10 more inches!

And even more snow.  Good gracious.  I really have been enjoying it (and thankfully My Man can work from home), but I really need to get back some normalcy around here!! 

The wind howled and the power surged lastnight so there was no alarm this morning - and subsequently no workout till later in the morning... : )  No school either, for that matter.  The kids have played well today - and out in the snow for an hour too.  Followed by hot cocoa. 

We had pancakes for breakfast, the cocoa in the afternoon and now homemade pizza.  A very homey, toasty day : )

Christopher has started a new 'thing'.  When he gets sent to his room he cries till he gets to the top.  If I haven't responded appropriately he stands at the top and says, 'Mom!  I cying!  Mom!  I cying!'  Makes me laugh.

Oh and school has now been cancelled for tomorrow too : )

Cashew Chicken - yes please!!

This was really delicious and super easy!  I need to double it next time!!

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thigh tenders or chicken breast tenders

1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp canola oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup cashews

Directions:
Combine flour and pepper in large Ziploc bag. Add chicken. Shake to coat with flour mixture. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken about 2 minutes on each side. Place chicken in slow cooker. Combine soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes in small bowl; pour over chicken. Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. Add cashews and stir. Serve over rice. Makes 4-6 servings.
If you want like sauce and want to have some to pour over the chicken and the rice, double the sauce ingredients.

Snow, snow and more snow

I have been without my laptop for a week!!  I'm so glad to have it back, and in the middle of a snow storm nonetheless.

Much happening here, as usual.  Lola's birthday party (roller skating) and then 4 days later, Valentine's Day parties (3 in 2 days) - pretty wild.  And then, yesterday was my birthday.  I just have to say I feel so blessed and so loved and so completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of sweet thoughts and gestures - it probably helped that Bible Study fell on my birthday so my fellow students brought me lots of goodies : )

Thank you SO much friends for stocking my cabinets with gummy worms, kisses, reece's peanut butter cups, m&ms and dark chocolate bars.  Not to mention the brownies, mug, scarves and balloons.  Good gracious people!!  My Man got me a very special gift and a box of sea salt caramels too!!

Speaking of, I have been wanting to shop for some 'blingy' jeans for over a year now - don't have any and have not done it.  Well, My Man, took it upon himself.  He did the research, bought them AND they fit!  I couldn't believe it. 

Anyway, I tell you all that to tell you a little story about Lo.  I should also explain that My Man spent more on these jeans than I would have - he spoiled me indeed.

I had the jeans on for less than 10 seconds and Lola caught sight of me.  She said, 'Mom, those are sparkly'.  Yes, Lo, they are.  Daddy got them for me.  'I want some like those!'  You don't say?  So fitting.  The girl would cover herself in glitter head to toe if she had her own clothing line.  Her request struck me as fitting.

Anyway, I am behind on sharing my most recent favorite recipes and even more behind on sharing pictures from our recent special events.  Wait till I tell you about the roller skating birthday party....  it may have been a bit soon for everyone ; )

Lola just said, 'I stinkly remember...'