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...

The Pioneer Woman, my Bud...

Those of you who follow my blog know that I met Ree, The Pioneer Woman, last year at a book signing and we became instant friends. We discussed Spanx after all and you can't help but be friends after a conversation of that nature!

She left out the reason for her spanx though. I assumed it had something to do with having children, growing older, gravity and such things. I now know that it has to do with the absurd amounts of butter in her recipes. And cream. Heavy cream.

I must admit that I've only made three of her recipes, although I've read her book cover to cover many times. I like to read cookbooks, but I'm not much for cooking out of them. Never made a single recipe from my Farm Chicks books, and although I have 30 Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, I've only made about five recipes.
I don't make a recipe unless it's tried and true by someone I know, has a beautiful picture, and doesn't have weird ingredients. My friend Lynda and my SIL Meagan try new recipes all the time and they turn out wonderfully, but I'm just not that brave.

Anyway, back to PW. I ventured out of my comfort zone and made her mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving and I must say they were the Best Mashed Potatoes I've ever had!!! But I haven't tried anything since, although the book keeps opening to the cinnamon roll recipe! But when I was at Haggen on Friday I picked up some Rib-eye steaks with her recipe in mind. So last night I made her rib-eye's with whiskey onion sauce. But I didn't have whisky so I used brandy.

Holy Moly!!!!!!! This sauce is amazing!!!!! And full of butter. And heavy cream. And you cook the steaks in butter. We went through many napkins, what with all the drooling!

After dinner I was looking through her cookbook and came across her Maple Pecan Scones. It used half and half, but I had cream that had to be used up, so I substituted. And I don't like maple so I used almond flavoring. And there was butter involved. And the frosting had butter too, but it also called for whole milk, which is almost like cream, so I used that instead.Now I know why she wears spanx, and that I will be wearing them too. ASAP!!!

To top off the evening I finished her new book! I tried to read it slowly so I could drag it out and savor it, but that lasted one night! This book is so good! and funny!!! and steamy, but not revealing!!!! Still, I couldn't read it in broad daylight!! Had to wait til night, when it was dark and romantic!!! Should have lit a candle!!!!

And all of a sudden it was finished. done. kaput. Sadness enveloped the room. I hope she's writing a sequel. In the meantime I have scones. And I bought my own copy so I can read it over and over again!

Super Bowl Salsa

I know that the Super Bowl was yesterday, but I got so caught up in the game that I forgot to post!!!! This doesn't have to be just for the Super Bowl of course, so here it is, a day late!!!

Start of with the juice of one lime and a seeded, sliced jalapeno pepper. I don't like spicy which is why I seed it. It still gives it a kick, it just doesn't knock you to your knees!!

Chop up half a head of cabbage and a few bunches of green onions, depending on how much you like onions!! I LOVE onions!! (Not a good Valentine's recipe!)
Chop up one bunch of cilantro and about 10-12 Roma tomatoes.

POUR on the garlic salt...this is what makes it yummy!!!! Mix it all together and there you have it!!! Great with tortilla chips, on nachos, on tacos...even all by itself!

I relied on my tried and true methods for picking the team I wanted to win yesterday (see March Madness), and before you say I chose after the game, go back and watch the beginning!!

I chose St. Louis because, and this is very scientific.....during the Star Spangled Banner they had the most players with their hands over their hearts and some were actually Singing!!!!!! Yes folks, that is how I chose the winning New Orleans Saints!!!! It's the little things in life that mean the most!!!

Homemade Laundry Soap

I've had a few inquiries about the laundry soap I make. I really like it, except for the fact that it doesn't have any scent to it, hence the reason I was shopping at the soap making store!!!

Homemade Laundry Soap

1 C grated bar soap- Fels Naptha, Ivory, Dove 1 bar usually gives you 2-2/12 cups of soap.
1/2 C Borax
1/2 C Washing Soda This is made by Arm and Hammer, but is
Not baking soda!!! I can only find this at
Fred Meyer or online.

Mix all together and store in an airtight container...or a pretty jar!!!

Use 1 Tbs. for a regular load or up to 2Tbs for a larger or very dirty load.

I use this in my HE front loader and it does just fine.

When I make this recipe I like to do a lot at once and then I use this recipe:

2 bars soap, grated
4 c Borax
4 c Washing soda

I'm going to add the oils to it to see if I get a scent...I really miss the smell of Tide!!!!

There is a liquid version if you prefer. You can go over to www.farmingonfaith.blogspot.com. Carrie has a lot of great homemade cleaning recipes, but this is the only one I have tried.

Good Luck!!!

Oh, and if you want to read a great post today, head on over towww.sugarpiefarmhouse.com. Very inspirational!!!