Friendship, Bracelets, Food

You know? I didn't have any friends when I was a kid. And those effing security questions remind me of that on a regular basis.

One "friend" broke up with me because I shopped at Walmart. Another broke up with me because my family is not rich. A third friend said I was her best friend but then turned around and said someone else was her best friend (it wasn't a threesome). And the last one ... We hung out a lot but then I got a boyfriend and she had other friends she was closer to. There was a 3 year difference in our age. After that, I stopped seeking out friends. Maybe it was that my mom said blood is thicker than water and to find my friends in my family. But that didn't work out. 

It wasn't until I was in college that I found friends. And after I got married, one friend invited me to do stuff with her. I hope she forgives me of this... I was going to put in a picture, but I'm too lazy to dig for it.

Nope. Wait. Found it!

It wasn't until her that I had what I wanted... She invited me out for a night of debauchery. A trip to Walmart to pick up supplies and a night spent in with a group of girls braiding friendship bracelets. 

No-telling how many years later, and I still have my bracelet that I made for myself.

At one of Ivy's birthday parties, she received a fancy clipboard friendship bracelet maker and already got me to make a bracelet for her. Sad thing is, after I told her I wouldn't add beads to it this time (to which she agreed to), she had a fit that I didn't put beads on it. Oh the drama.

But here's my Menu Plan Monday!

Sunday - Chicken and noodles soup
Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Pizza
Wednesday - Salisbury steak & mashed potatoes
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Crispy cheddar chicken & something
Saturday - Pick up

Find more MPMs over at OrgJunkie!

{6} All About The Girl

And I present to you a post about my Little Darling. It's been a good week or so of events and adventures.

We ran out of time (and nice weather) to take any "formal" year 6 photos but I think we captured her spirit with what we have. Fun on a playground!

One of the local aquariums had a Scout day. Patch and all! One of her troop members was even there.

Then all of a sudden, her first birthday event was here! She decided she wanted a party to celebrate with her friends from school and her troop. We hosted at a local indoor play area. I'm so not going to lie... having two parties and two sets of gifts... I went cheap on the cupcakes: boxed cake and canned icing (to which I added 1/4 cup powdered sugar to give the icing holding power). I got a big star tip and decided to try my hand and actual decorating. I was very pleased with the end result and the cupcakes tasted pretty good too.

I have always felt intimidated by even thinking about using piping bags and tips!

When I sent invitations out, I was expecting zero kiddos to show up because of the weird day and time. Even if it was the start of the holiday... you never know.

By two or three days before the party, we had a list of about a dozen kiddos planning to show up. And we even had quite a few siblings come too! Right after the party, we headed to Gramma's house.

Ivy has a huge heart for puppies and her favorite is Boo. We had to make a few specific things, but she was really happy with how we were able to have a Boo party!

Giving her banner a kiss!

All day long, folks!

Boo on her cake!

That dimple is a vortex. It's beautiful.

Ivy has been complaining that things were blurry. I figured it was inevitable that she'd get glasses... but I thought it would be a little bit later in life than 6 years old. I got mine at 8. She seems to currently be farsighted (as opposed to nearsighted like me and her father). The eye doctor says she only needs to wear them for reading and computer stuff up close, but not all the time. So my concern is that she won't wear them when she needs to and will wear them when she doesn't need to.

Her Nana (my mom) works in an office that sells glasses. And this kiddo is super excited to finally get glasses with a prescription in them. She's been picking up and buying fashion glasses. Silly girl!

I think she looks so adorable!

And then, it's Thanksgiving! Started the day with The Parade.

Here she is, dancing with the Rockettes.

It's really difficult to tell here, but she put down name cards at each place setting. I was about to ask her, but she did it all on her own! She even invited us all to go around the table and say what we were thankful for.

I'm thankful for YOU my little Bug. Thankful for YOU.

With all of the events of this past week, it's time to shut down!

And no, I refuse to participate in black Friday. And today I heard the atrocious term: gray Thursday. Um, NO.

Final Fridays Friday

I've never felt compelled to write a book review before this book. I figured that with my ridiculous history with this book (remembering it, figuring it out, finding it, ordering it, debating to reread it, and finally reading it) that it was worth a shot. I mean, it all has to culminate somehow.

How does it end, Lena? How does it end?
I could just do exactly what this author (and many other authors) successfully do and just end my thoughts here. But, nah. I don't want to leave you hanging on that proverbial cliff.

But first, a little catch up! Oh, wait, I already did that! Well, you can read through my blurbs of experience here & here.

So I'm going to leave you today with this... I got the book. I read the book. I wrote a review on GoodReads about the book - which I am so graciously leaving for you to read here.

"I read this book in 1992 or 1993. I cannot remember where I got it. Was it the school library (which I seriously doubt because I don't remember ever checking books from that library) or public library. I read it. I grew up. And I forgot about the book. 

However, a few years ago, I started thinking about it aaaaall over again. Please don't ask me why. I have a strange memory for things that are important, and things that are so very not-important and it bugs me. I remembered a few details about the book and sought help from my friends on [insert typical social media website here]. No answers. Social media website reminded me of that questioning post so I shared that OG post again and got a suggestion: Reddit. So I asked the know-it-alls at Reddit and someone had the answer. Praise the Bards! After obsessing for two days over the decision to order the book, it is now in my possession. 
The next conundrum I was facing was whether or not to re-read the book and destroy the delusion of my 12-year-old youth that the book was an excellent read. Drama of Girl World (gasp!), before mean girls existed. Before Young Adult Fiction was frikkin amazing.
I forgot to grab my Kindle full of thousands of other books I'm currently reading after abruptly waking up before the alarm went off and stumbling downstairs in the dark to sit and wait for morning to officially arrive. Once my work lunchtime arrived, I noticed the missing Kindle, but the paperback book that was yellowed with aaaaaage (but lacking the appropriate old-book-scent) mysteriously found itself in my *ahem* tote bag. So what the hell. 

Anyway, it's about a teenager who geeks out over the cool girl who leads the way. There are 6 Fridays until the spring school dance. Fiddle-dee-dee what are wee to do until then? The girls group up together to hang out to pass the time until the dance and get into several different situations - none of which I remember clearly but I'm aware that it is/was gaspdramatic. 

Final ThoughtsSo I finished re-reading this book. The Book of My Disillusionment. Yes. This book just grabs a hold of your pinky toe and drags you down into a hole. I swear it could be a modern Twitter feed for a 13-year-old girl. "Here's what happened at school""Here's what happened at the first sleepover""Here's what happened after school this other day""This guy over here keeps bugging me about being in this clique" 

But there's no inner self-reflection. I think kids this age (even thirty years ago) could've had actual thoughts running through their heads about the situations that were in the book. Resolve some stuff! Instead of huffing and stomping. Why mention something if you aren't going to follow through with it.

I'm keeping the damned book. It's a part of me. I'm just thoroughly disappointed. Maybe it was okay when I was a teenager. But maybe that's why I only remembered the situations and not the ending - because the ending sure was a let down. Ugh."

So, maybe the book alluded to the life lesson and you have to really think about it. 'Don't get caught up in a clique and do things you'll regret or you're going to be labeled a stupid slut.' Maybe the book ended because the author didn't know how to thoroughly resolve the conflict. Or address the underlying issue. It is even something a 13-to-14-year-old girl would understand and contemplate?

A Little Late in the Game

Let the madness begin.

The daughter is starting her... take a deep breath... Cookie Campaign!!!

Let's twist our brains way back to 1988. I was a cute little Brownie Girl Scout. I had fun! Yes, I did! And there are some awesome things I remember doing. And one lady I didn't like who was rude to me. So I think I quit because of her. Anyway... Imaging a smaller version of me running round my parents' house. Well, scratch that... back in them days, it was a landline and that phone was, well...

One of these, but tan. 

Anyway, imagine Young Lena on the phone, laying on her tummy on the olive green shag carpet of my parents' house trying ever so vigilantly to sell cookies to family members with one of those thick, glossy order forms in front of my face with a pen that wouldn't work on that glossy magazine page. Dag-nabbit!

I hated talking on the phone then. I hate talking on the phone now. I loathe making phone calls and I really dislike taking phone calls. And now the damned things are attached to our hips and can locate you. Tricksy little spies. Take a breath, conspiracy theorist.

Well, I've walked you back into the here-and-now. 

At Bug's most recent Girl Scout meeting, us moms talked about cookie sales. We all got to sample the Thin Mint. Where the hell have those been all my life! Even Bug professed that she likes it! But she also professed that her favorite is the Trefoil.

If she's excited about selling cookies, then I don't know what I am because two days later, I printed out order forms and started asking coworkers for their orders. I am so ready for this!

Menu Plan "Monday"

• Sunday - Leftover chili
• Monday - Leftover chili
• Tuesday - Pot Roast (a la Pioneer Woman) and mashed potatoes
• Wednesday - Leftovers
• Thursday - Broccoli & cheese soup
• Friday - Leftovers
• Saturday - Chicken parmesan and fettuccine alfredo

More MPMs over at OrgJunkie!

Milestones, Quilts, Menu Plans

Another milestone! You guys, she's learning to tie her shoes! And I'm sure I failed to mention it, but she's starting to read on her own. Growing up too fast! I'm so proud of this little Bug of mine!

Last week, we tried some new recipes. Potato Chip Chicken & Crispy Cheddar Chicken. We were very satisfied with how they both turned out. Those items will make a permanent fixture in our rotation. Try them both out! One note, if you are making a large amount of the crispy cheddar chicken and have leftovers, it's best to reheat under a broiler or in the oven to keep it crispy.

Speaking of last week, I wrote about this book. I ordered it because I still have a balance from a gift card on Amazon. It came in the mail today. I want to read it. But I also don't want to ruin my 12-year-old-self's memory of how great this book is/was.

Homecoming season is over. I have two weekdays off from work and I've gotten, for lack of a better term, bored without projects. It's been six years since I last made a quilt. That one I feel lacked personality because it was a completely neutral color scheme. Bug's baby quilt. We didn't want to know the sex and I wanted to make a quilt. 

But now, she has a bunch of personality and I want to make her a quilt that better represents her. Her favorite colors are purple, blue and pink. And it's going to be her Christmas present.

I hope she likes it!

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday: Steak with leftover corn casserole
Monday: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese
Tuesday: Bacon ranch chicken bake (recipe below) with green beans and leftovers
Wednesday: Spaghetti and meatballs
Thursday: Slow cooker chili for Frito chili pie
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Kentucky hot brown sliders

Join the link party over at OrgJunkie for more Menu Plan Mondays!

Bacon Ranch Chicken Bake

• 3-4 Chicken Breasts
• 6-8 Tablespoons Ranch Dressing
• 6-8 Slices Bacon
• 4 Ounces Cheddar Cheese or Colby Jack Cheese

Place your chicken breast in a baking dish
Spread 1-2 tablespoons of ranch dressing on each chicken breast
Slice bacon to fit chicken breast and layer on top of ranch
Bake in oven preheated to 400?F on top rack for 25-35 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.
Top with cheese and return to oven for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Serve with rice or over greens.
Enjoy!

A Boring Story about a Book

Last year, I called out to my friends on Facebook. Despite knowing specific facts about the book, I couldn't find it on my own.

Several of my friends are (or were) in the book business so that was my first stop. There were no answers. 

This year, the post popped up as a memory notification on the Facebook. And coincidentally, I thought about this damned book again within this past week. I happened to re-share the memory and someone (current friend, former book business) suggested I head to the Front Page of the Internet: Reddit. Now, husband enjoys perusing Reddit. I have an account (that I don't really use) so I logged on in and went fishing. Since I work in a library, I was all about to email some coworkers asking for help, but 12 hours and 3 subreddits later someone sent me a GoodReads link but there wasn't a great summary of the book. So I Googled into it some more and saw this which give a Cliff's Notes version of the story. And it was the book I've been trying to figure out for at least 3 years even though I read it about 23 years ago. 

Books: they stay with you forever. 

And just to be clear, the following image is the book cover I remember... With the doodles. 

Yeah. So now I want to (ridiculous, I know) read it all over again. Don't ask why.

Halloween, Happy November! & Menu Plan Monday

Happy November!
Yesterday was a strange Halloween for me, out of the norm. I had to work during the day while Husband took Kidlette around the town to different events like Trunk-or-Treats or Fall Fests. Friday at work, all of my coworkers and I had a holiday potluck. It was pretty nice to all get together and find out something new. We were to "scavenge" for an unknown fact about each other.

I was in charge of the decorations. I was pretty pleased with myself!

We have a wonderful hand crank die-cuts machine and I had a lot of fun with it. It's also kindof my job.

After work on Friday, we carved our pumpkins and watched Hocus Pocus afterwards.

Back to yesterday though... As soon as I arrived home, I joined my husband and neighbor for the fun part Trick-or-Treating! The past couple of years, we went into an adjoining neighborhood because there never seemed to be anyone participating in ours. But there were actually quite a few houses with their lights on this year! I was glad to be able to hang out with another mom in the neighborhood as our girls are only a year apart.

Anyway, it was fun! If one of us (me or Husband) had stayed home, we would've had several candy-claimers!

And the weather... oh the weather. It's been raining quite a bit lately. Not record-setting but we were thinking Halloween would be rained out. But instead, it was a chilly day! A nice change from previous years when it was still feeling very summery.

I hope you had a wonderful Halloween! I know we did! There's so much candy in my house!

Menu Plan Monday November 1-7

• Sunday - Fondue
• Monday - Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes & corn
• Tuesday -  Potato chip chicken tenders with leftover vegetables
• Wednesday - Hamburgers with oven fries
• Thursday - King ranch chicken casserole
• Friday - Leftovers
• Saturday - Crispy cheddar chicken with corn casserole

Check out OrgJunkie.com for more MPMs!

*****

So let's talk about Potato Chip Chicken...
A few years ago, I was invited to a bar and grill after work one day with a few ladies and our table ordered an appetizer of potato chip chicken tenders. I'd never heard of such a thing but it makes sense. I mean, we use bread crumbs, cracker crumbs, and cereal crumbs to top our meats. I even vaguely remember my mom putting potato chips on a casserole or two.

I'd tried the chicken and I was in heaven! And we always swore up and down that I'd take my husband and bring him over to the dark side. But we never went until quite recently. And the funny thing is, I never thought to look online for a recipe. I know it's stupidly simple, but I like having those things. Apparently I've been craving some so I went to my all-mighty resource... Pinterest. Of course there are a myriad of Pins with a bunch of different variations.

So, for my sake and yours, here's one of those recipes hailing from Pinterestland IowaGirlEats! But I've added a couple of notes in italics.

Potato Chip Chicken

• 3 cups potato chips - crushed 
• 1 egg
• 1 Tablespoon milk
• 2 chicken breasts, cut into strips (or 3/4lb chicken tenders)
• salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Crush potato chips in a food processor or with your hands in the bag then pour into a shallow dish or bowl. Whisk together egg and milk in a separate shallow dish or bowl.

Season chicken strips lightly with salt and pepper then dunk into egg mixture. Allow excess to drip off then roll in chip crumbs and place on a nonstick sprayed, foil-lined baking sheet. Continue with remaining chicken then lightly spray tops with nonstick spray or olive oil. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.