back to it

now that' i'm getting the hang of juggling two kids, i've decided "what's the fun in juggling just two things . .why not more?"  . .and then enters the part where i'm biting off more than i can chew  . . but my craft room knows all about that saying! yes the past few months have been spent juggling lots of different things trying to get a handle on life, priorities, things that i NEED to do vs WANT to do, and so on and so forth.


the list goes a little something like this:
* pay less / coupon more
* increase ebay sales
* start a garden
* keep the baby, get rid of the baby bod!


and i might add . . this is in addition to:
* play with, feed, & change kids - didn't want you to think i was neglecting the important. 
(neglecting the important would be forgetting to post on my family blog) hee hee


anywhosers . . since this is an anything and everything blog . .i first wanted to give a shout out to 3 amazingly awesome and wonderful bread recipes. all i can say is TRY THEM TRY THEM TRY THEM!! your life will not be complete until you do!


Naan - found HERE (allrecipies.com)
Lion House Dinner Rolls - found HERE (thesisterscafe.blogspot.com)
Macaroni Grill Rosemary Bread - found HERE (dealstomeals.blogspot.com)


and since every good post needs pictures . .

 the ebay/craft room - ya i know .. did i mention my mother in law in coming to visit?? yikes!

 what's the fun in couponing if you can't take up ALL your kitchen space

and here lies my soon to be garden! that's right . .square foot gardening anyone??

healthy three-cheese chicken penne pasta bake

i found this yumma recipe over at www.thegirlwhoateeverything.blogspot.com

i made it tonight but of course my version probably wasn't as healthy since we only had half the spinach amount it called for and no whole wheat pasta on hand :) we also had tons of leftovers since i used more pasta and more sauce than called for as well. we ate probably 1/4th of a huge 9x13 pan. i split what was left in two - part to get frozen for a latter date in time and part to be used as leftovers tomorrow!! enjoy!

(her picture not mine)

Three Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake

1-1/2 cups multi-grain penne pasta, uncooked
1 pkg. (9 oz.) fresh spinach leaves
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1 jar (14-1/2 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
2 oz. (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, cubed
1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Heat oven to 375ºF.


Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt and adding spinach to the boiling water the last minute.

Cook and stir chicken and basil in large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat 3 min. Stir in spaghetti sauce, garlic, and tomatoes; bring to boil. Simmer on low heat 3 min. or until chicken is done. Stir in Neufchatel.

Drain pasta mixture; return to pan. Stir in chicken mixture and 1/2 cup mozzarella. Spoon into 2-qt. casserole or 8-inch square baking dish.

Bake 20 min.; top with remaining cheeses. Bake 3 min. or until mozzarella is melted.

460 calories per serving; Makes 4 servings.