What I'm Reading...

Last week, or maybe the week before, I mentioned I was reading a book by Suzanne Brockmann. It's one of her Troublshooter Series books and I loved it. So, I decided to go back to the beginning and start working my way through the series. I'm not entirely sure this is the first in the series, but its pretty darn close to the beginning.

I'm also beginning to understand why JR Ward says she used to carry these books around her house, crying, because she'd never be able to write like that. Yep...I totally get that!! LOL

Here's the cover and the scoop - details are from her website:


After a near-fatal head injury, U.S. Navy SEAL Lieutenant Tom Paoletti catches a terrifying glimpse of an international terrorist in his New England hometown. When he calls for help, the Navy dismisses the danger as injury-induced imaginings. In a desperate last-ditch effort to prevent disaster, Tom creates his own makeshift counterterrorist team, assembling his most loyal officers, two elderly veterans of the Second World War, a couple of misfit teenagers, and Dr. Kelly Ashton -- the sweet "girl next door" who has grown into a remarkable woman. Once known as the town’s infamous bad boy, Tom has always longed for Kelly. Now he has one final chance for happiness, one last chance to win her heart, and one desperate chance to save the day....

HERO: Lt. Tom Paoletti, U.S. Navy SEAL Commander
HEROINE: Dr. Kelly Ashton, pediatrician
LOCATION: Baldwin’s Bridge, Massachusetts

Awards:
Romantic Times 4 and 1/2 Star Gold Medal Review
Voted # 1 on the Romance Writers of America's Top Ten List of Favorite Books of the Year 2000

Have a fantastic weekend!!!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Chicken and Rice

Bored with the same 'ole, same 'ole, I did a search for chicken and rice recipes. This one popped up and it was easy enough that even I could do it. LOL

I thought I'd share it with you guys:

One Dish Chicken & Rice Bake

From: Campbell's Kitchen
Prep: 5 minutes
Bake: 45 minutes

Serves: 4



Ingredients:


1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular, 98% Fat Free or 25% Less Sodium)
1 cup water *
3/4 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts



Directions:



Mix soup, water, rice, paprika and black pepper in 2-qt. shallow baking dish. Top with chicken. Season with additional paprika and pepper. Cover.

Bake at 375°F. 45 min. or until done.

*For creamier rice, increase water to 1 1/3 cups.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with a steamed vegetable blend and crusty whole wheat rolls. For dessert serve fresh apple slices and store-bought caramel sauce for dipping.

Cost per recipe: $7.03

Cost per recipe serving: $1.76

Total cost of meal (including serving suggestion): $14.59






Nutrition Information


using Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup Calories 331, Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 2g, Cholesterol 76mg, Sodium 601mg, Total Carbohydrate 33g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Protein 30g, Vitamin A 2%DV, Vitamin C 0%DV, Calcium 2%DV, Iron 14%DV using Campbell's® Condensed 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup Calories 312, Total Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 1g, Cholesterol 75mg, Sodium 454mg, Total Carbohydrate 33g, Dietary Fiber 1g, Protein 30g, Vitamin A 2%DV, Vitamin C 0%DV, Calcium 4%DV, Iron 14%DV using Campbell's® Condensed 25% Less Sodium Cream of Mushroom Soup Calories 325, Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 1g, Cholesterol 76mg, Sodium 466mg, Total Carbohydrate 33g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Protein 30g, Vitamin A 2%DV, Vitamin C 0%DV, Calcium 3%DV, Iron 14%DV

I had the great priveledge of seeing Jeanne Robertson in person. She was the guest speaker at a Ronald McDonald House fundraiser in my hometown years ago. I laughed the entire hour she spoke!! A friend sent this to me in an e-mail and I was absolutely thrilled. It never occured to me to check on You Tube for her. This is about 7 minutes long but if you can find the time it so worth it. Enjoy!!



Have a fantastic Hump Day!!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Food For Thought...

"Your work is to discover your work, and then, with all your heart, to give yourself to it."

Buddha

Today is Day 1 for me, working on "Book in a Month." That was the display quote at the beginning of the exercises for Day 1. It really resonated with me so I thought I'd share it.

Hope it's a great day for everyone!!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

What I'm Reading...

OK..I did it. I got Fade to Black and I'm reading it. Sometimes I have to skip over the disturbing parts or details (well, what I find disturbing) but overall it's an awesome book. Leslie did a really great job with it and I'll definitely read the rest in the series.

Liza, I think it's just you and me today - everyone else in on vacation or at conference so I'm not going to post the cover, etc.

If anyone else drops by and isn't familiar with this book, let me know and I'll post the cover and the blurb.

What are you reading?

Have a great weekend!!!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Salsa

There is nothing "quick" about this recipe, but it is so good it's worth the effort. And sometimes, the chopping, slicing, dicing is kind of meditative. I love Chili's Salsa. There are several websites that have "copy-cat" recipes so I went to one of them and found a recipe that was supposed to be like Chili's salsa.

Ack!

So then I started playing around and modifying that recipe and have come up with something that's pretty close and pretty darned good. My family loves this!

1-14.5 oz can of tomatoes with green chilies (If you like it spicier you an use the kind that has diced jalapenos)

1-14.5 oz can of whole peeled tomatoes plus the juice

1 Tablespoon jalapenos (canned, diced, not pickled) PLUS
1 teaspoon jalapenos (canned, diced, not pickled) - I actually use 2 Tablespoons and then some juice thrown in too - my family likes it spicy

1/4 cup diced onion (I usually go a little more than this)

4-5 cloves garlic chopped or pressed (it just depends on the size of the clove and your personal preference)

3/4 teaspoon garlic salt (to taste)

1/2 teaspoon cumin (or more to taste)

1/4 teaspoon sugar (to taste)

1/2 teaspoon salt (again, to taste, my family prefers a little more)

1/2 teaspoon chopped chives (again, I use a little more)

1 teaspoon fresh, chopped cilantro (the dried kind is fine too, the fresh just looks pretty floating around in there)

Directions: I slice the onion real thin, then chop. I put in a small food processor because I like it pretty fine - I don't like onion so if I can get it almost purified I can eat it. LOL. I add the jalapenos (I make this a lot so I actually buy the jars of diced jalapenos). Mix together in the food processor until well combined.

In large food processor dump in the cans of tomatoes, add the onions and jalapenos, then add all the other ingredients and process until well blended and until the tomatoes are the consistently that you like. This is gonna sound crazy, I know, but my family doesn't like tomatoes. We just don't like the texture so I blend this salsa until the tomatoes are pretty liquid.

A couple of hours chilling will help the flavors to develop.

Serve with tortilla chips or use as a salsa on tacos, burritos, whatever.

Let me know if anyone tries it or has a variety of this they'd like to share. Enjoy!

Have a great Thursday...one more get-up for this week!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Hump Day Humor

I'm sure you guys have seen this crazy old lady before, but while I was on Youtube looking for something else I came across this video of hers. I hope you enjoy!!



Have a fantastic hump day!
Peace and Love,
Alannah