cluck pot pie {the sloppy chef series}

My chicken pot pie recipe has evolved over the years, but I think I finally have it nailed. 

This recipe makes 2 pies.

I start with a roasted chicken from Sam's Club.  Yep, that's my secret.  But you can buy a roasted chicken pretty much anywhere... or...{should I even say it?} roast your own.  Nope, I won't say it. 

I highly recommend you do the following step a day in advance:

You'll need:
One dead, roasted chicken
32-oz container chicken broth
1 medium onion, chopped
10 whole peppercorns
2 cups water
2 chicken cubes 
(any other veggies you like to add to make broth--carrots, celery, medical marijuana, etc.) 

This particular chicken seems to be missing a breast, and it appears one of its legs has been gnawed off.

Click here to read more »

me so tubby

There are a few things we need to have on-site when the framers arrive.

Namely, My Three Tubs.

Grab your bubble bath and rubber duck and moscato.

I know everything there is to know about designing homes.

Because I watch HGTV.

I know no one uses one-piece tub/showers anymore.  (Unless you're building new construction, and you don't watch HGTV.)

My husband falls into the latter, finite category.

He used to build spec homes A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away.

(the early 90s)

Imagine his surprise when, during one of our regular constitutionals through Menards/ Lowes/ Home Depot, there was nary a one-piece tub/shower to be found.

Indignation abounds.

Philly: If they don't use one-piece tub/showers, then what the #%&$ do they use?

Me (With the patience of Job): They put in a lovely jacuzzi tub and build a tile surround.

Philly: Why the #%$& would they do all that extra work when you can just put in a one-piece that will NEVER leak and there's no grout to get moldy?

Me: <sigh> (Thinks: "You're moldy.") Says: Because it's pretty.

Philly: We're NOT having a jacuzzi...All I need is for the motor to go out and things start leaking; then I'm tearing apart the whole bathroom.

Me: That's okay...I don't really want a jacuzzi anyway. 
(Actual truth--I'm weird, I know.)

Philly: I'm not putting anything in but a one-piece tub/shower.

Me (Job has left the building): But those look so cheap!
I'd really like a nice tub with a subway tile surround.

Philly (Looking at me like I have snakes coming out of my head à la Medusa--and I probably do):  We don't have to get a cheap, ugly tub...we'll get a really nice one.

Me (Hmmmmmph): We can't even find an ugly one...how are we supposed to find a pretty one?  

The Hunt Begins.  And Ends.

Me: I found this really awesome tub/shower for the master bath!
No jacuzzi!  It's a one-piece!  Andi Likey! Gimme!

source

Click here to read more »

i feel pretty, and witty, (not) gay...............................{tongue in cheek tuesday}

Welcome to my first time participating in Tongue in Cheek Tuesday!

I've met so many new friends and have encountered so many wonderful link parties since I started blogging.  But I have to confess, I've never been so excited as when Danni at Silo Hill Farm invited me to participate in "Total Couture Tuesday" (a decision I'm sure she regrets now).

Because I'm a flannel fashionista.

Click here to read more »

no. more. gray. box. ever. ever! EVER!

We currently live in what we like to refer to as a "big, gray, plastic box."  It's really not that big, but it is definitely gray and plastic.  Well, more of a silvery-gray, with a smattering of red(ish) brick and door, and just a hint of Parthenon.

We chose this siding/brick ensemble because a house up the street had the same combo and we liked it.  (And we had about 5 minutes to pick something out so this was it.)  But since that house was a completely different style, ours came out just...meh.  And after 14 years in a gray house, there's no way I'm going to live in anything other than an earth-tone home.

Click here to read more »

whoa-oah...livin' on a prairie...

Not exactly what Jon Bon Jovi had in mind.

Whoa-oah...we're halfway there-ee...

I'm an 80s girl and I saw Bon Jovi in concert when I was about 16 or so.  I was in love.  And promptly shot through the heart.  And you're to blame.

During a JBJ discussion one day (because doesn't JBJ monopolize everyone's convos?), our son pipes up and says, "Hey, didn't they sing some song called 'Living on a Prairie' or something?"

Yep, that's our boy.

Take my hand and we'll make it I swear-ee...
Whoa-oah!  Livin' on a prairie...

source 

Click here to read more »

the re-postest with the mostest - Take 2. Or 3.

Hey there!  I had the wonderful opportunity to do my very first ever guest post last week over at Inspiration Café!  I really wanted folks to know that I'll be sharing all the gory details of building a house from the ground up!

So I took an existing post and re-worked it, so some of this may seem a bit familiar to you.

For those of you who are new (or have a memory like mine), here's what we covered: 

Today I'll be walking you through the early stages of what I consider to be the ultimate DIY: building our forever home!

Forever home?  I sound like a rescue dog.

Speaking of rescues, allow me to introduce our rescue pooch, Eddie:

 

Click here to read more »

chocolate truffle dessert {the sloppy chef series}

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!  And I have to make something to bring in for my "food day" tomorrow at work.  I tend to try new things when I'm feeding the masses...that way I get lots of feedback (no pun intended).  (And if it bombs, at least I don't end up with a ton of leftovers at home.)

This is from Taste of Home's Holiday Cookbook 2002. My version is much more fun.  I promise.

FAT-BOTTOM BROWNIE:
1/4 cup butter (no substitutions, exchanges, or refunds), softened
1 cup sugar
2 squares (1 oz each) unsweetened chocolate, melted & cooled
2 eggs (separated)
1/4 cup milk
1 t. vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
TRUFFLE MOUSSE:
2 cups (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/4 cups butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 T. instant coffee granules 
5 egg yolks, lightly beaten*
3 T. vanilla
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/3 cup cold water
1 cup whipping cream, whipped (whip it...whip it good)
14-16 creme-filled Pirouette cookies, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

*Cook up leftover egg whites and feed to your favorite little buddy:

Click here to read more »

the liebster comes crawling

I'm still so green when it comes to the blogging community.  And it isn't easy being green.  So, imagine my surprise when I was nominated for the Liebster Award!  A big shout-out and thanks to Nicole at Southern Charm!  And we must be kindred spirits because we both clearly love the Cherry Cream Soda font.

Click here to read more »

prosciutto chicken parmesan {the sloppy chef series}

Well, it's April...otherwise known as the month of a thousand birthdays in my family.  I haven't done much "gour-met" cooking lately since I've been completely involved with house plans. (Excuse)  And I just haven't felt like cooking. (Truth)

But our youngest turns 21 this weekend and he's requested Chicken Parm for dinner.  This month is also my birthday, my Mom's birthday, my Dad's birthday, my niece's birthday, my late Gramma's birthday...you get the picture. 

This is one of my favorite dishes, so I thought as long as I was putting forth the effort to make it, I should share it as well.

We'll get started with the sauce, which is very similar to my pizze! sauce.  Why aren't they exactly the same?  I have no idea.  I guess because the pizza sauce is a bit thicker.  And I probably didn't realize I had 2 similar recipes.  I love them both.  And they're even better if you make them a day in advance.

Sauce (totally tweak as you see fit):

2 T Olive Oil
1 medium onion, chopped
28 oz can Hunts crushed tomatoes 
2 (15 oz) cans Contadina extra thick and zesty tomato sauce
3 cloves garlic, pressed
2 t. dried oregano
1 Bay leaf 
4-6 t. sugar
1/2 t. salt
sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes
1 oz chopped fresh basil (added about 30 minutes before the sauce is "done")

Saute onion in oil until translucent.  Add pressed garlic and saute about one minute (!!don't let it burn!!).  Dump in everything else (except fresh basil) and let it simmer all day.

Remove bay leaf and add your basil when you're about done simmering the sauce.

Now I'd like to introduce you to my lovely little buddy, Pietro.

He's my pasta maker.

Click here to read more »

the re-postest with the most-est AND a hostess!

Hey there, and Happy Friday!  

A few of you may be a tad familiar with why I started this ingenious little blog in the first place.

We're building a house!

So today, I have a bit of an updated version of our plan to whet your appetite for DIY-homebuilding.  My lovely new friend, Danni, invited me to guest post over at the Inspiration Café!

This is Our (new) House.  In the Middle of Our (new) Street.

Click here to read more »

thievery and mischief

I'm not vain enough (or ridiculous enough) to pretend ALL my ideas are actually my ideas...they have to spark from something else I've seen.

But this one is a no-brainer.  I TOTALLY stole this idea from Danni at Silo Hill Farm.  Clearly I need a little work on my recycling skills.  Thank you, Danni, for schooling me.

Danni made this totally adorable vase out of a plastic juice bottle.  And guess what?  For 2 whole weeks I've had an empty maple syrup bottle sitting on my kitchen counter since Philly has refused to throw it away.

Perhaps he thought it might self-refill.

Re-Phil.

Click here to read more »

nice rack!

I am SOOO glad I got the flu mist this year, because that meant MY flu was only 8 days of near-death with my temp reaching 103 and my feet barely reaching the floor.  Go prevention.

I guess we'll just call it the "epic fail mist." 

Oh, and I started putting this post together on my first fever-free day, so no guarantees here. 

I've had this quilt rack for quite some time...well, since whenever my sister gave it to me I guess.  I've been so bored for the past week and I didn't want to start in on anything that would require me to exert myself too much, or "strain my milk," as Philly would say.

(Yeah...those wells dried up a loooong time ago.) 

Click here to read more »