Monday Musings, July 20
Happiest of Happy Mondays, my friends.
Big goings ons here today, I have effectively emptied out my kitchen to have my cabinets repainted. When we moved in one year ago, I knew I wanted to change up the kitchen and it has been a slow, year-long process that will culminate with the cabinets being painted. Over the year I have replaced the countertops and the backsplash, removed a built-in desk, and found an incredible old hutch to replace the desk. I know many folks accomplish these things in a month, but decision making is not my strong suit, so it tends to take me longer.
But, call me a tad anxious. While the painters will wear masks the whole time I was still a little nervous having them in my kitchen for a week. So, I have removed every single thing from every drawer and every cabinet and put them in the dining room. I figure it is also a good opportunity to wipe down and clean out every space in the kitchen when they are done and before I put my stuff back.
Plus, it’ll provide me with an opportunity to really handle everything before I put it back. I learned during my previous kitchen declutters that the most effective way to figure out what stays and what goes is to actually remove everything and then make a conscious decision to put it back or not.
I can’t wait to show you the finished kitchen next week!
When Rob saw our dining room filling up with stuff again after we just emptied it of his sister’s stuff 2 weeks ago, he just stood there and shook his head. But, after I finish with my kitchen, it’ll be time to use the dining room again as a staging area for him as we gather his stuff to return to school and set him up in his first apartment (fingers crossed). Speaking of returning to school and first apartments, check out this post on Planning Your First Apartment for tips and a handy checklist of commonly needed ‘first apartment’ items.
My list of 49 Household Tasks that take 15 minutes or less was so popular that I brainstormed another list of 53 Household Chores that you can do in less than 15 minutes…some quick maths will tell you that that makes a total fo 102 15-Minute or Less Household Task! Booya!
Access Five Knit Washcloth Patterns in one place!
Looking for some Jalapeño recipes? Use your garden bounty (or the grocery store bounty) to make Jalapeño Wine Jelly, Pickled Jalapeños, or Jalapeño Cheese Spread.
In other exciting news, my friend Sheila has a new cookbook which has my name all over it! While I like to prepare chicken, I often run out of ideas and end up making the same chicken dishes over and over. Her new cookbook aptly named The Easy Chicken Cookbook, offers recipes organized by convenience: 5 ingredients or fewer, 30 minutes or less, one pan, one pot, and pressure cooker or slow cooker. A mix of classic and contemporary dishes―Hot-Honey-and-Garlic-Glazed Drumsticks, Pad Thai with Crunchy Peanuts, and Pan-Seared Lemon-Pepper Chicken Breasts―use simple, everyday ingredients. And…drumroll…She has graciously offered me one cookbook to send to a lucky reader. Leave a comment with your favorite, go-to chicken recipe to be entered to win her cookbook.
Open to US residents ages 18 and up only. Entries must be received by Friday, July 24 at 5 p.m. EST. One winner will be chosen at random on Saturday, July 25. No purchase necessary. Est. retail value: $14.99
Well my friends, I am off to finish prepping for the week without access to the kitchen.
Hope your week is a good one!
Sending you strength and hugs!
BBQ Chicken using rotisserie chicken! So versatile!
Oh, that’s a good one! Thanks for chiming in Brooke.
A good clean out is a great step forward to any new project. I’m working on our RV kitchen right now, I’m determined to add more counter space in this small environment. A 21 foot travel trailer can sometimes be a challenge but we do love the simplicity it offers. Looking forward to seeing your new kitchen.
Enjoy the process, I find that’s sometimes more important than reaching the finish line.
Carole
Hi Carole, where are you now? When you say ‘add more counter space’, will you be adding on or better using what you have? While I typically enjoy the process, this process has gone on way too long, so at this point, I am just anxious for it to be DONE!
Have a great day, my friend.
Hugs,
Lynn
My favorite chicken recipe is my go to for needing comfort food. It’s called Melt in your mouth Chicken Pie. It has a creamy inside without veggies and a top crust. So yummy! Thanks for cookbook offer.
Hi Lynn, that sounds delightful, especially for a rainy, dreary winter day! Going to bookmark that.
Thanks for chiming in and you are entered into the drawing!
Hugs,
Lynn
Oven BBQ Chicken! Yummy!!
Hi Renee,
What bbq sauce do you use? I am still looking for a ‘favorite’ sauce.
Thanks for chiming in and you are entered into the drawing!
Hugs,
Lynn
Barbecue chicken on the grill. Family favorite!
Hi Mary,
BBQ chicken is ALWAYS a winner! Do you use bottled BBQ sauce? I am still looking for a ‘favorite’ sauce.
Thanks for chiming in and you are entered into the drawing!
Hugs,
Lynn
I don’t really like chicken all that much, but my husband does, so I’m always trying new ways to cook it so that it doesn’t “taste like chicken.” One of my biggest successes was a baked Chicken-Zucchini Parmesan dish that was so good that I was even asked to share the recipe!
I also like to find good recipes for leftover rotisserie chicken. Tonight we’re having Lemony Chicken & Asparagus Orzo, which will be a hot dish tonight, and eaten cold as a pasta salad later in the week.
Oh my Neila,
Both of those recipes sound delicious! I have to admit, I am not a big chicken breast fan, they can get rather dry and flavorless. But rotisserie chicken, now that is a different story. Did you know you could buy bulk rotisserie chicken meat, off of the bone, at Costco? Where did you find the Chicken-zucchine Parm recipe?
Thanks for chiming in and you are entered into the drawing!
Hugs,
Lynn
I just finished prepping a chicken for tonight: thoroughly wash and dry a whole chicken, season liberally with salt and pepper and let air dry in the fridge overnight. About 6-8 hrs prior to cooking ( like in the morning before work) sprinkle with your favorite dry rub and put back in fridge, until about an hour before cooking. In the summer, I use our gas grill to cook low and slow over indirect heat for about 1- 1.5 hrs, depending on size. I use a thermometer to check that it’s 165 degrees. Great hot, room temp and cold.
Hi Adele,
My brother has mentioned this method for making chicken too. Don’t you end up with a lovely, crispy crust? I need to try it!
Thanks for chiming in and you are entered into the drawing!
Hugs,
Lynn
The best of luck on your cabinet painting! That’s exciting and yes, a great reason to clean out those cabinets! Drooling over that bowl of peaches! I cannot wait for Sheila’s new Chicken cookbook, for me I’d go for that delicious sounding Pad Thai with crunch peanuts! YUMMO!
Good Morning Sunshine! I am excited to have my kitchen finished! (insert snoopy dance!)
Alwasy love Pad Thai! One of my favs as well.
Thanks for chiming in and you are entered into the drawing!
Hugs,
Lynn
We love salsa chicken using a chicken breast covered with salsa and cheese. Can use guacamole on top after baked. Very easy and good.
Hi Juanita! Good to hear from you.
Your salsa chicken sounds like a winner! Adding that to my ‘to make’ list.
Thanks for chiming in and you are entered into the drawing!
Hugs,
Lynn
I have three favorite chicken dishes: chicken enchiladas, white chicken chili, and lightly battered fried chicken breasts.
Hi Pam,
Those all sound good to me! You’ve just reminded me that it has been too long since I made chicken enchiladas! Thanks for chiming in and you are entered in the drawing.
My Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake! Chicken thighs fillets, Mediterranean veges such as red peppers, courgettes, eggplant, seeded black olives and cherry trussed tomatoes, drizzled with garlic or chilli olive oil, mixed herbs, salt and pepper then baked on a tray. Sprinkled with balsamic vinegar before serving. So easy, just piling everything on the tray, then walking away until done! xxKathryn
Oh my, that sounds delicious! Do you use thighs or breasts?
Thanks for chiming in and you are entered into the drawing!
Hugs,
Lynn
Hi Lynn! I have used both, chopping breasts into pieces, although I think boneless thighs are juicier. You can also add some chopped little potatoes to roast along with everything else, although I’d put them on a little earlier, as they take longer. Oh! I forgot to say ‘aubergine’ instead of eggplant BTW! xx
Thanks Kathryn, I knew what you meant by Aubergine…it is a much more elegant term than ‘eggplant’!
Have a wonderful day, my friend.
Hugs,
Lynn