Tastes like chicken!

I made a delicious chicken salad last night, and wanted to share the recipe with you. You can find it here: I originally found the recipe in an old "Cooking Light" magazine my Grandma gave me. It was delicious on toasted 7 grain bread for a light supper after working late. Try it!

Soup, etc...

I just cobbled together the most delicious soup! I was going for an Italian-flavored vegetable soup, but ended up with one that tastes sort of Mexican flavored-it's just crying out for some crispy tortilla strips on top. I want to chronicle what I did so that perhaps I can duplicate it.

Delicious pantry/freezer vegetable soup:

1 Onion, minced
2 small cloves of garlic, minced
2 carrots, scrubbed, with skins on, chopped
1 orange pepper, diced
2 dry bay leaves
pinch dried rosemary
pinch salt

Sweat the above ingredients for 10-15 minutes, until tender. Add:

1- 28oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
1- 14oz can kidney beans, undrained

approx. 4-6 cups homemade chicken (or vegetable) stock.

2 cups shredded frozen zucchini
1 zip-top bag full frozen corn kernels.

Simmer and enjoy!

(My plan was to cook pasta separately and mix it in all week for lunch, but this would go well with rice, mashed potatoes or tortilla strips!)

I did it!

I bought my wedding dress!


No, I won't put photos of it here because I don't want Mike to have any clue what it looks like until I walk down that aisle. I will tell you that it's beautiful, perfect for the kind of wedding we're having, and comfortable (at least, it will be once it's altered) It also has some unique little details that I just love!

It was half off of the price, and I bought it at a locally owned wedding boutique called "Something Old, Something New." So while it's not the eco-friendly dress I had hoped for, it's just what I wanted (without even knowing what I wanted until I put it on), and since I purchased it from a local store, that alleviates some of the guilt.


I'm so excited, I want to just put it on and wear it around! I even asked the salesgirl if i could wear it home, like in grade school when you wear your new shoes home.....

Only 342 Days to go!

Everyday Beauty-part 1

There's so much beauty in the things I see everyday, I have been collecting photos to share with you! Some of these photos are recent, others are from my collection of photos I have taken. You may have seen some of these elsewhere in cyberspace, like on my facebook or myspace page, or on my fiance's band's pages. Enjoy, and remember to see the beauty in what's around you each day!

This last one is the design in the caramel latte I had last night: it looks kind of like a mushroom. Aside from being made by the coolest barista in Syracuse at Freedom of Espresso, it was easily one of the best lattes I have ever had. Yummy!

Autumn

I love autumn:
The smell of woodstoves, and leaves, and coolness in the air.
The putting on of corduroy clothes.
Flannel Sheets.
Halloween.
Harvest-time (Yummy veggies at the market!)
Cool evenings to snuggle on the couch.
The beautiful colors.


This autumn, I'm taking my camera with me wherever I go to document the beauty I see, especially in the urban setting I live. Also, I have vacation next week: my plans include making and canning applesauce, sewing 2 skirts, baking bread, and who knows what else!

Finally on the wedding front:
Our reception venue is booked as the Zoo here in town (!)
I have a hold on the venue for our ceremony (A local state park)
Our save-the-date cards are here and awaiting addresses!

Next up: Officiant and photographer!

What a busy time of year, but so fufilling!