One-Dish Chicken & Stuffing Bake

2 Boxes Stove Top Stuffing
6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts halves
Salt
Pepper
Club House Chicken Rub
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
1/3 cup milk
1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

Heat the oven to 400°F.
Prepare the stuffing according to the package directions.
Spoon the stuffing across the center of a 3-quart shallow baking dish. Place the chicken on either side of the stuffing. Sprinkle the chicken with the salt, pepper & Club House Chicken Rub. (Next time I make this I am going to omit the pepper if I use the chicken rub as it was a bit too peppery but still very yummy)
Stir the soup, milk and parsley in a small bowl. Pour the soup mixture over the chicken.
Cover the baking dish.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Still Damn Cold Out

I have to have a little rant this morning....here it is the 2nd last day in February and it is still damn cold out there. -36 Celsius this morning but with the windchill it feels like -45 Celsius.

I am tired of the these frigidly cold temperatures...I want warm weather. They are forecasting a break in temperatures by Monday, I hoping that the warmer temperatures stick around.

Even Churchill Manitoba is warmer than we are this morning. Even Alert, Nunavut is warmer than we are this morning, they are a balmy -20 C and with chill feels like temperature of -30 C. They are still warmer than we are with a windchill.

Baby It's Cold Outside.......

Woke up to a cold morning this morning -35 Celsius and with the wind chill it is more like -41 Celsius. It is so cold that my doors creak with the frost. I don't think the truck warmed up any all the way into town this morning and we let it warm up for nearly 10 minutes before leaving.

My hubby wasn't looking forward to going to work this morning, like most people that work outside weren't looking forward to being outside today.

Even the door on the truck didn't want to open when I got to work.....maybe it was telling me that I should have stayed at home in bed where it was nice and warm.

Gifts From My Hubby

After Al came home from the dog sled races he informs me that his zipper on his winter jacket is shot..and that he needs a new jacket....this one is about 15 years old so it has served it purpose. On Monday we checked out the coats at Davidner's Western Wear. He found a really nice jacket there for $600 that's right $600. It definitely would be a warm coat even when it is -50 Celsius outside. Al also stated that that same coat in LaRonge is the same price as here. So left as we want to shop around and see what else he can find first. We'll check out Quin The Eskimo Army Surplus in Saskatoon as well as a couple other stores there.

After work yesterday we decided to check out Prairie Recreational here in town as they have been advertising that they are blowing out all their winter apparel. Al didn't find anything that he like there. I did however find a nice pair on gauntlet mitts on sale for $25...half price. Then Al tells me I should try on a snowmobile helmet as they are on sale and if I find one that fits good he'll buy it for me as I need one anyways. Sure enough I find a helmet that fits perfectly.....the helmet has an electric shield, comes with the cables and everything for hook up....I won't have to wear a face mask under this helmet as it has a face guard as well that with the visor up all you will see is my eyes anyways....... So yesterday we went looking for him and I ended up getting spoiled instead.

I can't wait to get out on the snowmobile now and try out my new gear. My snow suit is about 10 years old but is like new....still looks new as I only use it if I am snowmobiling. Yep I am ready now......all I have to do is pick up some wool to hook my self a pair of socks to help take up the slack in my boots and I will be toasty warm on the trail.

Small Gestures

Well the birthday card that I made and posted here for you to see was received yesterday by my co-worker....she was totally surprised and thrilled with it. While were talking on the phone she asked me if I had made it, she was so thrilled when I told her that I had made that especially for her. It made me feel good to know how much I touched her with a small gesture as remembering her birthday. She couldn't believe it when I told her it was my first completed card. It was really nice to hear that comments she had on how much she liked the card.

Wendy is a dear friend to me one that I will have for life, regardless if we work together or not. She helped me out greatly when I first started in this position with Human Resources and still is a great reference to turn to.

The Race Is Over

The Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race is over for another year. My husband arrived home late yesterday afternoon very tired but also very happy after being on the race trail since Wednesday 12:00pm.

The 8 dog race wrapped up on Friday morning with the winning team crossing the finish line at 2:48 am after being enroute for 9 hours 32 minutes with the final team crossing the finish line Friday evening at 6:39 pm after being enroute for 8 hours 54 minutes. Two teams from the 8 dog race ended up scratching at Elk Ridge Check Point.

The first of the 12 Dog Teams crossed the finish line in LaRonge after 25 hours 58 minutes enroute arriving at 5:35 am on Saturday with the last of the 6 teams arriving after 44 hours 51 minutes enroute at 8:51 pm.

There were lots of compliments from the mushers about the trail which did the guy's ego good. It is always good to hear that something you worked hard on is really appreciated.

Al had a great time and is looking forward to next year's race. I am hoping to find something that I can volunteer for at next years race.

Sneak Peak

Here is a of picture of the stamped image I colored Saturday night with my PrismaColors (OMS). This stamp is a Sugar Nellie - PenPal from Funky Kits in Scotland.

I really like how well she turned out. I will post the details when I post the completed card. I have an idea of who I will be sending this card too but don't want to mention who so it is a surprise.

Birthday Card

This birthday card for one of my co-workers is the very first completed card that I have done. By clicking on the pictures you will be able to view a larger version of them and see more of the detail.

Front View


Inside View


Stamp: Sugar Nellie's Daisy attached with double sided foam tape
Paper: Red Card Stock from my stash and Grey Card Stock from a Scrap Pack
Card: Pack of 5 cards with envelopes from Dollar Rama
Ink: Stamped with Brilliance Black Ink
Skin: Copic Sketch Markers- E000, E00, E11 & R20
Hair: Copic Sketch Marker - E29 & Colorless Blender to lift some color creating highlights
Clothes: Colored with PrismaColored Penicils - PC901, PC924, PC908, PC1024
Embellishments: 3 Heart Buttons tied with Hemp Cord, Pink Rhinestones for the flower Centres, and Amber Rhinestone butterflies.
Sentiment: Rub-On greetings

Card Making

Last night I was quite bored. Didn't want to sit and watch tv didn't feel like being on the computer so I decided to finish up the birthday card I started for a co-worker of mine. The birthday card turned out really good. I am very happy with my first completed card. I went to take a picture of it last night to only find that my camera batteries were dead, so once they done charging will get a photo of the card to post here for you to see.

Once I was done the card, I decided to color in another one of stamped images from my stash. I chose a Sugar Nellie image - Pen Pal. Sugar Nellie stamps are available from Funky Kits in Scotland. To see more of the Sugar Nellie stamps from Funky Kits click HERE

I really liked how she turned out using my Prismacolored Pencils & OMS ((odorless mineral spirits) Mona Lisa brand from Michael's) for the clothes and Copic Sketch Markers for the skin and hair. I really love these two mediums for coloring, I would recommend either method to anyone. My collection of Prismacolored pencils has grown as I can get them right here in PA. I choose to purchase my Prisma's individually instead of in a set...this way I got the colors that want and have spent close to the same amount if I would have gotten the same number of pencils in a set (catching a 2 for 1 sale helps too). I will take a picture of this Sugar Nellie as well and post it.

I have taken a whole new view to stamping once I decided to start making my own greeting cards. I never really thought much about stamping images and coloring them in until I started searching for ideas on card making, that is when I found some very inspiring blogs which I have added links for to some them in my side bar.

I do hope to have a few handmade cards ready for Christmas this year. I also plan to make my own gift tags this year as well. The way I see it if I keep a stash of stamped images around I can color them up anytime I will be that much closer to having some images ready for making Christmas cards.

A Call From My Hubby

Yesterday afternoon my hubby calls as he is sitting on Lac LaRonge Lake waiting for the first of the 12 Dog teams to arrive at the lake, he was also waiting for the guys to come with the stakes to stake out the trail across the lake. This should have been done earlier this week but the guy from LaRonge never got it done, so my hubby sat and waited in the event that a musher and his team arrived before they got back with the stakes.

As of yesterday he had had only 3 hours of sleep since Wednesday. He was tired. So as the other guys were heading to LaRonge to pick up the stakes, they told my husband to watch out for these other guys on the lake. Here not far from them is a pack of wolves eating a dead moose. Not wanting to be dessert my hubby headed up the lake a bit.

The first team has crossed the finish in the 8 Dog Team. After approximately 29 hrs 6 min after leaving Prince Albert Tanja Tabel crossed the finish line in LaRonge.

Al was looking forward to the night at LaRonge last night as they would be able to get some sleep as it is a mandatory rest stop for the mushers and their teams.

To find out more on the happenings of the Canadian Challenge click HERE

Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race

12 pm today marks the start of the 12th Annual Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race.

Check out Canadian Challenge 2009 for more information on the Canadian Challenge, keep up with the happenings of the race here as well.

The Race is as follows:
12 Dog Race: Prince Albert - Anglin Lake - Elk Ridge Resort - Weyakwin - La Ronge - Sucker River - Stanley Mission - Grandmother's Bay - La Ronge

The 8 Dog Race: Prince Albert - Anglin Lake - Elk Ridge Resort - Weyakwin - La Ronge

Jurnior Race: Prince Albert - Anglin Lake - Elk Ridge Resort

My husband is working on the trail this year, riding snowmobmile from Prince Albert all the way to La Ronge around to Sucker River,Stanley Mission,Grandmother's Bay and back to La Ronge.

Last night we attended the musher's banquet where each of the mushers for the 12 dog and 8 dog race picked their numbers and sponser banner for their team. We had a wonderful meal and had the pleasure of sitting with CBC Radio's Tom Roberts from LaRonge who will drop the flag to signal the start of the race today.

I will be out watching the dogs leave Central Avenue at noon today.

Biggest Loser Recipe

Each week I watch the Biggest Loser, for tips and inspiration. Today I was looking at the Biggest Looser Family Cookbook and found this recipe for Thin and Crispy Gourmet Hula Pizza. My family loves pizza so if we can find a way to still enjoy pizza without all the guilt I am willing to try it out.


Thin and Crispy Gourmet Hula Pizza

1 (about 8”) low-fat, whole wheat flour tortilla
2 tablespoons traditional barbecue sauce (7 grams carbohydrates or less per 2 tablespoons)
¾ ounce (about 3 tablespoons) goat cheese crumbles
3 tablespoons drained canned diced pineapple in juice, or drained pineapple in juice, or drained pineapple rings in juice chopped into bite-sized pieces
1½ teaspoons finely chopped cilantro, or more to taste

Preheat the oven to 400° F.

Place the tortilla on a medium nonstick baking sheet. Bake for 2 to 4 minutes per side, or until crisp. If air bubbles form while baking, poke them with a fork, then use a spatula or oven mitt to carefully press the air out.

Remove from the oven and top evenly with the sauce, then the cheese, pineapple, and cilantro. Bake the pizza for 2 to 4 minutes longer, or until the cheese is completely melted. Slice into 8 wedges and serve.

Makes 1 serving

Per serving: 217 calories, 7 g protein, 35 g carbohydrates, 7 g fat (3 g saturated), 10 mg cholesterol, 2 g fiber, 484 mg sodium

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By using a low-fat, whole wheat tortilla for the crust (the recipe book strongly suggests that you do not attempt this recipe with a low-carb tortilla), you can enjoy a thin and crispy pizza without guilt.

Your only limit in creating a healthier pizza for you and your family is your imagination. You create your own thin and crispy pizza with Marinara Sauce, low-fat cheese, and plenty of lean protein and veggies.

Pizza will be on our menu one night this week.

Enjoy!

Designing a Craft Area

I am sitting down to the challenge of designing my crafting area that I have been asking for the last couple of year. I enjoy scrapbooking, stamping & sewing but to do any of these activities I have to drag everything out then put everything away...so what I have done in the past is leave everything out for a few days so I can get somethings finished...only problem with doing this is that we loose our kitchen table and it looks like a mess until I put it all away.

Yesterday my hubby started working on out new storage room in the basement. Knocking out a wall between the cold room and our daughters old bedroom to make one big storage room. We have been using an empty bedroom/office for our storage room/computer room. Well there is a path the width of the doorway and as long as the room to get in there. I have my computer, scrapbooking supplies, material, painting supplies etc stored in this room. We want to make this room into a dining room and until the storage room is completed downstairs we can't begin to clean out this room.

So now the challenge is to come up with a plan that will fit my computer, sewing machine, painting supplies and scrapbooking supplies as well as give me a work area for sewing and crafting. It will be so nice to be able to start a project and not have to pack it away for weeks and weeks or months before getting back to it. I am sure that between my hubby and I can come up with a plan that we are both happy with.

Clean Bill of Health

Friday I had my yearly check-up with my doctor. Oh how I hate that appointment, think the worst part is making the darn thing and getting there. Once I am on my way back out the door I think to myself it really isn't that bad....till next year when I have to make that appointment again.

Anyways, my biggest concern was my heart. With my dad passing away very suddenly back in June, due to a massive heart attack I started becoming more aware of my own health. My dad was on medication for his heart and I wanted to know where I stood. There are more people my age having heart attacks some survive some don't. Lets face it none of us are getting any younger and heart disease is something many of us will face. There is a history of heart disease on both sides of my family which I know will always play a factor, like my doctor says that we can't do anything about, but it doesn't mean that I will have it but chances are greater than someone who doesn't have a family history of heart disease. Good news is I am a woman and I don't smoke - these reduce my risk of heart disease greatly. After checking my pulse points around my body, looking through my eyes at the blood vessels, that along with my blood pressure being normal, my cholesterol level is normal, thyroid is normal my doctor tells me that at this time my heart is very healthy. I asked if he seen any need for me to see a heart specialist for stress tests, ECG etc...he didn't see any need as they will tell me the same thing that he has. My doctor has reassured me that each year he will do a thorough heart check like he did this time. The only thing that is a risk at this time is my weight...which I am back on my lifestyle changes and working towards a healthier me.

So all in all my yearly check-up gave me good news not just for my heart but my over all health. All I am waiting for is the results of the one dreaded yearly test, which my doctor anticipates to be good as well. I am glad that the changes that I have been making in my life not just health wise but the extra circular ones that I was involved in that I have stepped away from have helped me gain my health back.

Graduation Meeting

Last night I attended my first graduation meeting for my daughter's grad. So first thing we had to do was pick up the book of tickets that each graduate is expected to sell. To attend all the functions they need to turn in $120 in ticket sales....at least the prizes are good. 1st Prize $3000, 2nd Prize $2000, 3rd Prize $1000 and 5 additional prizes of $500 each. With only 4500 tickets printed the odds are not too bad and the prizes make the tickets worth the $10 each.

Next thing was to volunteer for something. I decided that my darling hubby and I would volunteer to drive kids home from the After Grad Party aka Safe Grad our shift is from 3:30 am - 7:00 am. This way we will be able to pick up our daughter at the end of the Safe Grad. This is the only thing that we are volunteering for...with the probability of having company in for Meagan's grad we want to be able to spend time with them and Meagan probably doesn't want mom and dad hanging around that night anyway.

The school Graduation pictures are being taken the week of March 23rd.....these are the Cap and Gown photos... Grad Rings can be ordered anytime or in person sometime in March. So for now Meagan can look through Josten's catalogue, pick out a ring and decide if she wants a ring.

Yes Graduation will be here soon and now it is feels like it is around the corner.

Chocolate-Pecan Kisses

1 cup butter
1 package (5-3/4 ounces) milk chocolate kisses
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups sifted flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans

In large bowl of electric mixer, let butter stand at room temperature until softened. Remove paper from chocolate kisses. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. At medium speed, beat butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and the vanilla until light and fluffy. At low speed, beat in flour and nuts until well combined. Divide dough into 40 equal parts. Shape each part around a chocolate kiss, to make a ball, being sure to cover candy completely. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 12 minutes, or until cookies are set but not brown. Let stand 1 minute, then remove from cookie sheet. Cook slightly, then roll in powdered sugar. Reroll in powdered sugar before serving.

Spring Rolls

2 Cups Chopped Chinese Cabbage
1/4 Cup Chopped Carrot
1/4 Cup Chopped Onion
1/2 Cup Ground Pork
Spring roll wrappers
Spices (Salt, Garlic Powder, Corn Starch, and Vegetable Oil)


Prepare Filling
Put a little oil into frying pan, fry ground pork first with salt and garlic powder. Add cabbage, carrot and onion and corn starch once ground pork is cooked.

Make Spring Rolls
Unthaw Spring Roll Wrappers according to package directions. When the filling is cool down, make spring rolls with wrap and filling, follow instruction on package for folding your spring rolls.

Deep fry spring rolls in a deep fryer for about 3 minutes or until golden brown.

Life Style Update

Well as promised I would keep you up on my progress with my lifestyle change. So yesterday morning I ventured to the scale and stepped on holding my breath (I was sure that I hadn't lost any weight, possibly gained) till the numbers stopped. WOW to my surprise I lost 4.5 pounds in 1 week. I couldn't believe it 4.5 lbs really 4.5 lbs I kept saying to my self, WOW.....YIPPEE Yes I was happy, I don't think I have ever lost that much in one week. I didn't really try that hard either. I have become very aware of what I am eating and how much I am eating. One of the the things that I really cut back on was pop - I love my Pepsi (thank goodness not like I used too). I still haven't taken my measurements, hopefully this week I get them taken and no I am not sharing the beginning measurements but will let you know how many I loose as I go along.

After I weighed myself self I sat down with a cup of coffee and looked through travel books thinking about a destination for next winter. I can imagine myself sitting on the beach sipping a tropical drink....ya it will be nice....

Lucy

Lucy will be joining our family at the end of February or beginning of March. She is a rescued dog from an owner that didn't take very good care of her. She was in labour delivered one pup left for an entire night then taken to the vet the next day....when the owner found out that she would need a C-Section, the lady told the vet put her down along with the pups...I don't want them anymore. The vet convinced the lady to sign the dog and the pups over her, then called Dianne from Molly Dogs asking if she would take the mom and pups in and find them a good home. Lucy was so badly matted that her head had to be shaved right down..but is coming back in very nicely.

We are all very excited to have Lucy join our family. Will be nice for Rocco to have a girlfriend.

Great Minds Think Alike

Have you have had the feeling that someone is thinking of you, you call them up to find out that they were just about to call you. I had this happen to me both Tuesday and Wednesday evening.

On Tuesday as I was setting to do some coloring of my new Sugar Nellie stamps, I thought of my best friend Kim. Actually Kim and I are closer than friends -- we are sisters of the heart. We have a very close bond, closer than what she has with her own sisters. We can tell when each needs the other one....we can finish each other's sentences off. I truly believe that our souls are re-united....we both feel like we could have been twins in a past life. So as I am dialing Kim's number on the phone she stops what she is doing and thinks I need to get the phone and phone Corinne....she no sooner picks up the phone it rings and with out looking at it she knows its me. We do this to each other so often..... Great Minds Think Alike

Then last night, I was thinking about my Aunt in BC so I decided to give her a call and chat. When she sees it is me calling she starts to laugh as she was going to call me after supper. Again Great Minds Think Alike... I enjoy talking with my Aunt, we always have a few laughs and a great conversation. I wish she lived closer so that I could pop in for tea and a visit but never the less....I enjoy our conversations and look forward to when we will be able to sit down with a cup of tea!

Feb 1 Weigh-In

Well we did it, my hubby and I weighed in Sunday morning, recording our starting weight and on the road to changing our lifestyles and loosing some weight. I was pleasantly surprised as I didn't gain back as much of the weight I had lost from April to June as I had thought so for me I started this journey on a high note compared to what I thought I would be starting on.

Tonight I have to remember to take my measurements....the only thing I didn't do on Sunday. My daughter will help me with that.

So far feeling good...making sure I eat breakfast something I didn't always do and being more aware of the food I put in my mouth.... I have to remember to bring water to work each day as we don't have a water cooler at the office anymore and I refuse to drink that crap they call city water...YUCK..... Can't say I care for the taste of what ever it is that they treat the city water with.