INCREDIBLE chicken tender recipe

Many, many thanks go to my friend Malia, who introduced me to the blogsite Cooking During Stolen Moments. You really don't want to miss this one!

As just one example of the great recipes she has, check out her recipe for "Chicken Things" (as she calls them). I was excited to try them, and I was not disappointed. These chicken tenders are amazing!!!

I fried up 4 lbs of them in order to have at least 2 meals frozen. After all my hard work, this is all I had left:

And that was because I couldn't keep people from snitching! (including myself, I must confess....) Comments from the "snitchees" included:

"Oh my gosh... these are amazing!"'
"These are better than ANY I've had in restaurants." (my dh)
"Mommy, can I please have more???" (all of my kids)
"Mrs. Ouiz, these are like the Chik-Fil-A nuggets, only a lot better!" (visiting friend)
"Mommy, can I please have just a few more? Pretty please?"
"Wow... these are incredible..." (visiting friend's Dad, who says his daughter loves Chik-Fil-A)
"PLEASE give my wife this recipe! These are delicious!!" (next-door neighbor)

If those testimonials are any indication, this is a keeper of a recipe!

So give it a try, and please go over to Cooking During Stolen Moments and enjoy looking over the amazing recipes she has!

Who's In?

Check out Jessica's challenge at Shower of Roses for her 40 Days of Lent/40 Bags of Stuff. It's a bit intimidating, but I'm REALLY eager to get some serious decluttering going on, both physically and spiritually.

Anyone willing to try?

Finally, some common sense

A brilliant post written by Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post on the Tim Tebow ad. I want to walk up to her, shake her hand, and say thank you. THANK YOU for saying what needed to be said.

(h/t Creative Minority Report)

Good news, bad news

First, the bad news....

NO SNOW.

If you heard the sound of weeping and wailing this morning, that was the sound of all upstate South Carolina children as they woke up to find, not snow, but freezing rain. Oh, the disappointment in this house was pretty severe. Several children expressed a great interest in packing up and moving to North Carolina, where "at least they get snow in the wintertime."

Sigh.

But, after many tears were shed and understanding hugs were given, the kids rallied and tried to make the best of it. Kathryn made up a game on the trampolene with the little bit of ice she could scrape up...

...and Grace just wanted to dress for the season.

And, of course, after being outside for a few minutes in the freezing cold, they all asked for hot chocolate (which, truly, is part of the magic of snow anyway.... so I'd like to think they aren't too deprived.)



Now, the good news.

First, the "making-yogurt-in-a-crockpot" recipe really worked! The real test, of course, is in a few hours, when I try to add some sort of flavoring to it so that it will be palatable for my crew. I admire those who can muscle down plain yogurt, but to me that's just vile. (blech)

I do cook with plain yogurt quite often, though, so it will be helpful to have plenty of the homemade variety on hand!

Second, on a day like today, the kitchen just beckons. I'm not sure what to bake first! Will it be bread? Homemade hot pockets? or just a batch of benne wafers? (that is the state cookie of South Carolina, you know!)

I do know what's for lunch, though... Greek Lemon Chicken Soup!!! (I am not free to share the recipe here, since it's copyrighted, but if you click on the Amazon link above, and scroll through the pages they let you see, you can see the recipe for Greek Orzo, Chicken, and Lemon soup. You will be doing yourself a HUGE favor if you try this recipe! Of course, buying the book would be great, too... ) As a huge testimony to this soup, I can say that even my younger kids, who are NOT soup eaters, beg for this soup. In fact, when I told Thomas that I would be cooking it today, he grabbed my legs, gave me a huge hug, and said, "this weekend is going to be the best weekend EVER!"

Such is the power of soup.

Coupled with a warm slice of colonial bread (h/t Margaret in Minnesota), my kids will feel like they can conquer the world!

Will it snow?

That's the question on everyone's mind in upstate South Carolina!

They are predicting 3-5 inches of snow, which around here would be absoluting amazing (provided the power stays on, of course. Otherwise, we're in big trouble and we'll be wanderers in search of friends who have fireplaces!). The last time snow was predicted, however, we had a rather dismal showing, as you may remember.

Still, all the usual preparations are being made. The grocery stores are working hard to keep milk and bread on the shelves, and the parking lots have been pretty darn full all day long. I've done my grocery shopping a day early, so all I have to concern myself with tomorrow is trying to find gloves (forget matching!) and hats for everyone!

I'm REALLY hoping we can have a snowed-in weekend (WITH power!) so that I can spend the time cooking, baking, and enjoying the time with my family.... and maybe, just maybe, actually getting around to making that crockpot yogurt!

Speaking of which, did anyone try that recipe?

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

Conversion on the Way to Damascus
Cerasi Chapel, Santa Maria del Popolo Church, in Rome
by Carravaggio

It really struck me this morning as I was going through the morning prayers in the Liturgy of the Hours that over and over again we pray: Let us give praise to God for the conversion of the Teacher of the nations.

As strange as this may be, I don't think I've ever remembered to thank God specifically for St. Paul before -- for taking someone so hell-bent on destroying the Church, and turning him around in one moment and making him see the error of his ways... and growing him into the mighty Apostle to the Gentiles. Jesus did an amazing work in the life of St. Paul, and I've never thanked Him for it.

Until today.

And then, during the prayers and intercessions, we are called to pray:

Dearly beloved brethren, since we have received from the Apostles a heavenly inheritance, let us cry out in gratitude to the Father for all his gifts:

– Lord, the Apostles sing your praises.

Praise to you, Lord, for the feast of body and blood that was handed down to us by the Apostles: it refreshes us and gives us life.
– Lord, the Apostles sing your praises.

Praise to you for the feast of your word that was prepared for us by the Apostles: it fills us with light and brings us joy.
– Lord, the Apostles sing your praises.

Praise to you for your holy Church, founded upon the Apostles: it draws us together into one body.
– Lord, the Apostles sing your praises.

Praise to you for the purification of baptism and penitence, which we believe in together with the Apostles: it washes us clean of all sin.
– Lord, the Apostles sing your praises.
 
 
What a wonderful way to start the morning -- to get my mind off of all my petty stuff, and to focus, even for just a minute or two, on the amazing work God accomplished through the lives of the Apostles. Because of their faithfulness, the whole world was forever changed.

Fun new music!

Well, fun (and new) to me, that is.

Bendeniz (Kirmizi biber), straight from Turkey:


Don't you just love the Putumayo world music cds? I think I'm going to have to add the Turkish groove one to my wish list...

Who's with me?

Wow... turns out that Faith & Family also had a post yesterday about making things from scratch! Great minds think alike, huh? *grin*

Anyway, in that post she links to A Year of Slow Cooking, which takes us all step-by-step through making yogurt in the crockpot!

I guess I have no excuse now... I'm going to have to give it a shot. I'm thinking this is going to be a weekend project (barring major sicknesses... typhoons... or me forgetting to buy whole milk at the grocery store)

I'm not turning anti-social!

I just can't figure out WHY blogger decided to stop notifying me of comments posted on my blog. So, in an effort to make sure that no comment gets unnoticed... and no one feels unappreciated when they graciously took the time to stop by and write something.... I am putting comments on "waiting for moderator approval." Hopefully THEN at least I'll know that someone left a comment, and I can respond quickly!

So, please be patient while I try to figure this out. In the meantime, I'll try to check FREQUENTLY for comments.


In the meantime, please continue to leave any and all great ideas for homemade food!

In our house, I make a lot of our own bread, and I do grind my own wheat. (Suburban Cowgirl, you'd love it!) That one change alone made me want to cook more from scratch for my family!

I also make salsa and pico de gallo... my own spaghetti sauce... granola... cookies... brownies... hot chocolate mix... and other things like that. I haven't made a huge lifestyle change, but I do try to make more things from scratch than not. I have not, however, crossed the line and made my own yogurt or pasta (hey there, Malia!), and I have not wandered into that sacred zone of "making my own crescent rolls," as she does on a regular basis. (they take SIX HOURS to make!!!)

I also make my own laundry detergent and cleaning products. Vinegar, baking soda, and tea tree oil truly do work wonders when you're cleaning up around the house.

But, I'm still buying crackers... and cereal... and too many things to mention that are filled with high-fructose corn syrup and a whole host of other ingredients that I'd probably rather not be feeding my children. We eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and don't ever buy soda, but sadly I can't say that we "eat healthy."


I do have to share one funny story: I was reading Martha Stewart Living and stumbled across a recipe for pudding. I was flabbergasted... I had no idea anyone could make pudding from scratch! (sad, I know...) So, I whipped up my first batch and was so pleased with myself that I called my mom and proudly announced, "Mom! Guess what I just did!!! I made pudding! Look what mine hands hath wrought!" Needless to say, she was less than amazed. I tried to explain that no, this wasn't BOXED pudding, it was REAL pudding... still, the amazement just wasn't there.

Oh well. If I'm ever on a deserted island and have no access to a grocery store (and yet miraculously have all the fixins' on hand), never you fret. This chick can whip up a batch of pudding.

OK, I *think* I'm back...

... but, the way things are going around here, you just never know!

The kids have all had the same "bad-cold-with-REALLY-high-fever-can't-get-off-the-couch-and-can't-stop-coughing" thing going, which (of course) turned into a raging ear infection for several of them. Yippee!

I hope... HOPE... that we've seen the last of this, and we can all get back to normal.

Grace, of course, was NOT a good patient. She spent most of every day either crying, telling me she had a fever, or sleeping on me. The others, however, were amazing. Truly amazing. Marie (my 4-yr old), who had an awfully high fever, never once complained or cried... AND got up and got her own drink whenever she was thirsty, and then climbed right back on the couch and snuggled under the quilts.

Is that not amazing???

I wish I could say that *I* was that mature when I was 4... or heck, even now at 42! No, I tend to be a lot more like Grace. If I'm suffering, the world will KNOW that I am suffering. I am such a whiner.

Still, we had our funny moments during our latest illness.

One particularly trying afternoon I had two very sick little girls on my lap, snuggled under a quilt, trying to take naps. They were both coughing NON-STOP and both of them... well,... both of them were coughing right in each other's faces. Gross. I told them to either turn their heads or cough into their hands or elbows. Grace looked at me like I had sprouted a third eye but, in a valiant attempt to actually obey Mommy, she dutifully turned her arm around in a ridiculously awkward pose and coughed on the outside of her elbow. I had to try to stop laughing long enough to show her that I actually meant the inner crook of her arm....


In other news....


I actually got a chance to watch Food Inc. and Supersize Me. Ugh. I tend to avoid documentaries (seeing as they are usually mighty one-sided) but still, I watched because I knew that it would accomplish one big thing: give me the kick start that I needed to make more food homemade. Whether or not these documentaries accurately portrayed everything or not, the fact still remains that... let's face it... processed food really isn't good for you.

None of that is a surprise to anyone.

So, with that extra bit of motivation, I bought more ingredients and less "end result" food at the grocery store. I didn't get to use many coupons, but still managed to come out at $170 -- and that includes EVERYTHING, including pet food and light bulbs. For some families that may be astronomical, but feeding a family of 9? I'm feeding each person for less than $20 a WEEK!

Still, I know that there are so many ways I can improve how we eat around here, so that's why I'm tossing this question out to you:

What are the normal "store bought" things that you make from scratch? Bread? Granola? Yogurt? How has making more things homemade improved the way your family eats?

Let me know! I'm eager to hear any and all responses!

Posting will resume...

when I am no longer dealing with sick kids! arrrrgh!

(to be fair, most of them are real troupers -- just draping themselves over furniture and sleeping a lot. There are those few, however, and I'm sure I don't have to name names, that are making days -- and nights -- a real challenge. I'd love to say I'm approaching this with the right attitude and offering it all up, but I'm not. I'm cranky.)

Another Christopher-ism

[While teaching Christopher and Thomas about The Prodigal Son]

Me: "And so the younger son spent all his money, and he became very poor. Eventually, he found a job herding pigs..."

Christopher: [totally shocked] "You mean you can actually get a job HURTING pigs?"


Just another reason why I homeschool, folks... I would hate to miss out on moments like these!

Surreal is...

... checking in on one of your favorite blogs, seeing a posting on "Just an Adorable Baby Video" , and reading it thinking, "Wow... this sounds familiar..." only to realize a second later that it was my video of Grace!

Well, I'm deeply honored that someone else enjoyed the video! Thank you!

Of course, Grace enjoyed seeing herself on the computer, too. She hopped up on my lap and started singing right along with it. I don't think that song is going to disappear from her repetoire anytime soon...

And, true to form, she was down to just her diaper (the child is sooooooooooo hard to keep dressed!) and covered in red marker. After she sang for me (and gave me her big grin... see the snow picture below to get an idea of what that looks like) I thanked her and then asked her in my stern Mommy voice, "ahem... and why are you covered in marker again?" She looked thoughtful for a moment... "um..." and then looked totally puzzled, "I weewy don't know why."

Ah, life with Grace.

Magical Arctic Wonderland

OK, not really... but my kids still were out there before 8:00 AM, trying desperately to eke out a bit o' winter fun from about an 1/8 inch of ice...

And after taking all that time to find mittens, hats, warm pants, and coats, how long did Grace actually stay out there?

um, about 5 minutes.

I kinda think this is payback time for all those years my mom bundled us up in our snowsuits to go outside and play in the snow, only to have us turn right around and ask for help getting out of all of it, because we had to go to the bathroom.

[Suburban Cowgirl, this bit of winter magic is for you!]

My Littlest One...

Who takes my new sharpie marker and colors the wall with it? (Thank God for magic erasers!)

Who clogs the sink with toilet paper?

Who helps herself to chips whenever I turn my back?

Who took her play kitchen "knife" today and helped herself to mouthful after mouthful of peanut butter? (there goes that jar... blech...)

Who just opened the refrigerator door, poured straight lemon juice into her cup, and came in here exclaiming, "Mommy, I don't yike dis yemonade"?

And who just fell asleep in my arms after looking at me and saying, "Mommy, I haffa go aseep. It's time o'clock..."

Who exasperates the heck out of me and is my most challenging child so far?

This sweet, lovable little kid. (She sang this song for us ALL through dinner this evening. She heard it ONCE when we were down in Florida and she got to watch the Disney channel, and lo and behold, it stuck!)

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I love you, Grace, and I'm thankful for every moment with you!