In the Clouds

Happy Tuesday!

It's another day for me. Trying to decide the best paths for me to take. I'm sure I will get there someday. My life has regained stability finally. I could not be happier!

Today I've been looking at paint sets so that I can get back into painting. There are some nice sets out there. I tend to buy a basic set and then buy specific colors from places like Hobby Lobby. I've been looking so much at things that I want to do. I have yet to send out my Valentines cards. I have just not had the time to send them. I should get to it today or tomorrow. I love making cards and sending them out to people. I will post pictures of some of them soon. What I am doing this Valentine's Day is sending a piece of origami to everyone. Want to see how I learned? Click here! That site that I just linked to, has tons of instructions  for many different pieces. Another thing I've been doing, cooking! Oh how I love cooking. I recently rediscovered my great grandmother's cook book, and have been considering throwing together a whole new one that has her traditional recipes, as well as my own. Of course, some of the recipes will be needing some updating, considering they are from the 1930's and up! (see below for a new recipe)

My life has changed a lot over the course of the last year or so. Many ups and downs. I swear it has been a roller coaster. I have learned, changed, and grown throughout it. Excited for the few changes that are still coming. Maybe not in the next few months or even year, but they will get here. People have tough times, and that is what makes us who we are. How we react to situations shows our character. People must remember as well that we are not our mistakes, yet they are a learning experience, a part of life. One tough lesson is to know who will truly be there by your side, through the thick and the thin. I've had my share of fair-weather friends. It hurts for people to not be a part of your life anymore, but never regret them. Some people have come into our lives to help us learn lessons, but they were not meant to stay a part of your life.I know who my friends are, and those are the ones I can count on. I am so incredibly lucky to have the friends and family that I have. Thank you to each and everyone of those people!



To end my post for the day, I'll be posting one of my family recipes. It is for Cloud Biscuits. These are incredible! Definitely the only homemade biscuit recipe I ever use.

Cloud Biscuits -Georgia Graham

• 2  C Flour
• 1 t Sugar
• 4 t Baking Powder
• 1/2 t Salt
• 1/2 C Shortening
• 1 Egg, beaten
• 2/3 C Milk

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Sift together all dry ingredients. Cut in the shortening. Combine the egg and milk. Add to the the dry mixture all at once. Stir till dough follows fork around the bowl. Turn on floured surface. Knead gently with the heel of your hand. Around 20 strokes. Roll dough 3/4" think. Place on ungreased baking sheet. If desired, chill 1-3 hours.  Bake at 450 degrees for 10-14 minutes.

Long time, No see

Just the right place to find a schadenfreude

Oh my! It has been an extremely long time since I have blogged. Well, this is my come back, and that was the end of my break. Life has changed so very much for me since the last time I was here. For a while it was extremely tough, but now is regaining sanity. I am in the midst of quiet a few new projects on my plate. 

As of right now, my big one, getting back online! I know, I know, I'm a tad bit rusty but I think I shall give it a go. I think I shall post one of my favorite recipes!

This recipe is not too terribly expensive to make, but mighty delicious.
Here it is, my version of Chicken Piccata! Now don't knock it till you try it, and any of the additions are optional. If you have you're own version, let me know!

Chicken Piccata

(serves about 4)

• 4 (4-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tsp of crushed red pepper (optional)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, quartered (optional)
• 1/4 cup drained capers
• 1 6 oz pkg of fresh spinach (optional)
• 1/2 a 10 oz pkg of mushrooms, sliced (optional)
• 1 cup quick-cooking brown rice (follow directions on packaging)

Gather all your ingredients and have them readily accessible. You can tweak this recipe to suit your tastes FYI!

Take you chicken breasts, trim the fat, and then slice into little strips. Heat your pan to about a medium to a medium high heat, with the half the oil and butter. Toss in your chicken breasts, salt and pepper to taste, your paprika, and just enough lemon juice to add some flavor to your chicken. Cook till golden. Remove from pan and set aside.Start your brown rice. Add the rest of your olive oil and butter back to the pan you cooked the chicken in. Now toss in your garlic, artichoke hearts, crushed red peppers, and sliced mushrooms. cook until a caramelized color is on the garlic. Once this happens,  add the rest of your lemon juice, white white, and chicken broth. Let simmer until it reduces. Add your chicken back in, add the capers, and the spinach. Serve with or on the cooked brown rice. 


Hope you enjoy, and let me know how it turns out for you!

Monday!!

Happy Monday!!

Ok.. well maybe it's not  happy for you, but I'm going to make the best of it. I'm going to get motivated to start cleaning out this house again, because it's getting to be that time where my life is at a pivotal moment. Sooo out with the old in with the new. Life has a funny way of working itself out when you have no idea what to do. I'm striving for more and slowly but surely I will get there. Sometimes my motivation seems to be lacking, or maybe its just my intense procrastination and fear of ever taking a step forward because I can't see what is laying ahead. This however has got to change and it all starts inside, right? 

Tomorrow will be my 23rd birthday and I am greatly anticipating where my life shall go over the next year, and I invite you all on my journey!

What does everyone have planned for this upcoming year?