Yummy Chicken

I found this recipe a while back in Cook's Country magazine. I'm not a huge chicken fan but this recipe is sooo good. I hadn't made it in a long time but decided to fix it last night. It looks fancy and tastes really good. You can taste all of the different flavors at some point during each bite. It would be a good dish to make for company. Here's the recipe. P.S. we added about 1/4 cup more chicken broth.

Chicken Cutlets with Bacon, Rosemary

and Lemon

5 slices bacon, chopped

1/4 cup all purpose flour

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed

salt and pepper

1 Tablespoon unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, sliced thin

1 Tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1. Fry bacon in large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 5 min. Transfer bacon to plate lined with paper towels. Spoon off all but 2 Tablespoons bacon fat.

2. Meanwhile, place flour in shallow dish. Season chicken with salt and pepper, dredge in flour, and shake off excess. Add butter to reserved bacon fat in skillet and high heat, swirling to melt butter. When foam subsides, reduce heat to medium-high and cook chicken until browned on both sides, 3-4 min. per side. Transfer to plate (leaving fat in skillet) and cover loosely with foil.

3. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, rosemary, and pepper flakes. Cook until garlic is browned and crisp, about 2 min. Add broth and lemon juice, scrape up browned bits from bottom of skillet with wooden spoon, and simmer until slightly thickened, about 4 min.

4. Return chicken and bacon to pan and simmer, turning chicken once or twice, until sauce is thick and glossy, 2-3 min. Adjust seasonings and serve.

11 Years

On June 20th Dean and I celebrated our 11 year anniversary. Looking back, there have been a lot of changes over the years. Many ups and downs but more good times than bad. We got married in the Denver Temple. I was so excited (and sick). I think it was just nerves. My uncle, a pharmacist, was giving me tips on which medicines might help me feel better. It all turned out beautifully. We honeymooned at Disney World. The first day I about died because of the heat and humidity. It was a really fun trip. Three moves, three kids and a few career changes later we're still happy.
We got a babysitter to come a little earlier than our dinner and movie plans so we could spend time together and go shopping. Friday he came home from work early and surprised me with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, purple and yellow like my wedding flowers, and a gift card. We had a wonderful night together.

Summer Fun

There probably won't be a big summer vacation this year so I'm trying to do fun things at home. When we went to Sanford a few weeks ago we went to an indoor water park. The kids had a blast swimming with all of their cousins. A few days ago we went mini golfing. Eric had to wear a red golf shirt like Tiger. The boys played pretty well. Eric and Charles both got a hole in one on the same hole. Katie was my helper. She carried my putter in the beginning then would get my ball out of the cup for me. I don't know which they liked better playing golf or playing in the water and on the animals. Yesterday a bunch of moms and kids from church got together at America the Beautiful. We played in the fountain and at the playground. The fountain was so much fun. The playground is amazing. The equipment is really unusual. We spent hours playing yesterday.

Super 8: Birthday and Baptism

I spent the last couple of days finishing up birthday and baptism plans. Aaron and Tami and their kids came up Saturday night for Eric's baptism. My little guys were in heaven to have their cousins sleep at their house. It's such a treat when we have visitors. We had a nice dinner and reminisced about our childhoods. Sunday afternoon was Eric's baptism. I wanted to give the talk on baptism and the Holy Ghost but started having second thoughts when I saw all the people showing up. I thought it would be small with mostly family but we had a great turn out. My nerves always seem to get the best of me when I have to speak to a crowd. I did fine until the end and my emotions started getting the best of me. After Dean baptized Eric there was a definite spirit and glow about him. He truly did seem clean and pure. Tami played beautiful piano music while the boys changed. Aaron confirmed Eric and gave him a great blessing. The scout leader presented him with his scarf and book which made him really happy. I don't know that I'm ready for all this scout and Duty to God stuff that comes with having an eight year old. After the baptism we came back to our house for BBQ, cake and presents. We had such a good time with family from both sides. Thanks to everyone who came and helped you made Eric's day a special one.

Countdown to Eight

Eric turns eight on the fourteenth, which happens to be a Sunday, so we thought it would be perfect (and memorable) if he could be baptized on his birthday. We have been talking a lot about baptism over the last few weeks. Why do we get baptized? What do we have to do to get baptized? What is confirmation? And lots of other questions. We've been practicing the hold and dunk and talking about the interview with the bishop. Last night was his appointment so we took the whole family. Eric went in first to talk to the bishop. Charles waited pretty patiently during this time, then Dean and I were called in. Charles waited out in the foyer for us. I'm sure to him it seemed like Eric was in the bishop's office for a long time. When we walked out the door Charles hurried to Eric and asked, "Eric, is your hair wet?" How cute is that? He thought Eric was in there getting baptized. Dean and I couldn't hold in our laughter. After the interview we went to dinner then came home and watched Wipe Out. It was really funny. The kids thought it was so cool. They loved the slow motion and John Madden -like replays. Eric would be on that game show in a heart beat.

I spent the last week down in Sanford trying to help my parents finish getting their house and themselves ready to leave for their mission. Sometimes I wondered if we were more in the way than we were helpful but I'm happy that we were there. My boys love going down to play with their seldom seen cousins. In fact, Eric decided that we should move to Sanford so he could go to school with his cousins. We all got eaten up by the mosquitoes. Charles has twenty five bites on his back alone. One night we all went swimming at the Inn at the Rio Grande. The kids loved it even though the water was not exactly warm. For the next two days my boys begged to go back.
My mom and dad left this morning for the MTC. It was hard to see them go but I know they couldn't be going to a better place. Mom called tonight and they got a flat tire outside of Pagosa Springs. It set them back a few hours but they said two or three people stopped to help so we know they're being looked after. We're going to miss them! After they were set apart Charles started crying. In between sobs he said he was just going to miss grandad. I think at least one grand kid from every family had an emotional breakdown over the fact that grandma and grandad are gone.
Good luck mom and dad, we wish you the best and thanks for all you have done for us.