A Very Simple Crockpot Chicken Recipe...

I love Crockpot meals.  They seem to me to be easier and the meat turns out so much more tender that other ways that I have cooked it.   My favorite meal that I have done in this year after the birth of my first son (where sometimes meal planning isn't at the top of my list, is a simple chicken dish.  I have altered it a few different ways, but the essential parts are the same.  For my small family of 2 adults and one nibbling little human:

2 chicken breasts
1 can of chicken broth.  (add more broth if you add more chicken)

Ingredient one

Ingredient two

 









I add different seasonings to add different flavors, usually garlic or onion based.  Then most of time I make mashed potatoes to go with.  I like it and it also cooks up great for left overs.  


Thanks for visiting with me over my simple crockpot chicken recipe!

Extended family vacations...what I learned

A few weeks ago I went to Branson with my family and some extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, my dad).  There are a few things that I learned while traveling with my own family as an adult with others.

1.  Not everyone will want to do the same thing:  there was a wide range of ages so different people were wanted to do different things. That's ok.  You can do some things together--maybe like a meal but then people can separate for a little bit.  

2.  Little people need naps.  For us it was in the car, going for a drive. It is hard to find time when you want to do this and that on vacation, but it is important for everyone's happiness to take the time for a break.

3. Flexibility is key.  Sometimes you want to do something with the rest of the family but no one can agree on what.  It helps if there is flexibility by all involved to make this a happy, fun time together.  

  

4.  On these types of family reunion vacations, remember it is about family and not having to see "everything".  The people are the most important part of life and having fun and relaxing with them will make the best memories.

All that said, Branson was a lot of fun. There were lots of different things to do (although the main strip is a little (or a lot) touristy.  There is a great lake (Table Rock), fun shows, a great amusement park(Silver Dollar City--we enjoyed its pioneer days feel and activities while it still has some fun rides), and nice camping  (although it was pretty hot!).    When Dominic and other future kids get older, I can see going back and visiting there. 

God's Kindness

"Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, your husband or wife. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your smile, kindness in your eyes." -Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

This is one of those quotes that I can read and ask myself: Am I doing this? Do people look at me and see the face of God.  How can I do it better....

Answer Me This! Ice cream, dip and more

Even if I am a little late to the party, I wanted to join Kendra for her last Answer Me This for the summer!

1. What's your favorite grocery store splurge?
Oh there are so many things that could go here. Ice cream, donuts, cookies...there is a them in that list.  Yes I have a sweet tooth.  But I think I am going to have to go with veggie dip (french onion).  The already made kind that you just open up and dip your chips or veggies in.  I love veggies and dip during the holidays and for some reason getting this dip makes me feel like I am splurging.  Probably because as a kid that was the only time we would get it.

2. How's your penmanship?
Cursive can be nice, if I take my time.  Manuscript--well two words would describe it...chicken scratch.  Oh and another word....kindergartener.  I feel like sometimes its pretty rough.  However, I found that as a teacher with chalk my teacher handwriting would improve ten fold. 

3. Do you have a "Summer Bucket List?"
Nope,  not officially.  I would like to go swimming more often then we have and go to the zoo more, but there is no official list.

4. What's the best thing on the radio right now?
I admit that most of the time I listen to Catholic radio, so I would have to say Father John Riccardo or Dr. Ray Guarendi.  I enjoy listening to both of these men for different reasons.  I would not be the person to ask about current music, as if I am not listening to Catholic radio, I switch it over to classical music.

5. Ice cream or frozen yogurt?

Ice scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! There is just something about it for me that it feels like a real treat if its real ice cream. Although I won't turn down frozen yogurt either :)!

A big thanks to Kendra for hosting the virtual cocktail party this summer.  It has been fun, and I hope it comes back around again!

Answer Me This: Superhero Edition

Another edition of Answer Me This...joining in the virtual cocktail party :)

1. What's currently on your To Do list?
Hmm... I don't have an actual to do list.  I have a list of things that I am looking for:  a new water jug for my husband and new flip flops for him and a few other things.   I  do have a list of things that I haven't written down that I want to get done:  have a better cleaning schedule, tackle some big jobs in the house like cleaning out and organizing, putting up a wood fence in the backyard, read more often (I have been better at this lately), get a calendar and use it(so I don't forget things that I have put on my mental calendar)...the list could go on and on so I will stop at that.

2. Better type of superhero: magic/radioactive powers? Or trauma/gadgets/hard work?
I think I prefer the magic/radioactive powers superhero.  I think it is adds just a bit of whimsy to the character and you don't have to pretend that maybe it could happen in real life.  

3. Finding out if baby is a boy or a girl before birth: Good idea? Bad idea?
We found out with Dominic.  I was convinced I was having a girl--my husband still talks about the look on my face when we found out Dominic was a boy.  I liked being able to get boy things for him and telling every one.  It was nice to be able to call him a he instead of an it too.    We did keep the name a secret though until after Dominic was born.  I think I would like to do it the same way if we have more children.

4. Have you ever appeared on a stadium jumbotron?
Nope.

5. Are you more book smart or more street smart?
I think I am more book smart.  I did well in school and I love books.  I think I have pretty good common sense too though. 

Joining with Kendra of Catholic All Year for Answer Me This!

Vacation...Family Goes to Branson!

Back from vacation with some of my extended family...first time Dominic has spent an extended amount of time with his Grandpa.  It was great!

Sorry for the blurry pic! We went to Branson and the humidity fogged up our cameras part of the time!

I hope to share more about our vacation later...

Answer Me This

I do have some posts in the works that aren't Answer Me This :) but for now joining the virtual cocktail party is where it is at for me! I,like Kendra, have been following the Edel Gathering on Instagram.  This is the party I get to attend, even if it is virtual, it is fun to be a part of.

Here are my answers for this week:

1. At what temperature do you keep the thermostat set? Summer, winter, day, night?

Let's see...I kind of let me husband control the actual degree as long as it is in my comfortable zone. Before we got married, he would leave it crazy cold in the winter, but we have seemed to land on a good temperature.  Summer is around 74 or 75 during the day, and 73 during the nights.  Winter: I think is around 68 degrees (but I have summer amnesia and can't remember what it is like to be very cold and what temp we have the house set to...)

 

2. What is your favorite frozen beverage?

Yum!  I love strawberry daquiris.  Your basic fruity frozen drink.  If it has little bits of strawberry even better. Oh and also blended.

3. Where do you keep your keys?

Well, at home, there is a hanger with the words home sweet home and two little hooks. That is where they are supposed to go when I get home.  Most of the time they make it there.  Otherwise, they land in my pockets or on a table.  When I am out and about, they are either in my pockets or in the purse (where they sometimes get lost in the depths of despair). 

4. Have you ever really been lost?

Not, that I remember.   The most disorienting thing is getting lost in a parking lot.  This happened once where I really thought I was in the right place and thought my car had been stolen. Not a good feeling.  Some guy helped me figure out where my car was.  I was in the wrong place, but it looked identical.

5. What is the last movie you saw in the theaters?

 Hmm...can't remember exactly.  I don't go to a lot of movies in the theater these days.  A cartoon though.  One of the last ones was The Lego Movie....on Valentine's Day (last year), with my husband.  It was my pick and I really enjoyed it.  

That's it for now.  Join Kendra for more Answer Me This at Catholic All Year.

Answer Me This..4th of July

 

1. How did you celebrate the 4th of July? (Or, for you international types . . . Do anything fun this weekend?)  We had some friends over and bbq'd. Although we have been at our house for a year, this is the first time that we have used our grill.  We went on a walk through our lovely neighborhood with our friends.  We lit off a few fireworks.  I spent 6.27 on fireworks at a stand that supports our local Catholic services.  Just wanted to get a few that Dominic could enjoy so no big boomers.

2. Do you sunburn easily?
Sometimes.  Not just if I am going on a walk, but if I am swimming and don't put on enough sunscreen then ouch...yes it hurts.  But usually pretty cautious with the sunscreen these days.  I burned pretty easily as a kid.

3. Hot dogs. Yay or nay?
Yay...usually only at party or ballparks.  For some reason, I like them at these places. But I don't usually just cook them up at home.

4. Have you ever personally set off fireworks?
Yep, lots as a kid and yesterday I set off our quite tame fireworks.

5. Have you ever jumped off the high dive?
Yes, again as a kid.  But I was always quite frightened to do it and just did it to prove to myself that I could. 

6. Do you do anything weird in your sleep?
Umm... I don't think so.  My husband tells me when I snore sometimes, but that doesn't seem to weird to me.

Joining with Kendra for Answer Me This at Catholic All Year !