perfectly imperfect and so very precious

Yesterday I spent a good portion of the day at Calley's house, babysitting some poor sick little girls.  I came home later in the afternoon, and clicked on my blog, only to find that every single photo was gone and replaced with a rectangle with a question mark in it.  I store all my blog photos on Photobucket, you know, for safe keeping.  I knew not to google to find out what the problem was, so I clicked on their facebook link, and found that the problem was site-wide, with a lot of frantic and panicked people saying that their customers couldn't see any images . . . panic, panic.  Photobucket assured everyone that "we have not lost your data!", and they would soon have the problem fixed.  I had moments of worry, but trusted that a storage site as big as theirs would have backups and backups to keep everything safe.  Of course they did, and hours later when all the photos were restored, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This all got me thinking about photo storage, and also about a blog post I just read about this very thing---keeping our precious pictures safe.  We've had trusted hard drives crash before.  I lost the only images of some friends temple sealing with that crash.  I hadn't immediately burned them onto a cd, and it was only days later that they were gone---all gone!  Currently, Keith and I (our computers, that is) share a storage device and we use time machine to back everything up.  Until it got full, and now I think I need my own device for my own computer---which is showing its age with new and weird quirks.  Its almost 3 years old, which is ancient in computers, right?  With such a busy year last year, I've gotten behind with burning my images onto cd's, for my own storage.  We were told "the cloud" was for mobile devices, not for a desktop (which I find hard to believe).  Anyway, photo storage is on my mind.  We need more than one or two places to keep our photos safe, and I've felt a push to get this taken care of sooner rather than later.

Back to my day (and photos).  There was no school yesterday, Summer had a gymnastics meet, and I left early to go take care of Abby and Claire.  Claire's been quite the sick girl all week with an awful stomach flu.  Its been spreading around their family.  I arrived to find Abby with a stuffy, runny nose, Claire was doing better until I gave her some yogurt and then the tummy ache came back.  Poor girls.  Then Tyson came home before noon with his back in pain (it had gone out days before) and the beginnings of the stomach bug.  Calley has been sick too.  What does this have to do with photos?  Well, nobody was picture-perfect looking.  I wanted to get a picture of the kids together, and came prepared with a cute umbrella for them.  Luckily the rain stopped, but hey, I still wanted to have them hold the umbrella.  By then Summer had changed out of her sparkly gymnastics leotard and into her most comfy jammies.  Abby was quite mismatched (but cute) and Claire had been so sick that she was very pale and I couldn't get a brush through her hair.

I might be hanging out with the wrong crowd, but a LOT of people I know would not consider these pictures worth saving.  Nobody's looking at the camera and smiling all at the same time, and I dragged them out to the street "as is".  Would I care if these pictures were not stored properly and I lost them?  YES, of course I care and YES they are precious and I would miss them.  I guess I've gone off on a tangent, but these moments mean as much to me as them dressed up in their Sunday best in the perfect setting.   Its personal what we decide to save and store, but as for me, these everyday moments are perfectly imperfect.  Which makes them perfect in my book.

Apparently this is Claire's new angry face.  And she would not let go of that bag of pretzels.















This girl . . . no braces!  Replaced by a retainer.





Digital photo storage, imperfect pictures, hope my random thoughts made some sense.

chicken bacon and wild rice soup

Adding to my new recipe quest, this one's a definite keeper.  As I'm cooking a recipe for the first time, I always wonder if my family will like it as much as I do.  Well, I knew I had a winner when Keith announced that he wanted to take some with him to work, to have for lunch.  Do you know how many times in our 36-plus years of marriage he has wanted to take the previous night's dinner to work with him?  Umm . . . NEVERRRRR.  So yes.  This is a good one. (found on my sweet savannah blog).



Chicken, Bacon, and Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients:

3 (10 3/4 oz) cans chicken broth
2 cups water
1/2 cup uncooked wild rice, rinsed
1/2 cup finely chopped green onions
1/2 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cups half and half
1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
8 slices bacon crisply cooked and crumbled or chopped

Instructions:

1.  In a large saucepan, combine chicken broth and water.  Add wild rice and onions.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 30-45 minutes (or until rice is tender).  Once the rice is cooked, there will be some additional broth - do not drain.

2.  In a medium saucepan, melt margarine, stir in flour, salt, seasoning, and pepper.  Cook about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly.

3.  Gradually stir in half and half with the butter/flour mixture until slightly thickened, stirring constantly.  Add this creamy mixture back into the saucepan with the rice/broth.  Add chicken and bacon.  Heat on low, stirring every once in a while, for at least half an hour.  Do not boil.  The mixture will look thin, but the longer you heat the soup, the more the flavors will blend and the more it will thicken.  This soup is best served after gently heating for a period of time, or even the next day.  For extra flavor, add more poultry seasoning and/or more bacon.

Serves 6

All righty then, a few things:

First of all, the chicken broth can size?  A regular Swanson's broth can (soup can size) is something like 14 oz.  It will be just fine.

Next, the big concern I had was the roux (the butter/flour blend).  That seems like a LOT of flour to add to the butter, and in the comment section, a lot of readers had problems with that.  "Too thick, like concrete" . . . but one reader said she lessened the amount of flour to 1/4 cup and it was perfect.  When I made it, I only used 1/4 cup and it was great.  BUT, the next time I make it, I think I'll use 1/2 cup of flour and make the soup a wee bit thicker.

I added two more bacon strips and just a sprinkle more of poultry seasoning.

For the wild rice . . . don't use a box of seasoned wild rice mix.  Just get a package of wild rice (usually its mixed with another type of rice as a blend).

This is sooooo perfect with fresh homemade rolls.  Sooo good.

chicken kiev crescent bake

Last year I made a "master list" of my best recipes.  Well, not "best", but easy dinner ideas that were tried and true and weren't too, too hard to make.  You know . . . its the "we have company coming and what do I cook" kind of list.  A couple of weeks ago I was stumped as to what to make for dinner, and I remembered my list.  As I read it, it was like "geez, I just fixed this or that, or they're going to get tired of that one".  It needed an update!

I've been craving comfort foods, so my first look was on the Pillsbury website.  Anything that includes biscuits or crescent rolls as ingredients are pretty delicious in my book!  Of course I was also looking at healthier options, don't get me wrong.  And those are also on my new cooking list.  But first, the crescent rolls won this round.  I made this last night, and it got rave reviews.

Chicken Kiev Crescent Bake

Ingredients:

8 uncooked chicken tenderloins (about 1 1/4 lb)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
1 can Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls (8 rolls)
3 tablespoons italian style panko crispy bread crumbs
1 container (8 oz) chives and onion cream cheese
1/3 cup milk

Step 1:

Heat oven to 375 F.  Season chicken with garlic powder, pepper, and salt.  In a 10 inch nonstick skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium high heat.  Cook chicken in butter 8-10 minutes or until chicken is well-browned on all sides.  Remove from skillet, cool slightly.



Step 2:

Unroll dough, and separate into 8 triangles.  Place piece of chicken on wide end of triangle, and roll dough around chicken.  Place in ungreased 13x9 baking dish.  Repeat to use all of the chicken and dough.  In a small microwavable bowl, heat remaining teaspoon butter in  microwave uncovered on High 15-30 seconds or until melted.  Brush crescents with melted butter, top with bread crumbs.  Bake 15 minutes.



Step 3:

A few minutes before removing dish from oven, using same skillet, heat cream cheese and milk over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbling.  Pour sauce into baking dish around crescent-wrapped chicken.  Bake 5-7 minutes or until crescents are golden brown and sauce is bubbling.



Okay---pretty easy to make, but here are a few pointers:

*make sure you get the chicken tenders or tenderloins, not chicken breasts.  These need to be small.

*rub the seasoning onto both sides of each chicken piece, don't just sprinkle it on the surface.

*I'd suggest using a bit more butter to cook the chicken in than it suggests.  AND make sure the chicken is completely cooked through before you wrap them in the crescents.

*don't sprinkle the panko crumbs while the chicken is in the pan.  Unless you are the most precise person in the world.

*DOUBLE the sauce.  Trust me.  Its so good, and you don't get enough to really enjoy it.

Keith lovvvvved this, especially the sauce.  I know, its not calorie friendly.  He had two servings.  I don't know if it was just me, but I really couldn't tell that the chicken was wrapped in a crescent roll.  If I did a blind taste test, I don't think I could have identified the bread.  I think it was just me.

So, this is getting added to my master list.  I think I could serve this and people would really enjoy it.

indoor sunshine

A storm has parked itself over our house today.  I'm loving every minute of it.  Dark . . . pounding rain . . . foggy.  Poor Keith though.  He had to leave early for work, only to come back a few minutes later because a tree had fallen and was blocking the road.  He called Wayne (who hadn't left for work yet) and Sid, and the three of them were able to push it off to the side. In the pounding rain.  And mud.  In the dark.  When he came back to change into his office clothes, he left his glasses on the kitchen counter.  A few minutes later, he was back for them. Then he ran into a closure on Illahee Road, so he had to turn around and go back the other way.  I'm sure he was late for work with patients probably waiting at the front door.  I'm hoping that our home will be a refuge from the storm tonight, with warmth and coziness and a new recipe I'm trying out.

Luke and I needed to venture out this morning, and I picked up a bunch of tulips for a friend's birthday.  I couldn't resist these daffodils though!  There are only a few, but they add such a dose of sunshine to the kitchen (even though I don't mind the rain).



As I was uploading the daffodil picture I took, I came across this Disneyland pic from a rainy day.  I don't even remember taking it, but it must have been from 2011 . . . the only trip I remember it raining there.  Oh wait, it rained in 2013 also.  Or maybe I didn't even take it!  Well, whatever, its bringing me happiness too!



I've found a few new recipes I'm excited to try out on my family.  I'll have to let you know how tonight's turns out . . . and share the recipe if we all love it.

tyler and kelsey want a baby!

If you are facebook followers of Tyler or Kelsey, then you know that they have started a fundraiser to help them earn enough money to have IVF treatments for infertility.

Let me just say, that there have never been two more deserving people who have been yearning to have a child.  In April they will have been married for eight years, and its been heartbreaking to see them time after time go through so much disappointment and pain.  They have done everything they possibly could to get pregnant, including countless and countless treatments by doctors, and even changing their diets and lifestyles.  They are willing to do whatever it takes.  And have done everything it takes.

Tyler and Kelsey are two of the most frugal people I've ever known.  They are smart with money and have saved and saved, but on a teacher's salary and with IVF not covered by insurance, its a hard journey.  IVF is expensive!!

They have set up a GiveForward website (its like GoFundMe).  The link is here:

Tyler and Kelsey Want a Baby!





And as always, PRAYERS are appreciated and needed.  Thank you to everyone who has contributed.

simple

Christmas decorations have been dutifully taken down, but the red plaid Christmas tablecloth has remained on the dining room table almost two weeks into the new year.  Today I tossed it into the laundry basket, and replaced it with a "season-neutral" cloth.

I wanted the table to remain wintery, but simple.  I filled my weathered wooden tray full of candles, and that should give a cozy feel until spring is here.





Always, always . . . after the holidays, I look around and make a wish list of what I'd like to change in the house.  Number one, the dining room table is not my favorite, but since we're stuck with it, I would love to have the surface refinished.  Ugh.  As careful as I've been with placemats and table coverings, each place setting has a foggy milky white film from where hot or cold plates have sat.  Hate it. (hence the need to cover it up with tablecloths).  Please don't suggest I do it myself, because that ain't gonna happen (i.e.: I don't want to).

Second, I've always thought a mirror would be nice on that wall where all of my kids senior pictures are framed.  Even though they (the kids) all look pretty much the same today as they did then, I'm thinking its time to move them to another location.  I've been visualizing (for years) a vertical rectangular mirror.  Not the basic short ones, but not a leaner mirror either.  My dream mirror---my neighbor Louann has in her entry.  It was in the Ballard Designs catalog for years, but now its discontinued.  I'm always keeping my eyes open for something that would be perfect for that spot.  HomeGoods and TJ Maxx are great local sources.  I'm in no hurry.  I LOVE the look of a wreath on the mirror, hung with a simple wide ribbon. Do you know what I'm talking about?

Now that all traces of Christmas are gone from my house, I really should move on to my car next. I've had James Taylor's Christmas cd on repeat for months.  I just can't seem to let go of that yet . . . and since Luke hasn't complained, I think I'll keep things just the way they are.  For a while.

And today . . . Snape.  So sad.  For a guy who played villains so well, he sure sounded like a terrific guy in real life.  I liked this tribute by Daniel Radcliffe.  Rest in peace Alan Rickman.

dress up

Last Friday I was able to spend several hours babysitting Claire.  Just her and me (and Luke of course, but he brought enough stuff from home to keep himself occupied the entire time).  I know I keep sharing that I never am sure what to expect with my Claire time---if she's shy or friendly---but I think I've figured out one thing.  When there are no sisters, no other distractions . . . it is AWESOME, just her and me.  I give her my 100% undivided attention, get down on the floor (or wherever) to play and do voices for her dolls and toys, and she's delighted and I am verrrrrrry delighted!

Also, I should add that I never am quite sure what she might be interested in doing or playing with, so I bring along several options.  What works one time might not work again for months.  This time I brought along the princess castle and all the small "guys" (characters) that will fit in it, and I thought I'd try bringing along some dress up stuff.  She used to love it, but its been quite a long time since she was interested in wearing any of that.  Well, this time, success!

So here is a big Claire photo explosion.  Because she is three.  Because in the blink of an eye, she'll be gone at school all day.  Because I already narrowed and narrowed down my pictures of her and I can't narrow it down any more.  Because, look at how sweet she is.  Because I love her.  Because I just want to freeze all these moments in time.

:: owl ::  This first picture is through the railing.  She just loves it when I shoot through the stair railings.





:: witch hat ::  She couldn't believe it was so small.  Like for a very little witch.





:: ewok ::  All right, this really is the cutest.  This is from a costume that I thought was going to be more Lee sized, but the headpiece is perfect for Claire.









:: east high band hat ::  Keith went to high school at East High in Bremerton.  East High and West High are long gone, and now its just Bremerton High.  Years ago, one of his hygienists located this band hat on ebay and gave it to him for Christmas.  Its got a hole on the top for a feather or fur or whatever embellishment goes up there.  He didn't have the heart to tell her that this was not the hat the band wore when he played in it.  But its pretty fun to have in the dress up basket.







:: maleficent ::  This is adult size and there was no way she or I could get it to stay on her head.





:: top hat ::  Do you remember we used to call this the magic hat, because this hat used to be the only magical trick to get her to not be shy around me.







:: rapunzel ::  Definitely her favorite dress up ever.  Later in the day, she went back and wore it again (and yes, I am sparing you those pictures, but they're all adorable).









:: tinkerbell ::  Fairy wings on little girls.  What else can I say?  Love.









Lunch.  Her eating choices are narrow.  I was giving her food options right and left, but every answer was "no".  When I opened the fridge, she said "there's my milkshake!"  I was fighting a losing battle, so I caved in, and she was happy.







Perfect day, Claire Bear!

you can call me al

Look how much this big boy is growing!  Yesterday I was babysitting Claire, but I did get some Lee time (Calley took him with her while I watched Claire).  He's six weeks old now and look how much he's changed since we saw him two weeks ago at Christmas!  Awake and smiling!  Was it only six weeks ago that it was the day before Thanksgiving and he was born?  It seems like a lifetime ago.











I have to share this.  All during Calley's pregnancy, they wanted to be surprised and not find out if the baby was a boy or a girl in advance.  I respect that.  But I needed some idea of a name.  Well, not this time.  Tyson was choosing a name and he was totally tight-lipped.  Not even a hint!

I think I needed some kind of name or something I could identify with or bond with this baby in advance.  You know that term "the little stranger" when talking about a new baby?  Well that was certainly the case as far as I was concerned.  Boy or girl, with no name . . . this baby was a little stranger to me!

Several days before Calley gave birth, I had a dream.  I dreamed we walked into her hospital room, and  Calley and Tyson happily said, "its a boy!  We named him Al!"  AL??  I vividly remember (in the dream) thinking "THAT'S a different choice", but I kept that thought to myself and just loved brand new baby boy Al.  In the meantime, I kept calling him Al when referring to the baby yet to be born.

While Calley was in labor, we were visiting with her and I shared my dream.  Then after he was born and we went in her room again to meet this new little baby, they shared that they were naming him Lee Allen, after Tyson's father.  The "Allen" part certainly could have been a premonition with my Al dream, but honestly, I think it was all just randomness.

On the way home from the hospital while waiting for the ferry, I was texting my friends and telling them the baby news.  The name Al was making its way around with a couple of my closest friends (and sticking!)  On that weekend, we had Summer and Abby spend the night with us, and I shared my Al dream with them.  Summer has reminded me every single time since, that Lee is AL in my book.  I've honestly had a hard time calling him Lee in the first couple of weeks, but now I'm not slipping up and he is LEE now and forevermore.

Okay . . . so before he was born, and while he was still "Al" in my mind, these two things came to mind:

First:  Trying not to visualize the usual "Al's" from movies and tv---where its usually some big construction worker kind of stereotype---I remembered at the end of Aladdin, he says to Jasmine "you can call me Al."  Awww, cute.



Second:  After Aladdin's line "you can call me Al" . . . naturally the next thing I thought of was THIS song . . . which has been going through my head for the last six weeks. (I forgot how hilarious younger Chevy Chase is). I promise this will be going through your head too.



Like I said, he is forevermore baby LEE to me!