Monday's Menu: Rosemary-Lemon Grilled Chicken

Since I love cooking, I've decided to share some of my favorite recipes.  I am not a chef because I am really terrible at creating a meal with no direction from someone who has successfully created it before and left me step by step direction.  I can however, follow a recipe to the "t" and it usually turns out as expected. Some are fantastic, and some are simply good, and very few are worth sharing.

This recipe I tasted for the first time last night, and I didn't even do the preparation!  We had just returned from a weekend trip to the Twin Cities and I agreed to overnight baby-sit a girlfriend's 14 month old;  as a thank-you, she brought over dinner for us, ready to grill.  It was delicious and I think I'll actually be making it again this weekend because it was so good.

Rosemary Lemon Grilled Chicken (All Recipes.Com)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup fresh rosemary
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 4 bone-in chicken breasts
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a food processor, thoroughly blend together the butter, rosemary, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Pour 1/3 of blended mixture into a small bowl for marinade. Cover remaining mixture, and set aside.
2. Lightly season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Rub chicken breasts with the marinade mixture. Place chicken breasts on a platter, cover, and refrigerate 3 hours.
3. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate. Pour half of the reserved rosemary and lemon mixture into a bowl for basting. Cover remaining mixture, and set aside for topping cooked chicken.
4. Grill chicken breasts 4 minutes on each side, basting with rosemary and lemon basting mixture. Remove chicken breasts from grill, and top with small scoops of the remaining topping mixture.

Nutritional Information 

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 331 | Total Fat: 17.6g | Cholesterol: 140mg

Wordless Wednessday

10 Arguments in My Head about Owning a Family Cabin

We are back from our vacation, and, wow, was it a great one.  Tommy learned to fish, and caught his own blue-gills, we ate in, made s'mores, cooled off on hot days by jumping in off the dock, rode the Wave Runner, spent great time with family, cousins, Auntie and Uncle, played hard, and slept harder.  All week we discussed whether or not we would want our own Cabin to enjoy regularly throughout the year as a family.  So, here are some of the debates going on in my head...I do know one thing, though...I can't wait to do it again next year!  Here's to one more month of summer! Enjoy.

1. Great place to create family memories.
2. Relaxing at home is nothing compared to relaxing up North, on a Lake, in a place that's not home.
3. It's another yard, another home, another of everything that needs maintenance and upkeep.
4. Family vacations will be mostly spent at the Cabin, not exploring this country or world.
5. A great place to retreat with family or friends for uninterrupted, quality time.
6. Why buy when you can rent or borrow and go someplace different/or the same each year?
7. Boating, fishing, tubing, water-skiing, jet-skiing,etc.
8. $$ another mortgage.
9. We could use it as a ministry, a place to serve others in need of rest or solitude.
10. Would feel like we have to "use" it, and if life is busy, might feel as if it wasn't a good investment.

At the Shanty, on a ride to Dairy Queen for some treats after dinner on our last night. It was a great trip, and we are so extremely thankful that we have incredible friends, generous enough to let us use their place for a week.

Ten Things Thursday

So Far...the Ten Best Memories 

of the Summer of 2011...

Annual strawberry picking with Cousin Madi and Auntie Beth. Tommy ate more than he picked!

A day with 1/2 the Froelich cousins at their Cottage near Crivitz, WI.

A great trip to The Farm in Sturgeon Bay, WI.  Tommy loves holding the baby chicks and kittens after getting attacked by baby goats who want their milk bottle. Precious.

a trip with the Family for extra special Chicago Hot-dogs at "Tommy's" in my home town.

On Grammy &  Papa's boat in the Cloverleaf Lakes.

a day-trip with Nina Kaiser to their "Shanty" in Tomohawk, WI.

Anniversary trip to Duluth. 9 years. Ted had a work meeting and I connected with a dear college friend!

Ted and Tommy's first Bellin Run! Cheering them on was my favorite part of the entire weekend.

First trip to Bay Beach of the Season. Part of our Father's Day weekend celebration. Tommy, Ted and I are standing in line for the Scrambler. It was 3 minutes of total, hysterical laughter.

Seeing my dad (Papa Jim) in Fond u lac for Father's day. I love watching him play with Tommy.

Ten Things Thursday

Ten Things to do with Summer Fresh Strawberries

1. Wash, hull and EAT
2. Jam it! 
3. Cheesecake Topping
4. Strawberry Salad (Romaine, Candied Almonds, Red Onion, Strawberries and Poppy seed dressing) 
5. Strawberry Pie
6. Strawberry Bread
7. Strawberry Shortcake
8. Ice-cream Topping
9. Flash-Freeze for a Winter treat!
10. Spicy Fruit Salsa

We had strawberry picking date with Auntie Beth and cousin Madi today, our second annual picking and soon to become a tradition, I hope. The berries were a little disappointing, some were over ripe, but small, and others were nowhere near ready to be picked.  Maybe we were on the wrong side for good picking. But, I managed to bring home about 2 lbs. and am just now deciding what to do with them all.  I heard it was the worst crop in over 20 years.

Ten Things Thursday

I'm going to try to start to regularly blog a list each Thursday; it will hopefully be a different list each week and hopefully it will be an interesting list each week.  I had been doing a Ten things Tuesday post, back in the day, where I would recall 10 things I was thankful for that day.  I might revert to that, because it's always a good exercise to reflect on things God has blessed me with, but for now, I'd like to challenge myself a bit and see what else I can come up with...

TEN THINGS I WISH I KNEW WHEN I WAS TWELVE...

1. Boys are different than girls; don't expect them to be something they aren't.
2. Pregnancy would not make me glow, in fact, quite the opposite.
3. As hard as I might try, I would still turn out more like my mother than I ever hoped to.
4. Portion control.
5. That trying to be every body's favorite would cost me more than I even know, right now.
6. Big things do come in small packages.  
7. Being a stay-at-home mom would be a more difficult job than my mom made it look.
8. God gives good gifts, and He takes good gifts away, too.
9. Getting straight "A's" doesn't amount to much.
10. Some friends will be friends forever.  Choose wisely.

Adventures of Super "T"

Keeping up with my little man has been quite adventurous (read: tiresome), lately.  Each morning (or if he's really on top of things, before bed each night) he'll want to know what we have planned for the day and who we are scheduled to see. It's caused me to keep a pretty tight schedule each week, which I, too, enjoy.  He's quite the social  butterfly, and I can't really blame him. I'm sure part of it is that he is an only child, and desires playmates more his age, rather than his mother who can't quite keep up while playing "Super Hero" on the playground.  Another part of it, though, is simply that he loves people, new or familiar, young and old. He'll introduce himself to the check-out lady at the grocery store, fellow gawkers at the zoo or to nearby passengers on an airplane.

Recently, an evening adventure thanks to Daddy's prompting was a trip to the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary here in the Frozen Tundra.  Tommy loves animals, but isn't too fond of goose droppings.  We enjoyed a sunny, warm walk this week and I was thankful I brought my camera. These are memories I treasure, if I can remember them (my memory is awful); if not, I pray that I never lose my hard drive. (Please, try not to be offended by the sign language that he is due for a potty break.)

  

Happy Adventuring, to you.

Saturday Blossoms

Saturdays are great.
Our day typically starts around 7:00am, when T realizes that his digital clock starts with the #seven and he can "escape" from his room. He then jumps into our bed and the three of us wrestle, tell stories and plan out our day.  I knew I was behind on potting my plants this spring, due to all the crummy weather and cold temps, so I convinced the boys to join me for a trip to Wery's Blossom Creek in Suamico, WI.

While T played in the sprinkler at home, here's what we accomplished.

Gerbera Daisy and Geranium

Zinnia and Zinca vine

Purple, White and Pink Petunia

Large Italian Basil Herb for cooking!

...and then I took a two hour nap. :)  How did you spend yours?
Toodles.

a poem trial from a non-poet

daughter of the King

a daughter of the King is...
broken, yet whole
sinful, yet pure
undeserving, yet worthy
unsure, yet certain
lost, yet sought after
independent, but totally reliant
guilty, yet blameless

our life in Christ 
while on this earth
is filled with grace
so undeserved

God sent His son
His one and only
to live a life of Truth
Grace-filled, and Holy

quote of the week

T: "Mom, don't say that word."
Mommy: "What word don't you want me to say, honey?"
T: "That 'NO' word, mom. Don't say that, o'tay?"

Oh, I wish parenting was just as easy as doing everything your child asked you to do, and then only have to wait a little while before they realize the natural consequences of their own requests, and realize that as a parent, you do actually know better than they do, after all.

It's been awhile since I've posted so I should write a little update.  We are moved into our new home, just across the highway and only 5 minutes from our old home.  Our new house still feels nothing like a home, but I know that this will take time, money, furniture, paint, and simply, more time.  We need just that, time, to create memories, have dinner parties, celebrate holidays and birthdays, etc.  Speaking of birthdays, in fact, T turns three in a few weeks, already.  My, Oh, My, time has just flown by this past year.  He's incredibly verbal and highly social.  That's one hard part about living in this new house; he desperately misses his neighbor friends, and honestly, mommy does, too.  He was just at that age where I felt comfortable letting him run next door to see if little P was out playing or her brother was riding his bike around.  We do have hope, however, because the house right next door is a four-bedroom that I am praying is bought by a young family with lots of kids :)

Big T's business is doing very well, I'm extremely proud of him and excited to see him excited.

Here's a pic of my little man,  enjoying the simple pleasures of a smelly barn at the County Fair last week.  He's a joy, and if I had one wish, I would have three more just like him.

Here's to a great summer, and a beautiful Autumn.  School starts this week and I am definitely glad T doesn't start pre-school this Fall. I would be heart-broken!

Ten Things Tuesday

Today I'm thankful for...

1. T's excitement for almost anything I may have planned for each day.
2. The Zoo. Almost every animal was out and about this morning, probably because of the cool, crisp air.
3. The sunshine. We may have started out with mittens and warm hats & jackets, but as the morning lingered, we shed layer after layer until it felt like a beautiful Spring afternoon!
4. Good friends that are safe, comfortable places of rest.
5. New friends because there is an excitement about the unknown and at each gathering there is a possibility to learn something new about each other.
6. Toddler "giggles."
7. "Under-dogs" on the swings.
8. Playing hard enough that an afternoon nap is necessary for both toddler and Mommy.
9. A clean kitchen.
10. Pre-Easter chocolate tastings...

Shrieking Astonishment

My sweet T. His zest for life is inspiring, I wish I could say contagious. If only I could look at a bird, or a truck, or a kid on a bike and shriek in pure astonishment every single time. Life would be so fresh, so unwritten, so exciting.

Unfortunately, I live my life feeling somewhat complacent, almost bored because I know what comes next. Or do I? It feels like I do because our days involve so much routine. But, what if I didn't expect the same thing out of each day of routine? What if I obeyed God and risked a conversation with a stranger at the zoo, or helped an older woman at the weekly grocery trip.

Maybe God would be delighted in my efforts to find joy in the routine, excitement in the same-old-same-old. Maybe I would bring Him glory, and that, would bring me zest for life, contagious joy! Lord, help me to see each day as a gift from an awesome Creator who loves the life He breathed into me. Teach me to serve without restraint, to love without boundary and to forgive without thought. Amen.

Battle Wounds

T took a somersalt tumble head-first onto a cement patio step. It looked frightening as he fell, and appears worse than it feels, apparently. T was back up and playing less than 10 minutes later! Tough Cookie, that's what he is!

Wordless Wednesday

10 Things Tuesday

1. My son is still sleeping at 8:23 a.m. so I can spend time blogging.

2. My "free" day to run errands, catch up on stuff like thank-yous, groceries.

3. My sister-in-law B and her friendship.

4. Seeing my family on Mother's day and the time we shared over lunch in MKE.

5. Zumba class!

6. My husband's business, and although the economy is awful, he has managed it well and hasn't had to let anyone go.

7. My In-laws: they are now home from FL and relieve some stress for my hubby.

8. My friend Jenni and our conversation last night via phone. I miss her!

9. Hot showers & strong coffee.

10. Spring! Flowers are blooming, the grass is green and sun is shining! Plus, it's still not too hot.

One Minute Writer: Belief

When I was a child, I remember believing that when I "grew up" I wanted to be a Babysitter. The were always fun to play with, and I enjoyed the youthful leadership my parents hired to watch me so they could enjoy a night out on the town.
For years in high school and college I laughed about this "dream job" of my childhood. Until now, when I realize, I actually have grown up to be a Babysitter. Granted, motherhood is much more than glorified babysitting;however, I can actually say my childhood dreams have come true!

"Not Me" Monday

Yesterday was a not an extremely busy day -- which is why I am not writing my "Not-Me" Monday entry on Tuesday. Since a friend is 31 weeks preggo, and has a little 19 month old playmate that T adores, I got to watch her all day yesterday so she could do the bed-rest thing without a toddler running around her in circles.
The two of them were so exhausted after playing outside all morning, they napped for 4 hours! I was not a little ecstatic that I had all that time to myself, and so I did not lay on the couch for half of it wishing I had access to my computer. Because T's friend was in a pack 'n' play in our computer room, I did not spend that time on the couch watching the DVD of "Scrubs" my hubby bought me for Mother's Day. Not Me!

Best wishes for a Happy Mother's Day...

Mother's Day...
I have pretty mixed emotions about this particular day of the year. My husband went shopping with T the other night, and today delivered my gift: A DVD Season 2 compliation of one of my all-time favorite sit-com/dramas, "Scrubs." It was thoughtful, because he knows how sad I am that my beloved characters are off the air as of this season, but, I felt myself longing for something a bit more...I don't know, heartfelt.

But, that's my problem with pre-scheduled, "hallmark" holidays. I have these expectations that always get in the way of really, truly appreciating the gifts from those I love and the thought they put into them. Maybe it has something to do with Love Languages (mine is NOT gifts, I'm pretty sure) or maybe the root of it is simply my own self-centerdness and my sinful desire to have everyone in my house love me as much as I do...

Really, all I want for Mother's day is some quality time with my boys, a visit to Anna's grave with them, and some heartfelt loving words and a hug from my little T & husband. I expect that hubby should know this and already have it planned, but in reality (now, sit down girls), Men actually CAN'T read our minds. I know, I know, shocker.

If you're a mom, enjoy your special day of the year when its actually scheduled on the Western calendar to honor you and thank you. If you're not, or are wishing you were (I know this day is miserable for you, especially), then give your mom what she really wants...a great big HUG and a heartfelt word of love.

Twice, half

In my life, I would like twice as many children, and half of the amount of medical problems.



If I had the latter, I would have the former. But, God has given me the grace to move forward with the circumstances that have been entrusted to me, and therefore I will seek His will in all things, hoping to glorify Him with my life.

Wordless Wednesday