Fleur de Aleta

Kim and Sue came by to help Greg and I trim the crepe myrtle trees a couple of weekends ago.  As a "thank you" we went to the Olive Garden for lunch this past weekend.  (Greg stayed home with Gregory to get some Daddy time in.)  Kim called the meal "Apricot Chicken" - all three of us ordered it and YUMMM delicious and only 400 calories! Afterward the meal Aunt Kim and Aunt Sue visited with Gregory. Gregory was smiling up a storm while Aunt Kim talked to him.  Too cute! Aunt Kim also bought over some goodies - an exersaucer for Gregory to use, cloths and an outside swing.  Kim has a nephew a few months older than Gregory, so as her nephew outgrows things, we get to borrow, which is Very Helpful! When new things come in, both Tigger and Penny have to investigate. I can't wait until Greg puts up the swing!  I used to love to swing as a child. Thank ya'll so much for your help and for the baby stuff!  Oh and I have to share a fu...

Tomato Sauce Chicken 2 ½ tablespoons canola oil 6 boneless skinless chicken tenders salt and pepper 1 thick slice bacon cut crosswise into ¼ inch strips 1 ½ tablespoons all purpose flour 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 1 garlic clove thinly sliced 1 large tomato chopped 1 teaspoon tomato paste 1 cup milk ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth 2 teaspoons chopped parsley Preheat oven to 375 Cook the bacon per package instructions on the stove.  Put aside. In a skillet heat 1 tablespoon of the oil  Add chicken to pan Cook over moderately high heat until browned all over, 8 minutes Transfer chicken and bacon to a Pyrex dish. Put the Pyrex dish into the oven and cook for 20 minutes. Drain off the fat from the bacon and using that skillet (also used for the chicken) add the following: -Add remaining 1 ½ tablespoons of oil to skillet and stir in the flour until incorporated. After adding flour - the trick is to always keep stirring - this is roux based sauce. -Add onion and garlic and cook ov...

It's hot these days to go outside and work on the garden, but it's necessary to water the gardens.  It takes time now that I have so many gardens going around the house, but the fun part is seeing everything grow and bloom AND you get to say hello to neighbors and friends. Stephanie and her daughter were walking in the neighborhood and stopped in to say Hi.  We talked for a little while.  Stephanie took a number of cake decorating classes and I really want to learn more about this.   I started a cake decorating class, but the teacher had to have surgery and never rescheduled her class.   Stephanie offered to teach me :)  I'm eager to learn! I meet Stephanie through my friend, Kim.  I've known Kim since forever (hehe, not going there with that many years!).... Kim is a good friend and she's my garden Guru.  She's responsible for all the gardens going around my house.  She inspired and believed in me to turn the weed monster...

Before the crepe myrtle trees were cut back so that they didn't break, we took some pictures. Unfortunately it was a little glarey outside and Gregory just woke up from a nap, so he wasn't in the picture taking mode :) Here's something funny to share....  Gregory was visiting with Oma and Opa.  Gregory decided to get a little grumpy, cranky and started fussing... loudly.  Oma looked at Gregory and in her strict "teacher voice" said, "No, stop that Gregory."  Gregory got silent for one second then forcefully yelled back "AH!" with total attitude!  It was one syllable but when he made that sound his entire body leaned forward.  Opa saw and heard Gregory's response and busted out laughing, saying, "Gregory just told you!"  hehe Greg and I both love this next picture - love both of them smiling!

I found this recipe on the Internet - looked super easy.  The only thing is that I don't grill.  Can't stand to work with the barbecue pit.  But I had the marinade going and Greg was a trooper to grill after a hard day working long hours. My husband gives it a 60 out of 100, the only complaint being it was too salty. Ingredients: 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons EEOO Skinless boneless chicken thighs 2 garlic cloves, minced Salt and Pepper In a ziplock bag, mix ingredients and let marinate between 4-24 hours. Grill it.  Greg said it smelled delicious and it was good, other than the salt.  So, I'll nix the salt portion of the salt and pepper and I might cut down the soy sauce to 2 tablespoons.