parmesan crusted chicken

serves 4--prep time 10 minutes--cook time 2 hours

this is a family favorite for Sunday dinner...super easy and delish!

ingedients:

1 cube butter melted

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese {approximately}

1 sleeve crackers, crushed into crumbs{ i have used MANY different types from Ritz to Soda and even Wheat thins...sometimes even a combination of a few types depending on what I have...they all work!}

4-6 chicken breasts

salt and pepper

directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. i usually put my butter in a small shallow dish and place it in the oven while it is preheating to melt it. Put you crackers into a large Ziploc baggie and crush it into crumbs. add Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. pour crumb mixture onto a plate.

take your melted butter out. now dip your chicken into the butter. then roll the chicken in the cracker mixture until coated. place chicken into a baking dish.

pop it into the oven covered and bake for about 2 hours.

***a little twist...i do like to change it up sometimes by adding some fresh herbs {rosemary or thyme} or even some minced garlic and some times a combination of these. also a couple tips for left overs...serve it on a green salad or make a sandwich out of crusty bread. yummm...

red wine braised beef brisket

serves 6--prep time: 35 minutes--total time:4 1/2 hours

no knife required on this one!

ingredients:

4 tablespoons EV olive oil {divided}

3 1/2 pounds beef brisket, cut into 3-inch pieces

coarse salt and pepper

8 shallots halved or 2 medium red onions cut kabob style

6 garlic cloves peeled and smashed

3 cups dry red wine

1 cup sliced mushrooms

2 cups chicken broth

3 cups water

4 sprigs rosemary or thyme depending on what you have

directions:

preheat oven to 350 degrees.in a large dutch oven or heavy pot, heat 2 tbsp. EVOO over medium high.season brisket with salt and pepper; in batches cook until dark brown on all sides turning occasionally. {about 20 minutes}

transfer brisket to a plate set aside. discard fat from pot.

return pot to stove and add 2 tbsp. EVOO and shallots/onion and mushrooms. cook until browned. {about 3 minutes} add garlic and cook until you smell it. {about 2 minutes}

add wine and simmer rapidly until reduced by three fourths. {about 15 minutes}

return beef to pot and add thyme, broth and water. {you want it to cover meat} bring to a boil, cover and pop it in the oven. cook until it falls apart. {approx. 3 1/2 - 4 hours}

this dish goes great with the carrots with thyme recipe and mashed potatoes!

carrots with thyme

serves 4-prep time 5 minutes-total time 15 minutes
super easy and fresh tasting...perfect side dish!

ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds carrots sliced julienne style
1 tablespoon butter
1 small sliced onion
4-5 sprigs fresh thyme
1/2 cup chicken broth
coarse salt and ground pepper

directions:
in a large skillet, combine all ingredients and season with salt and pepper. over high heat bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed and carrots are tender. It takes about 7-10 minutes. Dish it up and eat your veggies!

Grateful

So the kids are back in school and I have two feelings about that...

On one front-Yahoo!!! I get 5 precious hours a week all to my self to do whatever it is my heart desires with NO interruptions. Pure bliss.

On another front-Yikes!!! My poor sweet boys are having such a good time with their friends and completely oblivious that they are picking up every germ known to man...and sticking it in their nose, ears, mouth, etc. {you get the idea}.

This time Mr. Aaron got what I thought to be "just another cold" and little did I know what was in store for us...

Aaron had what I like to call the perfect storm events occur. He got a cold, a double ear infection, seasonal allergies, add that to reactive airway disease{AKA asthma when you get a cold} and BLAM! His left lung basically collapsed and got us a "do not pass go" trip to the hospital. We spent 4 days and 3 LONG nights in the hospital and luckily he is doing fine now.

Through it all, with the IVs, breathing treatments, oxygen, needles, monitors etc...Aaron kept a smile on his face. Every nurse left his room with a smile on their face and same with everyone who came to visit. I was amazed at the sweetness and joy he spread to everyone. He is such an inspiration to me. When we left the hospital he was so grateful to see the warm sunshine and so excited to see the flowers in the parking lot, he actually made the nurse cry. I have never met anyone quite like him and I am so grateful to have him in my life.

Thank you to all of my friends and family for the love, support, help and prayers for my lil' buddy. My heart is truly full...

Ty's First Day of Preschool

Alrighty, my lil' man has begun is formal education...He's in preschool! He has been talking about it for quite some time and he has been soo excited. I wonder if he will be as excited when he realizes this is whole going to school thing won't stop until is mid twenties...

Here he is all ready to go.

"Say Cheese."------"Cheeeeeeeeeese."

Here is Ty with his "best buddy" Mason.

Ty and I.

So I can't believe both my little boy is in school now! I am so proud of this little guy. He is growing up so fast. I am absolutely enjoying (almost) every minute of it. They say time flies when you're having fun...and time is definitely flying. Good times.