Chicken · gluten free · leeks · Recipes

Chicken with Leeks

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Doesn’t sound real appealing does it?

It really is good, and lighter than you would think.

Start with sauteing chicken (4 small breasts) in olive oil, season with salt and pepper.  I also used Herbs de Provence, and  fresh thyme.

Once the chicken is browned, remove and let rest.  
Add the leeks (3 large leeks, chopped and washed -thoroughly wash), and saute until limp.  

 Add 1 cup white wine ( I used Chardonnay), and 1 to 2 cups of chicken broth.  
Place the chicken in the mixture, and reduce by half.  
 
Add 4 pats of butter, and 1 cup cream (I had whipping cream…use what you have).  

Simmer until thickened.  Serve with rice…noodles…whatever you have on hand.  
 
 I had asparagus, roasted in the oven with a little bit of olive oil and salt and pepper.

Enjoy!
blessings · encourage · family

Bret Michaels and Me

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Bret Michaels, lead singer of Poison, winner of Celebrity Apprentice, was in my town today.

Living in a military community has its blessings…and this was one of them.

Bret is to perform at “The Swamp” tonight, and you have to be 18 to enter.  Carmen is my bff when it comes to Bret and Poison.  She and I attended a Poison concert last year in Birmingham.  We had a great time.  I so wanted to attend tonight, but since Carmen doesn’t turn 18 until January 1st…so, what to do?

A wonderful friend of David’s, Ray, had said that the rock radio station was advertising Bret was going to Hurlburt Air Force Base at 3p today.  Julie (dear scrapbook, stampin’ up friend), sent me an email that Bret was going to be there at 2p.  So… I go to work, and I have truly given up on going to see him.  Justifying it…I had already seen him in concert, and so I lived out that dreamed from teen years.  I get this email from Julie encouraging me to go.

Carmen brought lunch, and I asked off for the rest of the afternoon….and, we got to the base, and there were some people there.  Not a ton…and we made our way into the middle of the crowd.  It was incredibly hot. 

Bret’s bus pulls into the parking lot…

 Carmen and I in the parking lot of the BX.  Waiting for Bret to walk this way…
 BRET!!!!
 Love his smile.
 more…
 We fought our way to try to get a picture with him.  The military guards were not going to let that happen, at least not with us today.  As Bret was walking to his bus, I was close enough to ask he could sign Carmen’s Poison shirt.  “Do you mind if I keep walking while I sign it?” – NO!  Of course, not!  He signed it.  I told him that we were praying for him to continue to get better.  We love you Bret.  “I love you too!”, and I was 19 again.  I believe that he is completely sincere about his love of his fans.  I experienced it today. 

 Carmen’s shirt.

I know that Bret is a rock star, and famous for now.  It was a pleasure getting to meet him, and have Carmen experience a “star.” I will say that it was a really great day for the both of us.  A bonding experience if you will.  But, we will have many more, and I am sure it will not be because of Bret or Poison, but of God’s blessings.  
I am blessed with a husband who allows me to stalk out a rock star at 43 years of age.  I am blessed with a daughter that loves 80’s music…my music…and her own generations music.  I am blessed with a son, who found a set of speakers on the side of  the road, and connected them to his electronic drums!  There was a reason for the headset…but…
I am blessed.  I have been asking God to “show me His Glory” like Moses did in Exodus.  I have seen bits and pieces of it in the past weeks.  I believe that we forget to ask for this.  We forget to ask for big things.  Simple things sometimes.  
Bret has survived a rock stars life, an appendix surgery, and a brain hemorrhage.  I don’t know if he knows Christ, but I believe he has been shown bits and pieces of glory.  God has given him a 2nd, and 3rd chance.  
I know that He has given many to me.  Over and over again, I am shown the path I need to take.  Gentle reminders of His love.  Opportunities to make things right.   
Meeting Bret today was really cool.  Meeting my Savior one day will be incredible.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann
desserts · Recipes · strawberries

Shana’s Strawberry Trifle

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My dear kindred spirit made this recipe several years ago for Easter.  It was wonderful, then and now.  She gave me the simple recipe, and of course, I have misplaced it.

I don’t know why this is happening…my mind that is.

ha.

Okay –
1 large tub of strawberries, hulled and cut up into bit size pieces.
1 large package strawberry jello – not sugar free.
1 large package of vanilla pudding – follow directions
1 Angel Food cake (I used store bought) torn up into bite size pieces.
1 large tub cool whip or other whipped topping.  

Tear the Angel Food into bite size pieces.  Sprinkle the strawberry jello over the cake.  Keep dry, and stir to coat the pieces of cake.

Layer into a glass dish as follows:

Angel Food cake, vanilla pudding, strawberries, cool whip.  Repeat and top with a few strawberries for decoration.

Enjoy!

kale · low-carb diet · Recipes · zuchini boats

Sauteed Kale

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Sauteed Kale.  Another dish that is, of course, low carb.  I have tried the dried Kale that several bloggers rave about…but I did not like it.  Yes, it was crunchy.  It was also bland, bitter, and just yuk, to me anyway.

I so prefer this…

I have this wonderful garlic infused olive oil. I love the flavor it gives without the burnt garlic (yes, I burn it).
I added a 1/2 of a large purple onion (I love the color contrast).
Saute until translucent
Add a bag of rinse and dried kale.  

Saute until wilted.  Add kosher salt and pepper.

I serve this with many dishes, but recently the zucchini boats.
 
Enjoy!
low-carb diet · Recipes · zucchinni

Zucchini Boats – Low Carb

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Low-carb diet.  Yep.  I am doing this…to try to get some of this weight off.  Losing some will help me manage my health…or at least try to manage my health.  This will be first of many recipes, hopefully. 

Brown ground beef, and onion (I had a purple one – use what you have).

 Clean zucchini, and remove the seeds or pulp from the middle.
 This creates “little” boats.
 Take the hamburger, onion, add the pulp, and Parmesan cheese.

 Fill the boats with the hamburger mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until
cheese melts, and golden brown.
Enjoy!

beach · husband · kids · Mother's Day

Mother’s Day

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This past Mother’s Day was wonderful for me.  I have been blessed with two good children.  

 

 My little one…Stephen…loves the sand.

 My first born…Carmen…loves the sun
 My beloved…David…puts up with all of it…just for me.
 The kids took a stab at kayaking.
 I think they enjoyed it.

They listen to me, and let me do what I please on this special day.  
Beach.  
Let’s go to the beach.  
Beautiful beach.  
A beach without oil. 
I loved my day.
Enjoy your day!
anniversary · blog · lupus

A year later…a bit late…

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I can’t believe that I have been blogging for over a year.  My first post was in March of 2009.  My blog is just as I am, scattered and ADD.  Thanks for hanging in there. 

Today is a better day than yesterday.  This weekend has been really difficult for me.  Fatigue is at the worst…and I seem not to be able to sleep well at night.  I pushed myself the past couple of weeks, and now I am paying for it.  Yesterday was really bad.  I was either on the couch or in bed.  My hips and shoulders ache, and my ankles and wrists have a throbbing pain, that will come and go.

My goal today is to shower (I know), and maybe go the beach.  I need a beach fix.

Ugh.
But, it is a good day, for I am up and trying to move.  =)
Have a good day!

beaches · memories

Our beaches

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This oil spill is devasting.  We haven’t seen the effects yet, but I fear we will soon.

I love this beach.

From my wedding day.  The beach was beautiful.  Precious memories.

A night out…to the boardwalk.  

Last summer…looking at these…I just want to cry.

Is the oil really worth this? 
Uncategorized

Lost mind…

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Okay…
It’s gone.  Wherever I have placed that receipt has sucked it away to nowhere land.  It is gone.  Just gone.  I am not letting go of it.  I can not be that disorganized! Really?  Am I that much of a control person to think that I can’t make mistakes.
And this…
of course I read ahead…even in my daily devotionals…

“There is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered, nothing hidden that won’t be made known.” Luke 12:2

Okay – Lord, I really don’t want to wait until tomorrow….do I have to wait until tomorrow before it is made known.  Now I know that this verse doesn’t actually apply to my craziness at this exact moment, but it does reassure me.

I am reassured.
“I call on YOU in the day of my distress, for YOU will answer me”. Psalm 86:7
That is today’s verse.  hmmmm

My mind might be lost…but I am reassured.
He is always found.
=)
Blessings.

Uncategorized

Losing my mind.

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I believe that I am an organized person, the majority of the time anyway.  I have been unable to find a receipt…a simple receipt.  I have two to three places for them.  I have searched, and searched.  Still nothing.  I have a terrible habit of placing something in a “special” place for safety!  Or have shredded it.  Ugh…I am to the point of tears…frustrated…old, feeling very old. 

I have lost my mind.  Let me know if you find it.