Amie Stuart ~ On the Back Porch

So, this weekend I cleaned house. No big surprise there–I try to tackle one big project every weekend the kids are home. This weekend it was #2 son’s pit room. I made him go through all his clothes and get rid of all but about 20 t-shirts/polos and 10 winter shirts. Along with all the baby hangers–you know, those little plastic hangers. He’s almost 13 and I finally made myself break down and go buy the kid some REAL Hangers. This wasn’t due to resistance toward him growing up as much as forgetfulness!

I’ve also been working on some mental housecleaning–also occasionally necessary.

This weekend at SFC we’ve got a Behind the Book double whammy! Including a Behind the Book with BD Dark (Julie Cohen and Kathy Love) today, and Jordan Summer onWednesday!

And Saturday, I made soup!As always, adjust to suit! Both my kids loved it and it’s got a mild flavor even with the onions.

Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 pounds chicken cut into bite-size pieces (I boiled 2 breasts and 3 thighs –off the bone)
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cubes chicken bouillon
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 cup broth from boiled chicken
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin (I couldn’t find and didn’t add cumin)
• 2 1/2  cups half-and-half cream
• 1/4 cube Velveeta cheese (the original recipe called for 2 c of Co-Jack)
• 2 (14.75 ounce) can cream-style corn
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
• 1 dash hot pepper sauce
• 1 tomato, chopped (I skipped this)
• fresh cilantro sprigs, for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Put chicken in pot and cover with water. Cook until done.
   
2. While chicken is cooking add chopped onion and garlic to crock pot. Dissolve the bouillon in hot water; add to garlic and onion along with half and half and creamed corn.  
3. Once chicken is done, allow it to cool. Pull off the bone and chop into bite-sized pieces and add to soup, add to crock pot along with chiles and hot pepper sauce.
   
4. Cook about 3 hours on high. Stir in chopped tomato. Garnish servings with cilantro. Makes about 8-10 servings.
   

My freewill astrology scope:

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):

TV’s “The Daily Show” did a mock biography of your fellow Leo, Barack Obama, poking fun at the adoration he inspires in millions of people around the world. Every time he speaks, said the narrator, “an angel has an orgasm.” According to my analysis, you now have a scaled-down version of that power. You may not incite the same intensity of pleasure in the heavenly hosts, but you could definitely unleash eruptions of raw enthusiasm in numerous humans. I suggest that like Obama, you channel it in service to a cause beyond your own selfish interests.

You know, I’d settle for everytime I spoke, my eldest child listened to me *sigh*

I’m over at SFC today filling in for Raine and talking music and theme.

OMGWTFBBQ SAVE ME!!!!!!! SWEET BABY JESUS! It’s shaping up to be a crazy-assed week and Buffy sure ain’t helping matters, though she did sleep until 5 AM this morning.

I got up at six and decided since I was up I’d go ahead and get dinner in the crock pot–spaghetti sauce w/italian sausage, garlic, onion and bell peppers (Orange ones because the green ones are GROSS when they’re cooked) all the while thinking wow I have time to make an omlet!

Conned #1 child into taking recycling bin out early rather than waiting until time to leave since he’d be in a rush and forget *heeh*, turned on dryer, guzzled coffee, fried italian sausage and opened cans, cooed over Buffy, made #2 get up and feed cats because, you know, if I’m up EVERYONE SHOULD FRICKEN BE UP. Then I went back to bed. THEN #1 missed the FRACKED BUS!

Popped contacts in eyes, washed face, fretted over showering (later) in boys’ bathroom because #1 somehow (I DONT want to know why he was sitting in my shower) broke out four tiles…because boys are gross. Dropped #1 off, then dropped #2 off. Then watched some guy buy 2 tallboys at 7:45 AM, then got gas, ran home, dumped gallon of bleach all over boys’ shower and gingerly climbed in.

Ugh……boys are gross.

Did not fix hair today so it’s curly and held in place w/headband but at least i got makeup on my face. Ur welcome co-workers.

Locked up Buffy, threw Kara outside and dashed out the door toting 2 pieces of toast w/peanut butter.

Don’t even ask about this evening because it’s getting no better.

I’m over at NAS today with an open letter to, like, everyone.

Over at SFC chatting about pet peeves in books–yeah I”m desperate blame it on buffy (which will probably become my new mantra)

I can’t remember if I posted this one or not so here goes.

I HIGHLY Recommend Tamari or Low-Sodium Soy Sauce for this one, otherwise it’s quiet salty (o’course I LIKE salty so your mileage may vary). I also add 6 tbsp peanut butter, and you may have to add extra water if it’s too thick–I always moneky w/recipes to suit. I skip the green onions because the kids don’t like them. Red bell peppers also works well in this. Last time I did thighs–this time I’m doing chicken breast tenders marinated all day. I bet this would be good with some firm tofu also!

Serving w/steamed broccoli and rice. Even my kids love this–it’s #1 son’s fave.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup soy sauce
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
• 2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
• 2 pounds skinless chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine the soy sauce, garlic, ginger and hot pepper sauce. Mix well and place chicken in the bowl, turning to coat evenly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
2. Heat the sesame oil in a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the brown sugar, stirring until dissolved. Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes. Add the chicken parts and saute for 5 minutes, turning to brown evenly. Pour in marinade, add the water and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Add the peanut butter, stirring well, and simmer for 10 more minutes. Transfer chicken to a serving platter, pour sauce over, and garnish with the chives.

Before I get to my story, it’s been a quiet week around the hacienda! Cooler temps are finally hitting N. Texas, and last weekend I took advantage to get some outside cleaning done–my arms have finally stopped hurting!And I will get those screens back on the windows tomorrow–okay okay…..tonight!

I’ve been reading and hitting the kids’ football game and working–the boss is gone but I have plenty of little projects to keep me busy!

Now, onto my story. (For those of you who don’t know me so well–I don’t date. I haven’t dated in years and even if I did date, I wouldn’t have a man around my kids because I”m just not looking for that kind of dating thing. For the most part, I LIKE being single and having my own space. Unfortunately there are downsides to not dating).

Last Saturday night I took the kids to the bar–get your minds out of the gutter. I am NOT one of those skeezer moms. My cousin was playing with her band at a local pub and children were welcome. She even brought her own son. Anyway, this old family friend showed up (I’ve known Steve since I was probably 12 or 13–and he’s a confirmed bachelor).  And while we were talking Kevin (#2 son) showed up. He sat, I introduced him to Steve, and we went back to talking. Kevin gets up and stands in front of me, doing his best to jockey his way between us.

I’m not lying.*boggle*

I told him to go sit down–I knew EXACTLY what he was doing. He sat. Then got up and did it again. I told him to sit–again! Finally, exasperated over my lack of gratitude for wanting to proect his mama from the big bad man, he wandered off. *sigh*

Maybe not dating wasn’t such a great idea At the same time, I guess he comes by his territorialness quite honestly since I’m rather protective of my space.

The children are gone this weekend–no bars though LOL I’m gonna chill and try to get some writing done! What about you?

In other news,Hittin’ It has a cover! (Plz ignore blurb. Is completely wrong). I know I say this every time but I really do think this one is my favorite!

A little over a year ago I discovered this uber-lovely blogger named Allison via Myspace.  It was instant adoration for me because, you see, Allison’s a Lolly Winston fan just like me–plus she’s really smart and generous with her time and always ready to answer writer’s questions on her blog.  Anyway, I was lucky enough to score a copy of Allison’s most recent release Time of My Life last week.

Warning: Blatant Promo Ahead *ggg*

Not only did Allison’s debut book, Department of Lost and Found  go on my keeper shelf, after reading Time of My Life, I’m a fan for life–and this one definitely also deserves a place on my keeper shelf as well, because it’s everything that good womens fiction should be…and the reason I love womens fiction like a fat kid loves cake*.

Does anyone remember Jude Deveraux’s WISHES? (YES OMG I’m talking about that darn book again?!)…Remember when the “godmother” waved a hand and basically said, “I’ll make her thin and then all her problems will go away,” in reference to the heroine? Well, that’s kind of like TOML–Jill gets a second chance with the one who got away and she’s fully armed. She’s more mature, she’s more patient, she’s more knowledgeable, she’s more determined to make things work with Jackson, and initially believes that’s all she needs to make it happen.  But in the end, she learns the one who got away isn’t what it’s all about. She is. TOML is truly a personal growth/karmic lesson kind of story.  (And I just loved Henry (the hubby)…I can’t even tell you why without spoiling the book but the closet romantic in me (shhhh don’t tell!) love love LOVED it!)  So if you’re dying for some really fantabulous womens fiction that will totally leave you smiling, you should go pick this book up.

The only question I had by the time I was done was, “What happened to Meg?”  I wonder if Allison could be arm-twisted into writing a short *ggg*

I’m copying the blurb because I’m too lazy to write my own

Endearing Jillian Westfield seems to have it all: a loving lawyer husband, a healthy infant daughter, and a lovely home in Westchester County, N.Y. But cleaning spit-up and dealing with her husband’s long office hours have begun to wear on Jill, and it hardly helps that she’s just learned that her post-college boyfriend, Jackson, is getting married. The day after a deep, chi-clearing massage, Jill wakes up and finds herself seven years in the past, giving her the chance to revisit her life with Jack in Manhattan, when she worked as an advertising executive. Hindsight, of course, is anything but 20/20, and Jill’s new choices hold unforeseen consequences for herself and those she loves. As Jill, through trial and error, rethinks her biggest decisions—such as her choice not to reconcile with her estranged mother—Scotch keeps one dexterous step ahead of page-flipping readers eager to guess the outcome.

Now, head on over to amazon.com or bn.com and buy a copy.

In the interest of making this more than just blatant promo, what book(s)/author(s) have you added to your keeper shelf this year?

——-

*”like a fat kid loves cake” TM Karen Scott

This week’s ’scope

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Popular conceptions of Jesus depict him as
bearded and long-haired. Not so, declares fundamentalist Pastor Jack
Hyles on his website. He says Christ was clean-shaven and had a pixie-cut
hairstyle parted in the middle and curled up at the ends. After studying
Hyles’ arguments, however, I believe his evidence is flimsy — just as I find
no merit in his implication that Jesus was a stuffy, prudish right-winger
who loved rich white men best and taught that we should eliminate
people we disagree with. So I’m sticking with my image of Jesus as a
peaceful yet rebellious hippie who didn’t own property, hung out with
social outcasts, was strongly anti-authoritarian, and loved everyone, even
his enemies. I bring this to your attention, Leo, in the hope that you’ll be
inspired by my example. It’s time to revisit one of your best teacher’s
essential messages, and rededicate yourself to those beautiful truths.

WORD *Insert peace sign here*

Off to give my money to the man…the one at the Saturn dealership.