Tastes Like Chicken

Michelle's Rule of Life No. 524 (spoken in true "Olivia" style): Just because you like to cook, doesn't mean you have to over complicate things. While most nights of the week, I take pride in prepping a homemade meal for my family, I rarely like to fuss over it, so I'm always on the lookout for recipes that make you look like you've got Iron Chef-quality skills without having to invest Iron Chef-like time. Can you imagine how thrilled I was recently to find this goodie from Campbell's Kitchen (you know, the soup people...M'm m'm good?) in the Sunday Globe circular? Because I appreciate y'all, I'm sharing it, which is actually a BIG deal. Usually I just call such a recipe "Michelle's ____________" and say it's been in the family for years. So here goes. Oh, and make sure you've got biscuits or a loaf of fresh bread on the table...don't waste the yummy gravy!

Lemon-Herb Roast Chicken with Pan Gravy

1 lemon  

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup  (Regular or 98% Fat Free)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves, crushed

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 roasting chicken  (5 to 7 pounds)

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/4 cup water

• Heat the oven to 375°F. Grate 1 1/2 teaspoons zest and squeeze 1 tablespoon juice from the lemon.
• Stir the lemon zest, lemon juice, soup, rosemary, thyme and garlic in a medium bowl. Reserve 1 cup soup mixture for the gravy. Place the chicken into a shallow roasting pan.
• Roast the chicken for 20 minutes. Brush the chicken with 1/4 cup soup mixture.
• Roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken to a serving platter and keep warm.
• Spoon off any fat from the pan juices. Stir the wine in the roasting pan and heat over medium-high heat to a boil, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the reserved soup mixture and water and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Serve the gravy with the chicken.

Hope this tip solves at least one "what-the-#$%!-do-I-make-tonight?" problem. For nutritional info, visit the website at http://bit.ly/9zd8QJ.

A Feast for The Eyes

You all know how I feel about autumn. Mmmm...couldn't be a prettier, more energizing time of the year in my opinion. Just had to grab my camera this morning and capture it before all the leaves have fallen and November sets in. Look around you: the trees are changing...

 

...things that once were a huge part of your day (like your favorite chair in the backyard...the one that gives you full view of The Boy playing) get a little less use, but somehow become more beautiful. It's like you're seeing them for the first time when they're left to stand on their own...

 

Matt's summer playhouse: the center of activity in the warmer months. Now, it stands, looking like smoke should be rising out of its chimney (if it had one). 

Love the mini pumpkins, but really now, does it get better than one that's sparkly black?!

And even as the plantings start to wear from the frost and fade away, they never lose their beauty. 

Look at how the sunlight falls on my neighborhood? Enchanting...

I say "Why rake?" When God's confetti pours down, just enjoy it for a bit.

At least until the last leaf has blown off the last tree.

And yes...even Ruby looks more regal in this lighting.

So gather your acorns, pull the crock pot out of your pantry,

and get ready for the cooler months to come. Love it!



Almost Perfect

This morning at Pool School, Matt asked his teacher, "You know what I can do?" She said "no," and he came back with "Walk on water." Hmmm. Only in mom's eyes, babe, and even then, only on a good day. I'm quite sure it was another gal's Son who holds that claim to fame.

...but doesn't he look cute in his SunSkinz?!

Lines We Feed Our Kids

Every once in a while I wonder: When Matt's hit the age of reason, and can look back and reflect on all the stuff I said to him when he was little, will he confront me with "Seriously, ma...what the h*ll were you talking about?!" I mean there are truly times when he pops a question off and the fact is confirmed that my 4-year-old is smarter than me.

Anyway, I was glad to overhear the other day at the playground that I wasn't the only one who often feeds my kid a line. A man and his young son (seemed about 5) were on their way out of the gate I was standing near (trying my best to observe Matt at a distance...I hate hovering) when I heard the man state "Yes, class is over." "Why are the other kids staying then?" the boy asked his dad. "Their class just began," was the answer. Made me giggle. Hey, a parent's got to do what a parent's got to do to leave the playground without a scene.

What's the one line you've fed your kid that made you think "Ha! I'm clever. Better jot that down"? :o)