Addicted

I am taking a temporary leave from blogging.

If anyone has been enjoying my life updates, I will be back on Wednesday or Thursday. That is, if I can hold to a little self-discipline and stay away from my computer!! I can't promise this but I'm certainly going to try... :)

I'm doing this to gain a little more sanity in my day-to-day routine. Meaning, I'm going to try to pack up some of the extra junk around the house that we are constantly tripping over! :) More than likely, I will continue to check up on other blogs during this time.

Our rental is very tiny and I started packing extra dishes and stuff from in the kitchen and haven't finished the task due to being sidetracked by my need to blog. :) It's such an addicting and fun thing to do but I've got to get some order around here. So, I've decided to check myself into blogging rehab for a few days and the first step is to make a clean break. ;)

I'll leave you with an awesome recipe that I made the other night. Shelley (Pennala) sent it to me. She got it from her sister Kristy (Huotari) who got it from their mom. So, basically it sounds like it's Carol's recipe. It's a light recipe and it tastes delicious!

PASTA PRIMAVERA

Saute the following ingredients until vegetables are to desired tenderness:

• 2 T. olive oil
• 12 oz. fresh mushrooms, halved (I sliced them w/ my egg slicer)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 small carrot, julienned (I used a handful of matchstick, precut)
• 1 red pepper, cut into thin stips

Meanwhile, in a measuring cup combine the following ingredients and add to the vegetables. Bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute.:

• 12 oz. reduced fat evaporated milk (I couldn't find reduced fat so I used regular - but Shell said it's just as good with the reduced fat). :)
• 2 tsp. chicken bouillion
• 1 1/4 tsp. corn starch
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Fold in the remaining ingredients:

• 16 oz. linguini, cooked
• 2 c. broccoli, cooked
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 2 T. parmesan cheese, shredded
• 2 T. fresh parsley, chopped

Note: She added chicken that she had steamed in garlic. (I boiled chicken and chopped up 2 - 3 chicken breasts that I added).

I've never done the steam-thing before, but I plan to! She said it's very flavorful this way. You place your chicken in a single layer in a frying pan. Add about 1/2 inch of water and drizzle with olive oil. Do NOT cover the chicken completely! (Also, be sure water doesn't completely evaporate, add more as needed during cooking). Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste. Press a fresh garlic clove over the chicken. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer approximately 20 minutes, or 'til cooked through.