Quiet Afternoon

Hello Friends!

It's been a while.

(I know.)

It seems I say that too often...

Here.

&

in person.

Time to CHANGE that!

* * *

We are moved into 'This Old House' and my only job is that of taking care of myself and the three men in my life. One is off to his full time job (for which we are very grateful after three very long years of graduate studies), one is off to his half day every day kindergarten class and one who mostly follows me around-- except on Fridays, when he too gets to go to school.

The house is by no means finished, but is liveable. My furniture is in, the walls are painted (white), the kitchen is fully functional with the exception of the island I am dreaming of...

My sweet friend Courtney has been strongly encouraging me to unpack my decorations and get some things up on these bare walls and shelves. My sister was up visiting yesterday and drove up some of the fall decorations I had stored at my parents' and so I have started making this house our HOME.

As I sit with my cup of tea, while the littlest is sleeping and his brother is reading, the house is so quiet! No music, no background TV noise (of which I'm usually guilty), no upstairs neighbors to listen to and few knocks on this door. It's peaceful.

(Well, now the small sound of the dishwasher is on in the background because I didn't dare post a picture of my mug of tea {a gift from this sweet friend} in the kitchen with dirty dishes!)

{A sneek peek at my new kitchen!}


Slowly, I am sorting through and organizing pictures to be able to show you all in blogland what it looks like here! And am compiling files of designs and projects I'd love to feature... what it will {hopefully} maybe someday look like here!

And I plan to visit often, update frequently and keep in better touch with you all. Life is too precious not to stop by and say hi.

love!

Join me?

... for a cup of tea? or maybe you prefer coffee...

whatever you choose... we have some serious catching up to do!

(you may need more than one cup)

Last post was January, but last update was

*gasp*

over a year ago!

color me

::embarrassed::

in a little more than a year, many things have happened

my baby turned one

(and is nearly two now!)

my husband entered into his third and final year of Law School

my big boy entered his final year of Preschool

we put in an offer in on a short sale home on Spokane's gorgeous South Hill

we waited to hear from the bank

we waited to hear from the bank

we waited to hear from the bank

... and ...

we waited some more

we waited and we waited and we waited

we celebrated Halloween

the boys were an adorable Monkey & and Life Saving Fire Fighter

we gave our thanks on Thanksgiving

we rejoiced at the birth of our King at Christmastime

and we continued to wait to hear from the bank

and, finally, in the middle of JANUARY

we closed on our FIRST HOME!

it's a real diamond in the rough...

we signed up to run a 1/2 marathon
with Team In Training

we began projecting on the house

we trainied for 20 weeks to run 13.1 miles

we fundraised for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

we gutted this one hundred & ONE-year-old home

my oldest turned F.I.V.E!

we projected some more

we had lots of company -- family & friends to help

my husband graduated from Law School

we had a PARTY

we celebrated

we rejoiced

we flew to San Diego to run 13.1 miles in the Rock'N'Roll 1/2 Marathon!

we finished a 1/2 marathon

we celebrated

we were thankful we could still walk

we were thankful we had healthy bodies

we fundraised nearly $5000!

the funds we raised helped families,

and went toward research grants

we are still working on the house

the siding is off

the new roof is on

{Harvard Slate!}

the house is still only studs

and we hope to be moved in in four short weeks

we are thankful we are still in the apartment...

... for now

he's studying for the BAR exam

every day

every night

every in between second

it's h.a.r.d

but

I have to remember to be thankful for all the time we usually have together

and for the sacrifices he is making for our family

and for the job he will have when this exam is over

and all the blessings that will bring to our family

and to so many others'

...

That's just a little taste of what's been going on around here.

What have I missed with you?

And I have missed you.

I can't wait to get back into the swing of things and catch up with you all!

love!

:: Award-Winning Stuffed Chicken ::

It's been a while.

I know.

Before I start out, telling you all about my New Year's resolution and making promises that I may or may not be able to keep. Let's just start out with a new post for the new year! {baby steps, ok?}

A couple of months ago, Chris's boss invited us and another couple from the office over for dinner. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but it was a cooking competition! Apparently, around the office, discussions had been flying as to which half of each couple was the better chef. I was nominated from our team, and went up against Frank and Randy. (The other wifeys got to sit perched up watching with my hubby while I competed!)

It was a little {understatement} nerve-racking to go against these two, but I did it! We each picked three ingredients out of a hat, and were given full access to the kitchen and 20 minutes to complete an hors d'oeuvres to serve. Judging was based upon presentation, creativity and use of ingredients.

My ingredients were: chicken breasts, proscuitto and cream cheese and my number was 3, so I got to go last!

::

I came up with a little concoction of my own and ended up winning the grand prize! Tonight, I re-created the dish, as an entree for my family and am sharing the recipe with you all!

Note to Bunko Babes who may be reading: this dish may be in your near future.

::

Award-Winning Stuffed Chicken

INGREDIENTS
4 oz cream cheese, fat-free
1/2-3/4 c. basil pesto (homemade or store bought)
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1-2 eggs
1/2-3/4 c. milk
1/2-3/4 c. italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/4 c. parmesan cheese
4 slices proscuitto
butter

To begin, rinse chicken and cut off any excess skin or veins. With smooth side up, and a very sharp knife, carefully fillet (or butterfly) your chicken to open it up to create a pocket.

After all four chicken breasts have been butterflied, set them aside.

In a small saucepan, melt cream cheese over low heat. Add basil pesto and stir until well blended.

To assemble chicken, spread cream cheese and pesto mixture onto one half of pocket.

Lay one slice of proscuitto on top of each chicken breast.

Fold chicken back into original shape and set aside.

Prepare an egg wash with 1 egg and about 1/2 c. milk in a dish large enough to coat each chicken. In a seperate dish, combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.

Place each chicken first in egg wash and then in breadcrumbs and assemble onto a baking dish.

top each chicken breast with a small pat of butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Flip each breast and bake an additional 7-10 minutes or until juices run clear when cut into.

To make sauce, add milk to remaining cream cheese and pesto mixture.

Serve with pasta, top with sauce.

love! Amy