Public Service Announcement

So I discovered that it's winter clearance time
at nearly every store I visited today.
It was awesome!
I don't like cold weather any more than the next gal,
but I do like warm fuzzy-lined winter boots
for a fraction of their regular price.
So get out there and take advantage!

The other thing that is great about seeing
winter coats, hats, and boots on sale,
is that it means spring is right around the corner!
The stores are busting out flip flops
and it's already going to be March next week.
Believe me, I'm ready for warmer weather,
but not before I pick up some great finds
that will be so much fun to dig out next winter.

Italian Artichoke Chicken with Pasta

I made dinner the other night,

all by myself!

Usually Adam is around to help - 

or make the whole thing while I take pictures.

But not this time!

So here's a recipe so easy, even I can pull it off, unassisted.

I began by placing some salt and peppered 

chicken breasts in a baking dish.

Then I chopped up some Roma tomatoes
and put them in a mixing bowl.

Next, I grabbed a jar of artichoke hearts 

and diced up some garlic cloves,

before adding them and some olive oil to the mixing bowl.

Walt helped dump in a little sugar,

and flour,

which we mixed all together and added to the chicken.

While the chicken was baking at 350 degrees,

I cooked some spaghetti noodles.

And then right before the chicken was cooked all the way through,

I piled on some mozzarella cheese,

and stuck everything under the broiler for a few minutes more.

This is how it looked when it came out of the oven.

But for the final touch, 

I chopped up some fresh basil -

and sprinkled it on top.

Here it is -

Just serve it up over your noodles for a delicious dinner 

that's not a lot of work!

Italian Artichoke Chicken with Pasta

1-2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
5-6 Roma tomatoes
2-3 cloves garlic
1 jar artichoke hearts
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp sugar
2-3 Tbsp flour
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 lb spaghetti noodles
Fresh Basil
Salt & Pepper

Place chicken breast in a large baking dish. Salt & pepper generously. Core and chop tomatoes and place in mixing bowl. Chop garlic and add to tomatoes. Drain jar of artichoke hearts and add to mixing bowl. Add olive oil, flour and sugar. Mix well. Place the mixture in the baking dish on and around the chicken. Place in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes to an hour. While chicken is baking, prepare spaghetti noodles according to the directions on the package. Bake chicken until cooked almost entirely through. When only a few minutes remain, cover everything with mozzarella cheese and place under broiler until cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with chopped basil and serve over spaghetti noodles.

DL Fun!

It was Emily's first year at the condo.

So while she made herself at home lounging in a sink bath . . .

 

These two took a dip in the pool.

They love swimming!

And this year, 

they also spent some time out on the ice.

 

Ruby got her first pair of ice skates

and Walt recently got outfitted 

with a ton of hockey gear from friends.

He was so proud to put it all on and be out on the ice.

Unfortunately, he learned that just because you look
like a hockey player, doesn't mean
you can skate like one.

He was frustrated at how hard skating was,

but loved playing boot hockey with his dad.

We've been going out to the neighborhood rinks more frequently 

and both Walt and Ruby are progressing in their skating.

It won't be long until this little guy is gliding all over the ice!

Here are Piper and Ruby taking a break from playing in the snow 

to do a little life guarding.

But the most fun thing we did at the condo this year

was hit up Detroit Mountain.

 

They have a tubing hill that is awesome!

You ride up on a little conveyer belt 

and there are 4 runs to slide down.

 

Walter was hooked immediately!

He'd head up on his own,

 

and come flying back down without even waiting for us.

I'm not going to lie,

 Ruby and I were both a little scared at first.

The hill was icy so we went really fast!

But we kept going and had a great time.

Emily stayed in the warming house with 

Grandma and Grandpa snoozing away.

 It was such a fun little family adventure.

 Our kids were just old enough to enjoy it.

 

  We can't wait to take them again!