A SINCERE "THANK YOU" & a recipe or two!.....

Once again "thank you" to all of our lovely friends who took part in our "let's go on VACATION" idea! It was a day of "whirlwind traveling" that took us all to some of the most amazing destinations ever! The day turned out to be the perfect solution for anyone wanting a change of scenery!
Last evening, Mallory, Holly & I were sitting comparing our thoughts on how it had all gone...& unanimously wel were shocked to realize we truly did feel we had experienced something "new", we had our "break"... & now felt better resuming our everyday lives!!! This idea may be one we will need to repeat in the future???...Yes?.....Your thoughts?


And now for today,... being home & getting back to my normal little life! A few weekends ago, I tested out a couple new recipes that I am pleased to say were huge "successes"!!! With being Friday morning & on the "cusp" of a relaxing weekend at home..I thought I would post them both for you to possibly try & enjoy! ......Both are from the book "Get-Togethers with the Gooseberry Patch"....the first is "Chunky Chicken Salad with Smoked Gouda" & the other is "Triple Cheese Tart"....Both are just fresh & summery recipes that I know your family will enjoy!......So friends,...stay home, cook, eat & enjoy!..............Love, Heidi

CHUNKY CHICKEN SALAD with SMOKED GOUDA

* 1 lb. of boneless, skinless chicken breasts ( to save time, I used the breast meat off two store-bought rotisserie chickens)
* 1/8 t. salt
* 1/4 t. pepper
* 8 cups spinach
* 3/4 cup red pepper
* 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
* 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced in rings
* 1 1/2 cups apple, cored & thinly sliced
* 3/4 cup honey-mustard salad dressing, ....(more or less according to you personal taste)
* 1/2 cup smoked Gouda cheese ( or Jarlsberg), shredded
* 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
Sprinkle chicken with salt & pepper...Arrange on a broiler pan coated with non-stick spray; broil 5 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. Let cool. Cut or tear chicken into bite-sized pieces...(personally I like to tear the chicken into pieces, very "earthy & casual" & so much more appetizing than cubes!)....Combine chicken, spinach, red pepper, celery, onion & apple in a large bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad & toss well. Sprinkle with cheese & almonds. Serves 6.

* NOTE: I added the cheese & almonds to the other ingredients first, then tossed with dressing! I wanted to incorporate it all with the dressing! Yum!

TRIPLE CHEESE TART:

* piecrust ( home made, frozen, packaged...whatever you prefer!...I used frozen)
* 1/2 cup pecans, toasted
* 2-3oz. packages of cream cheese, softened
* 1/2 cup half & half
* 2 eggs, beaten
* 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
* 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained 7 chopped
* 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
* 1/2 shredded Swiss cheese
* 1 t. Worchestershire sauce

Bake piecrust for approx. 16-18 minutes or until golden brown. Place pecans on bottom of crust: set aside. Beat cream cheese at medium speed in a large mixing bowl for 1-2 minutes, until creamy. Add "half-and half" & eggs; mix well. Stir in blue cheese, tomatoes, onion, Swiss cheese & Worchestershire sauce. Pour into crust; bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until knife inserted in middle comes out clean. Cut into wedges & serve. Serves 6-8.

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Off To England.....

Summer Vacation has finally arrived....& I have chosen to spend the entire summer in the English countryside. Not to say I'm not interested in what London or any larger city has to offer, but this summer is about "rural living". Anyone who knows me well, understands that I have always wanted to travel or maybe even live for a while in England. So this is my opportunity! Now I said rural living, but I don't intend to"'rough it"...In fact, I am planning a slightly grand "holiday".......... As soon as my family & I arrived this morning, we rented a car & started our lovely drive. The landscape is so very green & the air so fresh. We wind along narrow roads that take us by storybook cottages & still ponds,... our anticipation mounting with every turn.

And then through the trees, we realize we have arrived....."St. Catherine's Court". This historic house has been around since medievel times. It was once owned by the English actress Jane Seymour, but was then sold late in 2007. During the years in which Miss Seymour owned the home, she was only able to enjoy it a few months of the year, so in turn she began offering it for rent. I am not sure what St. Catherine's new owners are doing with the house now, but for the purposes of my" dream vacation blog", I am pretending that we have been granted access to use it as our "summer home"!.....It is quite large, & rumored to have a few friendly ghosts keeping house as well,.... Therefore, I, being a true believer, thought it might be a good idea to invite lots of our friends & family to join us for our "dream vacation"!.......... A bit less spooky with lots of people around!

This summer I am planning on immersing myself in the novels of Jane Austin...I plan on taking long walks & exploring St. Catherine's incredible grounds & attending services at the home's own "chapel". There is tennis to be played & horses to be ridden.....& many days spent, with "relaxing"being the top priority.
We have just arrived, & I already know this will be an extraordiary experience for our entire family! We will be living a small bit of history, by choosing to enjoy this glorious home for the summer months ahead!
After a long day of traveling, I will be retiring to this incredibly charming bedroom....Can you believe it?...My "dream vacation coming true".... time to turn in now, ....Good Night All...........See you back in the states!.....Love, Heidi

Note: Holly & I wanted be sure & thank all of our " friends" that chose to participate in our "let's go on VACATION" blog!...We are both fairly new to all this, so it means a great deal to us, that you cared enough to be part of it! To those of you who "joined us on vacation" & for those of you who are just enjoying reading about them, ...again we thank you!

1. Heidi from Foxgloves, Fabric & Folly
2. Alicia from Butterfly*Gems
3. Cecilia from Nifty
4. Madrin Designs
5. Tonya from PuddinPop
6. Mallory from Mallory D. and her Big Bodacious Blooms
7. Rachel from Cherry Tree Lane
8. BJ from Sweet Nothings
9. Jeanne from Backyard Neighbor
10. Mya from Creative Musings
11. Vintage Girl at Heart
12. Diane at A Picture is Worth 1000 Words
13. BrainMosaic
14. Cole from My Menagerie
15. Kari and Kijsa from Ask Kari and Kijsa
16. Beverly from How Sweet the Sound
17. Molly from Molly B.'s
18. Rhonda from Scooterblu's Whimsy
19. Shaybert from thirtyandholding
20. Joanna at Sweet Finds
21. Brittainy at The Litany of Brittainy
22. Melissa at The Inspired Room
23. Shirl at Shirl's Rose Cottage
24. Jan and Tom's Place
25. Jill at Bailiwick Designs
26. Schotzy at Wings of Eagles

**It is never too late to sign up... please post a blog with your dream vacation still, and email me! Ill add your blog to the list so you won't miss out. :)

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Tomorrow..."let's go on VACATION"!!!!!!

Hello Friends!....Tomorrow we are all going on "vacation"!!! And I for one am so looking forward to it!!! If you would like to join us, you still have time!!!!...but hurry, today's the last day to sign up! Just leave me a comment here, or my daughter Holly at "mommyholly" & we will add you to the growing list of bloggers who also feel the need for a terrific "vacation"!
Just press the "let's go on VACATION" button on the right side of my blog to get all the details! & feel free to post it on your blog as well!!!!!...and tell everyone! The more the merrier!
At this time of year everyone needs a "break", a "change of scenery", so Holly & I decided it might be fun to invite all our blogging friends to join us! You can completely make up the "vacation of your dreams"....with no limitations what so ever! With no time restraints & money no object...the possibilities are endless!...So come with us!.... Holly & I will be posting all the "participants" on both our blogs tomorrow! Think of all the friends you'll meet & wonderful destinations we will have a chance to see!!!
My bags are packed!!!.....Are yours???......See you tomorrow!!!!........Love, Heidi

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"Guests Rooms".....

The last few days, here in Southern California have been outrageously "hot"...As high as, 107 degrees at our house here in Valley Center!... Yikes!.....the "heat" coupled with the fact that we hosted "company" over the weekend, really made me think about the "Summer Guest Room" & making them feel comfortable.....You may think this is a somewhat "odd" topic, but hear me out. Making up a room for guests always reminds me of how "I" like to be treated when visiting.
First of all, it is so important to have a "comfortable bed"....crisp linens, with the fragrance of fresh air....an extra blanket at the foot of the bed... & plenty of plumped-up pillows!....At our house the "guest room" is usually one, where it's regular inhabitant has been "kicked out" or "relocated",....expected to sleep on the couch or double up with a sibling. :)... Whichever way you work it out, it's always so appreciated to offer a a quiet room for a guest. When company arrives, take a little extra time to make sure the bed they are sleeping in is incredibly comfortable!....Nothing needs to be expensive or extravagant....just well-thought out. Adding fresh flowers, candles with wonderful aromas, and a few currant magazines/books is always appreciated.
And making sure that the nearest bathroom, even when sharing, has more than enough towels, a few "new" shampoos, a fresh bar of soap & maybe an extra toothbrush, are all signs that the hosting family really cares about it's guests!
And when the temps. hover around 100 degrees,... make sure "fans are fanning" & "air conditioning is working"!
By making sure your guests are well-attended to,... you will not only make them want to visit again...but it will also make them feel like family & that they truly belong in your home.....

A perfect example of the most welcoming of "summer guest rooms".......

" Fresh & Floral".....so wonderful to crawl between these sheets!..... Love this pattern!...........

Even a "quiet corner" of a room, can be the sweetest accomodation for your summer company!

Forget the guests!.....I feel a nap coming on!......

NOTE: Remember to leave a comment about taking part in "Let's Go On Vacation"...this Thursday! Meet new people & travel the world!...all the while relaxing in your own home!

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"The Simple Woman's Summer Swap", hosted by Peggy.....

Hi All!... Have I come across a wonderfully fun blog idea or what!....I happened across Peggy at her lovely blog,"The Simple Woman". I started reading & found out about her idea to have a seasonal "swap" 4 times a year. The first one is about to happen, a "Summer Swap"!... In order to participate you need to visit Peggy's site & read all about it! You need to do it quickly though!, time is running out! Stop reading & go sign up!.....I'll see you there!
Time to join a terrific "Summer Swap" hosted by Peggy at "The Simple Woman"....Enjoy!

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"Sunday Thoughts"......

"Sunflowers & Blue Sky"......Summertime at it's best!.........

It's Sunday afternoon. The temperature outside is 102 degrees & the house is quiet. Mallory & I just got back from taking my sister-in-law Jackie & niece Kylee to the airport. We all just had the most lovely time,.... lots of visiting, a little shopping & tons of relaxing!!!!...possibly one of the most enjoyable visits ever!
As I mentioned above, the house is so quiet,...My husband & grandson are both napping?...I think the heat is responsible. Holly is upstairs reading, after tidying up & sweeping!... How nice is that to walk into a calm, peaceful & clean home!, especially after having company for a few days! Thank you my sweet daughter...
Now I am going to sit & post this blog & then retreat upstairs to putter around with a few "dress designs" & watch a bit of HGTV.
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While my sister-in-law was visiting, I whipped up some "blueberry crisp", one of her favorites! The next night Jackie informed me she had to have "crisp" again!...maybe this time using "cherries"? Well I was more than happy to!.....& with amazingly delicious results!!!! So I completely recommend using my "blueberry crisp" recipe ( on the right side of my blog) & instead use frozen cherries in place of the blueberries...You will LOVE it!!!!
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And last, but not least....My friend Sian, at "Diary of a Tinyholder" presented me with the "Arte y Pico" award...This award is one that honors a blog's creative contribution & design content within the blogging community.... Thank you so much Sian! I am so flattered!!!!...The rules are that the recipient needs to choose 5 other deserving blogs?.... So many of you have beautiful blogs that I enjoy, so this is a bit difficult. However, the ones I choose are the following.....

*"Bailiwick Designs".....Jill

*"Freckled Farm"...Cammyk

*"Pink Purl"...Tracy

*"Simple things Small joys"...Cathy Louise

*"Scooterblu's Whimsey"...Rhonda

You all have lovely sites!.....Thank you for inspiring me!.....Your friend, Heidi (XO)

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"Pink Saturday" #3

Exquisite "pink" ruffles.....

Happy "Pink Saturday" to Everyone!.....This weekend, my sister-in-law Jackie, & my niece Kylee are visiting from Seattle, Washington. We are thrilled to have them! For the last few days we have been staying close to home, enjoying the patio & pool, & making & eating, lots of "berry crisps". ( my sister-in-law's favorite dessert!).... Tomorrow however, we are planning to spend the day "shopping"!... I haven't done that in ages, so it will be quite a treat for us all! I must have "shopping" on the brain, because while deciding what "pink" photos to post, the ones that attracted me most this week were of pretty"pink dresses" & pretty "pink shoes"!.... The dresses are "couture" & the shoes Manolo Blahnik....for any of you that know me, I am obsessed, by Manolo B.'s "maryjanes"! ( any color!...I just someday would love to be able to have a pair on display in my closet!) .....I hope you all enjoy my "Girlie Pink Saturday"!! Thank you again to our lovely hostess Beverly at "How Sweet the Sound"!....We would love to have you join us next week!

Doesn't this dress look like a "pink confection" of some sort!....Simply charming!

Heidi's most coveted shoes......"pink maryjanes"" by Manolo Blahnik........Someday they will be mine!
Note #1: I wanted to be sure & thank all of you, who have left the most wonderful comments on my blog lately!!! I just cannot tell you how very much it means to me!!!!
Note #2: Be sure & sign up for "Let's Go On Vacation" on June 26th....for details just click the button on the right side of my page....Should be a enjoyable day!

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" A Mantle Party".....how lovely!

Happy Thursday Friends....My daughter Holly told me about a wonderful blog, Kari and Kijsa that today is hosting a "Mantle Party"!.....How lovely is that! So I decided to take a couple photos of my mantle & post them for you all to see. For Summer, I left my mantle fairly "bare" which I like....anchored with a pair of black, iron urns filled with graceful branches & shells. I also have flanked my over-sized mirror with two antique "rose prints", very faded & a bit tattered. Along with an embroidered sampler & a scattering of a few more shells and votives & there you have it..... my mantle, all ready for Summertime"..........


A "close up" of one of the black urns, shells & antique print.....
On the right side of my mantle, I added a tiny blue book of "housekeeping hints", which I picked up the last time we went to the Brimfield Antiques Show...... off to see the other mantels!! Thank you to Kari and Kijsa for hosting this fun party!!! :)

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"Kitchen Sinks and Tiny Boys"......

Good Morning All, I was looking at some photos I took of my grandson a couple weeks ago & thought I would share them this morning with you. The photo above is Andrew, our first grandchild. It goes without saying that he is a "treasured little child"!.....His "Nini" ( me...a name that somehow developed from granny) like most grandmothers, thinks he is the most handsome, most brilliant & most well-behaved 4 year old ever!!!!!! We are fortunate to all be living in one household, under one roof.....so instead of seeing Andrew just once in a while, we are in on all his comings & goings! On this day in particular, his mother Holly & I were sitting at the kitchen table trying to work on a couple projects. As usual when momma's & "nini's" need a minute, little people tend to be a tad impatient! .......So it was this day..... Being the "Brilliant Nini" I am, I decided a bit of playtime at the sink was in order!!...An apron, some cooking utensils & LOTS OF WATER & we had ourselves quite the morning!!!...Andrew played contentedly for at least an hour, while Holly & I had a chance finish our projects & even enjoy a cup of coffee! Right in the middle of all this, I quietly motioned to Holly to get the camera,.... so we could record the "bliss"! .....Note to self: never underestimate the playing power of "kitchen sinks & tiny boys"!!!!


Our Andrew, standing on his little blue chair, beginning to mix his "concoctions".....

Look at that face!!!.........

A little boy, absorbed in the task at hand....& completely oblivious to the "goings-on" around him!....................

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Reminding you all...."Let's Go On Vacation"!!!

Hi Friends, My daughter Holly & I, just want to remind you to make your reservations now with us, for our "Let's go on VACATION" Day, scheduled for June 26th! On that day we will all be posting what our "dream vacation" would be!...It could be anything!... something extravagant, halfway around the world or something as simple as an upcoming family reunion! Your "dream vacation" can be something real or make it your ultimate fantasy! Post lots of photos & remember money is no object! Please visit either Holly at "mommyholly" or me, & leave a comment saying you would like to participate. Then on June 26th both Holly & I will post all the participants & links to all their blogs! Think of how many wonderful ideas will be exchanged & what incredible places we all could visit together! Just think, even if the economy is slow & gas prices are high, we still can enjoy the best vacations ever! Hope to hear from you all really soon!
NOTE: Feel free to add the "Vacation" button (at the right side of my blog) to your own blog! & tell all your friends!.....See you on June 26th!....Thanks so much, Heidi & Holly

The "Let's Go On Vacation" button.....would look great added to your blog!

Where are you going on your "dream vacation"....maybe France?......visit the Taj Mahal?

Or maybe relaxing with family & friends is what your idea of a "dream vacation" is all about?
Or maybe a quiet little "cabin in the woods" is sounding like a perfect "dream vacation"?

Hope to hear from you all real soon!.... Let's make June 26th the best vacation ever!

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"BLOOMIN' TUESDAY".....

Welcome to "Bloomin Tuesday".....a lovely idea, thought up & put together by Jean, at "Ms Green Thumb". For my "blooms" I thought I would post photos of one of my all-time favorite flower, "hydrangeas"....or more specifically "BLUE" hydrangeas. There is something about this flower that has always called to me. The "mophead variety" is the subhect of my adoration!......."big, beautiful, blue blooms".....Just magnificant!
Note: Many of you will recognize this photo. I found it on-line & had it posted as my opening photo for a few weeks this last Spring! I will absolutely NEVER tire of enjoying it....& believe me...I am trying my best to replicate it in my own yard!

Who made the rule that bouquets had to be small & tasteful?..... Wouldn't these hydrangeas make breathetaking bouquets for bridesmaids at a wedding! ...and the bride could carry white!....Now that's my kind of bouquet!...

An "Angel",..... being encircled in a "Heaven of Hydrangeas".......

A greenhouse filled with nothing but "blue"!.............Thank you again to Jean, for such a lovely way to spend our Tuesday, .......Off to check out all the "blooms"!......Your friend, Heidi

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My LOVE of......."OLD WHITE HOUSES".......

A lovely "Victorian" home..........that little "turret space" would make quite a sewing room!

I've always loved "old white houses",... ever since I was a little girl. Two years ago, while living in a rural area in upstate New York, we were fortunate enough to own one! I absolutely LOVED it!...It was two story, very classic and sat upon a hill, right in the middle of 8 acres of the greenest grass. It was not terribly old, but being a white farmhouse was enough to make me very happy! ( it is pictured & written about in my April 22nd blog, "Remembering Our Country Home in New York").
The other day Annie, from "Firefly Hill Style"( you must go visit her lovely blog & shop!!) asked if the photo on the right side of my blog was my own home?....I had to be honest & answer "no"....but it is one of my very favorites!....Since living back east, I have started collecting every picture of lovely "old white houses" I can find!..... I know....a bit neurotic, but I miss my house, & if gathering photos of others makes me less sad, then you can bet it is a collection I will continue.
So tonight I am posting a few examples of "old white houses" that make my heart sing! I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy the collecting them!......

This is the Connecticut home of decorator, Bunny Williams. It's old, white & extraordinary!....

A charming "white cottage" in the countryside........

Look at this wonderful house!....Three stories!...Can you imagine?......
Just the sweetest, little house...& that exquisite garden!!!...I could just move right in!

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FATHER'S DAY........

Happy Father's Day to you all!.......Here at our house, "Father's Day" will include a great homemade dinner with our girls & grandson....a dinner of barbequed burgers, fresh corn pudding, & strawberries....and my husband's favorite, his wife's "white cake with white frosting"! We also will be having him unwrap a few special gifts!.....My husband will love it!....For me, the thing that couldn't have been planned better was scheduling the U.S. Open Golf Championsip on Father's Day!!!....I could never give my husband a better gift!....This year it happens to be at the "Torrey Pines Golf Course" here in San Diego, very close to where we live. (I have posted a photo of this amazingly beautiful course above for you all to see.) Being a very good golfer himself & a "fan of the fundamentals", he prefers to go to the course & watch the pros during their practice rounds, which he did last week. Now today he couldn't be happier to have a front row seat in our living room, watching Tiger, Phil and the rest of the boys challenging the course!

Happy Father's Day" honey!...Our children are blessed to have you as their dad!.....Enjoy that cake!.......Love you, Heidi

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"PINK SATURDAY"....#2

It's Beverly's "Pink Saturday" once again!!......Thank you again Beverly for getting this idea started! Really so much fun! During the course of the week I have been finding images & thinking of favorite "pink" things that I would like to share with you all. So here it is my friends....my entries for "Pink Saturday"!........ABOVE: I came across this photo of this darling little pink stucco house, looking so innocent against the backdrop of these somewhat dark,rugged mountains. I love the "juxtoposition" of it all!....

One of my most favorite "pink rose" arrangements!!!!....It's from designer Carolyne Roehm, who I just adore & who's taste is always impeccable!

Every Christmas my two girls & I treat ourselves to an afternoon at the ballet,...the "Nutcracker"! I have been taking them since Holly was 2 1/2??? ( she quietly watched half & slept through the rest!) We simply love it!......The beautiful music, the costumes, the set decoration...& our "favorite scene" when the snow starts falling quietly onto the stage!!.....

" Cherry Blossoms"....are they not just the prettiest!....As a child we had a ornamental "cherry" in the backyard, no fruit, but lots of gorgeous blossoms in the Spring!!! Always loved that tree....

Pink & white "quilts".....so fresh, so lovely!.......

I am off to visit all of your "pink posts"......Have a delightful Saturday all, & remember to add a wee bit of "pink" to your day!......Heidi :)

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OUR MALLORY......

Our daughter Mallory, cooking & baking....& knee deep in pink frosting!!!.....A very cute look! ....... We are getting spoiled!...Last night, our younger daughter Mallory prepared dinner once again for our family! Not that Mallory never makes or helps with dinner, but as of a couple weeks ago & the official beginning of summer for us ( college classes were over), she announced to us all that this was the summer she was going to become a great cook! She told us she was going to look through all our dozens of cookbooks, choose recipes, shop for the needed ingredients & prepare meals as much as possible!....Let me just say,...I AM THRILLED!!!! This announcement was music to my ears!....Being a lady who enjoys gardening, sewing, quilting, decorating, etc. I sometimes hate to have to stop & prepare dinner. I do like to cook, but not every night....so needless to say again, I just couldn't be happier!
I am proud to say, our Mallory, has been sticking to her pledge! She is either cooking for us during the week or for her boyfriend, Greg on the weekends....I do hate to see Friday come though, since we lose our "in house cook" for a couple days! :(
Anyway, she has been making lots of dishes for us, but last night's was really good! She made a recipe from Food Network's Robin Miller, "Parmesan-Crusted Chicken with Creamy Honey Mustard Dip"....At first glance you may think it is a recipe for chicken strips, but the way Malls did it was so much better. Instead of using chicken breasts that have been cut into strips, she left the breast in tact. She also used a bit more of the flour, parm. cheese, salt, pepper & garlic seasoning, in order to throughly cover each chicken breast. The whole thing was just delicious!
Mallory served it with baked potatoes, & sauteed corn & broccoli...wonderful dinner!
Then after dinner she decided to whip up a batch of cupcakes for her friend Shawna's birthday! Keep it up Sweet Mallory...your mother is "beaming from ear to ear"!.....Love You...



Here is Mallory...no, she didn't get all "gussied up" for the picture....just her "normal, flower-adorned, pretty-aproned self"........

PARMESAN-CRUSTED CHICKEN::
Cooking spray
1/3 cup all-purpose flour *( or a bit more,... maybe 1/2 c.)
Salt and ground black pepper *( or a sprinkle or two more)
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch wide strips *( Mallory left chicken breasts in tact)

1/3 cup milk *( Mallory used 2-3 beaten eggs instead)

1/3 cup grated Parmesan *( Mallory used 1/2 or 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

** Mallory replaced the garlic powder & onion powder, with 2 teaspoons of a garlic& herb seasoning blend, preferably w/o salt

Creamy Honey-Mustard Dip: 1/2 cup sour cream, regular or low-fat 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons honey
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
In a shallow dish, combine flour and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Add chicken to flour mixture and turn to coat. Place milk in a separate shallow dish. In a third shallow dish or resealable plastic bag, combine parmesan, oats, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano. Dip chicken into flour and turn to coat. Dip flour-coated chicken into milk and then transfer chicken to oat mixture. Turn to coat chicken (or shake bag) until well covered with oat mixture. Place chicken on prepared baking sheet and spray the surface with cooking spray. Bake 15 minutes, until crust is golden brown and chicken is cooked through.
To make dip, in a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, Dijon mustard and honey.
Serve chicken with dip on the side.

NOTE: Mallory is not just spending the summer learning to cook...she also is going to school this summer & working & trying to leave a bit of time for the "the beach"!!!

***Be sure & sign up for our "Let's Go on Vacation", June 26th......*for details see the button at the right of my page!

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"LET'S GO ON VACATION".....Together!!

It is late afternoon on Thursday, June 12th, 2008......I am so thankful for my home, my yard, my garden & my family, but with that said,... I sure wish we were planning a "SUMMER VACATION"!!!!!!!!!.... I just need a little "change of scenery"!! (I think I have been holed up in my sewing room a bit too much lately!).....My sister and brother-in-law took off this morning to spend the summer at one of the beautiful Washington State lakes...All Summer!!...How great is that! I am even envious of their road trip up there!!! :)...anything again for that "change of scenery"!!.... Realistically though, a true "vacation" is not in the cards this summer, with gas prices "crazy high", & our household budget fairly tight, our backyard & patio will be our destination spot this year!...which really is going to be just fine!.....

Anyway, today my daughter Holly, & I were commiserating about "vacations" or the lack there of,,, and then Holly came up with the best solution ever! Why shouldn't we plan the best trip ever!...Let's throw "budgets & time restraints" out the window!..... "LET'S GO ON VACATION!!!!!"... & let's go with all our blogging friends!!!!!.... & that includes you!!! We want you each to share your "Dream Vacation", which could mean something different for each of one us...maybe an incredible resort, an exotic island or a few relaxing days to spend with family or friends?! Either way, let's start the planning!....I am beginning to feel better already!...Let's do it!....Join Holly & I........."LET'S GO ON VACATION"!.......

Here are the guidelines...
I am hosting this "vacation" along with my daughter, Holly. If you would like to play along, leave me or Holly a comment on any of our blogs letting us know you want to join us, making sure you give us your blog address as well. Holly is compiling a list of everyone playing and on June 26th, we will all post our ideal vacation. Whether it is a small and simple trip, or a lavish and seriously unreal vacation, that is up to YOU! It is YOUR dream vacation for this summer, so plan as much as you want! We will want to see pictures of where you are choosing to "go" and we can all travel vicariously through each other. We will start a blogroll of everyone playing, and on the day of, we will see how many make-believe vacations we can go on!!! I hope you will participate, and this gives us a chance to get to know many more bloggers as well. So if you are reading this blog, leave me a comment and play along with us!!

Holly has made a button you can put on your blogs to show you are playing the vacation game.
If you want the cute picture like I have on the left of my blog, let me or Holly know and we can email you the code! We would really love all of you to post the button if you are participating, that way others know how to join up as well!! :)

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