The best pot pie

Saw this recipe in one of my magazines and am so glad I tried it - DE-LISH!

Joe is not big on casseroles, salads, pot pies...anything where things are mixed together really :) So he did not try it - but I brought out the leftovers (along with some freshly baked homemade mac & cheese) for our friends on Saturday night and it was a big hit with them too! So if you happen to be the "pot pie type" - here's the recipe: (See my notes below recipe)

Chicken & Sweet Potato Pot Pie

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon(s) olive oil, plus more for the dishes
• 1 large onion, chopped 
  
• Kosher salt
• Pepper
• 1 pound(s) sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 (2- to 2 1/2-pound) rotisserie chicken
• 1/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup(s) dry white wine
• 2 cup(s) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup(s) frozen peas, thawed
• 1 cup(s) chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tablespoon(s) chopped fresh tarragon (optional)
• 1/8 teaspoon(s) freshly grated or ground nutmeg
• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 large egg, beaten
  Directions:
  
  Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Oil four 12-ounce ramekins (each about 4-inch round) or a 9-inch pie plate.Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper, and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes. Add sweet potatoes and cook, covered, stirring occasionally until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.Meanwhile, shred chicken, discarding skin and bones; set aside.Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Gradually stir in wine and then broth and bring to a boil. Add chicken, peas, parsley, tarragon (if using), and nutmeg. Divide mixture among prepared ramekins (about 3/4 cup each). Place ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet.Using a 4-inch round cookie cutter, cut out 4 pieces of puff pastry (or cut out one large circle). Place pastry on top of ramekins (or pie plate).Place pot pies on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush pastry with egg and if desired, using a sharp knife, cut three slits in top of each piece of pastry. Bake until puffed and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

Read more: Chicken and Sweet Potato Pot Pies Recipe - Woman's Day 

*Rachel's notes: I have never bought a rotisserie chicken but I found boneless chicken thighs in my freezer so I boiled & shredded that instead, I did not have fresh parsley so I used cilantro, I did not have white wine, so I used cooking sherry, and I did a whole pie instead of ramekins...I think that's all! The flavors were amazing, will definitely make again - maybe even with cilantro instead of parsley again!! YUM!






Recipe from the March edition of Woman's Day


source

Is it spring yet?!?!

We are Bored! And have cabin fever.
Lots of baths.... eating (unless you are lucy.......) and noah is getting the hang of it......playing in boxes....snowflake making....playing in the snow (Lucy and Daddy)....one walk in the snow for all 4 of us :)......lots of laying around.....lots of reading books and watching dora, backyardigans, olivia, curious george, thomas.....you get the idea. VERY READY FOR walks, the park, anything outdoors!!!!


































Can't wait for THIS!!!!!

Needed This

Read this lovely quote here & thankful people seem to post things like this on their blogs just when I need to read them! <3 <3

"What does it matter if we never have a vacation or see the Grand Canyon or if the van rusts right through or if the mattress springs sag to the floor like an old mare given out?

We don’t have to try to arrive anywhere or climb anything or try to figure out how to make it –

Just make our lives a living sacrifice and let the days makes us like gold, to arrive before His throne.

The luxury of simply, lavishly growing old with you, 

all the messy, magnificent days adding up to years – 

I don’t know if He will ever give this 

and it’s His alone to give -

But every day is one day more and each sunrise is one day older and what if we were done with missing out on whatever we have right now?

If the highest love gives the best gift – is the best gift the gift of the everyday?

The everyday asking and listening and picking up your socks and saying nothing and rubbing your back and laying out fresh towels and smiling more because this is what you like that best. That our life together makes me happy and you can see it, how my eyes dance.

Everyday washing your stubble out of the sink and everyday sitting beside you and everyday saying nothing but leaning over and touching your hand.

It doesn’t matter how our love started or has stumbled – only that it keeps growing. This, by grace, we can do everyday."

-Ann Voskamp

Sibs

Can't get over these two!
LOVE how Lucy is starting to tell Noah things - "Look Noah" this and that, "Its ok Noah" if he is sad, and just melts my heart when they hold hands. Noah grabbed Lucy's hand in the second photo!
Oh and today (last couple pics) she was reading to him from her Thomas book and letting him hold it and then taking it back and saying "thank you noah" and then putting her arm across him so he would grab it with both hands and then she would giggle......ahhhhhh preciousness!! <3 <3

Caprese Grilled Cheese

Not sure if I have posted about these or not. But you MUST try this sandwich.
It's easy and so, so good. You can thank me later.
Extra delicious in the summer time when you grow your own basil and tomatoes!

Caprese Grilled Cheese

2 Slices sourdough bread 

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Fresh basil, chopped

A few slices tomatoes

Butter

Garlic powder

Spread two slices of bread with butter and sprinkle with a little garlic powder. Fill the bread with cheese, tomatoes, and chopped basil. Broil in the oven or fry on the stovetop until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is completely melted.

Recipe & photo here

Appointment stats

My little bugs are little!
Everyone thinks Noah is a big boy because of that round head but don't let those cheekers deceive you - he's only in the 15% for weight!! He is about average for height & head.
Lucy moved up to the 12% for weight - woo hoo, although she is 80 & for height and head - wow!

Noah: 15lb 15oz, 26.75"  (6 months)
Lucy: 23lbs 12 oz, 35"      (2 years)

Noah Joseph @ 6 months:















Lucy Joy @ 2 years:











First sunday in the 2's classroom :)

Wool Throws

Sorry about all the I'm in love with my JCP finds lately. But I am.

Found these wool throws on clearance here - the reviews were all great. They are soft & made in America.

I ordered 3 colors online to try them out and decide which to keep, but they all are great so I'm having a hard time deciding but the gray striped one is my favorite so far with the blue & white not far behind :)

Spring finds + dresses

I've always loved lace/brocade type dresses/tops/skirts - so when I got an email with this top from Target this morning I was fairly excited - it's on sale for $15 and it's in 3 great colors






Photos from here

Also found a pretty cream colored lace dress with a pink underlay with a pink ribbon sash/bow at the waist from JCP - maybe for Easter dress? Couldn't find a pic online. But also really liked these 3 dresses below - really liked the first one and all the dresses I was finding with the peplum detailing but it just doesn't work with my hips. would have been great on my 23 year old self, ha :)
The second dress I could only order in Petite size so it's just too short but the third dress works I think - I like the pattern and the feel of it. Have to get Joe's opinion and see what he thinks, but it's fun to find some new dresses (especially clearance dresses!) that fit well for springtime & especially post-baby!! :)








photos from here

Honey-Jalapeno Chicken Tenders

Thank You Pinterest!
Made these tonight - SO good! Have to have the cilantro on top and sour cream on the side. DELISH!

Serves 6 to 8

• ¼ cup honey
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• ¾ teaspoon black pepper
• 3 pounds chicken tenders
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Sour cream for serving

Preheat the grill and oil the grill rack.

Whisk together the honey, soy sauce, oil, garlic, jalapeños, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Toss the chicken in the marinade and let stand for at least 10 minutes.

Grill the chicken until well browned and cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes. Serve the chicken sprinkled with the cilantro and with a dollop of sour cream on the plate.

“Honey-Jalapeño Chicken Tenders” excerpted from The Farm: Rustic Recipes for a Year of Incredible Food by Ian Knauer. Copyright © 2012 by Ian Knauer. Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Images credit Hirsheimer & Hamilton. All rights reserved. Read our review of this book.

Recipe and photo from here

JCP

Ummm....hello JCP. nice to meet the new you! If only I had a prom to attend....I LOVE these dresses - new line, Pearl, Georgina Chapman for Marchesa. And the prices are actually quite reasonable for this caliber of dresses.  Also - have you been noticing their ads in like every magazine? Every ad has a piece, outfit, shoe or bag that I love and I got a mailer with some Great outfits plus a $10 coupon on a purchase of $10 or more....So I had to go. And I got a pair of those colorful skinny jeans - similar to the third pic and I LOVE them. They actually fit really well unlike most brands these days :) Highly recommend!