little family most nights of the week.  I thought I'd share two of my most requested recipes.  I plan to add recipes every now and then to this blog when I cook something that's rather phenomenal and worth passing along.

Spaghetti Sauce from a Restaurant Back Home that Shall Not be Named

2 lbs ground sirloin (uncooked)

1 15 oz can tomato sauce

2 sm. can tomato paste

2 cups water

1/2 c vegetable oil

1 TBSP Vinegar

1 TBSP Minced Onion

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup sugar

3 TBSP chili powder

1 tsp salt

2 Bay Leaves

Combine all ingredients in a large pot.  Cook uncovered on med-low heat for 2 hours. Stir often.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

4 Chicken Breast halves (pounded to about 1/2 inch thick)

1 Egg

Dash of Half n Half

Dash of Pepper

Cooked Ham (I buy Virginia Baked ham from the deli sliced medium)

6 Slices Swiss Cheese

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 350 and spray a casserole dish with non-stick spray. 

Combine egg, half & half and pepper in a bowl.  Dip the chicken in the egg mixture to coat.  

Spread your breadcrumbs onto a plate and lay your chicken on the crumbs. Top the chicken with a slice of ham and a slice of swiss cheese.  Roll up the chicken, ham and cheese and secure with a toothpick.  Top the chicken with another half slice of swiss cheese.  Bake for 45-50 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear.  

No Soliciting

We need a no soliciting sign in our front yard.  Seriously, someone stops by here several times a week trying to install us new windows, clean our gutters or preach to us.  Most recently, I had a nerdy, twenty-something guy stop by here trying to sell me some $80 cleaner for my front door.  First of all...80 dollars, are you kidding me?  Secondly, his technique was all wrong.  I don't care how cute your accent is or that yes, your cleaner really works so well that's it's taking the paint right off of my front door, I'm not going to pay $80 for it.  Honestly, I'm not even going to pay $20 for it.
And I'm certainly not going to buy it with this technique. Here was our dialogue:
  20-something boy: "Ma'am, this cleaner also takes care of odors.  Now, I've got a really good sense of smell and there is definitely something foul I'm smelling around your home."  Me:  "First of all, I'm not buying your cleaner.  Secondly, you are smelling something foul.  We just laid new mulch and what you're smelling is sh*t.  And I can guarantee you that you aren't going to be selling a lot of your $80 cleaner by telling people their home smells foul."  Needless to say, he left promptly and took his cleaner to strip the paint off of someone else's front door.

Where Did It Go?

Holy Cow!  Has it really been three months since I've posted a blog?  Where does time go?
I wondered the same question a few weeks ago when we celebrated Emme's 2nd birthday.  I can't believe she's two already.  It's hard to believe that two years ago she came into this world two months too early and weighed in at only a few ounces over three pounds.  I look at her now and it's hard to remember that she was able to wear her Daddy's wedding band on her wrist at one time.

Anyway, her second birthday party took a lot of planning but wow...it was great.  We couldn't have asked for better weather and really...we have the BEST family and friends ever.  We had over SIXTY people come over to celebrate with us!  So many times that day, I looked around at everyone and thought to myself how good God has been to us to put such wonderful people in our lives.
We had a Sesame Street theme since Emme loves Elmo so much.  There were tons of balloons  and Sesame Street decor everywhere you looked.

We have also started a chili cook-off tradition in addition to Emme's birthday festivities.  This year, we had thirteen entries of chili and had everyone cast their ballot for their favorite.  This year's winner was Greg's sister, Jenny who brought a yummy white chicken chili.  Second runner up was last year's first place winner and our friend, Dolores.

On Emme's actual birthday this year (which was on a Wednesday) we had a small celebration with just the three of us.  We gave Emme her presents and enjoyed a small cake.  She was so excited about her cake.  She could hardly wait to get the lid off of it and see the candles lit.

That little girl's smile is the light of my life.  She amazes me constantly with how smart she is and I am so curious to see how much more she learns this year. Blessed....I'm really, really blessed.