25 April 2014

Less is More

So much going on right now,  I don't even know what to think about first.  I don't even know what emotion to feel.  This can only mean one thing: I need to re-center.  



I need solitude.  I need peace.  I need love and kindness.  I need to be gentle.  And the person I need to turn to for all of this is ME.  It's time for me to take a few steps back and gather myself. 


It's time for me to re-boot.  Step-one.... shut down.

With that said, here is what I am trying to grasp today:

“Don’t use a lot where a little will do.” -Proverb


"...When we focus on doing less and doing it well, instead of doing more and assuming it’s better, we’re less scattered, more deliberate, less harried, and more present." -Tiny Buddah


Kindly~

Meghan



02 October 2012

The Return of the Last Minute Party Planner

Months ago, I scrambled to put together a birthday party for my 4-year-old son, Liam.  It was a very elaborate and idealistic plan, and at the time, I had no real idea how I was going to execute all of the wonderful things I had imagined.  Luckily, with the help of some amazing women (Ma and Bri), the party (Superhero themed) went off without a hitch.  Complete success and further proof that procrastination is often magical.

Welp, I figured, why not!!??  Why not wait until the very. last. second to iron out the final details of my hub Bren's 30th (surprise) birthday party.  It's not like this is a milestone or anything, and it couldn't possibly be any more complicated and stressful than a 4-year-old's party (especially since I hand-made capes for all of his guests-- Coolest Mom Ever-- I know).

So here I am, 3 days away from go time, and I am just now putting together my scheme, again with my Partner in Crime, Bri:

First, the food, because he's a man and that's pretty much priority #1 in his life (immediately following me and the kids, of course!!).  ;)

Happy Hour Fare:

Red Velvet Style

As for presents, I'd like to do something fun for him like this adorable gift basket below:





  I'm also serving Skittle Flavored Vodka, because despite turning 30.... ah, screw it.  Do I really need a REASON to spike the rainbow?


We'll see how this all turns out.  If all else goes to hell, we'll have lots of beer and liquor.  Not bad for a safety net.

Updates to follow!!

OH!  And can we all say a collective HALLELUJAH!  Today is officially my last day at GMU before heading on to bigger and better things.....

... like party planning.

Smile at everyone today.  Literally, everyone!

Kindly~

Meghan

28 September 2012

Last Night's Dinner: Chicken Marsala

 This is kind of a big deal.

I have never made Marsala Chicken before, and it's one of my man's favorite dishes.  Luckily, it turned out really well, (he was more impressed than I was- that's all that matters to me).  Definite room for improvement, but overall, pretty awesome.   

Side note:  Didn't get to watch my Raven's play last night because for some insane reason, we don't get the NFL Network.  I was only a little bit furious.  Calling Verizon ASAP.

Okay, back to food.
 Found this great recipe on Pinterest (duh... where else do people get recipes these days?).  Tweaked it here and there, but stayed true to it for the most part.

Chicken Marsala with Brown Butter Pasta

Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 35 – 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour +
Yield: 8 servings

...Ingredients...

4 thin sliced chicken breasts – cut into cutlets
1 lb mushrooms sliced
2 bunches green onions chopped
3 cloves of garlic chopped
Dash of Balsamic Vinegar 
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp 
3/4 tsp salt
dash pepper
2.5 sticks butter, divided
4 Tbsp vegetable oil divided
1 cup dry Marsala wine
2 cups chicken broth
pinch of salt – to taste
1/2 cup parm
1 lb pasta – spaghetti

  ...Time to git er dun...
  •  Slice chicken into cutlets.   
  • In a medium bowl, combine flour, marjoram, salt, and pepper . 
  • Lightly coat  chicken breasts in flour.  
  • Slice your veggies- mushrooms, garlic and scallions

  • Melt 1/2 stick of butter and 2 Tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet. Heat over medium-high until butter is melted. Add mushrooms, garlic and scallions.  Season with salt and pepper and a dash of Balsamic Vinegar.  Sauté over medium-high heat until water is cooked out of mushrooms and they are starting to brown. Remove from pan and set aside.  
  • Add another 1/2 stick of butter and 1 tbsp oil to the pan. Also start your pot of boiling water for the pasta at this point.
  • Place chicken pieces in a single layer in frying pan over medium heat. Allow to brown on both sides. Remove and repeat with remaining breast cutlets. Remove all when done, leaving behind the butter and brown bits in the pan. 
  • Add Marsala to pan and let simmer for approximately 1 minute. Add chicken broth. Stir to combine and add in mushroom/onion mixture and chicken breasts. Stir and then let simmer over medium-low heat. Cook until sauce is thickened, approximately 20 minutes.
  • While your sauce is simmering and thickening is the time to start your brown butter. In a small pot melt 1/2 stick of butter over medium heat. Don’t touch it, but watch it carefully. It will start to bubble, foam, and under that foam it will start to brown. Brown  well, removing from heat just before you think it’ll burn. If you under-brown it you end up with greasy pasta. If you brown it well you end up with little bites of heaven.
  • When pasta is done, drain well and toss with browned butter and grated parm.

And there you have it!  Serve it with some crunchy, garlicy bread and a clean salad.

***

Thank the good lord it's Friday!   It's been a long week (aren't they all).
I'm going out to celebrate one of my besties b-day tomorrow night!  Should be a good time!   Hope everyone has great weekend!

SMILE!!!

Kindly~

Meghan

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