Chicken with Drop Dumplings

The other night I was craving my grandma's soup...loving deemed "Uncle Curtis' Soup". If there is an actual name for it, no one in the family knows. In fact, on my recipe card the recipe is simply labeled "soup". It has forever been my uncle's request at family gatherings and I grew up expecting this soup every Christmas (and maybe once or twice throughout the year if we were lucky.) My grandma has three dishes that compete to be my favorite: meatloaf, flat pancakes, and Uncle Curtis' Soup. The only thing that ever tastes like she makes it when I attempt it in the kitchen is the soup.

She has such distinct handwriting...pulling out this recipe card always brings sweet memories.

So back to the other night. I was really wanting her soup. I knew thought I had everything, right down to the spices. Unfortunately I realized, only after I began cooking, that I did not have smoked sausage. I decided to get a little creative and came up with my spin on Chicken n' Dumplings. I hope you'll enjoy this just as much as we did! You can't beat something made in the big red pot.

Chicken with Drop Dumplings

Ingredients:
2tbsp butter
1 clove minced garlic
1/4c diced onions
2c chicken broth
1c water
1 1/2 tsp Hungarian Paprika
1-2c cooked, diced chicken

Dumplings:
2eggs
dash of salt
3/4c flour


Begin by melting 2 tablespoons of butter in the bottom of your pot.



Add 1 clove of minced garlic and 1/4c diced onion. Allow to cook for a few minutes to draw out the flavor. The onions will become translucent as they cook.

Once the veggies are good to go, add 2 cups of chicken stock and 1 cup of water. Stir in 1 1/2 tsp. Hungarian paprika and a dash of salt and pepper. Allow it to simmer on low heat.

While the broth simmers, grab a medium size bowl and combine the following ingredients to make the dumplings: 2 eggs, a dash of salt, and 3/4c flour. Mix well. The dough will be thick.

In small spoonfuls, drop the dough into the simmering liquid. The dumplings will cook as the broth continues to heat. The dumplings will swell a bit. Continue to add the dumpling dough until you are stratified with the amount of dumplings in the soup.

Finally add 1-2c of diced chicken. I had some leftover rotisserie chicken and that worked very well. Otherwise, cooked chicken breast would do. allow the soup to cook through and continue to season to taste.

This soup was a big hit in our house and I hope the same for yours. Enjoy!



 

 



If the Jeans Fit

It came time to post my monthly weight loss update and I was proud to see the goals I've achieved over the last month. It's tough work. I was not graced with "skinny genes" and because of that, I do  not sport skinny jeans. For the longest time it was even difficult to wear my regular jeans. I was determined to get back into my clothes after G was born. Everything you read and everything your doctor tells you indicates that it takes about 9 months to put on the baby weight and we should expect it to take about that long to get it off.

The weight I've lost is post-baby weight...which is a huge accomplishment for me. Another huge accomplishment came yesterday morning. I only own a few pairs of jeans in the first place, and considering I'm behind on laundry...I thought I had washed at least one pair but it turned out that I had grabbed a pair of my hubby's instead. ::sigh:: What to do? It was casual Friday at work...I didn't want to waste a jean day! I stumbled upon a pair of jeans that I haven't been able to wear in about 2 years...not even before baby. I guess I kept them in hope of wearing them again someday...maybe? I almost didn't put them on because I was not up for more disappointment, but something inside said, "go for it!"

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I slipped them on...and without laying myself flat on the bed...they zipped!!! While they are not 100% comfortable, they readily zipped and brought a huge smile to my face. Talk about motivation! These past couple of days I've really slacked when it comes to portions, tracking and exercise. With a sick husband and baby, the majority of my focus has been on getting them well and work.

I'm back on track today and I'm feeling good. The house has gotten a bit out of hand this week and I have a lot to get done before church and our lunch company tomorrow. The baby is now down for her nap and I just had to share.

If you're like me and you sometimes need that little boost, do what you must to find it. Don't give up and undo all of the success that you've achieved. If I can do this, so can you.

By the way, one week from today I'll be joining many others in the HoosHeal 5k with my friend Shannon. It's hard to believe that it is almost here! I haven't trained as much as I'd hoped to but I'm still feeling pretty good about it. I'll finish. The. End.

In a related thought, I ran across this funny picture while browsing Pinterest the other day. I had to laugh but then it got me thinking...I don't want my daughter to ever see my happiness or lack there of based on the numbers on a scale. It just reiterated the importance of gaining a healthy self image as I also try to gain a healthier body. Praise God for simple truths.

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Monthly Weight Loss with Pictures

It's time for an update, so in lieu of my typical Five on Friday, I'll be sharing my current weight loss progress.

My weight loss journey continues...and with each day, I face new challenges. There are days I fight the exercise. There are days I just want to make excuses. And yet everyday, whether I want to acknowledge it or not, is an opportunity for me to better myself and the lives of others. I can't just sit back and expect change to happen...

 

 

Over the past month I've had several "ah ha" moments, which to many of you may seem more like "duh" moments, but nonetheless, I've laid claim to some new understandings.

 

 

Food is Fuel...It's Meant to Make Me Function, Not Fat. While most of you are nodding your head and thinking, how could she not know this, let me clarify. It is not a matter of not knowing, it is a matter of knowing, accepting, and applying. I've done the WW program in the past, and while I love the idea and for many it works, it never worked for me because I didn't have a firm grasp on "better eating." I accepted my point allowance and my splurge day. I counted my points, tracked my exercise minutes and thought that was enough. They were my points. I could eat what I wanted. That was the beauty of the program right? Wrong. Eating foods high in fat, calories and/or sugar just pack on the pounds. It doesn't matter that I had 20 points and ate a dozen doughnuts as long as I was in my point range...silly me. I now have a different food mantra. Food is Fuel. I enjoy the occasional donut or cupcake, but these are not my go to foods. While I enjoy a snack or two, I make better choices. I've figured out more ways to make food work for me, not against me. Need an idea on how to get started? Take a look at Foods that Turn to Fat to get some perspective. I'm not doing a "diet plan" this go-around. Instead I'm making lifestyle changes in the way I eat, cook and exercise.

 

 

Movement is a Must. I am becoming more accepting of exercise as a pro instead of a con. There are days when work has just exhausted me and by the time I make dinner, bathe the baby and get her to bed, fold some laundry and get things ready for the next day, I really struggle to muster up the will to exercise. The treadmill seems to mock me. My workout DVDs don't mind if they collect dust on the shelf...and yet just like anything else, if change is going to occur, movement must be made. An advancement, a forward motion, progression...whatever your terminology, a physical and mental shift must happen. I ran across this simple Activity Pyramid. It's a great example of how to incorporate activity and how often.

 



  

Okay, now that I've bored inspired shared with you my revelations, it's time to reveal this month's numbers and picture...I always get a bit nervous putting this out there but the amount of support, encouragement, and accountability are well worth it.

 

From December 29, 2013 to March 28, 2014 I am down another .5 inches in my waist and I have lost...

 

 

 
 
 
 

March 2014

As April unfolds, there are many exciting things ahead. This month we'll celebrate my last birthday in my twenties (eek!), my daughter's first birthday, her first Easter, the death and Resurrection of my Savior, my first 5k in almost 3 years, and several other itty bitty birthdays. It will be a full month of wonderful celebrations. As I look forward to these things, I'm also reminded that all of these festivities generally incorporate excellent food and sedentary activities. I have already begun mentally preparing myself for these occasions and I'm working on ways to find a balance that won't undo all that I've done and won't impede my progress.

 

Thanks for all of the encouragement. I hope to make more progress as the months pass on.

 



Revisiting the Journey

I enjoy waking up to blog posts from my dear friend and this morning was no exception. She has begun to blog about her pregnancy. The sweet moments, the ups and downs and all of the in-between moments, had me thinking back to my pregnancy. At this time last year we were just a couple of weeks from our daughter's unexpected arrival. It's hard to believe! I laid in bed listening to G babble over the monitor and could not help but revisit our journey.

Courtesy of Shay White Photography

We prayed so long for our little one and after my PCOS diagnosis, infertility treatment that led to many disappointments, wavering dreams, doctor visits, medications, blood work, etc., our prayers were answered. While we dream of adding to our family at some point, the anxieties and fears of our past attempt to rise to the surface. How quickly I can forget God's goodness and faithfulness. Not once did He leave me to hurt alone. While the journey was not easy, I was able to experience God in ways that I had not been able to do before. When you are TTC you enter into a whole new world. Whether it was the circumstances, the hormones or the medication, I was super sensitive and dealt with levels of emotions I was not prepared to experience. I know I didn't handle relationships in the best manner and I'm determined to find other ways to cope this go around.

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In discussing our hope to add to our family again someday, I often hear, "well at least you already have one baby if it doesn't work." Just an FYI, that does not ease the angst. While this statement is true, when the Lord places this type of desire in my heart, it is not something I can just shrug my shoulders at. I am not selfish. I am not ungrateful. While our experiences and journey were not as involved or as lengthy as some, it was our journey. It was our pain. It was our waiting. It was our hope. It was our joy. While many prayed for and empathized with us, we still experienced some dark times. I've been praying that the Lord will prepare our hearts and heads for whatever may come. I pray for peace and understanding. I pray for a stronger, sustaining sense of joy. While we don't know what the Lord has in store for us, we remain grateful for those who continue to pray with us and for those who didn't give up on me when I was not the person I wanted to be.

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All of this brings me to this morning (did I mention I have yet another snow day?! Crazy!). After reading my friend's blog, I got feeling particularly sentimental. Her post inspired me to become a little creative. I have a "free" Shutterfly book that expires today and I had no idea what to use it for. I have been working on a book for G's first year but I still have a month to go...and the offer expires today...so instead, I thought I would put my pregnancy journal highlights into a Shutterfly album. I'm really excited (and a little anxious although I know to some that seems silly) about revisiting my pregnancy with G. I love the maternity album I created leading up to her birth but I didn't capture the ins and outs of my pregnancy...all of which I'm sure she will learn to appreciate someday.

Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Saturday began before the sun as G and I headed out to meet one of my dearest friends at a consignment sale about an hour from home. It was quaint but I found several great deals and enjoyed adding some much needed items to G's Spring wardrobe. We then visited a local toy store that I have been eager to go to since my friend told me about the place. I picked up a book and a couple goodies for G's Easter basket. After a morning of walking around downtown we made our way back to a local eatery for lunch. I enjoyed their classic Buffalo Chicken Fingers while my friend enjoyed her Smothered Chicken. You know something is good when it tastes just like the delicious smell outside.

Girls Day 3.22.14

I loved catching up. She filled me in on her pregnancy (yay!!!) and other exciting tidbits regarding her family. Our friendship has grown so much over the last several years and I always looking forward to picking up right where we left off. Amidst the laughter and conversation, my poor baby became quite sick. Let's just say she went through two outfits, a blanket and several napkins...not to mention she lost her shoe, which my friend graciously retraced our many steps to find. We decided to call it a day and head home. She had a low grade fever and was very clingy. She also did not want to eat, which is a sure sign that my child is sick.

After a pretty restless night for both myself and G, Sunday morning brought about a need want for some comfort food...something that soothes the soul while it fills the tummy. While I missed my church family, I knew it was best to give her a day to recuperate.

I opted for a new recipe that I found on Pinterest. It was a delicious Baked Apple Oatmeal. I enjoyed a slightly altered version of that from The Dietitian Diaries.

Mommy's Little Helper

I began by halving the recipe. As where she combines everything in a casserole dish, I chose to mix the dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl.

I then evenly distributed the mixture into two smaller baking dishes. I topped the mixture with another sprinkling of brown sugar and a tablespoon of chopped pecans.

I then poured 3/4c. evaporated milk over the oatmeal and placed them in the oven to bake at 400 for about 30 minutes. (I would have used regular milk had I not run out. This would probably cut down on the calories).

Yum! This dish was perfect! The only thing that could possibly make it better would be a dainty drizzle of caramel sauce...hmm...maybe next time? By the way, I took left overs for lunch and they were just as good!

 

 

 

 



 

Five on Friday!

What a week! The weather has gone from winter to spring in a matter of days (with more winter weather possibly to come...really?!) Combining the weather, meetings and G's random waking at odd hours of the night, I'm grateful that Friday has come. I've missed you friend! Please join me and others for this week's Five on Friday!

[one]
We had a nice bit of snow at the beginning of the week that provided two unexpected snow days at home. We thoroughly enjoyed getting G out in the snow.

 

[two]
Our precious GEM turned 11 months old this week! It's hard to believe that we'll soon be celebrating her first birthday. I began a journal for her when I found out I was expecting and I've recently been thumbing through the pages. There is a mingling of joy and sadness among the pages but I look forward to giving it to her one day. I hope it will reaffirm the love we have for her and that it will serve as a constant reminder of just how much she was is wanted, how much she was prayed for and how much hope we invested into God's goodness and provision.

[three]
With her birthday, now less than a month away, I thought I should really begin planning. I've tried to savor every milestone and moment with her this past year. While crunch time is just around the corner, I've started getting serious about some of the ideas I've pinned to a secret Pinterest board. I also sent out her invitations this week. I found many designs that I like but had a hard time justifying the cost...so I came up with my own, sent the design to Walmart, and had them printed and sent to my house, all for around $4.00.

 

 

[four]
A few weeks ago my principal, who is amazing by the way, requested some "shamrock shake" cupcakes. I have never had a Shamrock Shake but from what everyone has said, it is a basic mint flavored shake. I looked over several variations for this type of cupcake, but in the end, came up with my own. While it is similar to many you'll find, I opted for a mint flavored butter cream and of course, it was all homemade. I can't wait to surprise her with them today!

 

[five]
My students set a behavior goal a few months ago that would reward them with an outdoor reading time. They recently met their goal and today is the day! We've waited for nice weather and, for at least today, it has arrived. My students, along with some of their parents, will be throwing blankets on the ground with a few good books, and will soak up the sunshine as they read. I'm really excited for this opportunity to get them outside and to further encourage their love of reading. We'll be having a "picnic" as well with various goodies that have been graciously provided by some of the parents.



11

At 1:33am this morning our beautiful little girl turned 11 months old. I can't believe she has graced our lives for almost a year now. To celebrate our miracle, here are 11 of our favorite things about her...

1. Your facial expressions keep us laughing.

2. You love to turn the lights on and off.

3. You are pulling up on everything!

4. You love to eat spaghetti.

5. If you are fussy in the car, we put on the Frozen soundtrack and you instantly calm down and often "sing" along.

6. When you wake up, you sit up and play with things in your crib.

7. We love to hear you "talking" over the baby monitor.

8. You've started giving kisses.

9. You pat and rub our shoulders when we pick you up.

10. You love it when we act like your shoes or feet are stinky.

11. You snuggle blankets like they are your best friends.



We can't imagine our lives without our miracle. Soon we'll be celebrating her first birthday...how the days fly.

Once Upon a Snowy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! The weekend was filled with wonderful things, as was today. G and I began the weekend with some errands and a few odds and ends. We woke up really early on Sunday morning to head out of town for a long awaited visit with some of our closest friends. They had their first child on Christmas day and, due to sickness and schedule conflicts, we've not been able to visit. It was such a joy to see C and her parents. We were in awe of how just a few months ago G was that little. They in turn were looking towards the future when their little one would be almost a year old. It's crazy how time flies!

 

We left early afternoon in the hope that we'd beat the incoming winter storm. We began with some rain which quickly turned to sleet and then as the evening approached, the precipitation turned to snow. We gained about 3 inches, which probably would have been more had we not had such nice warm weather just the day before.

 

 

 

 

We took great joy in celebrating G's first St. Patrick's Day today. She sported her green, and even so, we could not help but pinch those cute cheeks! We also took her out into the snow for a little play time. She and daddy had a blast with the wheel barrow. She made her first snow angel and dug little holes in the snow. All of this was made possible thanks to today's snow day. Only time will tell if tomorrow will be yet another.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

 



 

 

 

Playtime in the Snow!!!

 

 

(Pardon the reindeer socks...she kept getting a gap between her shoes and her snow suit...socks solved the problem.)

 

 

Liking the Hard to Love

This week has brought about a roller coaster of emotions. Between looking back on "what would have been" and looking forward to "what could be", my heart and mind have been on overload. You add to that the fact that the crazies have come out of the wood work this week, I'm done. Praise the Lord it is the weekend.

With all of the criticism, bad attitudes and hurtful words that I've experienced this week, I've had to do a "check up from the neck up" as my Sunday School teacher would say. It would be so easy to fall into bitterness and bite back...but such does not please the heart of my God. Instead, I've had to step back and remember a few simple truths...

These people were put in my life for a reason. Whether I like it or not, God has ordained our connections. He knew I would encounter these people and he knew these times would come. Because of this, I've had to both hold back and move forward. The truth is, either they or I are meant to learn something from all of this.

 

 

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Words hurt. I do my best to remain truthful but tactful. Others do not. I'm always amazed at how hurtful and hateful some people can be. This week I've been floored by some of the words that have alluded to personal opinions of me. This has taken its toll on me. I abide by the "do unto others" and sometimes it is hard to treat others the way I know the Lord expects me to treat them. It's times like this that I am so grateful for those who truly know me, love me, and give encouragement when it's needed.

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I am called to love everyone...that doesn't mean I like them. While this may sound a bit contradictory, I stand by it. I am called to love everyone, and I do my best to love them where they are. God forgives me moment by moment and loves me in spite of my flaws. It is only right that I do the same. Does that mean He likes everything I do? No. This rings true in my own life. I've had to remind myself almost daily this week that I am meant to love these people, though they hurt or offend. That does not mean I have to like their actions, attitudes, or remarks.

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Cling to the good. My God is good. My husband is good. My daughter is good. There are so many wonderful things in my life that can be easily overshadowed if I don't keep myself in check. Thanks to mercy and grace, each morning I wake up is a new day to make big and small contributions towards the Kingdom. Despite the week it has been, I am reminded that my God is enough. He will sustain me through these tough times. I will count it all joy.

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