Thankful Thursday 5/18/17

Today I'm doing another Thankful Friday post but it's Thankful Thursday instead. Makes perfect sense right!? 

This week I'm thankful for:

1. My sweet husband. I'm always thankful for him but today I wanted to give a special mention. :)

2. I've been able to squeeze in some runs this week and the weather has been very nice, especially in the mornings for a good run.

3. Freezers. Yes, freezers. They allow me to make one trip to the grocery store and buy chicken and beef in bulk to last for at least a couple of weeks. I can refrigerate what we'll use the week I buy it and then freeze the rest. All we have to do is thaw and prepare. They are also great if I could ever get around to all that freezer cooking I keep telling myself I need to do. And let's not forget the ice cream. They hold ice cream. That is enough in itself to be thankful for. 

4. Fresh fruits and veggies! I'm excited about spring and summer time and farmer's markets.

5. God's protection over me, especially since I've had several close calls with extremely dumb drivers. We're talking like they'd probably be in jail or at least had a ticket for reckless driving if a policeman had been nearby

6. Vacations. They are so important to take time away to spend with loved ones, recharge and remember what's important. I'm looking forward to getting one planned soon. 

What about you? What are you thankful for today? 

Happy Friday Eve!

Simple Roast Chicken Sheet Pan Supper

This was a super simple supper for a busy weeknight.

I did my bulk shopping trip for meat last night and used one of the packages of chicken breast along with some carrots and potatoes I had on hand to make this.

First I lined the pan with foil for easy clean up.

Then I peeled and chopped the carrots and chopped some red potatoes. I drizzled with olive oil, tossed to coat and then seasoned them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, minced onion.

I spread them out on the sheet pan and then cut up my chicken and seasoned with the same process. I laid the chicken out over the vegetables and placed it all in the oven at 400 degrees.

I let it roast for an hour and then checked the vegetables for doneness. I added some chicken broth and then continued roasting for another half hour or so until everything was tender.

Quick and easy meal with lots of flavor!

Ingredients
2-4 chicken breasts cut into halves or fourths
4-6 whole carrots washed, peeled and chopped
Red potatoes washed, chopped
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Garlic or garlic powder
Onion or minced onion
Oregano
Thyme
Other seasonings as desired
Chicken broth

(You can totally use what you have on hand for this recipe, these are just the ingredients and amounts I used)

Directions
Coat ingredients with olive oil then season with seasonings as desired.
Roast on a sheet pan in a 400 degree oven for 1 - 1.5 hours or until chicken done and vegetables tender.
Add chicken broth if needed to keep moist.

Ottoman update: Almost there!

I am almost there! I got the batting attached this past week so all that is left now is covering with the fabric and reattaching the legs.

First I cut the material to the right size. I added a couple of inches extra to each measurement to give myself room to work. 

Then I draped it over the frame and started stapling to the under side, smoothing and adjusting as I went. 

Once I got it securely stapled all around I trimmed the excess material.

 

I practiced making my corners neatly with this material so hopefully it will go smoothly with the actual fabric. Hoping to get that done this week!

It's taken a while but I'm almost there!

Happy Friday!

So what do you do when it's Friday and you've worked over all week so you get to leave early?

Well if you're me and it's today you clean your floors and randomly decided to make s'mores which you probably haven't had in years.  (Hey that rhymes!)

Happy Friday!

Ottoman Progress

It's time for a quick update on the progress of the ottoman rescue.

I showed you the fabric the other day. This weekend I was able to cut and attach the new foam cushion. I hope to get the batting on tonight when I get home from work. 

Here is a photo of the bare ottoman, cleaned up and ready for it's new life. 

First I measured the length and width needed and then I cut my foam to size. It was 15.5 x 23.5. I wanted it to be just a bit smaller than the true edge to edge measurement because I didn't want it hanging out over the edge. 

After I cut the foam to size I had to get the handsome hubby to help me locate a staple gun. Once we found that and the staples that fit I just used it to attach the foam to the top of the ottoman frame.

I just used a few staples. On the edges and in the middle of each side. Hopefully I'll be back later this week with more updates!

What's Up Wednesday 4/26/17

It's time for What's Up Wednesday with Mix and Match Mama, The Larson Lingo and Sheaffer Told Me To.

1. What we’re eating this week
A couple of evenings I have a board meeting with dinner and dinner with friends. Other than that, I'm thinking we'll have

Chicken pot pie

Spinach and feta meatballs

Roasted potatoes and kale 

probably along with some chicken or may the meatballs above.

Chicken and kale pasta (I have kale to use!)

2. What I’m reminiscing about

Trips to Disney World. It's getting close to summer. I'm getting emails from Disney trying to get me to buy passes again. Other people are blogging about it. One of our siblings just went. I even added my own blog of tips. I have vacation on the brain and Disney in particular at the moment. Although I'm also thinking a lot about wanting to go to Europe. Apparently I really need a vacation!

3. What I’m loving
The fresh fruits and veggies that come with spring and summer time. I want to start my own garden this year but I'm a little intimidated! Any helpful hints and tips for beginners are appreciated greatly!

4. What we’ve been up to
Working on the land. Thinking about house plans. 

Me working hard while hubby was cutting under growth 😊

Starting back on my ottoman project, keeping up with the usual work and life routine. I've also been trying to ramp back up on my workouts (especially getting back in the habit of running regularly) but I still have to do my workouts on the go many days. 

5. What I’m dreading
Nothing at the moment

6. What I’m working on

Ottoman rescue. You can see how it started and my updates here and here. Land clearing. House planning and the usual work, family, church activities. 

7. What I’m excited about

Planning some trips and taking much needed time off. 
Finishing my ottoman project. I'm giddy to be working on it again. 
The progress we've made on clearing our land. 

8. What I’m watching/reading

Nothing in particular.

9. What I'm listening to

At the moment I'm listening to birds and other noises in the woods as well as the sound of the brush cutter. But I'm writing this Saturday so by the time Wednesday comes around I'll be listening to worship music in my office probably. 

10. What I'm wearing
More shorts since we've had a bit of a heat wave. Same ole thing to work. And I'm loving my Waco t-shirt a sweet friend brought back for me after visiting Magnolia Market. It is SO soft and comfy.

11. What I'm doing this weekend.
Watching my niece in her tennis matches probably. A church picnic and some family time 

12. What I'm looking forward to next month
Memorial Day. LOTS of birthdays (I can think of 5 off the top of my head - all close family) 

13. What else is new
Nothing really

Bonus Question: What's your favorite spring/summer shoe
My TEVA Olowahu sandals (or would you call them flip flops still?) They are super comfy, not super expensive and they stay on a little more securely than regular flip flops while still being super easy to slip into and out of like a regular flip flop. I have them in brown and a fun purple and black print that I don't think they make anymore. I've had mine for several years and they are still good!


That's my favorite shoe. Looking forward to reading other suggestions from everyone else!

Easy Mexican Dinner

This was an easy meal to throw together.

I don't really think you can call it a recipe. Just a simple solution to a busy weeknight when you don't have much time to cook dinner and you're too tired to put much thought into it.

I started with a couple of chicken breasts and threw them in a pot to boil. Then I took my awesome pampered chef scissors which were a gift from my in laws and chopped it up right in the pot after draining.

Then I added a little water plus these seasonings to taste.
Salt
Pepper
Oregano
Garlic powder
Paprika
Cumin
Chili powder
Minced onion

I gave it a good stir and let it simmer. Then we ate it with chips, tortillas and fixings like sour cream, salsa and cheese. We also had black beans and veggies.

At this point you could do any number of things with it. You could make baked tacos, Mexican casseroles, nachos, or any other Mexican flavored dish your heart desires.

This night we just wanted quick and simple and this with chips and sides was the perfect solution. Enjoy!