"Appetite"- Day 27

Well...I seem to have one most of the time.  When I don't, I just eat, and it works out, except I have gained back every pound I lost a year ago. It would be easier if there was no red wine in the world.  Anyway, my big craving and easy to make favorite discovery of last year (Pinterest of course) is the "Mexican" crock pot chicken...soooooooooooooooooo good with chips, and I agree it is great with rice; it even freezes well.  I too prefer it the second day, when it is less soupy, but I haven't had a big problem with this.  It is a great "Monday" dinner, since I usually work late and you really do throw it in the crock pot and go!

Favorite Easy "Mexican" Chicken Recipe

Two-fer...Day 19- "A Sunny Spot" and Day 20- Rise

Missed yesterday with good reason, spent the entire day with family preparing for and celebrating my parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary, NC style.  Was technology free most of the day...yet so glad that because of technology- basically Facebook- I "see" this family all of the time, it definitely keeps us closer and more connected.

My sunny spot was getting to spend so much time with my family, I wish we all lived closer, even the family here.  Real life and kids at different ages and stages make it hard to spend enough time together.  It rained much of the party, which really put a damper on some of the outdoor fun like picnic tables, white twinkly lights, and bales of  hay around the fire pit.  My dad worked so hard to prepare...but I think a good time was still had by all even if it meant jackets and most of the party indoors.  My dad inherited his grandmother's house and has spent a lot of time the past couple of years fixing it, updating it, making it a place for he and my mom to stay when they go down there.  They are able to go more often now, as their stream of grandchildren for daycare has slowed down.  We thought a country house party was the perfect way to celebrate, as that is where it started for them and most of the guests, out in the country outside of Grantham, N.C.  My kids got to meet my mom's best friend from high school, which was a treat.

As for "rise..."- ever spend a Sunday on I-95 N?  In particular on a holiday that is the last day of spring break for pretty much all northerners thanks to our snowy winter?  I have had the pleasure...so, we got the kids up and were on the road at 6:45, so grateful they pulled it together (I mean, all they had to do was wake, brush teeth, eat a bit and get into the car, ideally without talking much since it was so early).  We made it home in record time- 4.5 hours (we thought the 5 down was good, but home bound was one gas/bathroom stop, and no stops for the boys' car).  So happy to spend the afternoon at home doing nothing.  Would love to get a pedicure if they are open but there is no way I am putting in the effort to drive two minutes, not leaving this couch except to eat and go to bed!  Dinner is one I can hardly take credit for, but I will...leftovers of this recipe (below)- you would be surprised how well it freezes, and tastes with chips!  Comfort food!  Hint- you may need to add a little chicken broth if it is too thick after defrosting; I think mine was thick because I froze it with rice in the same bag, so freezing it alone is probably recommended.  However, we had "Scoops" chips so the thickness worked well for us.

Easiest Mexican-ish Chicken Ever

Public Service Announcement

Consider this a public service announcement:  If you buy the pretzel rolls at Costco you WILL eat too many at 200 calories apiece, and you WILL become addicted, and you WILL decide they are worth the contribution to your curvy, doughy body!  My favorite way to eat them is with grilled roast beast or brisket, a horseradish spread (probably along the lines of this), & some onions.  Did I mention that you probably WILL have an orgasm at the dinner table?  Try to keep it to yourself :).  Today's public service announcement is brought to  you by BBQ Beef Brisket in the Crock Pot...this time of year I would normally grill it but too much going on today...this also acts as a natural air freshener because my house smells divine!  And, since it is just the two of us tonight, I could feasibly be having a pajama Sunday dinner before the day is done!  Oh, and I have saved enough calories this week to enjoy the perfect accompaniment, Goose Island Summertime beer!