Chicken and Dumplings

Today was a GORGEOUS Autumn day here in the Pacific Northwest. It was also the perfect day for a little comfort food.
I made Chicken and Dumplings.
This was something that we never ate growing up, but when I saw Rachel Ray whip it on 30 meals I thought "how hard can it be?" Super easy is the answer and now it makes it way into the rotation every now and then.
If you watch Rachel Ray you know most of her start off with onion, celery and carrots. This is no exception.

Chop and drop your veggies in a little EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)and saute' until soft. Add a little salt, pepper and maybe some poultry seasoning if you have it on hand.

Deglaze the pot with some chicken stock (I used a box and half which I think is about a quart) and add chicken breasts. Simmer for about 20 minutes, shred meat and return to pot.

In another small bowl mix together flour, baking powder, salt and milk. When I have it, I chop up parsley and throw that in too. It adds a nice flavor and some much needed color. Once it is all mixed, dip your spoon in the broth before scooping the batter. This will help it slide right off. When all the batter is in the broth close the lid, set the timer for 10 and don't peek. I mean it, DO NOT peek!! You need the steam to cook the dumplings. If I can resist the urge to peek so can you.

After the timer goes off, remove lid and admire fluffy goodness. Scoop into your favorite bow and voila dinner is served.
Enjoy
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Chicken and Dumplings
2T EVOO
2 Carrots, 2 ribs celery, 1 med onion all diced
Season to taste ~ salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, whatever you like
1 Qt or so of Chicken Stock
2-4 Chicken breasts depending on how big they are or how much you like chicken
Dumplings
1 C four
1 1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/2 milk
small handful of parsley fresh or dried

The Clutter Question

Last night Ben was looking for a pencil sharpener. I told him there was one in the junk drawer.

He said there wasn't. We went back and forth before he gave up and searched elsewhere. This morning I opened the junk drawer to prove I was right. Yup, I couldn't find it either.
I started thinking about clutter and holy grail of "clutter free". I've read about it. I've seen pictures of it, but my question is how is it actually achieved?? More specifically, do clutter free folks just throw all the little randomness away??
All the rubberbands, pens, plastic forks...all the "overflow" that starts to take over.
So for those of you who read this little blog, PLEASE answer this question...
Are you a clutter tosser?
I need to know.
Okay, I'm off to deal with the junk drawer
Happy Sunday
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Hearding Cats

I am spending this week subbing in my friend's Kindergarten class.

I can not think of a more perfect phrase to sum up the experience of working with Kindergarteners in September.
It can be a whole lot of crazy, but it sure is a lot of fun.
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Happy Happy Joy Joy

This is a pictue of me and my fellow Browns Point parents.
After 8 days of striking teachers the kids are going back to school tomorrow.
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Strike

We are in day three of a teacher strike here in Tacoma.
In '94 when I was teaching my district went on strike.
Strikes are not fun and teachers would rather be in their classroom with kids than walking a picket line.
Talks between the district and teachers resumes today.
I hope they can find a solution.

Look who finally showed up...

Well, not so much a who more like a what.
Tomatoes!!!!
We have had the worst summer but now that the kids are back in school summer has shown up and the tomatoes are happy.
While I wish the overall look of the garden was a little more lush, there is fruit on the vine, so I guess that what is important.
My sunflowers and zucchini never came up (I must be the only person on the planet who can not grow these) so one bed looks a little empty. I find it funny the only thing that really took off was the marigolds. I'm not a huge fan of these oh so beautiful orange and yellow flowers, but all good gardeners plant them to help keep the bugs at bay. I guess the yellow ones aren't too bad.
So far I've harvested two handfuls of Juliets and about 6 cucs. It is supposed to be gorgeous this week so I'm hoping the extra sun will kick the tomatoes into overdrive. I like to get a batch or two of sauce made and it is always so much fun when the 'maters come from my own little garden.
Happy Gardening
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Heat Wave

Well, it took until the third week of August, but the summer has finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest. Ahhhh, just in time for school to start next Thursday. While I have been doing my best to deal with the extreme heat the past couple of days (the above photo was taken on my dad's deck today) I do find myself longing for the cooler days of fall. We have had the GRAYEST summer EVER around here and so I am really hoping for a beautiful Indian summer.

Fall is my favorite season and usually the prettiest around here. Even though we are the "Evergreen State" we have our fair share of foliage that turns all those great reds and yellows. Between the leaves changing, Mt. Rainier and the Olympics against the crisp blue skies I don't think there is a prettier place. While I wish my tan was a little darker and vacation a little longer I'm ready for fall.
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