Stella Artois Chili

I've been making chili for a long time.  It's one of those dishes that you first learn how to make and then spend years trying to perfect.  I think I finally perfected mine this time, with a little help from my friend Stella.  You see, we had a friend visiting for our wedding a few weeks ago, and he loves Stella Artois.  He drank a few, giggled on the couch, fell asleep, and ultimately forgot that he shoved two behind the milk jug.  Oh lucky day.  I love beer, but I don't drink often.  So, there Stella sat...behind the milk jug for two weeks.  I consumed one when I was making my Chocolate Covered Turtles post.  Because, ya know, chocolate and beer go together so well.  The other went into the most mouth-watering, satisfying, crave-inducing chili I have EVER made.  EVER.  So, here's to the perfect batch of chili, laced with Ms. Stella Artois.

Simple Stromboli

Something about Sundays feels right to me.  I'm not talking about the running around helter-skelter type of Sunday where you're trying to figure out this week's meal plan while juggling laundry and getting the family ready for the week.  I'm talking about "Lazy Sundays".  The type of day where no one in the family gets out of their PJ's.  The one filled with good movies and family naps, if you're lucky (like me).  Yesterday was that type of day for us.  We just finished up a LONG, ridiculous week of work where we only got to see each other in passing.  Not cool.  So, yesterday was our day...nothing on the agenda except relaxation.  And stromboli.

We have a favorite restaurant in Montgomery called Mr. G's.  Every time we go, my husband orders the stromboli.  It's the size of Texas.  Yes, he eats the whole thing.  Anyway, I've had the intention to make stromboli for some time now, it's just never come to fruition...until yesterday.  I don't know why I didn't make it a million times before.  It was so simple and so good and the leftovers accompanied us to work today.  I suggest you don't follow my example and make a stromboli today....now as a matter of fact.  Do it!!

Chocolate Covered Turtles

The day is finally here!! Today, I am a guest blogger on Frosting for the Cause.  This website is a gem among many, many charitable websites and causes.  I encourage everyone to make a donation to an organization, locally or nationally, that helps fund research for cancer.  Nearly every one I know has been affected in one way or another, losing a family member or someone close to them.  Please, reach out in your community and do what you can.  What you may consider a small donation, is a huge stepping stone in the future of cancer research.  It's not always about a monetary donation, volunteering is a great way to help out, too!  My post today is about Mrs. Sylvia Richardson.  Please, go read my post, donate if you can, and get out there and make a difference!  You can view my post at Frosting for the Cause.

Baked Chicken Alfredo

I haven't posted in a while, over a month to be exact.  I promise, there is a good reason for this.  You see, there was this guy, a prince charming of sorts and he convinced me to marry him.  Being the type of woman that I am, I spent time fretting over details, tying up last minute ideas, and worrying over every possible thing imaginable. I did not spend much time cooking.  Terrible idea.  While I enjoyed the break from the dishes, I never enjoy a break from making a homemade meal.  We ate at lots of wonderful, delicious restaurants.  I did NO dishes. Yet, with all these delicious, care-free meals I still wanted to get back to normal.  Back to cooking.

On September 17th at 6:00 pm, I married my prince charming and continued on the journey to my happily ever after.  It was a beautiful day with LOTS of wonderful food and great times spent with family and friends.  It is a day that will forever remain bittersweet to me, a day that is precious, a day when I married the man who forever changed my life.

We've been back home for a little over a week now, and I wasted no time getting back into the kitchen...with new gadgets, no less.    So here is my apology for being gone so long.  I made you one of my family favorites, Baked Chicken Alfredo.  I hope you forgive me.

Mushroom and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breasts

All you mushroom haters go ahead...say it...Yuck, gross, ewwwwwwwww.  Feel better?  Ok, for the rest of us "normal" folks, let's control our urges to lick the computer screen.  I wasn't always a mushroom lover but now it seems I can't get enough.  I want to put them on everything. 

My family had quite an adventurous outing yesterday with wedding shopping.  On the way home, with the mini me quietly snoozing in the back, I got a familiar craving.  Mushrooms.  And Cheese.  Like, I've said before, my family is only a few chicken dinners away from growing feathers and clucking, so it was only natural for me to want to pair this insatiable craving for mushrooms and cheese with some chicken.  Don't anyone dare to tell me it's "too cheesy" or I will put you in a straight jacket myself.

Bacon Parmesan Asparagus

Not many things shock me anymore.  I've either seen it, heard it, or done it.  We sat down last night to a lovely dinner of Chicken Florentine Quesadillas and Asparagus.  It was a typical night in a small apartment.  My husband on the couch and me on the floor with my plate on the coffee table.  This is the way we prefer to eat...not conventional, I know.  But, hey, we're not a conventional family.  My toddler, who had already eaten his dinner, was happily playing with the Shrek 3 DVD box.  As I was eating, this darling child came over and helped himself to my asparagus.  I was already sticking out my hand for what I knew would follow, I call this the "ick, yuck, and spit it out" response.  However, the exact opposite happened!  He looked at it, stuck it in his mouth, chewed and...wait for it, wait for it....SWALLOWED!  The most shocking part of it all?  He reached for more.  Yes, my friends, I DO BELIEVE there is a vegetable GOD out there.  Last night, he smiled on me.  Glory!

Firecracker Fried Shrimp

As a child, we can't wait to get older so we can drive, date, get married and have children.  Then, we wake up one day, and realize that we have achieved most of what we set out to do.  Some of us complain about getting older, and reminisce about being younger.  Some of us long for those carefree days when all we had to worry about was what to wear to school tomorrow.

Well, I guess I'm a little different, because getting older has been treating me well so far.  Of course, I could certainly do without some things, like bills.  Overall though, the most enjoyable thing about getting older is finding newness in established relationships.  My little sister is visiting.  The same "little girl" that laughed til she couldn't breathe when I walked in the room.  The same little girl who was terrified of frogs and police sirens.

That "little girl" is 17 now and we still laugh together like we did when she was 2.  The conversations have changed a bit, but the relationship is deeper and more profound.  She's no doubt related to me, she carries the same sarcasm and quick-wit that I consider some of my most enjoyable qualities.  Yet, when I'm around her, I feel a little more than sisterly-love...she has quickly become one of my best friends.  This, is absolutely one of the most beautiful things about growing older.  Tonight, we shared one of my favorite meals, and she vows to make it when she gets back home.  She has a love for cooking and baking that is quickly growing, and I couldn't be happier.  She's always asking for someone to write a blog about her.  Little sister-friend, this is all for YOU.