Weekend Happenings, Chicken Stew, Way Back When...

Good Friday evening!

As promised, here are some wedding photos from last week...


Roxie had a friend take this with her camera, and it turned out really cute.


I love this one of Matthew and Roxie.

I am not a good taker of the "selfie."

Roxie is...

But I most definitely am not.

AND...

Since I didn't use my camera AT ALL during the Wedding and Reception, you can go to the following website and see some really, really beautiful photos taken by Karen Waters, Wedding Photographer Extraordinaire:

www.watersphotography.blogspot.com.

As you will see when you return from heYr website, there was no need for me to have my camera with me during the Wedding and Reception.

No need at all.

She did a fantastic job.

Chicken Stew

I've shared this recipe before, but I made it the other night, and it was definitely worth sharing again.

This dish is adapted from my friend's mom's recipe, Shelby Dutton. As with many family recipes, Melaney can make it in her sleep. She knows just how many potatoes to add, etc., etc. But I had to play with it (just a little) last night after Melaney, daughter of Shelby, sent it to me, and I made it my own. EXCELLENT, Melaney! Excellent.

You will need the following:

1 rotisserie chicken
(Melaney cooks her own and takes it off the bone in long strips.)
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
(Melaney uses the broth left over from cooking the chicken.)
8 medium potatoes (cut into chunks)
(This will be enough to feed a family of five with a little leftover.)
1 whole yellow onion
(Melaney chops her onions, but my family just likes the flavor, so I put a whole peeled onion in the bottom of the stock pot.)
1 medium can of tomato sauce
2 cans shoepeg corn

1. Bring the broth, onion and potatoes to a boil. (Add salt and pepper for taste.)

2. Once the potatoes are fork tender, add tomato sauce, corn and chicken.

3. Cover and simmer.

Guys... This is good stuff. It's a perfect fall meal. Thank you, Melaney!

Way Back When...

This was first posted in October of 2010.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER by Erma Bombeck

This was written after she found out she was dying from cancer.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life. (I LOVE this one!)

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

I would have said "I love you" more.

I would have said "I'm sorry" more.

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute. Look at it and really see it. Live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.

Instead, cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

She was a wise woman... and these are words to live by TODAY!

Weekend Happenings

1. Tonight I will be making a huge amount of chicken salad for a Wedding Tea I'm helping with tomorrow. If all goes well, I will post the chicken salad recipe Tuesday.

If things do not go well, we'll pretend I didn't mention it here on the blog.

2. On Saturday, Josh will be doing the football thing. He's worked some long hours this week, so his plan to sit on the couch and eat during a multitude of football games sounds good to me... for him... not for me.

3. Roxie and I will be attending a Wedding Tea for Katie, my niece. The wedding stuff never ends in our family, or so it would seem.


Katie and T. J. will be getting married January 17.

At this point in the game, Bev and I are professionals at being Mothers of the Groom.

Can being the Mother of the Bride be any more difficult?

Please.

Do not answer that question.

4. On Sunday, I'm cooking Sunday dinner for any interested takers, and then Roxie, Mike and I are going to pack up and head to Auburn late Sunday afternoon.

We have to be up bright and early Monday morning for War Eagle Day on The Plains.

Mike is so excited, he can hardly contain himself. He has a big ol' smile on his face every time I mention it, and I'm beginning to wonder if he is going to enroll as an OLD incoming Freshman this Fall along with Roxie.


My empty nest may be emptier than first anticipated if that happens.

I hope y'all have the best Halloween/First of November weekend ever. I'll be back Tuesday with pics from Katie's Tea, pics from War Eagle Days, Way Back When... and much, much more.

Take care, and I'll talk to you next week.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

P.S. This is a picture of Sparkle in the leaves from last year...


Just because.