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(Image Source: Country Living)
Just a note to let you know that I'm doing OK, but busy with family and work which has made my posting here non-existent for the past week. My dear Grandpa, had a mild heart attack almost a week to the day after he arrived here in Vancouver. He is still in hospital, but in good spirits. I am also busy working on upcoming workshops. Next month I will start my travelling and teaching again. I can't wait!
(Image credits: Top left -Tablescape from 100 Layer Cake • News print: from Flickr (sorry could not link to source • 'The Best is yet to come' from Etsy • Bottom Right - Viva Terra Succulent Wreath)
I am a little giddy as today I will head out for my first solo adventure since my surgery ☺While I don't anticipate doing anything mind blowingly fun (post office, library and antique store), it will still be nice to regain a little bit of independence again.
On Saturday, our family here in Vancouver will be augmented by one as my Grandpa will be arriving from Toronto to live. His wife passed away about 2 weeks ago, and as my Dad is his last living child, he decided to move out here. I am really happy about it. It's been about 24 years since our family has had a Grandparent living in the same geographical area as us, and I can't wait to spend more time with him. We'll be welcoming him with a family dinner in the evening. Fun, Fun!
What exciting plans do you have planned for this weekend?
(photo credit: Tumblr)
Spring is coming!! Can you feel it? We had a beautiful afternoon here in Vancouver yesterday which did wonders for my attitude and outlook. I have been spending time crafting over the past week, and it has been such a positive, mood-boosting thing for me. I was so sad when I had to cancel some of my upcoming teaching trips, but in all honesty, having a few unexpected months home with no plans is allowing me freedom to relax and craft. See, there are silver linings to everything.
I hope that you too have had a good week and that the sun is shining brightly in your corner of the world.
Today, over at the Melissa Frances blog, we are hosting our first ever recipe exchange. While I have been recovering, I have spent more than a few hours looking at food blogs and recipes online.
A few days ago, I tried one of the recipies I discovered during my web wanderings. Rick and I both really liked it, so it will be added to our rotation here at home. Here, is the Sweet & Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken recipe:
• 4 Chicken breasts (although I suppose you really could use any part of a chicken, thighs/legs would also work)
• 1 - 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes in juice
• 2/3 cup of brown sugar - could use less if you don't want it too sweet.
• 3/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes - once again, could use more if you want it a tad spicier.
• Salt & Pepper to taste
Put all ingredients into a crock pot, cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 4-6 hours. With about 1-2 hours left in cook time, remove chicken and shred it. Then, remove some of the diced tomatoes leaving the juice in the crock pot (You could leave the tomatoes in if you'd like. We planned to use fresh tomatoes in the finished meal, so I removed about 90% of them). Add chicken back to the crock pot, stir, cover and continue to cook. When ready to serve, use a draining (or slotted) spoon to dish up the chicken as the sauce is very thin and runny.
Suggested use for this dish: sandwiches, tacos, salads, burritos, etc.
Rick and I used this chicken dish in tacos and it was really quite yummy. We used the recipe as written above. I think next time I will reduce the sugar by a slight bit and increase the red pepper flakes as this dish was very, very mild. I originally found this recipe on the Mel's Kitchen Cafe website.
Do you have a recipe to share? If so, link it up with the Melissa Frances link party!
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