Seed Bombs

This is the coolest thing ever!

The joys of living in the mountains

We live in the mountains and our house was built in 1987...or thereabouts.  Which means we don't have central heat or air.  We've been using an A/C unit my parents gave me a while ago, but it's only big enough to cool one room & today we caved & bought another unit $$$.  My husband loves that it came with a remote.  He stands at the door, turns it on and off, looks at me, & then smiles.  My boy Capone is scared to death of it.  The beeping isn't dog friendly apparently.  Well, if it means I can sleep at night, then so be it. 

Cooking with Nicole

Between working, working out, & playing intramurals, I really haven't had much time or energy to make dinner when I get home.  Trying to avoid the going out, spending all of our money, & getting large shall we say, I dug through my volumes of cookbooks & recipes and found a Better Homes & Gardens publication with 20 minute meals.  Very first recipe I chose was a winner.  So much of a winner that I'm including it in my blog. 

I've always said, "I'm a good cook, it's the recipes that suck." 

Sesame-Chicken Coleslaw
Start to finish: 15 min.

1/4 cp italian dressing
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1/8-1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
3 cp packaged shredded cabbage with carrot (coleslaw mix)
2 cp chopped cooked chicken
2 tbsp snipped fresh cilantro
1 head boston lettuce, separated into leaves
1/4 cp slivered almonds, toasted

1. For dressing: In small bowl, combine italian salad dressing, soy sauce, sesame oil, & crushed red pepper; set aside.
2. In large bowl, combine cabbage, chicken, & cilantro.  Drizzle chicken mixture with dressing; toss gently to coat.
3. Line dinner plates with lettuce leaves.  Spoon chicken mixture onto lettuce.  Sprinkle with almonds.  Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition Info:
Per Serving:
298 cal
18g total fat (3g sat fat)
68mg chol
457 mg sodium
9g carbo
3g fiber
25g pro

I cut the recipe in half and this was what was left.  I didn't know I'd want to blog about it until after the meal...hence the late to the game picture.  :o) 

I won!

Check out this post at My Inner Old Lady!

Oh...you know...stuff

Photo by David Cappaert @ www.forestryimages.org

Went to a cookout at my boss' place this evening.  Every now & then I realize how much I love living here.  The southern hospitality is unparalleled.  And the lightning bugs.  Come on...who doesn't love lightning bugs??

 Please enjoy these images from my southern garden:

One of my mimosa trees (a non-native) in bloom.  If you look closely you can see Pony has stuck his head in a MASSIVE HOLE THEY DUG!!  :oP

My hydrangea weeping from the heavy blooms.

Well this was rather eye opening

Found via Crafting in a Green World.