Running

There are old sayings.... running yourself ragged, spreading yourself too thin, running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, busier than a 3 legged cat in a sandbox.... well that's me lately and since it's Self Portrait Tuesday here's me running ragged like a thin headless chicken in a mad dash for the sandbox. WOW what did I do when I had kids to take care of.

Noon Traffic

We may be from a small town but the population doubles during the day and noon hour traffic proves it.

Happy Birthday Mom

Purple in the sunlight

Sunshine through the purple Obedient plant. Not many flowers left in the garden.

Beef-A-Rama

Today we went up north to Beef-A-Rama. The whole town plus some outsiders get together and cook beef on the street. The beef is judged by the taste and appearance but also by the way the cookers are celebrating. The tables are set for the judges with crystal glasses, pretty table settings and anything else the crazy up north folks find to entertain. Then mid-afternoon they shut down Hwy 51 and parade the beef down the street, the curbs are lined with hundreds of people cheering for the beef. Crazy times and this is the only picture I took, it was out the back window of the truck when we first got there.

Eighty-One and Sunburst Locust

Let's document this day - EIGHTY-ONE DEGREES today. It is beautiful, the only bad part of today.... it's Warrens Cranberry Fest and I'm not there. This is the first year since 1999 when my dad got married that I have not gone.

Here's the sun burst through our "Sunburst Locust Tree", pun intended.

Grey's is Back

No time for a new photo tonight..... Grey's is back!! I am proofing Adam's photos while watching Greys and I can't do both. Grey's, Biggest Loser, Lipstick Jungle, Army Wives, CSI, Desperate Housewives... you gotta love the new fall season.

Here's a faded soft focus version....How am I ever gonna pick a favorite for my wall?

Southwest Chicken Salad

If your like me there has been a time or two that you ordered a Southwest Chicken Salad while at your favorite Mexican Restaurant. It's my favorite salad and I had one last Friday in the Detroit Airport and it was fabulous. I started a search on-line to find a recipe that represented the salad that I had there and I came up with a close 2nd but the chicken short cut that I came across was well worth the search.

So here's the Chicken short cut - A bag of boneless skinless chicken breast (thawed), generously sprinkle the chicken with McCormick's Broiled Steak Seasoning, place in crock pot. Add about 1 cup of chicken broth. (I use the chicken bullion paste mixed with water). Cook the chicken in the crock pot for 7-8 hours. Now here's the short cut - Cool and place in freezer bags to use in all your favorite chicken recipes. Who couldn't use a couple cooked chicken breast on a Monday night when you don't have any supper ideas.... defrost, fry or grill, add a salad and go, suppers done!

Now the challenge is having the chicken breast make it to the freezer. I made this chicken short cut on Sunday with all intentions of using 2 for supper and freezing the rest. Sunday night I served them with garden red potatoes (thanks to Shawna), stuffing, broccoli and cauliflower, gravy made from the chicken stock in the crock pot, and rolls. Lynn and Jesse were over to pledge for the fantastic tasting chicken... nothin' but moans and groans during this meal. That chicken is fantastic, you gotta try it!

Tuesday I used the chicken for my Southwest Chicken Salad and it was again a hit. None of this chicken made it to the freezer but I do plan to make up a batch again real soon to help me out with those stressful nights of "What's for Supper?"

Tonight I had leftover chicken and the leftover Corn Salsa and chips from the salad. I love my Mexican bowls, my salsa wouldn't be served in anything else.