Dinner inspiration out of no where

I headed back to school today for a meeting. All summer, I have been slacking on cooking dinner. Poor Nate has been living on frozen pizza, macaroni cheese and lunch meat sandwiches. I don't know if it was getting back into a routine today, but I was inspired to cook a decent dinner. I could see the joy on Nate's face as he said, "I like when you cook dinner, babe."
Before I left in the morning, I pulled two boneless skinless chicken breasts out of the freezer to thaw in the refrigerator. When I returned home, I completed the thaw in the microwave. I cut the chicken into strips and marinated them in Kraft balsamic vinegar salad dressing for a little while. Then I made baked corn. I have NEVER made that before. Before making it, I wasn't even sure that I really liked it. I am never a fan of adding butter, milk, eggs and other fattening ingredients to a vegetable, even if it is a starch. Nate mentioned that we should use the leftover corn on the cob from a few weekends ago for baked corn, a dish he only tried for the first time at my mom's house. So, I did before it spoiled. While the corn was baking, I cooked the chicken on the George Foreman grill, which went very quickly because the piecs were small. I topped off the meal with instant mashed potatoes, well because, we like them and they are easy.

Here is the recipe I used for baked corn from a church cookbook (which contained three recipes for baked corn. This one had the shortest cooking time.)

Baked Corn
2 cups cooked or canned corn
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoon flour
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 eggs, beaten

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into greased baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Serves 4.

See, quick, easy and absolutely yummy!

Roots and Tupperware!

After spending much of the summer taking classes, cleaning, organizing or working at Cracker Barrel, I knew that it was time for fun. I mean, after all, summer is almost over. So, I hooked up with some co-workers and headed to Root's Market in Lancaster for homemade ice cream, whoopie pies, Smitty's Candy, and inexpensive fruit. But surprisingly, I found the pick-a-deli Tupperware container as well. Just like Root's, Pick-A-Deli is a memory from my childhood. We always stored pickles in it so we didn't have to reach our little hands down into the depths of the pickle juice. I love it! For $9, I can store pickles. And look how cute the color is. Much better than the drab 1970s green container from my mom's fridge. Despite the horrible heat, it was a great day!

Really?

Has it really been three months since I posted? Since that post I completed a triathlon, finished three graduate classes, planted a garden, cooked a few good meals, resumed work on the T-shirt quilt and started some new sewing projects. I've tried to clean and organize, but I usually end up taking a nap. I've worked weekends at Cracker Barrel and continued writing my column for the York Daily Record. Hopefully I can take some pictures of a project or two before the whirlwind of the school year starts again. My fingers are crossed, but don't hold your breath.

Positive thinking

I am just having one of those days. It's been my new mantra lately not to complain. Complaining only really makes the problem more apparent to everyone around you. And, it makes you look like a whiner. I have plenty to be thankful for, so I am trying not to focus on the little things. And, typically I think I can control everything, including the little things..well, I can't. And, I need to stop being so hard on myself or I am going to have a full head of white hair instead of just a few. So, here is to hoping that I can remain positive and be thankful for what I have until this rough patch of the end of the school year passes.

The female brain

As I ran 4 miles in the heat today, the conversation in my head went something like this:

"Wow, I didn't realize how hot it was."
"It smells like a ferret out here. I wonder if there is one hiding in the bushes."
"I should have brought some paperwork home for the weekend."
"Man, I am parched."
"Why don't people acknowledge that I am saying hello."
"Why do people spell my name wrong so often?"
"How can the outside smell like a ferret? Am I suffering from heat exhaustion?"
"I wish my shorts weren't so short."
"I wish it was safe to drink out of the creek."
"Can I really beat my time in the triathlon."

And that was only in the first five minutes.
Imagine, if we could organize our brains better! We would rule the world.

Craving freshness

I want fresh veggies so bad. Nate has been a machine in the backyard, extending and tilling the garden and filling the flower beds with bushes and other great landscaping elements that are making our house look awesome. But, we can't plan until May and even then there is the horrible waiting time until the veggies start budding and popping up.Tonight, I made a dish that reminds me of the taste of last summer. I had to use store-bought cucumbers at 99 cents a pop and tomatoes that were $2.99 a pound, but it was yummy. I chopped up those two ingredients, added some chopped fresh mushrooms, a sprinkle of feta cheese (which makes everything better) and drizzled it with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It is such a healthy, fresh treat to get in several servings of vegetables and there is no turning on the stove.I did buy a basil plant today at Wal-mart. I love basil and my soil seems to do really well with it. I love to saute it into pasta and mushrooms or serve it on a sandwich. Now, I just have to get to planting!

A quick and convenient gift

I love to bake. But, I am watching what I eat, and Nate can't consume an entire 6-dozen batch of my chocolate chip cookies (not sure why, cause I could if it didn't go right to my hips.)
So, I found a few co-workers who love my cookies, and I am more than happy to take them a treat. My mom gave me a cool stamp set, so I put it to use. I stamped "A little yummy for your tummy" on sticker labels and smacked them onto some plastic baggies. I think my little treat brought a smile to their faces and mine, as well.