It's only been 9 days!

Ok...I'm admitting that I'm a little worried about myself! Thankfully, I'm sitting in my beloved sunroom looking at a glorious sunset and very thankful for all that God has given to me! However, while getting a pedicure today I began to reflect...oh...shouldn't have done that!! Of course all I could think about was the fact that 10 days ago Holly and I sat there together and I remembered thinking that one day I would be there alone and be sad!! For the love....it's just a pedicure! But...it stirred memories and today IS Brad's birthday and Holly DID send me a picture of the birthday balloons and streamers and the special breakfast that she had made for him and her text simply read...."proud of my decorations? I'm trying to be like you!"...need I elaborate? The tears did flow...and that's not all bad! I was very proud of my baby girl and all that she has done to make each move in their first 2 years of marriage exciting and fun and establish a home in each place that they have lived! I can only imagine the stories they will tell their children one day and how they will look back FONDLY on these memories and tell others how God used this in their life to strengthen them in many ways!!! I am also praying that Jim and I can be very supportive and enjoy these memories as well!! Maybe that's why after the pedicure I found myself in Barnes and Noble buying 2 Cajun Novels and 5 cookbooks all on Cajun food or the best restaurants in New Orleans! Oh my!!! I need to start studying them!!! I do love Cajun food but it always looks so difficult!!! We shall see!!! Nonetheless....I did make some really good recipes over the weekend....and even cooked the first batch of my home grown Kentucky Wonder Pole beans! Go figure! They were without a doubt the best green beans I've ever tasted!!! I was so glad!!! The squash and the peas weren't bad either...or the tomatoes...but the Beans!!! they were delicious!  The two new recipes are right here! I found them on one of my favorite blog sites...Plain Chicken...she also writes for the Birmingham News so you can see her recipes in both places...they are always simple and good!!! This was a great dinner for me and for Miller tonight as Jim is at a meeting...Miller must be very intuitive because he sat here and ate and TALKED!!!! and seemed like he really cared! and I think he did...we talked about going back to New Orleans...and I shared with him my thoughts and feelings, both good and bad. Sometimes thats really hard for my boys...to really talk and to really listen! But I can tell you that I've seen a tremendous difference in Miller...and he's putting forth alot of effort to do better at both and for that I am FOREVER grateful!!! It was a wonderful dinner just the two of us!!! ( of course, then he raced out the door to Tom's house!!!  and of course, I knew he would! ) at least he had a good dinner that any 17 year old boy would love....minus the squash!!! ha ha!!!

Honey Mustard Chicken Fingers

Olive oil nonstick cooking spray
1 large eggs, beaten
3 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoon honey
1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

6-8 chicken tenders, cleaned

1 1/2 C Panko bread crumbs

2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
* adjust measurements as needed
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  In a pie plate or shallow bowl, whisk the egg, mustard, honey, cayenne, and salt and pepper, to taste, together until thoroughly combined.

Add the panko, salt and pepper, to taste, the paprika, cayenne, and garlic powder to another pie plate and whisk to combine.

  Dredge the chicken tenders through the wet mixture, then the dry mixture, patting the breading on so it adheres. Arrange on a baking sheet, making sure there is ample space between each piece of chicken. Give the chicken a spritz of the olive cooking spray. This will help brown and crisp up the coating.

 of course, this is where you pick your sides!!!!

being that Miller doesn't love Squash...I decided to make Plain Chicken's version of Mac and Cheese!!! You don't even boil the noodles!! It was the best I've ever had!!! and then of course, Jim and I had to try all of the sides!!! It should've just been a veggie dinner with my grandmother's corn muffins!!! Oh well!!! It was so good we had it for three nights!!! If they are tired of it they haven't told me yet!!!

1 (16 oz) pkg elbow macaroni
1 cup milk (I used 1%)
2 cups chicken broth
4 cups shredded cheese - I used a cheddar jack blend
8 oz softened cream cheese, cubed (I used light)
2 tsp onion salt
1 tsp dry mustard
fresh ground pepper
1/2 c flour
1/4 t cayenne pepper
In a large bowl, stir together the macaroni, milk and chicken broth. Add the remaining ingredients and mix together using a large wooden spoon. Pour into a very large, deep casserole dish. *Make sure all the pasta is covered.  It won't cook if it isn't in the liquid mixture.  I just pressed the noodles down in the pan until they were all covered.*  

bake uncovered in a greased dish for 30-40 minutes. Don't let it overcook!!! I almost did!!! I halfed this recipe for just the 3 of us but I also used a little more broth, a little more milk and added white pepper instead of black...I think it gives things like this a more "elegant" flavor! I only used cheddar cheese and I did use light everything! It was divine!!! I also used shell noodles because I had them!! So try it and add your own flair!!!