Chicken Parmesan Stromboli

I came across a recipe for stromboli many, many years ago. Me being me, I had to alter the recipe because well, there were things in it I just didn't like.  What you find below is my wonderful concoction.

I used to make my version of Stromboli at least once a week. The kids loved it, and if their friends knew I was making it, they were there, too! It's a big hit with everyone. It's like having chicken parmesan and garlic bread all rolled into one. Enjoy!

Chicken Parmesan Stromboli

I love this recipe. It is so easy and delicious. Of course, it is a special dinner for us now, since we cut carbs almost totally out of our diet.
But please, try it. Make it your own.

Tracking Children

Have you heard about the Common Core  problem? Basically,  it's an initiative between the National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers meant to 'prepare our children for college and the workforce'. Sounds great, right?  Not so fast.
Apparently, this Common Core Initiative has circumvented the Legislature Branch and comes straight from the Executive Branch (funded by Obama's Stimulus package) to bribe states into constructing 'longitudinal data systems (LDS) to collect data on public-school students." Common Core's technological project is "merely one part of a much broader plan by the federal government to track individuals from birth through their participation in the workforce."

Figure it out yet?

What they are doing is tracking your child.

Health care history. Income information. Religious affiliation. Nicknames. Bus stop times. Disciplinary history Voting status. Blood type. And whether or not your child finished their homework.

Maybe It's Not

I haven't gone anywhere. I'm still here. I know you've been wondering lately if I've fallen off a cliff or something, right?
Well, I am still here. All the standards still apply- I've been busy. School is taking up a lot of my time. yadda yadda yadda.

I could tell you about the yummy salsa I canned today. Oh so delicious and easy! Or maybe about the 1950's style corn relish I canned? Bright and sweet and tangy!
Or I could tell you about my fabulous slow-cooked Apricot Mustard Ham I have in the oven?
Maybe I've just been lazy?

Maybe it's not that at all.

Photo by Jennifer Moore 

Basically, I find it hard to keep up with the blog. I'm not sure whether I am losing interest, or just going through a down cycle concerning the blog. I don't know.

Who knows. Maybe I'll start another blog with a totally different theme to invigorate my brain and capture my attention?
Maybe I won't.

It's all still up in the air right now.
How are YOU doing?

Strawberry- Oh, Lovely Strawberry!

Okay- so if you've seen one chocolate covered strawberry, you've seen them all, right? Not so! Some have dark chocolate. Some have white chocolate. Some have drizzles of both. And what a decadent treat, right? The tangy sweetness of fresh, ripe strawberries with the creamy warmth of smooth chocolate....
ah, the cravings are getting to me already. How about you? Okay- go...get your strawberries. I'll wait.

waiting.............

waiting...........

Got them? Okay. Now. I'm going to tell you something that will change your life forever. Are you ready for it? Here it comes-

Strawberry S'mores.

February, Already?

It seems like January just flew by, didn't it? I mean, it came out of nowhere, side-swiped everyone and took off! Didn't even leave a number. Wow.
Well, besides starting back to school, I did manage to make a cute Valentine's Day decoration. Grau and I don't celebrate VD because well, it's crap. Always has been. Some made-up holiday to get people to buy chocolate (who needs a reason??) and sappy love cards. Eww and ick. To us, if you love your partner, you show them every day. You don't need a day of the year dedicated to your love. The whole year is about each other. Crafting for the holiday is something else altogether! I love a good craft!

Balls. I've Got Them

Dryer balls, that is.  I came across this little gem at One Good Thing by Jillee last week and thought, I can do that!
So I went out in search of 100% wool yarn.

That was no easy task, let me tell you!

New Year: Rocks, Pebbles and Sand

I read this story many years ago. I loved it then. I love it now. It really does signify how I like to live my life. Of course, no one is perfect and even now I make a lot of mistakes. I've made a lot of mistakes in the past. But I like to look upon them as lessons. It's only a mistake if you don't learn from it.

So, Happy New Year (it is year and not years...unless you're special and several years attack you at once), take care of the big rocks first, pebbles when you can, and forget the sand.
*********************

A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2" in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full?

Cranberry Limeade Popcorn

I ran across this recipe on Pinterest the other day for Strawberry Popcorn. Now, me loving strawberry, I had to check it out. The pin led me to this woman's blog, where she says she didn't make up the recipe but got it off of the condensed milk people's website.

And I thought to myself I said 'self ('cause that's what I say when I talk to myself, I call myself self...)....I can do that.
And I thought to myself....Self, I can make flavor combos, too!

Lo and behold, a couple weeks ago I made Orange popcorn. The boys loved it, Grau took it to work and I didn't see a bit of it. That'll teach me, huh? I should eat more of what I cook. Or at least stash some of it away, in secret, in hiding, so I can bring it out and be all like, 'Ta-Da! Look what I have! and it's MINE! All MINE! I say!'

Easy Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers

I made these this afternoon for Grau to have while I was at school. The verdict is, they are awesome!
Yay. Another recipe keeper. I can't give you amounts, really...I just kinda threw this together.

Tomato Basil Bisque Heaven

Tonight, I made the most delicious, fabulous tomato soup I have ever made in my life. I am SO not kidding!

You see, I am in love with Noodles and Company's Tomato Basil bisque soup...I get it every time I go. Well, that and the Spicy Chicken Caesar Wrap. Both are just to die for.
So I set out to try and recreate the soup and boy am I glad I did!

Mad Scientist

I've spent a considerable amount of time in my kitchen lately.  While that is nothing new, what is new is the reason I'm in the kitchen. Yes, I am still making great foodstuffs. (And I think up several more each day!)
No, what has been keeping me in the kitchen is Christmas Gifts.

Still working on adjusting the oil, and sugar and scents, but it's a start.

Yeah, strange. I know most people like making cookies or breads to exchange at Christmastime. Not me. Nosirree! I like to make fun, smelly, luxurious stuff. And last weekend was no exception.