I am Thankful for...

It's that time of year when we are reminded to be thankful... and the Christmas holiday season gets into full swing!  But I want to take a minute to focus on being thankful as the holiday was intended before I let the season overwhelm me and my frustrations hold me back.  I suppose you would benefit from doing so too! :)

I Am Thankful For...
For kids jumping on their beds, because it means they are healthy and happy.
For the taxes I pay, because it means that I am employed.
For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.
For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.
For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.
For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.
For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking, and that I have been blessed with transportation.
For shoveling the driveway this winter and paying the heating bills, because it means I have a home.
For the lady behind me in my place of worship when she sings off key, because it means that I can hear.
For the pile of laundry, because it means I have clothes to wear.
For difficult people in my life, because it reminds me how not to be.
For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.
For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive.
And finally....

For too much e-mail and too many texts because it means I have clients and friends who are thinking of me.... 
HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!

Easy low fat Tuna Casserole

I'm really not a fan of tuna but my family is sohere's a simple and healthy recipe for  tuna noodle casserole.

Ingredients

• 103/4 ozs reduced fat cream of mushroom soup (condensed)

• 1/2 cup skim milk

• 1 cup frozen peas (whole)

• 12 ozs tuna (canned-packed in water, drained)

• 2 cups no-yolk egg noodles (cooked)

• 1 cup Corn Flakes (optional)

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.Mix all ingredients except the corn flakes in a bowl. Spray a casserole dish with a nonstick cooking spray and pour in the mixture.Spread evenly and sprinkle corn flakes over the top.Bake for 15 minutes or longer until heated thoroughly.

Make Your Own Mini "Hot Pockets"!

Mini Hot Pockets Recipe
Makes 30 mini hot pockets... customized to your personal taste!  This is great as a party appetizer, kids cooking project, family dinner... any time!
 Ingredients:

• 3 cans Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits (10 per can),
• 1.5 lb COOKED meat (optional)
• 1 16oz block cheese
• 1 beaten egg (optional - melted butter could be substituted)
• 1 jar pizza sauce
• Chopped veggies (optional)
• Parmesan, Pizza (Italian) seasoning, Garlic powder

  

Instructions:

Cut the block of cheese into 30 chunks/slices. 

Flatten a biscuit out and place 1tsp meat, chunk of cheese cheese and veggies on top.

Gather up the edges of the biscuit.

Line up the balls in a greased 9x13 in pan.

Brush with beaten egg/butter.

Sprinkle with parmesan, Italian seasoning and Garlic powder to your taste. 

Bake at 425°F for 18-20 minutes.

Use the pizza sauce for dipping.
Enjoy!
You can make your own variations of this... Don't have biscuits, try cresent rolls.  Try using spinach and chicken filling and dipping in alfredo sauce... or tomato, basil and feta cheese filling... buffalo chicken and blue cheese filling... using cresents with cream cheese filling and cinamon and sugar topping is a great desert alternative... the options are endless!


YUM!

Home Search Woes: Why Can't You Find the Right House?

Some people find the right home the first time they go out on showings... but some people look for months and just don't see the right one.  This can happen for a couple reasons.

1. Inventory is Low: There is just not a large number of homes to choose from. This can be seasonal or due to the market climate... sometimes specific to an area that doesn't have much turn over.
2. It Doesn't Match Up: Sometimes, the style/price and area you are looking don't match up making it nearly impossible to find a home you desire.For example, some cities or neighborhood primarily comprise of homes built in a certain era.  If you are not interested in a home of that age/style but you are set on that area, you may have a very hard time finding a home that you are interested in.

How can we get past this?
Give me a call and we will go over your criteria and compare it to the recent sales, inventory levels and home demographics for that area and see if we need to make any adjustments to your search.

KCF Chicken Secret Recipe?

I was told this is the KFC recipe... since I recently found out my kids LOVE that chicken I figured I better look into it.  No way this will be tagged "healthy" but I guess you could make your own adjustments.  ;)

Here is what I found:

Ingredients:
1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
3 beaten eggs
4 tablespoons oil - if you don't have a deep fryer

For the coating
2 cups flour
4 teaspoons paprika
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon tarragon
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1/2 teaspoon celery salt

Directions:
1. Sift together all the coating ingredients and place in a clean plastic bag. Coat each chicken piece first with the beaten egg, then with the flour mixture in the bag. Make sure you coat each piece completely with the flour.
2. Of course this is where you drop that chicken in your deep fryer but if you don't have one, this is the plan.  Heat the 4 tbs of oil in a skillet. Brown the chicken in oil slowly, uncovered. Once browned, cover the skillet and keeping frying on a very gentle heat until the chicken is fully cooked. Place on paper towels to drain out the excess oil.

Let me know what you think. Does this taste like KFC?