Monday, June 30, 2008

Super Recipe Saturday...on Monday

I'm two days late with my recipe of the week....but, trust me, this is worth it. I got the recipe from my favorite recipe site - www.allrecipes.com. Don't freak out because there are a lot of ingredients. Yes, there are. This is something that I make when I'm having dinner guests - and it gets rave reviews every time. I've made this for the Clarke's and the Lewis', and they both took home leftovers. It tastes a lot like Pasta Milano at Macaroni Grill. Enjoy!

2 cups heavy cream
1 cube chicken bouillon
1 tablespoon Asiago Cheese
1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed w/ equal parts water
1 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1 (16oz) package bow tie pasta
3/4 cup bacon
1/4 cup butter
1 cup diced red onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pound grilled skinless, boneless chicken breast, diced
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook 2 cups cream until just bubbling. Watch carefully, to ensure that it doesn't boil over. Stir in bouillon and Asiago cheese. Stir with a whisk until dissolved. Add cornstarch mixture, and simmer until sauce is thickened, stirring constantly. Mix in the sun-dried tomatoes. Set aside, or cover and refrigerate for later use.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute red onion until soft and translucent. Stir in garlic and cooked bacon, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in green onions, chicken and 1 cup cream. Cook, stirring, until cream is heated through. Add Asiago cream sauce, and heat through. Toss with cooked pasta until evenly coated, and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

P.S. This is not for those on diets!

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Two Divas and A Cute Dude

I'm just now getting my pics downloaded from my trip to see my friend Marty last week. Allison and Hannah wore each other out. Marty and I had a great time together....and then there was sweet little Evan. Evan is almost three months old and didn't stand a chance in the house those two days with all of the divas in full force. I'm embarrassed to say that it was my first chance to meet the little guy, but I fell in love with him immediately. He looks so much like Marty. And he was just soooo cute and cuddly.

It's a BOY!!!!!!


My dear friend, Christina, found out she is expecting a boy this week. She went for her 20-week ultrasound, and everything is going great! She and Josh are soooo excited!

Please continue to pray for them in the months ahead. Christina is due in the middle of November, and as most of you know, pregnancy is not an easy thing for her. Christina has endured three miscarriages and one stillbirth. Fear is sometimes a daily companion for her.

I'll keep you posted as she progresses....I can't wait to meet this little guy!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

ALL ABOARD!

Allison and I took a fun little outing today down to the River Market. They just opened a pedestrian bridge that spans across the Arkansas River to North Little Rock. It's official name is "The Junction Bridge", but it became known as "The Troll Bridge" today for Allison. She thought it was the bridge from "Dora the Explorer" where Dora encounters a troll before she gets to cross.

While we were walking across the bridge, Allison spotted the trolley crossing the Main Street bridge and decided that she wanted to ride the "train". So, we did! It was so much fun - we took a one-hour scenic tour of Little Rock & North Little Rock. Allison was so happy!



Saturday, June 21, 2008

A Day at the Park

Allison and I went with Nana to the park today. It brought back some OLD memories. We went to Laurel Park, which is a park we went to on "special" occasions when I was little. I don't think I have been there since I was in high school.

We had so much fun. They have really fixed the park up, and there are so many beautiful, old trees around that it makes it the perfect place to play in the shade.

Super Recipe Saturday

Here is a little piece of heaven that I made last night for dinner. I LOVE Baked Potato Soup. I found this recipe, and it tastes just like the soup you can get at some restaurants. We did end up adding an extra dash of salt and pepper. Let me know if you try this out.

Baked Potato Soup

12 slices bacon
2/3 cup margarine
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
7 cups milk
4 large baked potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 green onion, chopped
1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium heat until browned. Drain, crumble, and set aside.

In a stock pot or Dutch oven melt the margarine over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in milk, whisking constantly until thickened. Stir in potatoes and onion. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.

Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Mix in bacon, cheese, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until cheese is melted.

ENJOY!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Father's Day


This is one of my favorite pictures of the two loves of my life. It is one of those pictures that just took my breath away for a moment when I saw it for the first time and could see just how much Allison looks like her daddy.....and they were having so much fun here sitting at the dinner table.

Chuck is such a wonderful husband and father. My favorite thing about him is that he is so even-tempered. He is slow with anger, and overflowing with love and compassion. Besides being a wonderful provider, he is also a great help to me. He does more than his share around the house, and he is always there to help with Allison. I would say he has probably changed more poopy diapers than I have. Someone asked my one time if I rented him out. The answer is "NO"!

I always feel like celebrating him on just one day is such an injustice. I should celebrate Father's Day every month to honor this man that I love. But Allison and I did fix up a special present for him, and we cooked him one of his favorite meals. We invited some of our dearest friends over to help celebrate (and to wear Allison out as you can see).

Chuck, thank you for everything that you do. I love you!


Saturday, June 14, 2008

The Old Mill

On Tuesday, June 3 we celebrated my mom's 65th birthday. My mom is all about celebrating everything....and I do mean everything! Some people make fun of her for this, but I love it. I love the fact that she wanted to make a day of celebrating this wonderful birthday.

She and Mimi drove up to my house, and I took both of them to The Old Mill. My mom has seen it once, but my aunt - at the age of 79 - had never been there. It was a beautiful, sunny day even if it was a bit warm.

I think The Old Mill is one of Arkansas' best kept secrets. It is nestled in the middle of a neighborhood in the heart of North Little Rock. It was featured in the opening scene the movie "Gone with the Wind". It is believed to be the only remaining structure from the film.

I absolutely love it! Chuck and I had our engagement photographs taken there, and I had my wedding portrait done there. As you can see from my pics, it is breathtaking!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Chuck E. Cheese

Note to self: Chuck E. Cheese is the devil.

I took Allison tonight to Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate Jonathan's 4th birthday. She has never been there before, and I thought this was going to be a great, fun, first experience to share together. I was WRONG! That place made horns grow out of the top of my head and made fangs come down out of my mouth.

First, it was impossible to keep up with her in there. It was crowded and she had to see everything in there as fast as she could.

Second, who wants to eat when there are all of these cool things to do? Of course, it took the horns and the fangs to get her to join the rest of the party for pizza and cake.

And do you even want to imagine how difficult it was to get Allison to go home? I really think that she would have been so happy if I would have let her spend the night there. She screamed all the way home, and of course, I felt terrible. Oh well, as you can see below, I know she had a good time and enjoyed her cake and ice cream.
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