P.O.P

A few weeks ago, I wrote about creating balance between making the holidays feel normal in the face of a pandemic that's made them anything but and making them feel radically different, almost brand new.

Gratefully, I think we were able to create that balance. And now, for New Year's Eve.  Ranks up there with Valentine's Day for me in the sense that there's so much hype around it and I find myself exhausted trying to live up to and and also ignore said hype.  So what to do on this last day of December?  Make it feel like every other NYE when it clearly isn't?  Or go a totally different direction?  Orrrrrrr, Option C; create balance!  

Cliché as it is, I do like the idea of welcoming a new year and having a blank canvas on which to paint whatever's next.  But first, we party.  It's entirely possible that this year, more than any other, will be ushered out in grand fashion.  I'm making a concerted effort to not only focus on 2020 ending, but rather 2021 beginning.  Equally important is acknowledging that there was good stuff in 2020, too.  Was it overshadowed by the bad stuff?  Sure.  Often that was the case.  But our perspective is a powerful tool in reframing what--and how--we see.  Right?

So the party!  This year, it'll be the four of us---and it's been that way before, this isn't new.  I think what's new is that it's the four of us because we really can't (shouldn't) include anyone else.  Story's as old as time; tell me I can't have something, I'll want it that much more.  Quality time as Rayman4 is a gift, no doubt.  But man alive we'll miss our friends. A lot.

Rather than focus on who isn't here and what we can't do, we're going to make tonight all about POP.  Balloons to pop, corks to pop, poppers, pop music and pop foods (popcorn, poptarts--homemade!, popcicles...) to round us out.  But there's a plot twist---because it's 2020---POP isn't more than a goofy theme dreamed up by a Mama trying to make NYE fun for her girls, it's a mindset.  It stands for Power Of Positivity.  A solid reminder to look for, focus on and draw out the positives.  

Spoiler alert--I'm not always sunshine and lollipops (oooh, lollipops--that's a good one!).  Not by a longshot.  I do, however, find a great deal of peace when I look at the bright side.  Sometimes that's easy to do, sometimes it's not--I'll grant you that.  But with practice, repetition and discipline, we can all do a better job of focusing on the good stuff.  Gratitude journals?  A Joy Jar?  Even a list on your phone (I have them going back 3 years!).  However you choose to practice, I invite you to give it a shot and be aware of how you feel when you're really in the groove of noticing the good stuff.

Tonight, we'll create balance; traditional shrimp scampi dinner in the dining room, using our Christmas china once more before it's packed away.  We'll play games and watch a little bit of Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve.  Maybe we'll Zoom with friends or family, maybe we'll pop champagne before midnight.  Balance.  "Old" stuff and "new" stuff.  All of it good stuff. 

Tonight, we're going to POP our way outta 2020 and into 2021.  Who knows--maybe we'll POP all year long!  Maybe I'll get into the habit of asking Mark and the girls "What's POPping" in their lives from time to time, reinforcing the amazing things that happen when we focus on what's positive.

Wishing you all that your heart wants and needs as we welcome a new year.  May hope, peace and joy be yours in abundance.

xo,
Amy

No Spenduary, Back Again!

At least five years--that's how long No Spend January (or, No Spenduary) has been a thing in our house, and I thought I'd share an update on how and why we do this.

Interestingly enough, I can't quite recall exactly how the idea came to be, but since its inception, my Mom and Sister have gotten in on the challenge and we've brought Mark and the girls along, too.  It's funny to hear Abby ask, "Does this count as extra spending?"  Really being thoughtful--and also trying to scheme her way into bending the rules just a little! She knows the drill, and we're glad that she's learning some good financial lessons.

November and December can seem like brutal months for your wallet and budget.  I know this is not the case for everyone, however, lots of little things pop up (and add up!) during that season.  Perhaps this year was different as gatherings were scaled down, or perhaps this year was different because indulging seemed like a good way to heal the hurt of those scaled down gatherings.  

January is a time of lots of new beginnings, right?  People make resolutions left and right, set big goals, vow to be/think/do/feel differently as the calendar turns.  Usually January is when those holiday bills come due and you're reminded of how much extra you added into your celebrations--many times, without really thinking too much about it in the moment.

In the spirit of new beginnings, January seems like a great time to examine spending habits.  Maybe you'll be pleased with what you find or maybe you'll have an eye-opening moment that requires some adjustments. 

For me, this No Spenduary is about making a new budget for our family and a plan to really stick with it.  We haven't made many revisions for a while---and things have changed.  I have a new job, my parking fees are gone, our insurance is different, we no longer have tuition payments for Alyssa...time for a financial check-up.  And we've got some goals; but we all know a goal without a plan is merely a wish.  And wishing isn't going to cut it.  Getting detailed about the goal, the WHY and the HOW will make a huge difference.

What exactly are we talking about here with No Spenduary?  Well, it's pretty simple---nothing extra.  We pay our bills, grocery shop and get gas.  That's it*.  No random take-out "just because."  No "this is new, let's try it" at the grocery store.  No frivolous Amazon orders because "Add to Cart" is so darn easy.  Back to basics.   

We've made exceptions over the years, like the year we needed to make an emergency repair to our garage door.  Not something that could be put off.  But that's the beauty of No Spenduary--that kind of expense stings a lot less when (a) you realize that's all you've spent money on for the month and (b) you've got "extra" in your account because of the no spending!

I'll be eager to see if this year feels easier to stick to our plan because of the many restrictions we're facing.  Going out to eat isn't really an option, random errands on a Saturday morning aren't happening which means no quick coffee on the go and no "but I like it!" purchases at my favorite spots.  

This past year has provided wonderful reminders of what's truly important and taught us that we can, in fact, do more with less.  Was it always easy?  Heck no.  Did I miss dinners out with my family to celebrate report cards and birthdays?  Heck yes.  But I've loved being home more so I can cook and enjoy yummy meals around our own table.  One thing I didn't stop spending?  TIME!! 

Bottom line, it's ONE month of being hyper-aware, disciplined and determined.  Fortunately, the effects last longer than a single month, and we realize that while we don't see ourselves as frivolous, sometimes we are and our wallets know it.

Cheers to keeping up the tradition and cheers to you if this is your first crack at No Spenduary!  Feel free to leave a comment about your plan, ask questions about ours or check back so we can share updates on our challenges and successes!

xo,
Amy

  *Gift cards purchased/received prior to January can be spent--but not a penny over the gift card amount!  

Dinner & Dessert

Dinner and Dessert; because life's about balance.  Even when things seem super off balance, out of kilter and upside down.  A bit of cozy comfort food and a sweet treat that holds special memories is a pretty good place to seek refuge.  Yes?  Yes!!

How about this for irony--finding a yummy slider recipe that's great for a crowd when you can't have a crowd over to enjoy them.  Ohhh, 2020...you're such a delight.

What is a delight, truly, is this easy recipe for Parmesan Chicken Sliders.  We had one of those Food Rut weeks where we were tired of all the "standard" recipes from the coveted Make Again pile, so we searched Pinterest for some inspiration.  Found it!  (thanks, iamhomesteader.com)  

To make these, we used Brioche slider buns from Aldi (so delicious!) and Chicken Fries, also from Aldi.  I baked those first, then cut them in half so the sliders were easier to bite into.  It made a difference!

What You'll Need:
King’s Hawaiian Rolls
Chicken tenders
Marinara sauce
Provolone cheese
Mozzarella cheese
Basil

Layering is the key to making these mini Chicken Parmesan sandwiches. Be sure to preheat the oven to 350°F. You may have to reset the temperature after cooking the chicken tenders ahead of time.

In a sprayed baking dish, lay down the bottoms of the Hawaiian rolls and add the cheese, chicken, marinara, cheese, and basil.  Bet you could brush a little of the butter topping on the buns before you lay on the cheese....mmm! 

Put on the tops of the rolls and smother them with the butter topping.

Butter Topping Ingredients:
Butter
Sea salt
Garlic (we used garlic powder)
Parsley
Parmesan cheese

To make the butter topping, simply mix all the ingredients together and brush it all over the rolls!

Cover the sliders with tin foil for the first 20 minutes. Then, bake them for another 5 minutes or so until the tops of the rolls are a golden brown. These are messy but SO good and easy!

Have a cup of marinara on hand for dipping.  Enjoy!

And what goes better with a cheesy, gooey dinner than dessert?  And this isn't just any dessert.  This treat has been dubbed the Official Cookie of Santa by my girls.  And who could argue?

I remember eating one of these for the first time and knowing, immediately that they tasted familiar, but not sure if it was cheesecake or chocolate or what.  I just knew they were good.  Mind blown when I realized they contained just three simple ingredients!

So I started making them myself, once I figured out what they were, and they've been a staple in our holiday cookie line up ever since.  Everyone gets in on the process; Alyssa crushes the cookies, I roll them, Mark melts the chocolate* and we all throw the sprinkles on them.

They really couldn't be any easier.  Ready?  Okay, here we go...Oreo Truffles.

*Okay, this part isn't easy--or at least it wasn't initially.  Dear GOD the fury of ruining chocolate before we figured it out.  It's a running joke now, and frankly part of the fun!

What You'll Need:

3 dozen Oreo cookies
1 8oz package of cream cheese
White chocolate candy discs
Sprinkles

What You'll Do:

Pulverize the Oreos in a food processor
Add the softened cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer with Oreo crumbs
Mix together until incorporated
Scoop and roll into small balls
Chill, on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
Melt chocolate and dip truffles in to coat 1-2 at a time
Place back onto cookie sheet and dust with sprinkles
Chill again to set before placing into a container
Store in fridge (or consume immediately, whatever--I'm not judging!)
Makes about 3 dozen or so--depends on the size you make them.  

  

Okay, there you have it.  Dinner & Dessert.  Cheers to you, cheers to trying something new to bust out of that food rut and mad props if you exercise any level of willpower around either of these things!

xo,

Amy

Once Upon a Time

It was maybe early May a couple years ago when I asked Abby if she was looking forward to her birthday.  She was 8.  Her birthday was still two-ish months away, but the kid loves her birthday.  She thought for a moment and finally admitted that she was excited to turn 9 because it would be her last single digit birthday (gulp!) and wondered what the party theme would be.

 Happy Birthday!

I asked if she had anything special on her wish list.  Her face broke out into a huge smile and she recounted her 8th birthday and the adventure she had with a good friend.  I took them to the movies, making a quick stop at the Dollar Store first where the girls got $5 each and 5 minutes to get WHATEVER treat they wanted.  The giggles.  Oh the giggles!  Then it was off to the movies, then back to our house for cupcakes, wishes and tons more giggles.  That is what mattered most to her.

That's when I knew, for her 9th birthday (and Alyssa's 4th) the emphasis was going to be on experiences and adventures over things.  Not all gifts come wrapped in paper and bows, neatly tucked into a box or bag.  Some of the best gifts are tucked into your heart.

  

In Central Park, on GMA!

That summer, the Rayman Four celebrated two amazing birthday girls with a fantastic long weekend in New York City.  With help from a handful of knowledgeable resources, we scheduled a bunch of MUST DOs while leaving plenty of room in our itinerary for "whatever we feel like doing--or not doing!"  Reviewing the complete list of what we accomplished makes me tired to this day--and heaven knows we barely even made a dent in all that the City has to offer. 

Ask the girls what they got when we were there and I bet they can't tell you.  But I can assure you they'll describe, in detail, the surprise of seeing Camila Cabello in concert!; seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time from afar; the subway adventures (and misadventures!); the incredible view of the Freedom Tower from    our hotel room; eating pizza and stopping at the exact moment Abby turned 9 to sing Happy Birthday, the whole restaurant joining in the chorus; catching up with my Aunt & Uncle who treated us to a super cool performance of School of Rock;      Alyssa's birthday pancake and another serenade from a restaurant full of people; somber moments at the 9/11 Memorial and so much more. 

The view from our hotel room

All smiles on the ferry to see Lady Liberty

 

The adventure was so awesome that we booked a whirlwind surprise return getaway last December.  This time around, we had a few new tricks up our sleeves to make things easier---and the memories were every bit as rich.

We packed a lot into our quick visit, this time celebrating Mark's birthday (at Junior's...yes there was cheesecake and yes the entire restaurant sang to him, too!), visiting with Santa, getting a pretzel, checking out the Plaza, stumbling into a cupcake ATM (!!) and seeing The Tree.  If it's cliché to describe this trip as magical, well then please allow me to be cliché.  

  

  

  

Why on Earth am I rehashing two trips to NYC a year (and then some) after the fact?  It's because I'm feeling some kind of nostalgic for them.  For the idea that we could just pick up and go.  I'm fairly certain the December trip was planned in a matter of days--super spontaneous.  I'm jonesing for the energy around the planning, the fun of surprising the girls (we told them as we were zipping along the PA Turnpike!) and the excitement of pulling it off.  Once upon a time---a time that will return eventually.  It will.  

There was a lot of chatter about going to Chicago--what's with these Big City girls?--for the girls' 10th and 5th birthdays.  Sadly, the pandemic took that off the table.  But surely, we thought, surely come December we'll be able to go.  Nope.  So it's still on hold.  And today, I'm feeling a little sad about that.  So I looked at the pictures, smiled as I remembered taking them and I wrote.  That has me feeling better and hopeful that soon enough there'll be a post detailing our adventures in the Windy City.  Stay tuned...and stay safe, wherever you are! 

xo,

Amy 

Eeenie Meenie Miney Moe

Or is it a flip of a coin?  What's the best way to make a decision on Christmas 2020?  I know that the right thing to do is hunker down, listen to science and limit interaction with anyone that doesn't live in my home.  Just because it's the right thing doesn't make it easier to accept or sting any less.  It doesn't.

The choice I'm facing now is, do I lean into this whole "Christmas is going to be super different this year" thing and embrace all that means or do I try really hard to maintain as much of the tradition as I can?  As I've done a zillion times since this pandemic began, I'm arguing with myself, convincing myself of one thing and then contradicting myself right into another point of view.  It's maddening, if I'm honest.

Just as maddening, the realization that this year, there will be no holiday concert for chorus, no Christmas program, no joining Alyssa as she writes her letter to Santa at school, no whirlwind trip to Chicago (requested after last year's Christmas adventure in NYC), no visit to see Santa and no Girls Day Out for a special Christmas treat.  So how to balance?

On one hand, I want to spend a whole weekend baking tons of cookies, old and new recipes, testing and tasting as we go.  The bigger the mess, the better.  The Christmas music blaring, silly Santa hats on our heads and counters being overrun with cooling racks and piles of sweet treats.  

I want to do that, but then I think about how there won't be a cookie exchange, there won't be a crowded dining room table vying for first crack at a beautiful serving tray filled with cookies.  There won't be rubbermaid containers filled with cookies secretly tucked into the backseat of my in-laws car for them to discover when they get home.  I'm not even sure the local ambulance station will take homemade goods this year.  So why bake so much?

On one hand, I want to make the dining room all fancy and pretty and special.  And believe me when I tell you, we eat in there pretty often, so it's not like it's an "only for special occasions" room.  But will it be too sad to eat Christmas dinner there when it's the four of us and no one else?  Again, believe me when I tell you that I am not minimizing my three heartbeats and the value in us being together.  I only wonder if the heaviness of who isn't there will be lightened somewhat if we eat in the family room instead.  On the floor.  While wearing our PJs.  And watching a Christmas movie.  But make no mistake--we'll still use our Christmas china!  

Maybe this is the year we do it all differently.  Embrace the "nothing's the same" vibe.  Maybe the girls stay up until midnight on Christmas Eve, search the skies for Santa and take turns reading 'Twas The Night Before Christmas out loud before opening just ONE present.  I don't know?!

Or maybe we keep it the same--sorta.  Maybe we have (via Zoom) our Christmas Eve Brunch with Mark's family in the morning, go to (via Zoom) Church services as the sun sets and light (our own) candles as we sing Silent Night.  Maybe we have dinner with my parents and sister (via FaceTime)while somehow (executing a virtual version of) breaking Oplatek (Christmas wafer), and tuck the girls in at a "normal" hour. 

Maybe this is the year Santa goes all out because the kiddos have had a rough, rough year.  Or maybe it's the year Santa scales back because we've all learned that often simplicity is where the richness really lives?

Will the trees stay up until mid-January or is this the year we unChristmas on December 26th, eager to be done with unconventional celebrations?

Eenie, Meenie, Miney Moe.  I can honestly make the case for each of the aforementioned "this or thats."  Just when I make a plan or come to a decision, I rethink it and then overthink it and come up with a different decision.  Tons of fun.

One decision I'm glad I don't have to make is to be JOYful!  My girls are awesome examples of that and I'm trying to soak it in, capture it all and save it in a jar if I can.  It's magical to watch them hunt for Ozzie (our Elf) every morning.  It's amazing to hear their conversations with him and with each other.  

It's incredible to think that Abby still believes (or is playing Chicken with me, almost daring me to level with her) and helps Alyssa embrace all that that means.  It's a delight to see the girls take turns ripping a link off of the paper countdown chain and shout out how many days are left until Santa comes.  

It's fun to see the lights, put up our own and say YES to some extra decorations this time around---three trees, swags on the windows and more garland?  Oh sure, why not?!  And while I may be on the "less is more" train, it was impossible to refuse the requests and even more impossible to not be moved by the girls' reactions to the finished product.

Whatever happens on December 24th and December 25th, I know this--Christmas is a season, a feeling--not just a day or two.  And this year, more than any other, it may require a conscious effort to pay attention to and embrace what is rather than what isn't.  To be very clear, I'm quite certain there will be more than one tearful breakdown when thinking about what we're missing.  But through those tears, I hope we'll see all that we can and do still have.

We have family, who, though separated, are healthy.  We have technology that will help bridge the gap between us.  We have a warm, safe home.  We have jobs.  We have food to eat and drinks to drink (Amen!).  We have go with the flow kiddos who will help shape Christmas 2020 and we've got just enough magic to make it still feel special.

Perhaps Christmas will be a hybrid of the options.  Maybe we bake--just not 89,348,347 kinds of cookies.  Maybe we eat in the dining room--just in our jammies!  Maybe we end up starting a whole new tradition that, years from now, we'll reflect on how it all began.

I guess, even if I Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe, I can only lose if I see it that way.  So here's to making the very best out of the choices you're presented with this year.  Whether they're choices you get to make or ones made for you by circumstances, put it all in perspective, cry if you must, then look for the magic.  It's there.  It really is.

xo,
Amy

 

Thanks*giving

Thanksgiving.  This year, I'm really wrestling with which part of that word should be emphasized.  Is it the THANKS or the GIVING?  I suppose a case could be made for each to have its moment in the sun, so to speak.

Let's talk about THANKS.  There are plenty of reasons to be thankful.  No, really.  In 2020.  I promise.  Maybe the idea is about finding the smaller, simpler things we're thankful for.  

The smell of freshly-cut grass, the idea that we're cutting grass in November in Pittsburgh.  And even the lawnmower--I mean, it's pretty great to have a self-propelled machine (and Mark!) that does the work, right?  Or the random warm days that meant extra time outside?  Or the window washers?  Or the washing machine and dryer?  

How about technology?  Sure, there are moments when it's maddening, but let's focus on the gift of being able to FaceTime a family member who isn't with you for Thanksgiving.  Or the phone that doubles as a camera, helping you capture soccer moments, jump-in-the-leaves moments and silly sister snuggle moments.  Even computers--for blogging, working, keeping in touch, shopping, streaming music or shows.

Can we pause to be grateful for the food we have?  I know we may not be sharing it with as many people as we might in a normal year.  But if you have food on your table, count yourself blessed.  If you have the means to prepare that food and the ability to eat and enjoy it, be glad.

And why not be thankful for the people God put in your life.  Family, friends, colleagues, partners, anyone who provides a service to you from mail delivery to garbage pick up and all the ones in between.  Imagine your life without them.  Tough, right?  So take a moment today to say THANK YOU to someone--someoneS--who makes your life better, richer, fuller.  

That brings me to the GIVING part.  What are you giving?  Are you giving yourself a break?  At least once a day, take a moment to close your eyes, put your hand on your heart and take a few deep breaths.  This time of year is hectic and exciting---and your body doesn't always know the difference.  It just knows it's in "Go Mode" a bit more than normal.  So pause and give yourself a second to breathe. 

Can you give someone a hand?  Yes, we're all busy.  But if you find yourself with a spare moment, an extra skill or something you can offer to help someone else, please do it.  It may make all the difference. 

Give to those who need.  If you have kiddos, involve them in a food drive or collecting items for those who are homeless. Check local nursing homes to see what their residents might need.  Think about your local police or ambulance services; what might they need?  Round up coats that you're no longer wearing and find a place to donate them.  In this crazy time, it may be wise to call places first to understand what parameters are in place.  

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving later in the week, our Gratitude Tree* is nearly full, our This or That** menu is prepared, the food is all purchased and the table is ready to be set, I'm making a conscious effort to practice the THANKS and the GIVING, and hope you'll join me.

Wishing you more blessings than you can possibly count.

xo,
Amy

The start of one of our more creative Gratitude Trees

Who's around the table is better than what's on it.

*Each year, beginning on November 1, we fill a Gratitude Tree that we've drawn on poster board, with reasons we're grateful.  One reason, per person, per day.  And everyone who comes to our home during the month of November is invited to add to it.  This year, since visitors have been limited, we're inviting people to call or text if they'd like to add to it!  Running out of room is my favorite---well, that and watching my girls' writing evolve over the years!

**In an attempt to embrace the curveball that is 2020, our guests were presented with several This or That options for the Thanksgiving dinner menu.  Turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy and cranberry salad were non-negotiable.  The rest was chosen by the guests.  Green beans OR brussels sprouts.  Sweet potatoes OR butternut squash soup.  It was a fun twist and offered an opportunity to try some new dishes.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Last year, for Christmas dinner, my Mom made chicken cordon bleu and both of my girls asked for seconds.  And that was with full knowledge of the cookies that were waiting for them.  Impressive!  Mom's was a lovely version, all rolled together and served with a fancy sauce---it was Christmas after all. 

A few weeks later, they asked if I would make it for dinner.  Blessedly, I found this simpler version on Pinterest (thanks, melskitchencafe.com) and immediately set to getting what we needed to throw this together.  Yeah, I said throw.  It's really easy, it takes mere minutes to assemble, and the reactions from my girls are the same as they were on Christmas!  Win!!  This has become a pretty regular menu item, and Abby swears she's going to make it for us next time--start to finish!

A couple notes on the recipe below.  We don't usually make the sauce.  No one was a huge fan, so we skip that element.  I've included the recipe, though, in case you're feeling saucy!  I usually have a dollop of Dijon with mine--a little goes a long way!!

We've also had great success using the thin sliced chicken breasts rather than cutting thicker ones.  If you do slice the thicker ones, you might consider pounding them out a bit even after you've sliced them. 

And finally, the original recipe didn't specify Panko breadcrumbs, but they really do hold up better than regular every day breadcrumbs.  So treat yo'self...get the Panko!

Add a veggie and a starch along side this chicken and you've got a yummy dinner.  This kind of got me thinking---could we do another version?  Maybe swap ham and swiss for pepperoni and mozzarella--kind of a quick and easy chicken parm?  Or maybe ham with a spicy cheese and add a little red pepper to the breadcrumbs?  Bleu cheese, no ham and hot sauce over the breadcrumbs.....okay, before I get too carried away, here's the scoop!

What You'll Need:

• 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in half length-wise to form two thinner chicken breasts
• Salt & Pepper
• 12 slices deli ham
• 6-8 slices Swiss cheese
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons of butter melted

Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon chicken boullion granules (or one boullion cube crushed)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

What You'll Do:

• Preheat your oven to 350* and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish
• Lay the chicken breasts in a single layer in the dish
• Sprinkle both sides with salt & pepper
• Layer each chicken breast with 2 pieces of ham, then top with 2 slices of cheese on each
• Toss the breadcrumbs with the melted butter until golden brown
• Spread the breadcrumbs over each piece of chicken
• Bake for 30-35 minutes

While the chicken is baking, whip up the sauce!  Simply melt the butter and stir in the flour, cooking for 1-2 minutes.  Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously.  Stir in the boullion, and keep whisking, 3-5 minutes.  Once it's thickened and bubbling, stir in the remaining ingredients and stir until the cheese is melted.  Keep the sauce warm over low heat until the chicken is finished, adding salt & pepper as needed.

Serve by either adding a healthy spoonful of the sauce onto a plate and resting the chicken on top, or by spooning the sauce over top of the chicken.

Cheers and enjoy!  Let me know what you think!!

B is for...

B is for...

Borrowing--which is what I'm doing (sorta) with this concept.

Befriending--which is exactly what Jay did to me, introducing me to this version (again, sorta) of blogging that I think is pretty cool.  Then again, so is he...so that makes sense.

Blinders--sometimes you need to put on your blinders, put your head down and get to work.  Focus only on what you need to do.  Tune out the noises, the distractions, even the voices in your own head trying to steer you off course.  Don't think (or worry!) about what the Joneses are doing.  Don't waste energy trying to justify your choice or defend your heart.  Put your blinders on and go!

Blessings--I treated myself to a little fall décor a couple weeks ago.  A sign that says, "Don't just count your blessings, share them."  Amen, amen, amen.  Consider all the reasons you have to be grateful.  If you can, share.  Whether you actually share something (food, money, clothes etc.) or you share the idea of being blessed with someone who could use an uplifting word---share.  It's said that it's better to give than to receive.  And while there's a lot of truth to that, there's also a lot of truth in the idea that receiving a blessing is pretty great, too.  So share.  Come on, we all learned how to do that back in pre-school, right?!

Books--I love to read, and I can get on a roll where I'm reading books at a pretty good clip.  I can also get off track quickly if I don't have the next book to read lined up and ready to go.  I set a goal to read at least 10 pages a day---figure that in a year's time, that'll amount to 3,650 pages.  Figure if a book is about 350 pages, that's 10 books. Give or take.

So far this year, I've read 18 books--18!!  I've kept a list on my phone, and added #18 to it over the weekend.  One silver lining of quarantine has been extra time to slow down and read.  Reading, to me, feels like the ultimate indulgence.  Just sitting on the deck, lounging in the hammock or snuggled up by the fireplace with a book when there are so many other things I could be--should be--doing.  It's bliss, frankly.  And I love being transported back to grade school days of "SSR" and transported anywhere the story on the pages will take me.  And when I come back, the "could be/should be" stuff is still there, waiting for me!

Beginnings--we all know the quote---all beginnings come from some other beginning's end, right?  So I suppose that in order to fully appreciate the beginning, we should give a nod to the ending.  Both girls wrapped up milestone school years---in strange circumstances, for sure--this past spring.  Alyssa completed Kindergarten and Abby flashed a peace sign to her elementary school years.  Fast forward to August and, amidst lots of uncertainty, they both celebrated beginnings.  Abby entering middle school and Alyssa taking her place in elementary school.  To watch their confidence carry them into the unknown--what a feeling!  

Beside me--that's where Mark is.  Not behind, not in front...beside.  Earlier this month, we celebrated our 17th anniversary.  Seventeen years sounds wild to say out loud.  And it feels really wild to look at the pictures from that day.  There were some very special people beside us that day---some of whom are no longer here.  A poignant reminder to be grateful for who's beside me today and make sure he knows how much I love him.  Mark has been beside me for 20 years, offering comfort, encouragement, tough love (hey, sometimes!!) and a steadying presence in those moments when I'm spinning out a little.  He was beside me as we welcomed Abby and Alyssa into the world and has been beside me as we've prayed over those who've left this life.  Through jobs, moves, fights and make-ups--he's there.  Having Mark beside me is one of my greatest blessings.  

Big Bed--I know there will come a day when our girls don't request family movie nights in "Da Bi' Bed" and there will be nights of silence, uninterrupted by the bad dream or the request for middle of the night snuggles.  But until that day comes, I will grant every request and indulge every cuddly whim.  Piling in, the four of us, too many blankets and more than enough stuffed animals, is when peace and contentment catches my breath and reminds me of my purpose.  In those moments, I'm comfort, I'm safety, I'm love and I'm home.

Being--do, do, do....then do more.  Run here, get the girls to this, quick trip to the grocery store, another stop here, games, practice, activities....So.  Much.  Doing.  It's easy to get sucked into the chaotic pace and smacked with a feeling of (gasp) resentment.  Suddenly the obligations--that are only obligations because we said YES to them--are met with sighs, clenched jaws and muttered curse words.  Even the stuff we love, the stuff we want to do becomes "have to do" stuff---because our minds and bodies are tired.  So we decide we "just don't wanna" anymore.  Too.  Much.  Doing.  And we're all guilty of it to some extent.  

My hat's off to those who are experts at setting (and maintaining!) boundaries and tossing out the confident, guilt-free NO when necessary.  I'm learning---and another silver lining of quarantine has been the process of evaluating what we really missed when it was all taken away.  We worked to consciously only add in those things as the world started to open up.  Worked to spend more time BEING rather than DOING.  We're still working on it, honestly.  And I suspect we always will be working to strike that balance.    

I'll wrap up with a just couple more!  B is for baby steps, back at it, blogging again and beneficial.  My goal is to share 1-2 posts a week and hopefully some content that makes you smile, brings a little joy or a tiny takeaway.  That way, we both win!

xo,

Amy    

My Kinda Pad Thai

A while back, I shared a post about being intimidated by a vegetable.  I know--ridiculous.  But silly me, I wasn't convinced (at all) that spaghetti squash would actually "shred" like it's supposed to.  Then one day, I got brave and tried it.  And you know what?  It worked---gasp!  

So I became like Bubba from Forrest Gump--but instead of a zillion recipes for shrimp, I started stockpiling recipes for spaghetti squash.  And this gem is a favorite!  Found it on Pinterest (duh!) and it immediately earned a spot in the "Make Again" pile!

What You'll Need:

• 1/2 spaghetti squash--roughly 2 cups
• 1 cup chopped rotisserie chicken (we use ground chicken)
• 1 onion sliced
• 4 eggs
• 1/3 cup pad thai sauce*
• 1/3 cup cashews chopped
• 1/4 cup green onion chopped

What You'll Do:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Place facedown on a silicone baking mat and bake for 45 minutes.
2. Once spaghetti squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to remove from shell.
3. In a medium frying pan, brown onion. (Use your choice of cooking oil; we love coconut oil). Once onion slices are caramelized, add 4 eggs to pan and scramble. Remove eggs and onion from pan and set aside.
4. To the same pan you used to cook eggs and onion, add chopped chicken and stir to heat. This also allows the chicken to absorb some of the juices left in the pan.
5. Add spaghetti squash, Pad Thai sauce, 
   eggs, onions and toss to coat evenly. Remove from heat and garnish with green onion and chopped cashews.

Now, you could make your own Pad Thai sauce, but we found Sky Valley Thai Peanut Sauce and it works just fine.  Sometimes when we reheat leftovers, we drizzle a little more of the sauce on top.  

We keep saying we're going to try this with shrimp or even grilled chicken, but we seem to always go back to the "standard."  

One other note, sometimes halving the squash is a risky pain in the butt.  I found that if I pierce the skin a few times with a fork and pop the squash into the microwave for a couple minutes, it softens up enough to make cutting it a bit easier.  

Give it a whirl and let me know what you think!  I'll be glad to share more ways we add this yummy veggie into our menu.

Cheers,

A

Lost & Found

 Each May, at my daughter's school, there's a six-foot table outside the office, covered with items that have been left behind.  Jackets, water bottles, notebooks and shoes--all hoping to be reunited with their owners before the year comes to a close.  Lost & Found.  

The past six--almost seven--months have been a different kind of Lost & Found.  The pandemic has caused a lot of loss.  And the pandemic has helped us find things, too.  Contradictory indeed; a hallmark of these recent times.  

Since March, I've felt--like I'm sure many of you have, too--a constant push and pull of my emotions.  On more than  one occasion, I've argued with myself and changed my opinion on a topic in the middle of a sentence!  It's enough to give me whiplash.  That's an apt description, don't you think?  The emotional whiplash that comes from making, unmaking and remaking decisions in a 15 minute span.  Or the emotional whiplash that comes from knowing you're doing the right thing, doubting you're doing the right thing and not even being sure what the right thing is.  It's exhausting.

The list of things lost is long.  I recently challenged myself to make a list of things found--and have it be every bit as long!  In fairness, it took a bit of effort to reframe my perspective and write that second list.  But once I started thinking about it, I found myself adding quite a bit to that list.  And focusing more on it, too.  

Of course, there are the obvious things we found like bonus time with family.  Sure.  That's a given.  We've had a whole lot of togetherness--mostly welcome.  Come on, you know what I mean! 

We've had time together in simple but impactful ways.  Dinners as a family--at the table!  Walks through the neighborhood and on the local trails--all four of us.  Plenty of hands of Harry Potter Uno, rounds of Scrabble and imaginative play that we suddenly had time for because we weren't rushing off to a practice, game or lesson.  At one point this spring, my Mom asked my older daughter what her favorite part of quarantine was.  Abby barely let my Mom finish the question before she enthusiastically responded, "Family dinners!"  Proof that sometimes it's the smallest thing that can have the biggest impact.

We found a renewed appreciation for our home.  The comfort and familiarity of it, the warmth, safety and security.  Cozy nights snuggled in the Big Bed or in front of the fireplace proved to be a welcome remedy for the sadness over missing school, friends and activities that crept in.

Then came warmer months when the deck, yard and pool earned their time at the top of the Things I Love About Home list!  Our quiet cul-de-sac became a race track, a shopping center, a water park and more as our girls played for hours with the neighbors. Again, imaginations went into overdrive, providing countless adventures for all of them.  My younger daughter mastered her bicycle, the extra time dedicated to riding helping her to ditch the training wheels once and for all.  Popsicles were served at all hours, shade from trees offered a perfect picnic spot and the amount of chalk art that festooned our driveway was incredible!

     

Plain driveways are so boring!

The pool!  Oh the pool!  The very same pool that I wasn't sure I even wanted way back when we first got it proved to be a sanctuary.  And while that word may seem a bit strong, or a bit of an overstatement, I can assure you that it's accurate.  After a stressful day "at" work (the dining room table for me), an hour or so splashing around before dinner was the perfect way to switch gears and be present for my family.  That pool was a welcome distraction from events and celebrations we were missing.  It was relaxation, fun and a slice of normal when we all needed those three things in large amounts! 

Pool Girls!

We found quiet moments to reflect on what truly matters.  Trite?  Perhaps.  True?  For sure.  Date night no longer meant dinner and drinks out at a restaurant, but instead it was a beer on the deck when the girls had gone to bed or binge watching a newfound favorite on Netflix.  Movie nights outside (thanks to neighbors with a cool set up) and bonfires slowed the pace down and helped let priorities bubble up.  And somehow, those moments seemed sweeter than any fancy dinner out and about.    

Who needs a theatre!?

We found ways to do more with less.  Less stuff, less activities, less spending, less chaos.  We took the time to sort and purge and eliminate files, clothes, just stuff---realizing that we have too much and need far less.  For the girls, it was a meaningful lesson in paying it forward and helping those in need by paying it forward.

We found that driveway visits and FaceTime aren't really adequate substitutes for time with family.  But we found that we were grateful to at least have that.  Whether it was BINGO via Zoom with family across 4 states, FaceTime story time before bed, Teams meetings with colleagues in other markets or online classes technology offered us opportunities to connect with people we were missing fiercely.  

Certainly I'm not advocating that we minimize or marginalize the LOST pieces.  They deserve our attention, too.  It's only fair to feel the feelings we have about those LOST things.  It stings.  And it's hard.  And it's sad, frustrating and unfair.  All of that is true.

It's also true that by giving our attention to what we've FOUND, it helps heal the wounds of the things LOST.  Each day, I try to add something to the FOUND section of the list.  I invite you to do the same.  

xo,

Amy