Meet Me on Monday

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend! We joined our friends Karen and Larry at the Lake of the Ozarks and enjoyed a beautiful Spring weekend! Do you have a least favorite day of the week? For me, hands down, it's Monday. The weekend's never seem long enough and then it's time to go back to work. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my job but not quite as much as those cherished weekend's.

Last week, I ran across a fun blog party that celebrates Monday! You can find Meet Me On Monday here at Never Growing Old. Every week she posts five questions where we can all get to know each other better!

Questions:

1. If you had to eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Wow...this one is hard. As food blogger, it's no secret I love food!! If I had to pick just one, it would be chocolate!!

2. Do you write your blog posts in advance or the day you post them?
Most of the time, I write them in advance. I like to be organized and have several posts written and ready to go!!!

3. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
I don't think I have and I'd like to keep it that way !!!

4. What is your favorite candle scent?
Lavender! It's such a relaxing scent!!

5. Coffee or tea?
Until recently, I would have said coffee! Lately, I've gotten into Chai Tea. It's a toss up, I love them both!!!

Have a great Monday and thanks for stopping by!!!

Pink Saturday

Are you looking forward to Spring as much as I am? Winter just doesn't want to go away! We've had snow twice in the past week. No real accumulation, just annoying!

Happy Pink Saturday!!!

I am linking this to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound! Thanks to Beverly for hosting this fun party each week!!!

Charlie's Afternoon Pudding Cake - CWF

If you've read my CWF posts over the past year or so, you know they've contained more failures than successes. This month's recipe, however, was actually what I would call EASY! This cake didn't have any unusual ingredients, take forever to make or require several days to assemble. I read the recipe a couple of times to make sure I hadn't missed anything.

I cut the recipe in half and used an oval pan I had purchased when I took my cake decorating classes. It was the perfect size for a half recipe and the oval shape is great for the Easter season!!!




The next time you're looking for a chocolate cake recipe, give this one a try. It's so decadent and did I mention easy to make? The cake has a dense, fudgey texture and is very chocolately. I think I may have baked mine a little too long, although it doesn't taste overbaked. What a perfect dessert for entertaining!

You'll find the recipe on Peggy's blog, Pantry Revisited. Thanks, Peggy for choosing such a fabulous recipe. This could be my favorite CWF recipe so far!!! If you'd like to see what the other CWF baker's did with this recipe you can find the links to their blogs here!

Chicken Salad

I love good chicken salad. Ina's recipe is just that and more, it's a great chicken salad. This salad is delicious served over crispy lettuce leaves or on a delicious homemade bread! In my never ending effort to try and cut out bread whenever I can, I served this over lettuce leaves.


Ina Garten's Chicken Salad

• 2 chicken breasts (You can also use leftover rotisserie chicken)
• 1/2 cup pecan halves
• 1/2 cup walnut halves
• 1/2 cup good mayo (I used light)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (I used light)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves , divided (I used dried)
  
• 1 cup green grapes, cut in 1/2 (I used red grapes)
  
• lettuce leaves for serving
  

• Place the pecans and walnuts on a separate sheet pan and toast in the oven for 7 to 8 minutes until golden. Set aside to cool.
• For the dressing, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Fold in half the chopped tarragon leaves.
• Place the diced chicken in a bowl, add the pecans, walnuts and grapes. Pour the dressing over the chicken and toss well. Sprinkle the remaining chopped tarragon leaves on top, and serve on a bed of lettuce leaves.

I am linking this to Souper, Salad and Sammie Sunday's at Kahakai Kitchen, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday's, Tuesday's at the Table , Tuesday Night Supper Club and Eats and Treats Thursday at Bargain Hoot!

Pink Saturday

I am always looking for fun things for Pink Saturday! In a recent trip to Garden Ridge, I spotted this picture! It definitely brought a smile to my face.

Happy Pink Saturday!!!!!

Champagne Risotto with Leeks and Asparagus

We've been really busy these past couple of weeks. When I went to choose my recipe for today, I realized I had only one recipe in my drafts. Then I discovered I didn't have a picture! I decided to repost one of my favorites, Champagne Risotto with Leeks and Asparagus.

I posted this in my early blogging days when no one was reading my blog, so I don't even think it really counts as a repost. I love this recipe and it's one I've been making for years. Those of you who are leery of risotto, give this recipe a try! You won't be sorry, it's so delicious.


I am linking this to Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum!

From The Good Life

You may remember that Tim's son Michael has been spending his senior year as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student in Japan. Fortunately Mike was several hundred miles south of the earthquake area. However with all of the uncertainty around the nuclear plants, we felt Mike needed to return home. Last Saturday night, after almost 24 hours of travel and security lines of five hours in Tokyo, Mike returned to Nebraska.




We're glad to have him home and look forward to hearing all (or at least most) of the stories from his seven months in Japan.