Multi-Purpose

This morning I was in the kitchen scrambling some eggs. I was using a wooden spoon.

Ruthi walks in and says, "You use a wooden spoon for stirring too?"

Me - "Yes."

Ruthi - "Oh! I thought you just use wooden spoons for spanking!"

The odd thing is, she has seen me use a wooden spoon for cooking LOTS of times, and she has used it herself for stirring while helping me in the kitchen as well.

Not sure why she is just now asking that!

Especially since spankings have been a lot more rare lately. Thankfully!

Recipe Swap - Chicken and Black Pepper Dumplings

I am participating in the Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap today.

One of my favorite go-to, comfort foods in the winter time is Chicken and Dumplings. I grew up eating them and have always loved them. I have discovered there are many different ways to go about making them. I grew up with the chicken-broth type and love them. But I discovered a creamier and thicker version I love even more.

I'm going to include the "original" recipe that I began with. I don't remember where it came from, but I fell in love the first time I make them.

However, it doesn't make enough for my family, and is a bit thicker than I like. So I just add stuff as I see fit and make it to suit me. So following the recipe, I'll include some changes I make.

Chicken and Black Pepper Dumplings

Soup:

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup cut up cooked chicken

1 can cream of chicken soup

Dumplings:

1 cup Bisquick

1/3 cup milk

1/2 tsp. black pepper

Heat milk, chicken and soup to boiling.

Mix Bisquick, milk and pepper until soft dough forms.

Drop by spoonfuls onto chicken mixture. 

Cook, uncovered over low heat 10 minutes.

Cover and cook 10 minutes longer.

Sprinkle with parsly if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

Ok, I'm not big on exact measurements, so I just add additional ingredients as I like. I at least double the milk, and add an extra can of cream of chicken soup. I don't measure my chicken, but put quite a bit more in than it calls for. If I feel it's still too thick, I add more milk or a little chicken broth. If it needs it, I add salt as well.
For the dumplings - I double the mixture. We like lots of pepper in ours, but it ends up being too peppery for our daughter. So I stick pretty close to the measurement there, but we add extra pepper to our bowls. I've found that the dumplings do better if I do them in smaller amounts, so I use about a half of a spoon for a dumpling. We like lots of dumplings in ours; you may like less, so experiment with it.
I have also found that the dumplings taste better if they cook a little longer, so I do about 15 minutes uncovered and then 15 minutes covered. The longer they cook, the better the texture. If you don't cook them long enough, the dumplings are more biscuit-y. I don't care for them as much that way.

I could eat these all winter long, they are so wonderful and creamy. I make a big pot so I'm sure to have enough for lunch or dinner the next day!

Wordless Wednesday

My little angel playing dress up.

To see more participants, visit Wordless Wednesday.

Memories

Ok, so I was just watching 19 Kids and Counting. The Duggar family who recently gave birth to their 19th baby, Josie. Josie was born at 25 weeks gestation. I watched through tear-filled eyes because I know EXACTLY what they are going through and how they are feeling.

Over 15 years ago, our son CJ was born at only 24 weeks gestation. I didn't have pre-eclampsia nor a c-section, but it was every bit as frightening. CJ was a little bigger than Josie - he was 2 pounds 2 ounces. He dropped to 1 pound 15 ounces before he began gaining. I remember that his thigh was as big around as my pinky. So tiny and fragile, yet so strong! (His size was a surprise even to the doctors. They told me prior to him being born that I would be "lucky if he weighed a pound." We believe if I had carried him to term he would have been a big baby. Especially since his sister was just under 10 pounds!)
We were very scared, but at the same time knew God was in total control. But it was three months of roller coaster emotions. We never knew what each day would hold.

I won't go into any more details, becaused I've already blogged his birth story. If you really want to read it (it's long!) you can find it here. And I have more pictures posted there as well. But here is one of the first pictures we took of him.

Watching the Duggar's story tonight brought a flood of emotions as I traveled back to that day for us almost 16 years ago. I never imagined that that tiny baby boy would one day be taller than me! It's amazing.

I am praying for the Duggars and for baby Josie.

I Love a Good Challenge

So I'm joining this one:

What better way to get something cleaned and organized than joing a challenge? I have two closets that are in desperate need of organizing...again. I've done them many times before, even posted them for Tackle it Tuesday. But they tend to get messy and cluttered over and over. They become "catch all" closets and they get a bit crazy. So they need some serious attention again. I also have a cabinet that I may work on as well.

There are two categories for the challenge - whole room and small space. Obviously, I'll be joining the small space category. I really don't have a whole room that needs that much attention. I love that I have an entire 28 days to get these done. Hopefully I won't wait until the last few days to get busy!

I don't have before pictures yet. I may come back and add them, or I may wait until the end and show them along with the after pictures. I don't know.

What I do know is that I'll feel better when I'll no longer be embarrassed to open these closet doors again!

Want to get in on the fun or see what others are organizing? Visit I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Menu Plan Monday

I didn't post my menu last week because I was sick. I had one, just didn't feel like posting. I'm still somewhat sick...I'm getting quite tired of it! I'm ready to be at 100% again. But I still need to feed my family. My wonderful hubby took care of dinner a few nights...it was wonderful. But I need to get it together this week and get back on track...even if I'm not feeling great.

This week's menu is simple. I NEED simple right now!!!

Monday - Chicken & Dumplings

Tuesday - Italian Stuffed Shells, Salad

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - Salisbury Steak (in the crockpot), Mashed potatoes, green vegetable (haven't decided what yet.)

Friday - Chicken Pizza

Saturday - Leftovers

Sunday - White Chili

To see more menus or add your own, be sure to visit Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie!