Intentional Living...Part Two...Chicken Piccata Anyone?

Armed with a cup of coffee I am ready to tackle the second in my series on Intentional Living. Talking about exercise and music playlists on Friday will definitely be the easiest post I do on this subject...but hang in there with me and maybe we will all be blessed.  I checked out dictionary.com for some synonyms for the word intentional...proposed, planned, intended, considered, deliberate.  There were a dozen more but these are all good words and convicting enough for me!

I am a great planner.  I love to plan a party/event, a vacation, or a home improvement project. When I taught school I loved planning a teaching unit...Once for third grade I started with the idea that my kids were going to read and study the novel Charlotte's Web. Well, we also studied spiders, and then we made beautiful spiders (out of styrofoam balls, black socks, pipe cleaners...)...then there was farm life and county fairs....!  Sorry for going down memory lane...like the time I read aloud the book Poppy by Avi and we HAD to study owls...and we HAD to dissect owl pellets and try to figure out which animal the owl had eaten...

You get it, I am all about the details...which honestly can be a curse as well as a blessing.  I tend to not stop thinking about and doing until the party starts, we are at the airport, the last bath towel and soap dish is found, or the spiders are taken down from the clothesline and packed up along with the Thursday folders into the backpack.  It has served me well when teaching, planning a wedding, or going on a vacation.  It can be my enemy, this ability to see the possibility in something random. 

Consider this example...when I first joined facebook I became friends with a wonderful woman whose daughter I taught.  She was a dietician in one of the local hospitals (forgive me C.S. for not knowing your actual title...and please correct me in the comment area). She would do status updates about great recipes from the Cooking Light Magazine and website.  Sooooo, when I got hit up with the annual magazine fundraiser by one of my nieces...I ordered the magazine THINKING I would actually look at it and then go out on the proverbial limb and maybe COOK something healthy and delicious!  My intentions were good...follow through...not so much! And at times this can be a frustration, this decision-making with a lack of follow through!

As you can see identifying the problem isn't really my issue...so I am going to cut to the chase (as my husband likes to say).  I am now making intentional decisions about everyday things in my life. When the March issue of Cooking Light arrived a couple of weeks ago I actually read through it and found an article about cooking with Meyer lemons.  If you know me then you know I was thrilled because I love lemon anything!!!  So, I made the absolutely divine Lemon Chicken Piccata (recipe to follow...) and Roasted Asparagus with you-guessed-it lemon butter!!  The chicken was fabulous and I felt great about using the magazine instead of just looking at it!  Intentional Living...Living with Purpose!

Meyer Lemon Chicken Piccata (Cooking Light March 2011 p146)

Total: 36 minutes
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 cutlet, 2 tablespoons sauce, and 1 tablespoon parsley)

Ingredients:

2 (8-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

1/3 cup sauvignon blanc or other crisp, tart white wine

1/2 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup fresh Meyer lemon juice (about 3 lemons)(these lemons are hard to find...regular lemons can be used, just take Meyer out of the name :)

2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preparation:

1. Split chicken breast halves in half horizontally to form 4 cutlets. Place each cutlet between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound each cutlet to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or small heavy skillet. Sprinkle cutlets evenly with salt and pepper. Place flour in a shallow dish; dredge cutlets in flour.

2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cutlets to pan, and sauté 2 minutes. Turn cutlets over; sauté for 1 minute. Remove the cutlets from pan. Repeat the procedure with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 2 cutlets.

3. Add wine to pan, and bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Cook for 1 minute or until liquid almost evaporates. Stir in chicken broth; bring to a boil. Cook until broth mixture is reduced to 2 tablespoons (about 4 minutes). Stir in juice and capers. Serve over chicken. Sprinkle with parsley.

Nutritional Information:

Calories:214
Fat:7.3g (sat 4.1g,mono 1.9g,poly 0.6g)
Protein:27.5g
Carbohydrate:8.5g


Thanks for wading through today's post...Oh and I would love feedback on ways in which you live intentionally...so be thinking...next on Intentional Living...my faith life...stay tuned. 

Weekend Update...

As a follow up to my last post...I took my new ipod out for a spin over the weekend and put it on shuffle and was happy with the music...U2, Madonna, Michael Jackson, All American Rejects, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban...only skipped a couple of songs. I appreciate your suggestions for music and will be checking out some websites this week for more ideas!  As for the running...let's just say I am successfully easing into it!! 


Today there was heavy fog...ALL DAY!  We had planned to spend the afternoon enjoying some outdoor time at Carillon, instead we took an afternoon ride over to Seaside hoping for a break in the weather. No blues skies but some interesting photo ops just the same...

Also, I did some scrap booking...I finally started the scrapbook from our trip to NYC and Vermont two Christmases ago!  I have to give the credit to www.project-create.blogspot.com for the idea of working on Christmas pages on the 25th of each month!!  A wonderful idea...I actually organized and finished three pages...well I still have to journal.

And last, though certainly not least...When we got home this evening waiting in my mailbox was...

Anne and Nicole (Claire's momma) are good friends and teach at the same high school. We have been awaiting the publishing of her first novel for a year now!!  Check out her website for more information http://www.annerileybooks.com/ I will definitely be adding this to my 11 in 11 reading list!

More tomorrow on Intentional Living Part Two!!

Intentional Living....Part One...Exercise

One of my goals in 2011 is to make exercise an intentional part of my life.  So instead of using my gym membership when I feel guilty...need to take off that 5 pounds AGAIN...or everyone in the family is headed out the door to go so I might as well go too...I am intentionally scheduling times to go and for the first time in forever (remember jazzercize??) I am taking classes.  It started last fall with Yoga and has since included Pilates Class and a Core Stretch Class (that kicked my....abs).

 I used to run.  Notice I didn't say I used to be a runner!  I was never a runner.  For one year (2004/05) I ran and ran and ran. I ran neighborhoods, tracks, the bridge, and even a couple of 5k races. In January of 2005 I ran the Disney Half  Marathon and immediately decided ~ okay, been there done that.  Yes, I experienced "race day magic!" But honestly, I was in Disney World and I get a bit high just swiping my card and entering Main Street in Magic Kingdom!!  I don't think I have run a total of 10 miles since.  In 2010 I started walking and while there is none of the adrenaline kick that happens after mile 4 while running...it is exercise and I usually go 5-6 miles three times a week with friends.  We chat, the time goes by, and I love being outside.  I can tell though that while the classes at the gym are great and the social aspect of walking is fun, I will get bored with the walking routine once hot weather hits!  Sooooooo, I am THINKING about adding a bit of running back into my life.  I don't want to be crazy about it and no, I won't be running the bridge next Thursday night (maybe somewhere down the road), but, I am going to give it a go while at Carillon this weekend. 

I know some of you are runners and I need some inspiration. So lay it on me.  How do you keep yourself motivated to run?  I just got a new ipod touch from Rich for Valentine's Day.  It is loaded up with music and some podcasts.  Now I want to make a couple of playlists for my runs.   So my question to you...what do you listen to while running? I would really appreciate suggestions otherwise I will go back to my standbys...The Killers, ColdPlay, U2...

Next up...part two of intentional living!

Claire's Latest Music Pick...Gotta Love A Red Head Who Can Sing

I admit that I am behind the times when it comes to music...while in Birmingham visiting Nicole, David, and Claire I was introduced to
Florence and the Machine by my 13 month old granddaughter ...when this song came on the TV Claire immediately stopped what she was doing and went into dance mode!! As soon as we got back home I had Katelyn buy the album (do you call it that?) on ITunes and add it to my ipod (notice I still have to have Kate do these complicated tasks...what will become of me when she leaves for Vanderbilt in August?????)
So while I am trying to get caught up on my bible study for small group tomorrow, ENJOY some fun upbeat music and think of that sweet baby girl dancing away...

Sweet Home Alabama...Apartment Hunting in Auburn

I spent all of last week in the great state of Alabama... I started out in Auburn  apartment hunting with Chelsea.  We did it in two days...truth be told it didn't really take that long. It's all about SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY (which does actually mean location, location, location)!  As most of you know Auburn is a really small town with the university tucked into its center.  Everything happens within a 5 block radius of the campus.  So I wasn't so much interested in the cool complexes with the hot tubs, free tanning beds, weekly cookouts, and a 10-15 minute drive to the campus (and a rush to find parking)...or as one manager stated...the further away, the more they play!!
 I wanted her right there...within view of the library...easy walking distance to everything important...classes, the football stadium, classes (I already said that), Toomers Corner for after game celebrations (more about that later)...  Who knew safety was gonna cost more??!!!  On day two we made our way back to Two:21 Armstrong and we both signed away our life in a 19 page lease (I think a closing package for buying a house has less pages)!  It is 2 blocks from the library (translation: 10+ minute walk to most of her classes in the science buildings), and you can see the beloved Hotel at Auburn University from the grounds (my favorite place to stay)!

 It has all of the amenities (well...no tanning beds, but you know those things are dangerous...)!  It has a great gym open 24 hours a day (not sure why that is a selling point...but Chelsea goes almost daily so...) a beautiful swimming pool, and yes, they too have Friday night parties and feed the students Mama Goldbergs, Mellow Mushroom....etc.

  Another wonderful amenity...her one bedroom apartment has...are you ready...a washer and dryer!!!  No more dragging laundry downstairs to find all of the washers full...but finished!  No more bringing home three weeks of laundry for a two day weekend at home! No more...okay no more of this, cause you get it :)  So with a huge sigh of relief...Chelsea has her place for next year and a bonus...she gets to go furniture shopping!  As I left Auburn to head on up the road to my next adventure I had to smile along with Chelsea...:)

My Life by Amy Cristina

I am back from my week in Alabama...all is well on all fronts up there.  I will be posting about it later this week...HOWEVER...
It's February and time for another guest blog.  This month I asked Amy Holley Cristina (yes, she has three first names) to write some words of inspiration for all of us.  Amy currently lives in Texas with her husband Paul and their dog Scout.  She is pregnant and will be joining the mommy club in April!  I have adored this sweet girl since the day I met her at Holy Nativity. While she jokingly claimed I was her "mom" at school...she has taught me sooooo much about living.  She has a wonderful story to share with you...so clear some space in your busy day and enjoy!

When Kim asked me to be her February guest blogger back in January, I knew I needed to start thinking then about what exactly I should write. I’ve never been one at a loss for words, but I admit that trying to find something about my life that others would enjoy reading has been a difficult task. Well, here it is, days before I’m supposed to get my blog entry to Kim and a topic is failing me.



So while I’m trying to figure out where this is going, I guess I should begin by telling you how Kim and I met. In the summer of 2003, I was preparing for my first year of teaching at Holy Nativity Episcopal School. I was teaching fourth grade and Kim was teaching third grade next door to me. We immediately hit it off and I spent many afternoons in her classroom seeking advice on so many topics, ranging from classroom issues, daily devotions, prayer time, love, balancing work and family, and must-read books, just to name a few.

                                           Kim was there, capturing one of the most special moments of my life, when Paul, my husband of nearly seven years, asked me to be his wife one rainy, Friday afternoon at our school. She threw me a surprise bridal shower and a beautiful bridesmaids’ tea at her home as part of our wedding celebration. I cherish our friendship and, probably like many of you, feel like an extended member of the Dodd family. I love that no matter how much time passes between our visits, it seems like we’ve talked just the day before.

This morning, as Paul and I were out for a walk, I knew what I would try to put into words here on Kim’s blog. You see, today I’m 32 weeks pregnant and there’s much hustle and bustle around our house as we get our hearts and home ready to welcome our first baby. We’ve decided to be surprised, and even though it goes against everything in my strong, Type-A personality, I am loving it. I can’t wait to hear Paul tell me “It’s a….” because I know, whether we have a bundle of boy or a sweet little girl, this child already has our hearts.


Over the years, it’s been very easy for me to have an opinion about parenting, especially since we didn’t have any children of our own and yet I was surrounded by 20 + students each day at school whose parents influenced me in both good and bad ways! Long before we were even planning to have children, I “thought” I had it all mapped out about what I would and wouldn’t do as a mom. All of that changed, however, on November 16, 2007 when I became an aunt to a very precious little girl named Madison Grace Riley. The details of Madison’s story can be found on her Caring Bridge website http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/madisongraceriley as well as my sister’s blog that she more regularly updates, http://www.shaneandaprilriley.blogspot.com/.

A few months after Madison’s first birthday, our world was rocked with the news that Madison had an extremely rare genetic disorder called Muculipidosis Type II, or I-Cell disease, a disease for which there currently is no cure and that brings with it a life expectancy of two to eight years. Talk about changing your views on life, love, and parenting! This little girl has taught me so much about how I aim to be as a mother to my unborn child, but for the sake of time, I’m going to share with you three lessons Madison’s taught me in her three beautiful years of life. It is my prayer that no matter what role(s) you currently find yourself serving—a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, student—that you would take these lessons to heart as well.

1. Our time on this earth is but a blink and I need to take stock in how I spend my time and in what really matters. Our family has cried its share of tears over Madison’s prognosis but there’s no anger in our hearts. As my sister once told me, “I’m no different than a mother who suddenly loses her child in a terrible accident or in war, it’s just that I live with the reality that each day I have with her is a gift.” When you are forced to examine the reality of death, it brings new clarity to life. It’s put everything in proper perspective. “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12


2. Our identity should be grounded in the fact that we are the Lord’s, not in our abilities or limitations. I recently reread the creation story in the book of Genesis and was convicted of how guilty I’ve been in finding satisfaction in creation over my Creator. While I wear many hats and enjoy doing many things, it is not who I am. If all the things that I thought defined me were gone tomorrow, I can rest in the promise that I am His. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” 1 John 3:12a


3. Rest in the peace that comes from knowing He’s in control. Again, my Type-A personality struggles with this but I’m seeing the joy that comes when I let go and let Him. It sounds so cliché, I know, but there’s great comfort in knowing that He’s bigger and stronger than anything I’m dealing with, and even better…He KNOWS what I’m facing. If left up to me, I’m going to screw things up, but because He’s guiding and directing me, I know He’s not going to let me go. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9


Thank you Kim, for asking me to do this and share the condition of my heart. And thanks to the rest of you for reading my endless rambling about the world’s most adorable niece (although Chelsea and Kate might have something to say about that : ) ) and the way she is ministering to those around her by simply being Madison. Finally, I leave you with a verse that continues to speak to me. Love to you all!


Amy

“A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:1-2

Cupcakes for Anytime!!

For Valentines dinner tonight we are staying in and since we already had our Valentine date night on Saturday night...Rich's mom and dad are coming for dinner!  So after my 5 miles, a trip to the post office and grocery store, I decided to get dessert at Panama City's very own cupcake bakery Sugar Crave (located on Harrison Avenue across from Tom's Hot Dogs...another great eatery but, I am digressing here...)

It was noon when I arrived and there were exactly seven cupcakes left...yes, SEVEN! I wanted to buy 6 and was about to open my mouth and say...when in walked a sweet older couple with cupcake desire written all over their faces!!! I couldn't do it...I couldn't leave just one cupcake for the two of them to share. 

I ended up with three Grasshopper Mints

One Vanilla Caramel Cherry

And one Red Devil (red velvet with jalapeno???!! That one will be for Rich...after all he likes food with a kick!).

As I stood there waiting for them to ring me up I looked at all the pretty glass cake plates, now empty...what a shame as the lunch crowd is about to descend upon this icing scented wonderland looking for a Valentine gift or just a sugar lift.  Anyway, if you are in the market today for cupcakes...they will be restocked at 5 pm with an amazing assortment to choose from (I was looking for Death by Chocolate...). Or stop by another day when you need a huge pick-me-up!! You can even take a friend and split one because while scrumptious, they are rich and filling!

Garages, Camellias, Valentines, Apartments, and Claire!

Today was a beautiful day...plain and simple.  After church and lunch and a 5 mile walk, we finally finished cleaning our garage!  The Christmas decorations are back up in the attic and my car is filled with stuff for Good Will! My husband is my hero once again and I am now officially ready for spring :)  

 While out in the yard I noticed all of my Camellia bushes are blooming...

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day...I wish you all love, peace, and joy...not just tomorrow but everyday!

On Tuesday I will leave Katelyn, Rich, and Gabby to go to Auburn for a couple of days to help Chelsea find an apartment for next year.  Say some War Eagle prayers for us that we find something great!!  After Auburn I will go on to Birmingham (it's just a hop, skip, and a jump) to see Claire, Nicole, and David.  It has been a month and I am just certain that a) Claire has forgotten me and b) she is doing something fabulous that I must see for myself! 

I will be back soon with loads of pictures and a story or two :) 

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

It has been a good 35 years since I last tackled Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities.

The novel of the trials and tribulations in England and France leading up to the French Revolution is not light reading I admit, and...I don't seem to be able to read it without dissecting it...  

I am sure I will relax a bit once I get into it (and realize there is no test involved ha ha).  But for now it seems necessary to look stuff up and then make notes so I can figure out the plot!!

So you are wondering...why even read this book?  Well here is the long and the short of it.  After each of the girls have graduated from high school, I have taken them to Europe on a trip.   Nicole and I went to England, France, and Italy (oh the stories I have of driving a 5-speed through the french countryside).  With Chelsea we deviated a bit and went with lots of mothers and daughters on a school sponsored trip to Italy at the end of her junior year (no driving stories...but stories all the same).  So with Katelyn it will be London and Paris (her choice)...and Nicole and Chelsea will come too (also her choice). While Christmas shopping last fall I bought each of the girls a copy of the novel thinking it would be fun (not even the right word here) to read literature about the two cities...

So yes, my first book of my 11 in 11 reading list is going to be a challenge...but that is okay as I am also reading...

and loving every page of it! Go here http://thepioneerwoman.com/about/ and check out the pioneer woman's blog. She's great fun and has some fabulous recipes too!

I hope those of you who have joined the 11 in 11 challenge are enjoying your books.  Be sure and update us in the comment section in this post as the month progresses. Those who want to see what all the fuss is about click on the January archives list and read the post A New Year Means New Challenges...Right?  I'd love to have more of you join...it's free and there are no tests involved!!  Happy reading!

Scrapbooks and Sweatshirts

Went to bed last night feeling fine...woke up this morning with a sore throat and a cough...and winter has returned AGAIN!  No bible study for me today.  I wandered upstairs to Chelsea's room thinking I would dive into the scrap booking thing for the morning when I noticed myself in the mirror...yes this is my go-to  winter morning outfit...a sweatshirt, pair of my husband's boxers and my fur lined Ugg boots!  I wonder what the neighbor's across the canal think (because I go outside with Gabby and stand there freezing and encouraging her to "go potty!")  Anyway back to the reason I am upstairs...scrap booking!

The years of memories piled up on the bed, dresser, and desk seems a little overwhelming at times but I do love going down memory lane :)

This is a page from a scrapbook that Katelyn did when she was in the 6th grade.  I love it because it is her life from her point of view :)

Chelsea placed first in the 2003 regional science fair in the Zoology category with her project about Wills and his drinking habit!

Nicole's big day...and so many wonderful memories!

Now you see why I have such a difficult time getting anything done!!!!!

Random thoughts from people...

This taken from  a friend's status update on facebook...Why is it that I am my mother's age and still can't fold fitted sheets and make her chocolate cake?

A very accomplished woman in our community just wants to fly with the Thunderbirds...but alas has been told that she no longer meets the age requirement!

A dear, dear priest and  a long time pillar at Holy Nativity School is recovering from heart surgery in Cleveland Clinic and he would like to change the "name" of the test from bloodwork to needlework!

I went to yoga this morning...it is truly a killer class on Wednesdays.  I am instantly suspicious when the instructor uses the words twist, kick, and wall (and not always in the same sentence)!

Puxatony Phil the famous Pennsylvania groundhog...declared today that spring is coming sooner rather than later.  It's a good thing cause I don't think Jim Cantore and Mike Bettes can handle much more winter fun!!  Maybe that should read I can't handle much more of Jim Cantore and...

Random thoughts aside...I have reinstated my followers on my blog...I have had lots of you tell me or fb message me that you follow my blog.  I appreciate it and find it very humbling. So if you would like to publicly follow my blog find the follow box on the sidebar of my blog and click "follow." It should walk you through the process but if you have problems comment me here and I will ask somebody (I of course will not know the answer) and get back to you!  

Puxatony Phil or no...Spring is coming :)