Book Basket

So, while reading "Water for Elephants" I was wondering what other books out there that I have missed out on. What are some of your new "must reads"...?

Here are a few of mine, Now they are not all born to be classics- but ones I have read more then once over the last year because they caught my attention in such a way I could not let them go with just one read....

Ceclia Aherns- Theres no place like here
Shanna Swendson--Enchanted, Inc..and the 4 series books to follow
F Scott Fitzgerald-- This side of paradise
Lesley Kagen--Whistling in the Dark
Jenna Blum-- Those who saved us


I'd love to hear yours...

Chicken Minestrone

So far I am doing pretty well with this cooking thing. I made homemade Chicken Minestrone soup tonight. My kids are not soup eaters so I made it more "thick" by adding more noodles, but at least they all ate it, and actually liked it.

Here is what I did. I added all the ingredients to the pot and cooked for 20-25 minutes until done.
2 cans of Italian tomatoes (undrained)
2 cups water
3 cups noodles
3 chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1 package of Italian dressing powder mix
and a frozen bag of summer veggies (zucchini, ect)
...added some parm cheese before serving.

I also served a huge Italian bread loaf.

It must have been good because not only did Samantha constantly hum, "yumm, yumm, yumm" between bites, she also proceeded to lick her plate! Id call that a successful dinner!

Jucy Lucy!

As part of a new year start I am going to see if I can get myself more motivated to really cook dinners. Not just easy dinner, but the kind from scratch-type dinners for my family.
To start the year I decided to give the Minnesota staple "Jucy Lucy" a try.
I went to this website (www. ehow/jucylucy.com, and gave it a go. My husband told me it was the best burger he had EVER had. (wow, maybe I can actually pretend to cook). Just think if he had the real thing from Matt's in Minneapolis!
I ended up winging it from there. Used my own steak rub, put in the the salt, pepper, milk, garlic powder, with mozzarella, monetary jake/colby, and Cheddar cheese. This is because it was what I had in the fridge. Made them on my griddle. For the adults I also added raw onion on the inside too. Delicious! To be honest, I am just shocked that not only did I pull it off, it actually sorta tasted like the real ones! Pat on the back for me.

Happy 2011

To kick of 2011 I have started a new blog. The real reason: I cannot remember the password or email associated with my other blog. (Typical) so I'll just start a new one, and say its for the new year!
Here is to a happy, healthy new year full of family, friends, love, and health!