Walking in the Shadows

Okay, so today is going to be a smorgasbord of tricks I have learned the last couple of months. First and maybe the easiest (but something I would have NEVER tried before) is roasting a whole chicken and making your own chicken stock. I have tried it a couple of ways and believe me when I say, you really can’t mess it up! For the chicken, I just cut slits in the chicken and use whatever seasoning or herbs I have around the house. This last time I used garlic and herb seasoning and it really turned out well. I drizzle it with olive oil and cook it at 350 for 20 minutes per pound (180 degrees when completely cooked). After it cools, I tear it apart (literally) and put the meat in ziplock baggies and freeze. Such an easy and relatively inexpensive way to add chicken to most anything (enchiladas, quesadillas, chicken casserole, potatoes, anything). This is a great trick for busy Moms as you can roast a chicken on the weekend and have already cooked chicken to pull out of the fr

This year we are growing a garden for the first time! What an adventure! I am learning a lot and finding there is still much to learn. I have made a few mistakes and will surely make more (my most comical was probably planting the WHOLE potato instead of just the eye). Each day I go outside to see if anything new has grown and once the flowers started on the plants I was like a kid in a toy store, just so excited. Now, the fruit is starting to grow and I am beside myself with excitement. I can NOT wait to taste my very first organic, home grown tomato! There have also been quite a few life lessons while tending my garden, it is truly a blessing how the Lord speaks to us through his creation. · How in the world can something so fresh and tasty come from a little seed? · Who knew the dirt mattered? Oh but the foundation is ever so important. ·   And one of the greatest lessons for me has been patience. I planted my little seeds several months ago and still have