Sweet & Sour Chicken with Fried Rice... Yummm

If you are anything like me, you love Chinese food!
And have been thinking about trying your hand at cooking it for yourself.  Don't ask me why I have waited so long to do it.  But boy oh boy was it amazing.  I came across a number of posts through Pinterest for these recipes.  Gotta love the internet, gotta love Pinterest!!!   So tonight I gave it a try, finally.  Here are the recipes I used.  I did change them up just the tiniest bit.  Since I did not have any garlic cloves, or onion called for with the rice.  But it was just fine with me since I am not a fan of either.

   Ingredients

Chicken:
3-4	boneless, skinless chicken breasts
	Salt and pepper to taste
1½	cup cornstarch
3	eggs, beaten
¼	cup canola oil
Sweet and Sour Sauce:
1	cup granulated sugar
4	tablespoons ketchup
¼	cup white vinegar
¼	cup apple cider vinegar
1	tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
1	teaspoon garlic salt Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. Place cornstarch and beaten eggs in separate bowls. Dip chicken into cornstarch then coat in egg mixture. Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until browned. Place the chicken in a 9 × 13 greased baking dish. In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce and garlic salt. Pour over chicken and bake for one hour.

     Fried Rice

3 cups cooked white rice, left overs work

3 Tbs pure sesame oil

1 cup frozen peas and carrots - thawed

2 large eggs - slightly beaten

1/4 cup soy sauce

    Directions

Heat a large skillet on M/H heat.  Add sesame oil.  When oil is hot, add peas and carrots.  Stir constantly and cook til tender, it should only take a couple minutes.  Lower the heat to M/L and push the veggies to one side of the skillet.  Poor in the eggs, cooking and stirring to scramble.  Then add the cooked rice and soy sauce.  Stir until thoroughly heated.  Serve warm.  

Here are the links to the sites I originally got the recipes from.

Chicken--  http://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/182489644/baked-sweet-and-sour-chicken/

Rice--  http://myrecipejourney-lillian.blogspot.com/2013/04/sweet-and-sour-chicken-with-fried-rice.html

ENJOY

Waiting for warm weather.... in Nebraska.

This winter feels like it has been going on and on for years, but there is a glimmer of hope for Spring!  The grass is greening up nice, and growing, actually in need of a mowing.  I'm seeing small sprouts of flowers in my front flowerbed, songs of cute little birdies wake me up, and I find myself turning the heat off around mid day.  Not just down, but OFF!  How exciting!

I will admit, I am a bit lazy, but spring cleaning is something I usually look forward to.  The fresh clean feeling, and opening the windows to air out the stuffy feeling house after a long cold winter.  Not only clean out the winter.  Yesterday I shampooed my carpet in the main living area.  With three dogs in the house it really needed it.  It's not only a new, fresh beginning for the season, but also for DECOR!!  I love taking advantage of this time of the year to renew and refresh the look of the house.  I get bored with colors, and furniture placement far too easily.  And it is time for a new look.  While I try to be a Frugal Fanny, it will be a work in progress.  And I believe that even the smallest changes can really shift the focus of the eye, giving a fresh new look, and feel.

DIY projects is a pass time that I rather enjoy.  Though it has been far too long since I have actually made anything with my hands.  Warm Spring and Summer days give me hope that I am more driven to make something.  Warmer weather not only makes cause for outdoor fun and time wasting, but puppy play dates, and adoption events!  Which is something I am looking forward to.  Next weekend end I get to go show off our new foster Iggy, Chase.  He is such a charming, handsome older guy.  We honestly will miss him when he gets adopted.  He is so loving, and a little cooky.  Just the right amount of cooky to make him funny, and lovable.  Chase is so interested in mirrors, and will watch things behind him through the mirror.  Like it's an Alice in Wonderland type window.  And it is funny to watch him do it.

Here is sweet little Chase enjoying the one of the few warm sunny days we have had so far.  He was so cuddly that day, and I thoroughly loved his company this day.  Such a sweet love bug.

New chapters and experiences

These past months have brought many, many new things with them.
Travels, smiles, hugs, tears, excitement, stress & happiness to name a few.  Spending summer at home with family was great!  Surprising my mother with an early arrival was great too!  Traveling cross country with 2 dogs for over a week in a small car.... Not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be.  The experience... awesome.  Would I do it again?  In a heart beat!  The time on my own, with the open road ahead of me, was amazing.  The feeling of true freedom, and independence is right there.  Do what you want in the time you want, when you want to do it.  Probably the only thing I would change is the car.  To a slightly larger one, making things just a bit more comfortable.  But all in all, a great experience that not everyone can say they have had the chance to take.  Although I am sure Gracie & Jetta, our two Italian Greyhounds have a different opinion of the trip.

Speaking of... The girls are doing great.  They love the new house, and rubbing and rolling around on the carpet.  They were even more excited when the furniture got here.  No more sleeping on the floor.  They also have a new (foster) sister.  Daisy.  A fun and wonderful girl.  She really is a hoot, and keeps us laughing, they all do.  The yard is also a big deal around the house.  A nice high fence that gives them the freedom of the outdoors for running, barking at leaves and squirrels, ohh, and potty time!!  Recently it has started getting cold out.... winter is coming if you didn't know.  This is not something we are used to and we all are having mixed feelings about this.  It is def time to pull out those boots and heavy sweaters.  And yes, G&J have sweaters, and little boots for the winter!  And they are more than happy to share with their new sister.

Meet Sweet Daisy--  Available for adoption through IGCA Rescue, Nebraska Chapter.  Contact Mandi at neitalians@yahoo.com for more information on Daisy.

In other news, I have secured a seasonal job at Bath & Body Works.  Its been a couple years since I have held a job, but I'm sure I can get back in the swing of things.  Plus, it's only through the Holidays, right?  Well, I am hoping to be hired on Part Time after the season has passed.  We'll see what these following months bring as far as the job goes.  I know the extra pocket money will be nice!  Woo Hoo SHoooooooopiiiiiing!!  Also something new around here.... my new haircut! I absolutely love it.  I'm not a Miley fan, but if you have seen her new hair.... well, I loved it, and had to get the same look.  It is super cute, edgy yet girly.  I am totally in love with it.

The husband is also back in my arms, and in my bed every night.  It is SOOO much better having him around again.  Not only is he back home, but I have someone to take out the trash, and pump gas for me!  Although I will admit it does feel good being independent as far as making sure everything is taken care of.  But at the same time, the support of a Spouse is unmatched by anything else.

I am also thinking about friends and family on the Eastern Coast who will be affected by Hurricane Sandy.  Stay Safe!

Care Bear Massacre Cake!

I first saw a tutorial for this on Pinterest, and now I have no idea which website it was.  So I do not know who to give the credit for this.  But it is AWESOME, and so much fun!!  All you need is 1 box of white cake, water, oil, eggs, food coloring, and as many smaller bowls as you have colors.  Let the fun begin.  I took pictures of pretty much every step along the way to make things super easy for the novice baker... sort-of like me. :)  Here ya go.

Start with the essentials.  I went with the 4 egg white option.

 Add in your oil, eggs, and water.

 Mix them all together.

 Divide the mix into as many bowls as you will have colors.

I mixed red & blue to have purple for my 5th color! <3

 The more food coloring you put in, the darker the color will become.

 I love how they all look, sitting there all happy, and just waiting to get baked and eaten!

 Now, randomly plop all your colors in your cake pan.

I think it looks like the food in the food fight scene of the Robin Williams movie 'HOOK'.  

 Happy, colorful, dirty dishes.

 I wasted a lot only using 1 knife to mix all the colors.  So to stop this, use different utensils for each color.

It's getting there!

 Hot from the oven!

Another tip---  If you ever use whipped frosting, do not try to ice a warm cake.  It will not get all melty and yummy looking, it will separate!  I got whipped by mistake.  Next time I will definitely pay more attention when picking up frosting! 

Downsizing...

As I get older I am realizing that I have really become a big lazy lump.  :\
And since I am approaching a year of being unemployed my lump has only become bigger.  Starting last week my wonderful husband started working out with me while he was on class break.  Those 2 or 3 sessions with him is all I needed to get things on track!  Now that his class break is over, and he is back in class it is up to me to push myself and actually do it.  It's really not that hard because I feel so much better after working out.  Today I added just a little extra to my routine.  I had to stop myself bcs I was having so much fun but didn't want to push too hard and hurt myself.  You really can have fun while you are working out.  You just have to find what works for you.  What gets your blood going, that sweat spilling!

I am looking forward to tracking my progress, and actually getting to the point where I am SEEING the results.  Because when your pants are getting droopy, and you go to the next smaller hole in your belt, and you have to go out and buy new undies... that feels so good because you are doing it, and working hard for YOURSELF!  I'm super duper excited, and I know I can do this...  FOR ME!!

Cold hearts...

...Cold noses, Cold feet, and toes, Cold fingers, and arms.

Maybe if I wish hard enough the weather in Nor Cal will warm up a bit.  People back at home are posting on FB and saying how hot it is, and how they are going swimming and I'm sitting here in a new bulky, but cute, knit sweater.  I'm ready for summer, and I hope his FDS (First Duty Station) brings us to a place with actual seasons.  A place that has thunder storms, warm sunny days, even (slight) sunburns.  Florida would be nice! My dogs would love the heat, and all those sun spots to lay in.  Even though we still have a while till all that happens... I can dream can't I?

Pin Feathers, Psh

These past few days have been a bit frustrating.  We had brought Indigo our parrot to the vet for a general exam.  He ended up getting put on antibiotics.  I had no idea how difficult it was to administer medication to a bird.  Let's hope I do not have to do it ever again!  Today is day 5 or so of his 10 days worth!  Oy  For those of you that do not know this... when you give meds to a bird, it is always liquid, and you have to get your bird wrapped in a towel to give it to them.  Unless you have an amazing bird who will just sit there and take it willingly.  I do not have that luxury!

Luckily I am getting better, and faster at getting him in and out.  But the little guy is still mad at me! lol  Hopefully a few days after he is done this round I gain his trust back and he forgives me.  It is truly heart breaking to have your pets hold a grudge like this!  But I am doing it in his best interest.  So that helps me a little bit cope with putting him through the whole thing.  Us 'Moms' are always the bad guys!