Just for kicks...

I love this!! :)

Scorpio 2009 Yearly Outlook:

Get out there and communicate your passionate awareness to the world this year, Scorpio! As you articulate your beliefs, you will move your life -- and the planet -- toward a more spiritual and thoughtful reality. Positively express yourself and your vision, and you will be a source of great inspiration.

Scorpio loves challenges, especially when it involves transformational energy. As you purify your instincts and overcome any fears of letting your creative passion flow, a newfound enthusiasm and strength will arise within you, and affect everyone around you.

You see yourself in a completely different light this year as you discover new ways of bringing harmony into your life and communicating on a deeper level. Accept who you are at the core, and you will experience a wholeness you never thought possible. Trusting yourself is the key to spiritual growth.

My little ones...

Yes, it's another cat post!

It's been really cold here...I'm pretty sure the high yesterday didn't get much further than 25 degrees. It was bitter! My kitties are always looking for a good spot to snuggle and get warm (my Uggs keep me warm no matter where I am--they rock). When I walked into the bedroom to get ready for bed, both my little ones were already there, warm and snuggled! They both sleep on the bed in the winter--Cleo at the foot of the bed, Charli pretty much right next to me. Aren't they too adorable? They certainly make my life better in every way!

We also had a little bit of fun with some catnip last night...I ordered 3 new catnip toys and the stuff must have been potent. Cleo was literally sniffing and nuzzling the package before I even opened it! They both took off with the toys, wide-eyed and stoned. It was a riot!

I ♥ my baby girls!!

Under Construction

No hard hats are involved, but I am playing around with my blog format. It's both fun and frustrating...so please excuse any site problems!

Toodles,
Jenni

I've been in the mood...

...for Italian food lately. Here is another quick recipe I tried and it is scrum-deli-umptious!!

Chicken Parmigiana

4 servings

1 spray(s) olive oil cooking spray

4 – 4 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly pounded

2 large egg white(s), lightly beaten

1/2 cup(s) dried bread crumbs or Panko

1 tbsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp table salt, or to taste

1 tsp olive oil

1 1/2 cup(s) canned tomato sauce

½ - 1 cup(s) part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat an 9x13 pan with cooking spray.

Place egg whites in a shallow bowl. Combine breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning and salt; pour into another shallow bowl. Dip chicken in egg whites; turn to coat. Dip chicken in bread crumb mixture; turn to thoroughly coat.

Coat a large skillet with cooking spray and add oil; heat over medium-high heat. When hot, add chicken and cook until lightly browned and no longer pink in center, about 4 minutes per side.

Pour 1/2 cup of sauce into the prepared baking dish; place chicken in dish and pour remaining sauce evenly over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese and bake until chicken is cooked through and cheese is bubbly, about 25 minutes.

Peek-A-Boo!

I walked into my bedroom last night and what did I see???
Little Miss Cleo peeking out at me! She had managed to get herself under the comforter and she was nice and warm...it was hilarious.I am certain she kept wondering why Mommy was taking so many pictures and disturbing her sleep!

Recipe Numero Dos

This recipe has much potential...it would probably be better and more flavorful with ground beef or turkey (the creator used ground beef). I had neither so I added corn. I also didn't have any canned tomatoes or even Rotel (how could I have forgotten Rotel at the grocery store???) I also made my own taco seasoning...I'm trying to cut down on salt. The result was pretty good...I topped mine with a little salsa too. So here is the original recipe with meat...for the tomato sauce I actually used some Prego Traditional I had in the fridge. Sorry for the blurry photo!

Celeste's Mexican Stuffed Peppers

4 green bell peppers
2% cheese of choice (I used a Mexican blend)
1 lb lean ground beef
1 small onion
instant brown rice (I used 4 servings but it was actually too much)
1/2-3/4 cup water
1 small can of tomato sauce

Taco Seasoning:
1 tbsp chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt (I used 1/2)
1 tsp black pepper

I cut the tops off of the bell peppers and actually boiled them for about 10 minutes (next time I probably won't boil them that long). I cooked the onions, caramelizing them a bit with a splash of white wine and then added the rice, taco seasoning, water, corn, and tomato sauce. Simmered this for a while then filled each pepper with the mixture, topped with cheese. I baked them at 350 for about 30 minutes.

New Year, New Recipes

Yesterday was very productive...I did all the laundry including bedding and blankets, organized and put away all the Christmas decorations, cleaned the kitchen and totally stocked up at the grocery store. I was prepared the start the week (and new year) off with a healthy bang! I was in a vegetarian mood and decided on some new meatless recipes for my lunches/dinners this week. Here is the first one I made--it was delicious and perfect for the cold night. It was my first experience making a white sauce with flour and milk...I have always been afraid of burning the milk but it worked out really well. I halved the recipe since it's just me and voila! Please pardon my photo as my kitchen doesn't have the best light in the evening.

Baked Penne with Butternut Squash and Ricotta
(Weight Watchers recipe)

2 spray(s) cooking spray
20 oz butternut squash, fresh, peeled and cubed
12 oz uncooked whole-wheat pasta, penne
1 1/4 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
2 tbsp white all-purpose flour
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp thyme
1/2 cup(s) part-skim ricotta cheese
1/3 cup(s) grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Coat a 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray.

Place squash on prepared baking sheet; roast until tender, about 20 to 30 minutes. Place in a large bowl and mash.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. After squash has been roasting for about 10 minutes, cook pasta according to package directions; drain and return to pot.

In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, flour, garlic, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking frequently; reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in mashed squash, ricotta and 1/2 teaspoons of thyme. Add sauce to pasta; toss to mix and coat.

Transfer pasta mixture to prepared baking dish and sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until top is lightly browned in a few spots, about 15 to 20 minutes; remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 teaspoon of thyme. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

Should old acquaintance be forgot...

Have a safe and happy
New Year's Eve!

Love, Jen

2009: Revelations & Resolutions

My formula for a great new year:

4H + 3F + 2D + S = The Good Life

Health

I resolve to be healthy, strong and fit from the inside out

Happiness

I resolve to greet each new day with a smile

Hope

I resolve to stay positive and optimistic about the future

Heart

I resolve to be empathetic of people and things around me

Faith

I resolve to keep building a stronger relationship with God

Family

I resolve to show love and gratitude to my family

Friends

I resolve to make new friends and treasure the old

Dedication

I resolve to make and follow through with my goals

Dependability

I resolve to be consistent and reliable to myself and others

Spontaneity

I resolve to have more fun, see the world and enjoy myself!

Wishing you and yours all the best in 2009,
Jenni

Holiday wishes...

Merry Christmas

From Me

To You!!!

My Grown up Christmas List

Here is my real Christmas list this year...for these things I wish:

I wish...all animals have a warm place to sleep and food to eat.
I wish...those people without homes find a light of hope.
I wish...the troops are safe and sound and return home soon.
I wish...the elderly are treated with kindness and respect.
I wish...those spending Christmas in a hospital feel the spirit of the season.

I wish...for Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men.

Love to all,
Jenni

Santa Part 2

I'd like to add a few more things to my [materialistic] list...

1) This faboo briefcase for my budding pre-law career.

2) This top-rated elliptical trainer to burn off all the Christmas cookies.

3) And don't forget these smokin' hot boots are already on the list.


I've been very good this year,
j.

It's almost here!

I can't believe Christmas 2008 is less than a week away! All my shopping is done and the gifts are wrapped and under the tree. Tonight we are going out for dinner and one of my favorite past times--looking at Christmas lights around town! I don't know if it's been the cold and dreary weather but I have never been so ready for the weekend. I have been looking forward to Saturday and sleeping in ALL WEEK!

Have a good one!!

True Love, Dedication...and Heart

After much anticipation, I watched Marathon Love on Discovery Health Channel last night. I laughed, I cried...I was inspired. It is a touching true story about a man who loves his wife, a woman who defeats all odds and a family full of heart. I made my parents record it and I even posted a blurb about it on my Facebook page. It was amazing and I will be watching it again and again.

To read more about Jamie and Lyn Parks, please visit their website: http://www.lynjame.com/

Happy Monday everyone!
j.

Who Da Man?

That's right...he did it. And boy does he ever deserve it. Sam Bradford is only the second sophomore to ever win the Heisman. And I couldn't be more proud. See ya in Miami, Sam!