It's been crazy busy days around here. But, no matter what the chore list looks like, I make certain to stop and do fun things – like making green rice krispy treats for St. Patrick's day…
Mister Lovee LOVES my rice krispy treats.
I use extra butter, to say the least 😉
They are yummy, fun and keep things light hearted…
By the way, don't forget you can still access my free printable St. Patrick's Day cardlettes here…
And, my printable Shamrock Brooch Tutorial, here…
As for swirling thoughts…
It seems I have been quite busy lately with silent chores.
Lots of time for thinking, dreaming, pondering…
Which I don't mind at all, such as –
Kneading bread.
Washing the floor.
Scrubbing the inside of the oven.
Planting my garden.
Watering my garden.
Planting s'more.
Laundry.
All quiet things, that lend so much time to think and reflect.
Preparing our every Sunday dinner…
Veggies (carrots, onions, garlic, potatoes, celery) and chicken tossed with olive oil, garlic salt, parsley flakes, rosemary and thyme. Chicken on top of veggies in baking pan, and popped into the oven (uncovered) for 30 mins at 400' F and then another 30 mins at 350'F – an hour of cook time total, for a super delicious and healthy dinner.
Every weekend I make this, and we so enjoy it. You can use any chicken you'd like. Skinless or not, boneless or not, it always comes out yummy. Unless you are a vegetarian, and by the way, the veggies turn out amazing on their own as well.
It seems like baking bread on the weekends has become a regular occurrence.
I am enjoying this part immensely.
Such a gratifying feeling, baking bread at home…
And the scent-
Mmmmmm….
(are you sick of me baking bread yet? 😉
On another note…
I have been doing some outrageous projects.
Those sort of projects that make you wonder why on earth you decided to do such a thing in the first place?
Like, taking all the books out of a HUGE bookcase, moving the bookcase to another spot on the property (on my own). Putting everything back in. Deciding it's not right and it must go back. Then taking everything out again, moving it back, and putting everything back in.
Phew.
Although, I have had Japan on my mind so very much, that I have felt sort of foggy in undertaking any tasks. My heart feels overwhelmed for the people. So, it was almost like I took a sort of comfort in doing something tedious and unnecessary in the bookcase project, because I couldn't focus on anything else. Have you felt that way at all?
I find myself tending the garden, watching for sprouting babes…
While all the positive thoughts I can muster, are with the people of Japan…
Much love friends…
I love that you share your bread with us! My family really liked the challah bread and gobbled the whole loaf within 2 days! 🙂
I’ve been thinking about the people of Japan, too. It breaks my heart to see the terrible things happening to them. I’ve been praying for them.
P.S. the rice krispie treats look scrumptious! 🙂
Oh, Miss Vanessa
I was just looking online at the horrendous photos of Japan. New Orleans took five years to clean up the mess…I can only imagine how long it will take Japan to ever get back on its feet again. So, very, very sad. I just can’t wrap my mind around the devastation.
Baking bread and rearranging books sounds like a good thing to keep the mind off the tragedy. Just ordinary life is precious, the chores and having a home. There is so much to be thankful for.
Your chicken dinner looks wonderful! Healthy and scrumptious. Definitely comfort food.
love and hugs and fairy kisses to you, my lovely friend,
Miss Teresa
My father is from Japan…but moved away as a child. I can’t help but thinking that long lost family is experiencing unfathomable loss and tragedy right now…I have a heavy heart for all involved.
As for your bread and treats…I never tire of them!
That’s my favorite chicken recipe! I love it! Doesn’t the house smell wonderful all day? Enjoy your nice weather! And thanks for the fun card art! 🖤🖤🖤
Oh come on, who could be tired of baking? I really am going to try that bread this week, it looks sooooo good!
Hello friend
Japan has me contemplative as well, for home, security, family and all the things that make life comfortable. I am pulled into gratitude whenever something like this happens in the world. I am watching the coverage vigilantly, for it is the very least I can do. Of course I pray for Japan also, a nation I’ve long admired and longed to visit. I will do that one day, if they’ll have me. 🙂
Never EVER would I sicken of you making bread. I do the same and like you, enjoy the scent of freshly baking bread throughout the house.
I am trying your Sunday dinner tomorrow. Maybe it will become my Monday dinner. I wanted to tell you this but kept forgetting, and it is that Peacock Girl hangs in the pedicure room at the spa and everyone thinks its ME.
Do you think that is why I was drawn to her? 🙂 I’m so narcisstic! LOL
I’m on a green-hunt tomorrow, I have no kids to watch until dinner time so photo safari for me and my wayfaring soul.
I’ll report back if I find anything.
xoxoxo Love you!
Dear Vanessa, what a wonderful dinner you’ve prepared here. And more lovely bread. I wonder, is it easy to make challah? I’ve never tried. Those rice crispy treats are adorable! 🙂 This time of year, I always make Irish Soda Bread. It’s SO yummy with fresh apple butter. 🙂 Guess what? Our crocuses are FINALLY sprouting all over the yard! Hurray! xoxo Theresa
PS The images coming from Japan are so heartbreaking – and it saddens my heart. It makes me so grateful for our little home and furry babies. My heart goes out to all who are affected by this terrible tragedy.
I just discovered your weblog and I must say that I like the way you tell stories. I will visite your log more often and I’m not tired yet of you making bread :D. Hugzz…Peebee
I’ve watched way too much TV but it just breaks my heart to see all those towns that are just piles of rubble in Japan. Where the heck do you go to get away from something like that.
Routine is not such a bad thing.
I haven’t had time for those silent chores between work and being at the hospital to see my mom.
Your chicken recipe sounds great. I have to try that. I love roasted veggies. I founds some little new potatoes at the store the other day and mixed them with carrots, onions, salt, pepper and olive oil and roasted them, they were so good.
I’ve had my breadmaker sitting out on the counter for weeks (instead of hidden in the top of the closet) waiting for me to try a recipe in it.
I look at the gardens daily to see what is up:)
Its late and I’m not a good typist this late, meant to say it breaks my heart for people in Japan who have lost everything and their loved ones are still missing.
Hi! Bless your heart on the bookcase moving fiasco, but y’know, sometimes you just have to go through the whole rigamarole to see if something’s gonna work!
Oh my, that Sunday dinner looks beyond scrumptious and healthy. Just YUM. Oh, and Rice Krispie treats are fabuloso.
Thank you for the St. Patrick’s freebies!
Glad you are seeing your little seed babies sprouting. I bet you are wishing you could fast forward a few months and see what it’s all going to look like!
Yes, the tragedy in Japan is so horrible. I cannot even imagine what those people are going through. Just heartbreaking.
Not tired of the bread! I always like to see the food at your house and at your mom’s. It makes me wanna kick it up a notch around here 🙂
Japan :/
Hmmmm, the bread is divine…and no, we’ll never be tired of your baking. The roasted chicken and veggies are making me drool! You are a fabulous cook ~ and do you share the rice krispie treat recipe you use?
It is heartbreaking to see the situation in Japan and what those people are going through. It is a HUGE reminder for all of us to be so very grateful for everything we have ~ especially fresh water, food and a place to sleep that is safe. My prayers are with them.
xo
Pat
I’ve felt unfocused too. I thought my daughter was doing her work for school, but I found out she hadn’t done as much as she said she had. Then on Wed she got bad personal news (boyfriend problems) and she couldn’t focus at all. She turns in her work once a week on Thurs am, so this was very frustrating for me.
On Thursday I decided we needed a mental break so I took her to see “Rango”. It talks about water shortages that I know you, like myself, can relate to. Silly but fun movie.
I tried Irish Soda Bread, from the store, to go with my Corn Beef and Cabbage dinner on St. Patty’s day. Have you had that or made it? I loved it except when it got too hard.
have a great weekend, Katharine
moving books is one of the most daunting tasks in the world. But you are right! It can provide much-needed busy-ness and exercise when one is troubled.
We had roasted potatoes just last night! yum so good with rosemary and garlic, too…