Easy Chicken Divan

I found a recipe of Kent's Mom's that I've never made before and it was our new recipe for the week. It was a big success. Caleb even manned up and ate the broccoli that was left on his plate. I've never cooked a dish with curry powder before (plain Jane remember) and we liked this flavor. I did use medium cheddar cheese instead of American because that's what I had on hand that needed used.

Easy Chicken Divan ...Beverly Jensen

2 (10 oz. pkg.) frozen broccoli or 2 fresh bunches

1 lb. cooked chicken (about 2 cups)

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing

1 tsp. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. curry powder

1/2 cup shredded sharp American cheese

1/2 cup soft bread crumbs

1 T melted butter

Cook broccoli in boiling salted water until tender. Drain. Arrange in greased 11 1/2 x 7 1/2 baking dish. Place chicken on top. Combine soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and curry powder. Pour over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese; top with buttered bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes until heated through.

Prob'ly Not

Ethan, how about a smile while you're watching a dvd? Prob'ly not.

Ethan has us all saying "prob'ly not" like he does.

Nanette says she's heard him talking to himself and saying, "Go to Nana's? Prob'ly not."

How cute is that?

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Here's last week's recipe if anyone is interested:

Chicken and Cheddar Skillet

1 pkg RICE-A-RONI Chicken Flavor

2 cups water

1 tsp. dried basil leaves

1 cup chopped tomato

1 pound (about 8) chicken tenders

1/4 cup sliced green onions

1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

1. In large skillet over medium heat, saute rice-vermicelli mix as package directs. Slowly stir in 2 cups water, seasoning packet and basil.

2. Place chicken over rice; bring to a boil. Cover; reduce heat to low. Simmer 15 minutes; stir. Top evenly with tomato and green onions. Return cover and continue to cook 3 to 5 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with cheese. Makes 4 servings.

(I used 3 boxes and 1 1/2 lbs. of chicken to serve 10)

Try It, You'll Like It

We tried a new recipe for dinner last night. It wasn't too big of a stretch because it only added a few ingredients to a family favorite, but the best part was: (drum roll) CALEB LIKED IT!

It is called "Cheesy Chicken Skillet" and has Rice-A-Roni, chicken tenders, basil, green onions and cheese. The recipe called for tomatoes but only half of us like tomatoes so I didn't include them although it sounded good to me.

In Memory Of...

Ken "streaky" More pumped his last gallon of hot water last Sunday and now rests in peace knowing that he served his family for 14 long years. He leaves behind a family that just now appreciates how much of a luxury he was especially since with the economy he will not be replaced for awhile. So long Kenny (sniff) our dish pan hands will miss you!

Sheltered

I am 42 years old (almost 43, aahh!), was raised in the "mission field" the first 18 years of my life, and moved to California for another 2 1/2 before settling here in good old Smithfield, Utah. I absolutely love it here in Cache Valley. It has everything I want and need. (At least it did before my kids started moving away!) We have a Temple, shopping, recreation, etc. As far as I was concerned, "All was well in Zion". There would be an occasional negative letter to the editor about the Church in the newspaper, and we had our share of less-active members in the ward but things seemed to go on smoothly year after year.

Then last year Proposition 8 in California happened. I got blogging "savvy" and started reading blogs and comments about it and even in Cache Valley we had a teacher at my kid's high school who started a letter to the editor war because she claimed to be an active member of the Church but was against Proposition 8 because her daughter was gay.

The biggest blow to my "All is well in Zion" attitude came just last week though. Stephanie Nielsen (see previous blog) was nominated for "Mormon of the Year" and I followed a link to the website sponsoring the award. The award was just for fun, but holy cow it opened up a hornet's nest! Some of the other people nominated were Mitt Romney, Marie Osmond, California Mormons who voted for Proposition 8, California Mormons who voted against Proposition 8 and Steve Young's wife who went against the Church in voting against Proposition 8 because her brother is gay. The comments on this site were what got to me. Some said they were glad that Steve Young's wife (I can't remember her name right now) wasn't excommunicated because it made it safe for them too to go against the Prophet.

Okay, you're going to tell me this has been going on since Joseph Smith's day and I am just naive and sheltered right? It is just so hard for me to understand. I have a testimony that Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet and President of Christ's Church here on the earth and if he tells me something I'm going to follow. It's black and white. I hope that I can always say that. I realize on the big issue I mentioned it wasn't a test for me. I don't have a family member who is gay (that I know of?) so it isn't a hard choice for me. But I hope and pray that whatever the Prophet asks of me I will follow him and not choose when and if it is right for me. I think this whole experience is a good thing because as I read in the Book of Mormon, it is Satan who wants us to believe that all is well.

Let me hear your comments, even you lurkers. I need input.

She's Back!

I don't know how many of you know who Stephanie Nielsen is, but she and her family have become my heroes. Her brother-in-law was actually Aaron's teacher at UVU and that's how I first heard of them. Stephanie and her husband Christian were burned badly when their small airplane crashed, killing the flight instructor. Stephanie and Christian were burned badly, with Stephanie about 85% of her body. They are LDS and Stephanie was quite well known for blogging about her love of being a "Mormon mother". Her sister Courtney continued blogging while caring for Stephanie's children while she healed. She still has a ways to go but today was Stephanie's first post in six months. I have spent hours and hours reading back a few years of old posts of these sisters and I have been so uplifted and strengthened and feel like I'm part of their family. I'm not exaggerating when I say that their story has touched thousands and thousands of people, spiritually and emotionally. Their links (nienie dialogues and cjane enjoy it) are on my side bar.

My 'Tude

I will be the first to admit that I have needed an attitude adjustment all week. Ever since the pack committee chairman called me on Sunday to "invite" me to pack planning meeting tonight my attitude has been out of alignment. But I made myself look through my plastic box with a handle and lid that you have to force shut because it won't quite close so I could kind of act like I knew what I was doing. Then I dragged myself to what turned out to be a 2 1/2 hour meeting. My attitude kept getting better as the night went on, even though it was so long. The people are great. Some of them I know well, others I'm looking forward to knowing better. I appreciate the fact that I'm the secretary and not a den leader. (Been there, done that!) I found out I don't have to go to Round Table. (One less meeting!) Most of my duties are secretarial things I really like to do and I'll have very little interaction with cubs. My attitude is realigned. For now.

I Blog, Therefore I Am

I find myself thinking in blog.
I think how I might share an experience.
It doesn't always get shared, but that's the terms I think in these days.
I occasionally dream of blogging too.
A year ago I wasn't sure what a blog was.
Now I'm self-centered enough to think that people will care what I write and even comment on it.
I think in terms of comments too.
What will the PEOPLE say?
What if the PEOPLE don't say anything?
I also L O V E reading other blogs and commenting.
I think I need help.
Is there a Blogger's Anonymous?
Hello, my name is Melanie and I'm a blogaholic.

Nana's Little Genius

Ethan is at a stage where he avoids cameras at all costs so thank goodness Logan is in love with the camera and likes his picture taken. The other day he grabbed my glasses and I thought he was going to break them (Ethan's destroyed a few pair) but Logan just wanted to wear them. I couldn't quit laughing!

Prayer for 2009?

I don't want you to think that I've become cynical this year or that I have a lot of people I don't like, but I want to share another tidbit from the same book as my last post:

May those who love us, love us.

And those who don't love us

May God turn their hearts:

And if He does not turn their hearts,

May he turn their ankles

So we'll know them by their limping.

My New Motto?

Grant me the senility to forget the people
I never liked anyway
The good fortune to run into the ones I do
And the eyesight to tell the difference

Revolutions

No, that isn't a typo in my title. I just feel like every New Year I make the same goals that come around again 365 days later, not having been accomplished. Not this year though. I'm determined to make some worthwhile, yet attainable goals. So, for better or worse, I am resolved to:

• Set goals. (See how it works? That one can be crossed off now!)





• Read the Book of Mormon in 60 days. I found a reading schedule here and so far I've been able to search, ponder and pray even though I'm on a set schedule. Then I want to slowly reread it while I read the Doctrine and Covenants and New Testament.





• Cook one new recipe a week. (Sorry Caleb!)





• Do some kind of exercise every day for 15 minutes, even if it means lifting one pound weights while lying in bed. (I'm going to look like that picture in a year :D )

• Eat an apple a day. (I love my doctor but less visits to her in 2009 would be nice!)



• Wait until my birthday in April to decide whether to cut my hair super short again. I've made it through the mullet and shag stages and I'm at the mop head stage. It is driving me crazy but I want to keep trying to grow it out.

What goals have you set?