It's Puzzling

Last weekend my husband, daughter and I were out doing errands. We had to go right by Value Village and of course I had to stop. Nothing very exciting, but I did find a few puzzles by some of my favorite artists. So, for $4.00 I was able to bring home a little entertainment!

Fifteen puzzles later....! I should explain, that one box had ten different puzzles in them, from 100 to 500 pieces, so I went through those pretty quickly!

I love puzzles!! If they're cute ones of course, and have a little variety as to the shapes of the pieces. I hate the ones where every shape is the same...boring and frustrating!

These were fun!

I have two of the Gooseberry Patch puzzles and I see that they have one with a pumpkin design too...I think I need that one! Looked on ebay...$10 for the puzzle and $13 to ship it...what is up with that??? I'll just keep looking, thank you very much!

I made this for dinner last night~

Really yummy and super easy...thank you Lynda Burke, for sharing the recipe!


2 c flour                                                                   2 c heavy cream
9 chicken breasts, washed and dried                       2 c Romano cheese
16 c spinach                                                             Salt and freshly ground pepper


Place all washed and dried spinach in a 10 x 15 pan. In shallow dish add flour and coat each breast. Place on top of spinach. Pour cream onto spinach trying to avoid chicken. Sprinkle Romano on top of chicken and season with salt and pepper.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes until chicken is a light, golden brown.


Lynda brought this to my family last year after I had my foot surgery and it was delish!!!

I had some spinach and some chicken thawed so I thought I'd whip this up. I don't know about you, but I ALWAYS adjust according to what I have, how many servings, etc. Sooo.... I used a 9x13 pan and about 5 c of spinach. I had 4 breasts, which I sliced in half because they were so thick. I used about 3/4 c of flour and added garlic powder, garlic salt, pepper, dill, and parsley. Then I coated the chicken with that. I had half and half and used that instead of the cream, and I only had Parmesan so replace the Romano with that!

It was still amazing!! Very tender and flavorful!

Okay, so that's about all I've gotten done. Puzzles and a meal. Maybe a bit more than that, but honestly not much. I'm in a rut. I'm bored...not because I don't have anything to do, but because I have so many things that I don't want to do any...maybe that's overwhelmed! I'm a little lonely...not liking the living situation right now. And, I'm lazy...very. 

I went to volunteer today, at our local thrift store. I used to volunteer there regularly, but haven't done it for a few years. Same people in charge. Today I joined my friend who always volunteers and so we worked together. I was told by the person in charge that I needed to go through the proper channels and if I wanted to volunteer they'd put me where they had holes. They said I could stay today, but would have to do it properly next time. I must say, I was a little taken aback! This is the thrift store affiliated with the school that my kids attended for 15 years! I helped get this Thrift Store established in it's current location! These are people I have known for YEarS!!!!! I thought it was really rude, but maybe I'm over reacting. I don't think I'll be volunteering again, however!!

Venting. It was a "sucky" weekend. Someone else pretty much sucker punched me with some pent up anger on Friday and still another let me down in a big way. Still reeling from that.

Pity Party for one, please...

Valentine's Day

February 14, a date that has so many emotions associated with it. Happy, sad, lonely, together....it means many things, depending on who you ask.

What does it mean to you? I must say that it has never been that big of a deal to me. It would have been my parent's 48th wedding anniversary, if my mom had lived. I guess I always associate the day with their anniversary. I loved watching my mom get all dressed up for a special evening out with my dad. The make-up, the hair, the clothes. Back in the day it included a trip to the beauty shop...yes, shop! It was the day of girdles and nylons, sparkly jewelry and amazing shoes!

I'm not big on flowers or fighting the crowds at restaurants. I'm more of a "pizza to go and a movie at home" kind of girl. Normally this would involve my husband, but due to a new job, I'm on my own this year. I'm watching the movie and he is out for pizza with his sister!!

He did employ our son to deliver a rose and a Starbucks for me!!! The other rose is from a local church that brought them into work for all the female employees!!

Dinner for me is a big bowl of popcorn and a strawberry smoothie!!!

And it wouldn't be Valentine's Day without the movie!! I LoVe this movie!!

I was hoping to have this finished by today, but I broke the walking foot to my machine after only
1 1/2 hearts. I still don't really like it, so it will probably sit unfinished til next year!

So I leave you with an old one!!

Hope your day's been SWEET!!

The Boy

This is my baby. My little boy. Who is fast becoming a man. It's so wonderful to watch your kids grow and develop into their own person, but oh, how I miss the little guy he was! Mama's should be able to go back in time, at least once a month, and cuddle and snuggle their babies! For some reason, he's not into that anymore!!!

Tyler has always been a hard worker. He started working here  part time, when he was 13 and had 3 summers of full time work, from ages 14 -16.  Just before his 17th birthday he started working at Haggen as a Courtesy Clerk. Our family has been in the grocery business for years and it has been very, very good to us! But I don't think he ever thought he'd be in it too!! Turns out, he really enjoys it!

As soon as he turned 18 he was promoted to checker. A few months later he was promoted to produce. And last month, he was promoted to Manager of Bulk Foods. He's still 18! I'm so proud of him, his work ethic and his enthusiasm! He loves what he's doing and it really shows!

Congratulations Tyler! You are loved beyond your wildest imagination!!

The Farmer and the Mama

Just a short post as I had to share!

So many people loved seeing the Farmer commercial during the Super Bowl yesterday.

My Grandpa was a wheat farmer, so I have a soft spot when it comes to farmers! I'm more of a "city farmer" as I only have a few acres, but I love to dig in the dirt and grow things!

This morning I was reading Ann Voscamp's blog and was so touched by her words. A post about a Farmer and a Mama. I love being a mama most...makes me all sparkly inside!

Please read her post ~ she has such a gift for words, and the photography is beautiful!

Enjoy~

LOVE

My friend, Tami, celebrates Love Week at her house. It's the week of Valentine's Day and she goes all out...food, decor, events etc. It's very lovely and almost inspires me to do something over here...almost...

We just don't roll that way over here...not even close! I sometimes remember to put out a little decor. Sometimes I make heart sugar cookies, by myself. My daughter abhors Valentine's Day! Thinks it's a scam, which it sort of is, and feels no need for it. It's her fiance's birthday and she loves that she can celebrate that instead of V day! My son could care less either way, except he notices if the sugar cookies aren't made! Hubby and I aren't big on it either. We'd rather go out on the 13th or 15th and not have to deal with the crowds! I'd rather get red paint than red roses! Generally we don't do much!

But I did put up a few things this year...mostly just have a lot of red and cream around...my normal decor, with a few added baubles!

My chalkboard skills don't compare to hubby's, but it is what it is!

Not a Valentine in sight, but it's red!

I have a couple of quilts that I bring out for Heart Day and am working on another one right now...I'm sure it won't be done in time! And if it's not done, I'll probably put it away til next year and not get it finished then either! I'm come to accept this about myself. I don't like it, but I accept it!

Can't go wrong with scrabble tiles...

Add a nice little collection of vintage, heart cookie cutters, and lots of red and cream~

 And don't forget the after Christmas score on some red and silver mercury glass/looking ornaments!

That's about it over here! I will probably watch the movie "Valentine's Day", but I watch that quite often anyway!!

What about you? How do you celebrate...or do you??