Chicken & Peppers

This is a simple, quick recipe to put together.

Ingredients

1/2 cup chicken broth

3 Tbsp. soy sauce

2 tsp. cornstarch

1/2 tsp grated gingerroot

1 Tbsp. oil

1 lb. chicken breast strips

1 medium onion, cut into 8 wedges

1 medium red bell pepper, cut into bite sized squares

1 medium yellow pepper, cut into bite sized squares

1 medium orange pepper, cut into bite sized squares

In small bow, combine chicken broth, soy sauce, cornstarch and gingerroot;

blend well, set aside.

Heat oil in large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until hot.

Add chicken strips; cook and stir 3 minutes.

Add onion and bell peppers;

cook and stir 4-6 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink

and vegetables are crisp-tender.

Stir cornstarch mixture until smooth.

Add to skillet; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or

until sauce is bubbly and thickened.

Serve with rice

and enjoy!

I am joining...

Lisa at Blessed with Grace for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Miz Helen at Miz Helen's Country Cottage for Full Plate Thursday

Rattlebridge Farms for Foodie Friday

Addicted to Recipes for Scrumptious Sunday

Our Delightful Home for Show Me What You Got

Simple Living with Diane Balch for Foodie Friday

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Sunday, April 29, 2012

Outside my window... The sun is peeking up over the horizon and the sky is pale blue with the distant cloud cover reflecting pink and purple from the sunrise and the grass is sparkling from the dew.

I am thinking... It looks like a beautiful day after the rain we had the past two days and that it would be great to go for a nice long walk this afternoon.

I am thankful for... Sunshine and rain.

From the kitchen...
~Today: Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Buns, Broccoli with Cheese Sauce, Corn, Salad & Chocolate Roll for dessert
~Monday: Chicken & Pepper Stir-Fry, Rice, Salad
~Tuesday: Porcupine Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Turnip, Green Beans, Salad
~Wednesday: Chicken 'n Sauce (crockpot), Buns, Salad
~Thursday: Chicken Stew with Biscuits (crockpot), Corn, Salad
~Friday: Salmon, Rice Medley, Peas, Salad
~Saturday: Leftover Smorg

I am wearing... Dark Brown Dress Pants, Peach Ruffled Tank with a Cream Cardigan and my favorite Brown Tri-Colored High Heels

I am creating... Grapevine Bird Bath

I am going... To try and go with the flow this week.

I am reading... What Happened to My Life? Finding New Passion, Purpose and Joy by Dana Demetre

I am praying for... My dad as he is seeing his cardiologist this week.

Pondering these words... My grace is sufficient for you. (2 Cor. 12:9a)

I am still hoping... That the weather will really begin to warm up.

I am hearing... The furnace running & the birds singing outside.

Around the house... Laundry, laundry and more laundry.  Everything that my daughter brought home from school needs washing - bedding, winter clothes, etc.  At least one extra load or two a day should get it done.

One of my favorite things... The birds singing first thing in the morning.  They are always so happy to greet the new day.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
~Monday: Gardening (if it's not too wet outside)
~Tuesday:  More Gardening (again, weather permitting)
~Wednesday: Drive Dad to cardiologist appointment (3 hr drive one way)
~Thursday: Shopping
~Friday: Housework
~Saturday: Relax

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

The tablescape I did to welcome home my daughter

in her favorite colors :)

Thank you Peggy for the The Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

Dining Room Vignette

I have a little corner cupboard

that sits in my dining room.

It had some white flowers there

but when I found this cute little

birdhouse/flower arrangement at Wal-Mart

I knew it would cheer up this little corner.

I added the egg holder tealights

and the doilie was crocheted by my neighbor.

It is a beautiful soft yellow.

The two little birds from Michaels

add the finishing touch

and brighten up this little corner

of the dining room.

I am joining...

Nita at Mod Vintage Life for Mod Mix Monday

Marty at A Stroll Through Life for Tabletop Tuesday

Jann at Have a Daily Cup from Mrs. Olsen for Share Your Cup Thursday

A Ruffled Nest for Friday Pretties

Easy Pillow Make Over

I have had these pillows (below)

since we moved into this house

over 12 years ago.

I had found the cloth at a garage sale

and the colors matched perfectly

with my dining room.

As you can tell though,

they have become quite faded over the years.

When I saw these pillow covers in Dollarama

I knew they were the perfect thing

to revive my old pillows.

All I had to do was unzip the back

and put the old pillows inside.

And as quick and simple as that

my old pillows were revived!

I am joining...

Lorie at Be different...Act normal for Show and Tell Saturday

Shannon at Cozy Home Scenes for the Cozy Home Party

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

You just can't go wrong with

chocolate and peanut butter

and this cake is quick to make.

Ingredients

1 pkg. yellow or white cake mix with pudding

1 cup milk

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

3 eggs

2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F.

Generously grease and lightly flour 12-cup Bundt pan.

Beat with electric mixer at low speed for 1 minute,

scraping bowl constantly.

Beat 2 minutes at medium speed,

scraping bowl occassionally.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Bake at 350F for 45-55 minutes

or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean

and top springs back when touched lightly near center.

Cool in pan for 10 minutes.

Invert onto wire rack; remove pan.

Drizzle chocolate icing over top of cake.

Optional:  Sprinkle chopped peanuts over icing.

Enjoy!

I am joining...

Lisa at Sweet as Sugar Cookies for Sweets for a Saturday

Dorothy at Crazy for Crust for Crazy Sweet Tuesday

Mrs. Fox at Mrs. Fox's Sweets for Mrs. Fox's Sweet Party

Welcome Home!

After being away at school for the past eight months

my daughter has come home for the summer.

To welcome her home I did a special

"Welcome Home" tablescape.

I used her favorite colors - orange and pink.

The vase she picked out from Michaels on a previous visit home.

The flowers I found at Dollarama

as well as the clear frames and stickers

which I used for the welcome home sign.

These wonderful woven placements I found at JYSK

and were the perfect color.

I layered them and just tucked under the ends

on the pink placement to allow

the orange placement to accent.

And added some houses

to complement the theme of home

which I found at the local thrift store.

I used simple white dishes

to allow the pink and oranges to shine.

The napkin and napkin ring are both from Pier 1 Imports.

And the tealight holders were from Dollarama.

The glasses I bought at a clearance sale from Stokes last year.

I just love the pattern on them.

I added a few pink daisies,

which are my daughters favorite flowers.

And my "Welcome Home" tablescape was complete.

Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the look on her face when she saw it.

She absolutely loved it!

And that's what I love about tablescaping -

seeing the joy it brings others :)

I am joining...

Kathleen at Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays

Calendar Frame Refreshed

When I redid my message center I decided

the calendar frame needed a new look as well.

Since I had the white paint out

I decided to change the frame

from green to white.

Then I added a few accents

to give it some character.

Some butterflies, of course.

And some flowers as well.

And the calendar frame has a fresh, new look.

And brightens up this little corner of my home :)

I am joining...

Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Chicken-Penne Florentine Bake

If you like Chicken and Alfredo Sauce

you will enjoy this recipe.

The flavor is smooth and creamy and delicious.

Ingredients

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

1/4 cup flourr

500 gram bag Penne pasta, uncooked

1/4 cup Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing

2 cups chicken broth

1/2 of a 250 gram pkg cream cheese,  cubed

1 pkg (300 gram) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained

1 cup shredded marble cheese

1/4 cup Parmesean Cheese

Heat oven to 375F.

Coat chicken with flour.  Cook pasta.

Meanwhile, heat large skillet and spray with cooking spray.

Brown chicken until almost done.

Add dressing, stir and cook until chicken is cooked through.

Add broth and cream cheese; cook 3 minutes

or until cream cheese is melted and sauce is well blended,

stirring frequently.

Stir in spinach.

Drain pasta and return to pot.

Add spinach mixture to pasta and mix lightly.

Spoon half into greased 4-L cassrole dish;

top with 1/2 cup grated marble cheese.

Spoon remaining pasta into dish,

top with remaining greated cheese.

Sprinkle with Parmesean cheese.

Bake 16-18  minutes

or until casserole is heated through

and cheese is melted.

Serves 6-8

Enjoy!

I am joining...

 Lisa at Blessed with Grace for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Miz Helen at Miz Helen's Country Cottage for Full Plate Thursday

Addicted to Recipes for Scrumptious Sunday

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Saturday April 21, 2012

Outside my window... It is dark outside.

I am thinking... That I still need to pack an overnight bag for our trip tomorrow as well as a munchie bag for the drive.  I am looking forward to picking up our daughter from college but not looking forward to the long drive.

I am thankful for... The fact that my daughter is spending the summer at home this year.

From the kitchen... We will be travelling for the next few days but tonight I made a pasta casserole that will be quick and easy to reheat when we get home.

I am wearing... Pajamas.

I am creating... Some Mother's Day Cards

I am going... To pick up my daughter!

I am reading... What Happened to My Life? Finding New Passion, Purpose and Joy by Dana Demetre

I am praying for... Safe travels and my dad as he has to go see his cardiologist since he is having some problems.  It has been a year since his double by-pass surgery.

Pondering these words... To have and to hold from this day forward.

I am still hoping... That the weather will really begin to warm up.

I am hearing... My son typing on his computer, the air purifier running, and classical music playing softly.

Around the house... I need to start - and finish - our income tax (due on the 30th)

One of my favorite things... Sunshine

A few plans for the rest of the week...
~Sunday: Drive, pick up daughter, load all her stuff from her dorm
~Monday: Drive home, vote
~Tuesday:  Unload everything my daughter brought home and try to find a spot for it for the summer.
~Wednesday: Garden...Plant sweat peas and clean out strawberries & fertilize
~Thursday: Shopping
~Friday: Garden...Transplant Delphiniums
~Saturday: Start getting decks ready for summer

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

I made these Solar Light Jars this week to give to my mom for Mother's Day

and I just loved the way the light pattern reflected off the counter in this picture.

Thank you Peggy for the The Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.