Back in Webland!

We finally have Internet up and running in our new house! I have spent the last long while catching up on everything I like to read on the web. It has been a crazy week . . . to say the least! Moving in the pouring rain with sick kids might have had something to do with that!

I have lots of updating to do, but not right now. So if you want something new to see, check out my last week's worth of pictures on my photo blog. I posted all of them tonight, but took each one on the day it says it was posted.

I. love. my. new. house.

Life is good. My kids are recovering from massive colds and the house is no longer filled with boxes (well, the upstairs is box-free anyway . . .)

More updates and fun pictures to come . . .

All my bags are packed
I'm ready to go
I'm standing here inside my door
Waiting for my realtor to call and tell me he has the keys to our new house and that we can go in.

No, I'm not anxious or excited at all, why do you ask?

And in related new: I ran out of boxes! I have resorted to stuffing the last of the things into plastic sacks.

I will soon be without Internet, so farewell for now . . .

Saturday Night Treat

Oh, how I wish I could have a treat. . .

Yummy!

Chemical Engineers

Fact: Chemical Engineers can fix everything (because they know everything)!

I didn’t used to really believe this fact; I just thought it was a line Chemical Engineers like to play up. But after being married to one for over six years, I am now a believer!

Last night, Todd fixed my broken lens! What I thought was a break, actually turned out to be the two main pieces of the lens popping apart. I looked at it for a long time before he got home and couldn’t figure out how it even went together, but Todd looked at it and fixed it in about five minutes. Thank you honey, thank you SO MUCH!

Honey, when you took apart my broken washing machine a couple of years ago, and I saw springs literally fly out from it, I doubted you. I am now officially sorry that I ever did! You did fix the washer, using every spring (without the instruction book) and it worked like brand new.

I won’t doubt you again. You can fix anything! I guess you were right (yeah yeah, you knew you were), because you’re a Chemical Engineer. ;)

Broken

I dropped one of my camera lenses today and yes, it broke in two. And yes, I cried. I have very bad luck with my camera it seems. Less than a year ago, Madeline got a hold of it and flung it onto the tile floor which broke the pop and external flashes. I dished out money to fix the external flash, but the pop flash is still broken. And now my favorite lens is broken too. I have two others, but my favorite one is busted. Right now I feel like retiring from my lovely hobby of photography. But not because I don't love it.

I suppose the money I've been saving to buy stuff for the new house just might go towards a new lens now. (Because of course I really wont retire my hobby, I just like it too much!) Good thing it was my nifty 50 and therefore not too expensive.

sigh . . .

I've been a little bored today. I just can't pack. one. more. box. Not today. I need a break! But there isn't much to do when all your crafting items are packed or about to be packed. And when all your bake ware is packed as well. . . and the kids are happily watching their one show for the day.

So, I have been wasting some time looking through all the stuff on the cutest website ever. Love the rose storage bin. Love the toothbrush holders. Love just about everything on it.

If you're bored too, go here!

March Recipe

Chicken Pizzaiola with Mozzarella and Pepperoni

From the editors of Cook’s Illustrated: The Best 30-Minute Recipe

Serves 4

3 cups tomato sauce (24-26 oz. jar)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and ground black pepper
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
20 slices pepperoni
(Serve with cooked noodles)

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Spread tomato sauce into 13x9 baking dish.

2. Spread parmesan into shallow dish. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Working with one breast at a time, dredge in parmesan. Press on parmesan to make sure it adheres. Lay chicken in baking dish, smooth side facing up.

3. Place chicken in oven and bake 15 minutes.

4. Increase oven temperature to 475 degrees. Mound ¼ cup of mozzarella on top of each chicken breast, then shingle 5 slices pepperoni over cheese. Continue to bake until cheese melts and until thickest part of breast registers 160 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 5-7 minutes. Serve with the sauce over noodles.

Variations:

Chicken Pizzaiola with Provolone and Capicola: Substitute 1 cup shredded sharp provolone for mozzarella and 4 slices capicola for pepperoni.

This family-friendly recipe can accommodate any of your favorite pizza toppings like cooked crumbled sausage, sautéed peppers, onions, or mushrooms, or sliced olives.