Jolly New Years Eve

We had our snack day. Alot of people brought some great treats. The pineapple cake was a hit. I am always amazed at the supervisors, who make more money than any of us, and never bring anything don't mind helping themselves over and over. I know it is only food... and it is bad karma to think bad of them, but still, I just have to sigh.

I had my one on one today. It went fine.

We are staying in this New Years Eve. We do not feel the need to go out among the drunk drivers, crowds and cold weather to bring in the new year. Just happy to be here and together.

Monday - Hamburger and Fries

New Years Day - We always have the Southern traditional good luck New Years' meal of Pork Roast, Black Eye Peas (for luck), hominy (for peace) and Turnip Greens (for prosperity) served with cornbread and for dessert peach cobbler.

Wednesday - BBQ'd pulled pork sandwiches and coleslaw and fries.

Thursday - Grilled cheese sandwiches and soup

Friday - Alfredo Chicken and Biscuit Casserole and green salad

Saturday - Tacos

Sunday - Steak and Baked Potatoes and Salad

Sunday

It was a perfect day. We stayed in all day. Too icy cold to go anywhere. I worked on the laundry and picked up stuff around the house. Surfed on the computer. Just had a nice relaxing day.

I've been on the fence of what candidate I am going to campaign for. I watched Obama and Hillary's latest speeches in Iowa today. I think I still like John Edwards best, with Obama coming in second.

I made the pineapple cake for tomorrow's Snack Day at work. It came out perfect. It is one of my best cakes that I make. M wasn't happy it was going to go to work with me tomorrow. It is too bad we have to work a full day tomorrow. But it will be nice having Tuesday off. We plan to watch movies and I may do some beading.

These two pictures are by one of my favorite artists, Henri Peter. I would love to buy some of his prints and hang them all over my downstairs. Someday, maybe.

Saturday

No snow overnight! Yeah! I will enjoy the break in the snow as long as it lasts.

Lorna called last night. It was so nice to talk and laugh with her. We are planning our next bead session for after New Year's. I cannot wait.I want her to show me how to attached the clasps using the crimp bead to my necklaces.

This week's theme is Messy. I have chosen a messy snowy city scene, because we all know how I love driving in snow in town. LOL

I like this one of a messy snowy backup.

Friday

Did I mention I am getting tired of snow and it is only a week into winter. It is going to be a long season, indeed.

Payday Friday today. Too bad it is already spent. I am definitely ready to enjoy the weekend.

Feast One Hundred and Seventy Three

Appetizer

Name 2 things you would like to accomplish in 2008.

Attend the Largest Outdoor Quilt Festival in Sisters, Oregon next summer and Go Geocashing using my fabulous new GPS and my faithful laptop computer.

Soup

With which cartoon character do you share personality traits?

Bugs Bunny

Salad

What time of day (or night) were you born?

Early morning

Main Course

Tell us something special about your hometown.

A river runs through it and has the largest waterfall in any American city center.

Dessert

If you could receive a letter from anyone in the world, who would you want to get one from?

I would love to receive a letter from my long lost friend India Scarborough-Hines.

Word of Day - Apoplexy - A venerable term for a stroke, a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), often associated with loss of consciousness and paralysis of various parts of the body.
The word "apoplexy" comes from the Greek "apoplexia" meaning a seizure, in the sense of being struck down. In Greek "plexe" is "a stroke." The ancients believed that someone suffering a stroke (or any sudden incapacity) had been struck down by the gods.

Thursday

The drive to work wasn't so bad this morning. Work stayed busy all day. Barb was back today. Missed her.

After work I drove over to Janet's. She looked so sick. She hugged me so hard and so long, it broke my heart. I picked up the computer and Joanna is coming over this evening to pick it up. We are expecting more snow, so I hope she comes before the snow starts.

Thirteen Things about Saoirse 13 New Years Resolutions 1.... Stick to my diabetic diet and excercise program. 2. Walk on my treadmill everyday and use my gym membership at least 2 or 3 times a week. 3. Take my medicine as prescribed, everyday. 4. Make the effort to keep in touch with my friends. 5. Pay down our debt. 6. Clean out garage. 7. Declutter, clean and organize our house and keep it that way. Make our home our sanctuary. 8. Go geocashing. 9. Be more creative and enjoy more types of crafting. 10. Take a picture everyday for 365 days and post them on Flickr. 11. Meditate more, learn tai chi and live my beliefs. 12. Take a road trip to Sisters, OR to attend the Outdoor Quilt Festival. 13. Make an effort to keep in touch with family more often.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

More snow coming for tonight. They are predicting 4-5 inches to fall overnight. Driving will be interesting tomorrow morning.

Wednesday

It has been a busy past few days. I hope every one had a nice Christmas Eve and Day. Christmas Eve we treated ourselves to a dinner out. We went to The Onion. There wasn't too much open. All our favorites were closed. After dinner we came back and sat in the hot tub, hoping it would help M's shoulder fee better. And it did for awhile.

Christmas Day we headed out to the folks cabin at Loon Lake. It was a beautiful wintery scene there. We saw 5 eagles out on the lake which is almost all frozen over. I wish I would have had a better zoom lens on my camera so I could have taken some pictures. Had a nice dinner with the folks, along with their neighbors Bernie and Steve.

We got home before the snowstorm hit. It snowed all night and when I drove to work this morning it was still snowing pretty hard. It was slow at work today. Read alot of the new book I have started. Driving home was a nightmare. They had not sprayed the streets so the streets were compacted ice. Plus I had to go to Safeway and pick up prescriptions. I'm home now safe and sound. Makes me so nervous to drive on ice. It is not my driving - its all the other people sliding around driving way too fast.

I'm working on my New Years resolutions. I am going to try and come up with 13 for Thursday 13 for tomorrow.

Happy Christmas Eve

Did my 4 hours at work this morning. Flew over to Walmart. I have a stopped up drain so had to buy some Liquid Plumber.

Lots to do before I can settle down and just have a nice holiday evening.

Tomorrow is at the lake with M's family.

Sunday

It is snowing again. It snow about 3 inches yesterday. It made the roads slick, making driving treacherous.

I called my old friend Janet yesterday. I worked with her at Pitney. I had not talked with her for several years. I was sad to hear that she has cancer and has not worked for the last 8 months. She is now going to move back in with her Mom. I feel bad I didn't keep in better touch with her. But I made a promise I will now call at least every other week and maybe get her out to play bingo.

I don't get it. We can send $70 billion to kill more people in Iraq - but we cannot give enough to find a cure to this awful disease that so many of our people are dying of. Fa la la la - I'm sick of Christmas and it isn't even here yet.

Saturday

Today's theme is LIGHT

Hope you enjoy the photo I have chosen.

Winter Solstice

It was a very slow day at work. So time dragged a little bit. I gave bracelets and cards to Lori, Joanna, Melissa, Carol and Adrianne. Monday I will have a few more to give.

No Friday Feast today. She said she would have an updated one next week after the holiday.

I came straight home. I wrapped presents and watched tv. I am pretty tired this evening. Staying up late the last 3 nights has caught up with me.

I called Empire Movers for a quote to move the old refrigerator and tv up to the lake. Left a message on their machine. Called the clinic and made M an appointment for them to look at his shoulder. I also called White Box Pies and ordered 2 pies to take up to the lake on Christmas.

M's Mom left for the lake tonight. She won't be back til after New Years. Thanks for the cool pink jammies. I love them.

Since Friday Feast is taking the day off I decided to do the Friday Five

What is your fave thing about Christmas?

The Shopping

Did you believe in Santa Clause? If so, what was the best gift from him?

I always believe in the fat man bringing me gifts! Best gift is this year a GPS.

Do you have a Christmas Tree? Ribbon, Angel, Star or ______ on Top?

No Christmas tree this year

Best stocking stuffer you got?

A lottery ticket that I won $500

Wishing for a White Christmas?

I guess it doesn't matter what I am wishing for, we are going to get one like it or not!

Thursday

I've been so busy lately that I have neglected my blog. My spirits have been raised and I am feeling much stronger.

Today was our Christmas luncheon. I went with Lori. We had a good time.

I gave Jesse and Barb their bracelets. I gave the one I made for Carol to Nancy. I didn't feel it was quite right for Carol. So tonight I made more bracelets.

After work I went to Borders and picked up the book I ordered for M. I tried to get the boots he wanted from Big 5, but, they did not have his size.

Tomorrow is Friday and is Winters Solstice. Looking forward to the weekend. Monday I only have to work for 4 hours, so, I will get off at 9:00.

Sorry no Thursday13 today. No time to think 13 things out. I will start again fresh next week with my New Years Resolutions.

Tuesday

All I can say tonight after learning that the senate has passed the $70 billion bill for continuing Bush's tragic war machine, the closure of the Holloway case before they even know what happened to her, the rise in the price of fuel which causes the price of everything to rise, the slow decline of our economy and everything that has gone wrong since Bush took office I am sorely depressed and wish I had the magic solution to change the way things are spiralling downhill.

I will never understand why we think someone who plays sports for a living or a person who plays make believe on the big screen are more valuable than a doctor who holds life and death in his hands everyday or a scientist who can develop a cure or a normal everyday person who goes to work everyday, supports and raises a family and lives a decent life.

Then I see most everyone going around being merry xmas cheery, like the war isn't raging on, that we do not have one decent candidate running in either party that will make the changes needed to turn things around, that gas prices are at an all-time high, along with everything else and on and on and on...

I guess what I am saying is that it's all good, now that I've given up hope!

Wishing everyone Peace. Maybe tomorrow I will feel more bright and cheerful.

Monday

Vacation day! How nice is to sleep in til 7:30? It snowed overnight but only 1 inch. I got up and made breakfast. Not sure what is planned for the rest of the day.

Here's what is up this week at our house. I'm keeping it simple again this week.

Check out other menu's here.

Monday: Hamburgers and fries

Tuesday: Carnitas, rice with tortillas and salad

Wednesday: Corndogs and onion rings

Thursday: French Bread pizzas

Friday: Tacos

Saturday: Fish sandwiches and fries

Sunday: Shrimp Louies

Sunday

We stayed in all day. I made Chex Mix and we've been watching movies.

Sunday Seven Episode 120

In the early 1960’s the legendary Jim Henson began creating characters that would come to be known as Muppets.
He liked to tell reporters that he combined the words marionette and puppet to come up with his own name, but it would later be revealed that he just liked the name and rolled with it.
There are plenty of Muppet characters to choose from, but this week’s question only asks for seven.

My favorites are:

1. Kermit

2. The Great Gonzo

3. Beaker

4. Animal

5. Swedish Chef

6. Grover

7. Statler & Waldorf

and so many more....

Saturday

The forecast is calling for snow everyday this week. It snowed about an inch overnight and it is snowing still. I hope it doesn't snow too much today. I need to get out and run some errands. But I have a 3 day weekend, so, I am not in such a hurry to get everything done in just 2 days as usual.

How does a house get so cluttered in such a short time by just 2 people? I will spend this morning putting stuff away and getting the laundry caught up. I plan for this afternoon to do some beading. I want to make a few bracelets for a few people at work.







How to play PhotoHunt:
Simple. You just play by posting a photo for the weekly theme on YOUR site - that’s it. Keep in mind, more will find you if you comment on my weekly PhotoHunt posted on the main page.
How will you know who is playing? View my comments each week, comment when you play so others can find you or Surf PhotoHunt on Technorati.

Tip: For the title of your post use “PhotoHunt: Theme” or something similar to help others know what is intended for the PhotoHunt.

This week's theme is: SMALL

I have chose 2 pictures this week because I could not decide between the 2.


They have opened a plant to build these small electric cars in Spokane, WA




I loved this photo when I saw it and wanted to share it. Small dogs reading comics.


Drove M to work. Went shopping from there. Stopped at Beyond Beads. Lots of cool stuff there. Went to Borders. Ordered the book M wanted. Then went to Walmart. Got alot of things we needed. Streets were sprayed so driving was good.


Around 5:00 I took M a mocha. Roads are starting to get icy. I will need to really take it easy when I go to pick him up at 9:00.

Friday

I went and got my hair done last night. I had it streaked with blonde, violet and bronze. I love it! By the time I was done it was snowing pretty hard. The drive home was miserable. Stayed up til 10:00, which is definitely too late.

I found out my old friend Kelly from Pitney started at work today. She is in the new training class. This is so cool. I was very happy to see her.

After work I went to Joann's. They had beading supplies at 30 -40% off. I also went to Safeway with the intentions to buy dog food and aspirin. I bought everything else except those 2 things I went for.

They were predicting another big snow to come through but it went north of us.

Feast One hundred & Seventy Two

Appetizer

Make up a word and give us its definition.

Cockashihtzipoo -A cross between a shihtzu, poodle and cocker spaniel

Soup

What is currently your favorite song?

Teardrops On My Guitar by Taylor Swift

Salad

What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?

Magellan GPS

Main Course

Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life.

L'air Du Temps by Nini Ricci was the perfume my mother always wore.

Dessert

Who is someone on television that you feel probably shouldn’t be, and why?

Everyone, even O'Reilly, Hannerty and Limbaugh, have a right to wave their freak flag. That is why I have a remote control so I don't have to watch their dumb asses!

Thursday

I bought M and I some cute country xmas stockings from Cheryl. She is so crafty. I wish I knew her secret in finding time to do the crafts and hobbies I enjoy.

Thirteen Things about Saoirse 13 Joys of the Season 13 Things Money Can't Buy 1.... The cheerful sounds of jingle bells 2. The sweet warmth of hot chocolate after snow shoveling 3. The blessed relief of shoe removal after holiday shopping 4. The childish delight of making snow angels 5. The aerobic excercise of rooting through the closet for buried holiday decorations 6. The guilty pleasure of throwing your diet to the wind in favor of holiday cookies 7. The melodious tones of carols being sang with friends 8. The annual reprieve from the "less is more" rule 9. The remembered joys of holidays past 10. The no-fuss enjoyment of holiday leftovers 11. The peaceful beauty of Christmas Eve 12. The once a year blanket permission to greet strangers as friends 13. The heartfelt prayer that humankind will live in peace and that children will never know war

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wednesday

Snowed again overnight. Starting to get tired of cold and snow and its not even New Years yet.

After work I took my library books back.

M's Mom brought over a gift of Cougar Gold Cheese. My favorite! Big thank you. We also received in the mail today a fruitcake from her also. We both love fruitcake. That was a nice suprise too.

I found this meme on a favorite blog I like to read: In a Mad, Mad World and thought I would play along.

"If anyone wants to play along go ahead. I look forward to learning a little more about you.

"Fifty questions...

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?

I really need to see Des tomorrow and get my hair done.

2. How much cash do you have on you?

Less than a dollar in change.

What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?

Floor

4. Favorite planet?

Venus, it is the planet that guides me.

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?

Karen from the Yuppie Puppy

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?

Hey bee bop bee bop pick up the phone you have a call jingle

7. What shirt are you wearing?

M's green and gray tshirt pjs

8. Do you label yourself?

Crazy ever hopeful liberal

9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing?

Wearing just socks

10. Bright or Dark Room?

Bright

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?

Great blog and fun humorous wit

12. What does your watch look like?

I do not wear one

13. What were you doing at midnight last night?

Sound asleep - 3 hours before I need to wake

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?

Thanks for the gift card

15. Where is your nearest 7-11?

On Indiana Avenue near the notorious Nevada corridor

16. What's a word that you say a lot?

Idiot

17. Who told you he/she loved you last?

Michael

18. Last furry thing you touched?

Sammie, or was it Lady our pups

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?

I take 3 kinds of diabetic drugs a day and one 3 times a day... sooo I lost count

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed?

I use a digital camera

21. Favorite age you have been so far?

35

22. Your worst enemy?

I would say myself and my opinionated mouth

23. What is your current desktop picture?

A fantasy photo of a woman and unicorn in an enchanted woods

24. What was the last thing you said to someone?

Not interested to a telemarketer

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be?

I would take the million, I am afraid of heights

26. Do you like someone?

I have a few close friends who I like alot

27. The last song you listened to?

Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?

28. What time of day were you born?

Early Morning

What’s your favorite number?

31

30. Where did you live in 1987?

Lodi, California

31. Are you jealous of anyone?

Yes, a little bit

32. Is anyone jealous of you?

Anyone still single and looking for what I have found and made all mine

33. Where were you when 9/11 happened?

At work at Pitney Bowes

34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money?

Fill out the little slip to get my money back

35. Do you consider yourself kind?

I try everyday, but sometime the evil streak inside rises up.

36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be?

Around my ankle - a ring of shamrocks

37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?

Gaelic

38. Would you move for the person you loved?

I will always follow

39. Are you touchy feely?

Only with M & pups

40. What’s your life motto?

Its all good now that I have given hope

41. Name three things that you have on you at all times?

wedding ring, earrings, glasses

42. What’s your favorite town/city?

San Francisco, CA

43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash?

Library fine

44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?

Last month to both kids

45. Can you change the oil on a car?

No, I take Jiffy to Jiffy Lube

46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?

Working as a plumber in San Jose, CA.

47. How far back do you know about your ancestry?

Thanks to Clyde back to the 1500's

48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and what did you dress in?

Jane's wedding

49. Does anything hurt on your body right now?

No

50. Have you been burned by love?

Yes, so I found the someone who will never do that to me

Tuesday

It is a gray cold day here in Spokane. At work it was steady busy. I gift wrapped and dropped off my Tree of Sharing Gift. I ordered some handmade soaps from Nancy.

After work I went over to Target again and bought a gift card for one of M's co-workers. Then I stopped at Safeway again and bought the oil I forgot to buy yesterday. Stopped for a mocha and then came home.

Not much else going on, just putting stuff away and doing laundry and updating the blog.

Secret Ingredient Tuesday #3
Do you like trying new recipes? Are you always looking for something new to cook? Each Tuesday, a secret ingredient will be posted here. It is your mission to come up with 5 recipes that use that secret ingredient. Then feel free to browse through the other participant's blogs.

Today's Secret ingredient is Chicken. My recipes are as follows:

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

4 boneless chiken breasts, cut in bite sized pieces

2 Tbsp oil

8-12 corn tortillas

1 Large can green enchilada sauce

1 small onion, diced

3 green onions diced

1 can black olives, sliced

3 Cups Cheddar Cheese, grated

Fry chicken pieces, tear tortillas in small pieces, layer ingredients starting with tortillas, sauce, meat, onions, olives and cheese. Keep making layers until all ingredients used. Top with cheese.

Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

Chicken Marsala

/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon Essence

2 (6 to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in halves and pounded thin

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 tablespoons butter

3 cups sliced mushrooms (cremini, oyster, shiitake)

3/4 cup Marsala

1 cup chicken stock

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Chopped chives, for garnish

In a shallow bowl or plate combine the flour and Essence and stir to combine thoroughly. Quickly dredge the chicken breast halves in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking to remove any excess flour.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and cook the chicken breasts until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Add 1 tablespoon of the remaining butter to the pan and add the mushrooms. Cook, stirring frequently, until mushrooms are golden brown around the edges and have given off their liquid. Add the Marsala wine and bring to a boil, scraping to remove any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. When the wine has reduced by half, add the chicken stock and cook for 3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Lower the heat to medium and return the chicken breasts to the pan and continue to cook until they are cooked through and the sauce has thickened, about 5 to 6 minutes. Swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, add salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with chopped chives and serve immediately.

This is the best fried chicken recipe I have found, since I cannot make chicken as good as my Mom's:

Ultimate Fried Chicken Recipe
Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence


1 (3 to 4 pound) chicken, cut up into 10 pieces

Kosher salt

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons garlic powder

2 tablespoons onion powder

2 tablespoons sweet paprika

2 teaspoons cayenne

Freshly ground black pepper

1 quart buttermilk

2 tablespoons hot chili sauce (recommended: Srirachi)

Peanut oil, for frying 1/4 bunch fresh thyme

3 big sprigs fresh rosemary

1/4 bunch fresh sage

1/2 head garlic, smashed, husk still attached

Lemon wedges, for serving

Put the chicken pieces into a large bowl. Cover the chicken with water by 1 inch; add 1 tablespoon of salt for each quart of water used. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
In a large shallow platter, mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne until well blended; season generously with salt and pepper. In another platter combine the buttermilk and hot sauce with a fork and season with salt and pepper.
Drain the chicken and pat it dry. Dredge the pieces, a few at a time, in the flour mixture, then dip them into the buttermilk; dredge them again in the seasoned flour. Set aside and let the chicken rest while you prepare the oil.
Put about 3 inches of oil into a large deep pot; it should not come up more than half way. Add the thyme, rosemary, sage, and garlic to the cool oil and heat over medium-high heat until the oil registers 350 to 365 degrees F on one of those clip-on deep-fry thermometers. The herbs and garlic will perfume the oil with their flavor as the oil comes up to temperature.
Once the oil has reached 350 to 365 degrees F, working in batches, carefully add the chicken pieces 3 or 4 at a time. Fry, turning the pieces once, until golden brown and cooked through, about 12 minutes. Total cooking time should be about 30 minutes. When the chicken is done, take a big skimmer and remove the chicken pieces and herbs from the pot, shaking off as much oil as you can, and lay it on a tea towel or brown paper bag to soak up the oil. Sprinkle all over with more salt and a dusting of cracked black pepper. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces. Once all the chicken is fried, scatter the fried herbs and garlic over the top. Serve hot, with big lemon wedges.

Almond-Crusted Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Dried Apricots and Cherries

3/4
cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped
1/4
cup dried apricots, cut into fine julienne
1
cup tawny port
1/2
cup water
salt and pepper
8 (6
ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast halves, pounded 1/4 inch thick
1/4
cup flour
2
eggs, beaten
1/2
cup finely chopped whole blanched almonds or slivered almonds
1/2
cup dry breadcrumbs
2
tablespoons unsalted butter
2
tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2
tablespoons chopped shallots
1 1/2
cups whipping cream

In small bowl combine cherries, apricots, port and water.
Cover and set aside 6 hours or overnight.
Drain liquid into small saucepan.
Salt and pepper both sides of chicken breasts.
Spoon about 2 tablespoons fruit onto center of each chicken piece.
Fold both sides over fruit to overlap, and secure with bamboo skewer or wooden picks.
Into three shallow bowls place flour, egg and almonds mixed with bread crumbs.
Thoroughly coat each filled chicken piece with flour, then egg, then almond mixture.
Place on plate in single layer; cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
Heat oven to 375 degrees.
In 12-inch skillet heat butter and oil over medium heat.
Pan-fry the chicken bundles, turning once, until well browned, about 5 minutes on each side.
Transfer to baking sheet and finish cooking in center of oven 8 to 10 minutes, being sure chicken juices run clear.
Meanwhile, add the shallots to the port mixture and reduce by half over medium-high heat.
At the same time, in another saucepan, reduce the cream by half.
Strain the port mixture into the reduced cream.
Season with salt and pepper.
Ladle hot sauce onto eight serving plates, dividing equally.
Remove skewers and place chicken on sauce.
Garnish with mint sprigs, if desired.

Sweet And Sour Chicken With Oranges

***MANDARIN MARINADE***

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon shao hsing wine OR dry sherry

2 teaspoons cornstarch,

2 teaspoons vegetable oil ,

2/3 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts,

2 tablespoons oil,

1/2 cup sliced water chestnuts

1/3 cup sweet and sour sauce

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

11 ounces mandarin oranges -- drained

3 green onions -- cut into 2-inch slivers

1. Combine marinade ingredients in a medium bowl. Remove skin from chicken and cut meat into bite-sized pieces. Place in the bowl with the marinade and set aside.

2. Place a wok or large skillet over high heat until hot. Add oil, swirling to coat sides of pan.

3. Add chicken; stir-fry for 2 minutes or until chicken turns opaque.

4. Add water chestnuts, sweet and sour sauce and crushed red pepper; cook for 1 minute. Gently stir in half of the mandarin oranges and half of the green onions.

5. Transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with remaining mandarin oranges and green onions.

Please let me know if you find any of these recipes tempting. I am lookign forward to seeing other bloggers' recipes.

Monday

Snow on the roads all the way to work. The city did not spray even the main streets. Made it to work okay.

The new people hit the floor today. There went the neighborhood. I'm sure that is what they said when my class hit the floor a year ago. The system kept going down, so time kind of dragged. I saw Lori when I went downstairs on my break.

After work I went over to Target. I had to buy the Tree of Sharing present, since we have to turn those in tomorrow. I also stopped for gas. Gas prices seem to be coming down just a tad. Still too high.

I headed over to Safeway by the house to pick up the week's groceries and a few prescriptions for M.

Had dinner at M's mom's. It was nice that I did not have to cook or clean. I am planning very easy meals this week. I have stuff to do each night and M will be working til 9:00 each night so the easier the better.

Monday - M's Mom's house

Tuesday - Cheese Braats & Onion Rings

Wednesday - Club Salad & Crescent Rolls

Thursday - BLT's and French Fries

Friday - CornDogs & Fries

Saturday - Breakfast

Sunday - Spaghetti, Salad & Garlic Bread

To be inspired by other Monday Menu Planner's click here