What do you look forward to every week?

I wish I had a glorious and grand answer to this one, but I just don't. My first reaction was possible time with the men in my life. It's only possible time because Roger is off at college, Ben is working nearly full-time and I just never know what "the man's" schedule is going to be like. Lately they've all been busy so I haven't seen or heard much from any of them. That can be tough. I try to remember it's not personal, it's life, but it's tough being an empty nester now. I tried to be ready for it, but I wasn't.

It has allowed me to write more, to go to more write ins this month and things like which has been nice, but nothing can replace time with my favorite guys.





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Pineapple Chicken:

Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts
20 ounce can of pineapple chunks
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions:

Place the chicken into the crockpot. Drain the pineapple, and add the chunks with the soy sauce and the red pepper flakes.

Cook on low for 4-6 hours, or on high for 3-4.

Serve over rice, quinoa, or on a bed of fresh spinach.

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Complete this thought: "I wish I had paid more attention when..."

Wow, for the first time since I started doing these, I'm actually blank. I think that's because, for the most part, I'm happy with my life. My boys are nearly grown (legally, they are but they're still in college, etc) and I feel as if I did a good job with them. To go back and change anything to do with that may change the outcome. That's the sticking point for me. If I had paid more attention to something, would I have done something differently? What affect would that have on things?

Maybe I could have paid more attention in school. I was always a good student, but like every kid, there were times I just wasn't focused. Maybe I could have been more on top of filling in baby books, but I was pretty busy being mom. Maybe I could have/should have paid more attention to anyone who told me that it would be important to take care of myself and not just everyone else.

Yep, that's probably the best answer that I can come up with. It took me way too late in life to realize the importance of taking care of me. It's led to some health issues and a struggle to remember that it's okay to just unwind and relax. I don't always have to be on.

What do you wish you'd paid more attention to?



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Pesto Chicken:

Ingredients:

For the pesto:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
4 garlic cloves
2 cups fresh basil
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

4 chicken thighs, or breast halves
sliced mozzarella cheese
aluminum foil or parchment paper
4 small sweet potatoes, washed well, skin on

Directions:

In a food processor or blender, combine the ingredients for your pesto.

In the bottom of a large slow cooker, arrange your chicken pieces. Layer on slices of mozzarella cheese. Pour pesto evenly on top. Cover with a layer of foil or parchment paper. Scrub sweet potatoes well, prick with a fork, and lay them on top of the paper or foil. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 4-5.

Carefully remove the sweet potatoes with tongs, and remove foil or parchment. The steam that comes out will be hot, so please be careful.



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Do you prefer taking risks or having a safety net?

Oooh...I am 100% a safety net kind of girl. Even my risks have been thought out and weighed. I think this comes from having a childhood where I never felt totally secure. It's made me crave security and scared of risk. Quite often though, I think of a picture that I once saw. On it, it said, "Leap and the net shall appear."

I've worked on following that to a certain extent. Sometimes life is about faith, right? For me, it's having faith in myself that I can do something. I can write a book. I can work hard for my clients and not improve upon their work, but also build good working relationships. Leap and the net shall appear...because that net is me and I'm right there.

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Ingredients:
2 to 4 pounds boneless beef chuck roast
1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
1 (15-ounce) can chili beans, undrained
1 (11-ounce) can corn with peppers, undrained
1 (10-ounce) can Rotel (tomatoes and chiles), undrained

Directions:
Add your meat to the crockpot. It can go in frozen or thawed. After your meat is in, add the chipotle chili powder and all the canned ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or on high for 4 to 6. If it’s frozen, it will take longer. It will be done when the roast reaches your desired doneness.

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What did you get into trouble for the most when you were a kid?

Whew. Let's see. I'm sure I got into trouble for the usual things, like being mouthy, but the biggest thing I remember getting into trouble for was always about my younger sister.

She was born with a heart murmur (one I should point out has never affected her life) and so my grandfather spoiled her. While I was always made to carry in groceries, she got to sit and watch. While I had to mow, I don't remember her ever mowing. The frustration over the fairness of it all would build up and I would lose my temper. It always resulted in me getting into trouble.

More than once, she would make up things to get me into trouble. I always told to stop picking on her. I remember having friends who would comment on how I always got into trouble, even if I hadn't done anything, but she never did.

....And that, folks, is another bit of insight into my world.





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Ingredients:
2 pounds of thin cut stir fry beef
1 or 2 packets of fajita seasoning mix (depending on how spicy you prefer)
1 onion
2 bell peppers
1/2 cup of water
*Tortillas

Directions:
Place your meat into the crockpot. It can be frozen or thawed. Cut the onion and the peppers in strips, and add. Add the seasoning and water. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours, or high for 6. The meat is done when it reaches desired tenderness. Serve with your favorite fajita toppings.

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