Not So Dreary Rainy Day

We made it to the library today for story hour - we hardly ever miss, but missed the last 3 weeks so it was good to be back! I signed up for the adult summer ready program; every 10 books or 50 hours of reading gets you one entry into a drawing for some nice little prizes. (Where was this in the winter when I was plowing through Karen Kingsbury books like a madwoman?)

Since it was raining, Miss M and I settled in to watch Eloise In Springtime. We had a treat of popcorn popped on the stove with a little sugar and salt for flavor. We NEVER do that icky microwave stuff at our house! In addition we shared our favorite sugary drink...Fitz's Strawberry Pop. Mr C took a nice long nap.

Before the movie started, I followed some directions from my mom who is an EXCELLENT cook!

1. Wash and pat dry a chicken. (I prepared two since I was turning on the oven anyway!)
   
2. Rub olive oil under the skin of the bird.
3. Rub seasonings under and on top of the skin - be generous! Miss M came in at this point when my hand was up a bird's you-know-what and I thought she just might become a vegan at that very moment.
4. Cover a pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Place birds breast side down and cook for about 1 1/2 hours at 400.

This makes a moist and tasty chicken you can use for anything. We had baked sweet potatoes, salad, and green beans with ours. I pulled the meat off the bone after dinner and now have almost a gallon size baggie of yummy chicken to use in lots of things: enchiladas, topped on salad greens with fruit, chicken and rice casserole....Freeze it into smaller portions if you want!


Once the wee ones were in bed, I washed, sliced, and sugared about 1 quart of strawberries fresh from the garden..organic too baby 'cause we don't do anything to them!

But the highlight of the day was getting a package in the mail from our cyber-buddy over at Whimsy-Love. I "met" her through the MOPS leaders forums and we have been friends ever since. She was the inspiration for Miss M and I to begin blogging. Do us a favor and hop over to her Etsy store the next time you are looking for a special little gift. She has lots of fun crafting and creating with her two girls and they put together a special box of goodies for Miss M.


You are looking at a felt play set (which she already went to work with her Daddy's help) a supercute cupcake notebook, mini-cupcake post its, and headband. You can't see my fav of the group very well...a cupcake necklace made out of stacked vintage buttons! Most of these were created by Whimsy Love herself!

OK...another contest...probably no prize except bragging rights! Name this photo:
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