Dinner: Honey Sesame Chicken

Who doesn’t love a slow cooker recipe? Throw a few ingredients in, forget about it, and return later for a yummy meal. I found this recipe via Pinterest. You can find it at Six Sisters' Stuff, along with other great recipes. This recipe was so easy and so delicious. I even think the sauce would taste great on Salmon. I think I’ll try that next!



Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup diced onion
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 6 Tablespoons water
Rice
Sesame Seeds

Season both sides of chicken lightly with salt and pepper, put into slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic and red pepper flakes. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours, or just until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from slow cooker, leave sauce. Dissolve 4 teaspoons of cornstarch in 6 tablespoons of water and pour into slow cooker. Stir to combine with sauce. Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened. Cut chicken into bite size pieces, then return to cooker and toss with sauce before serving. Serve over rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Enjoy!



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We had lunch with Amanda and Cooper, Saturday. We ate at Bronte Bistro at Joseph Beth. We enjoyed a tasty lunch and cozy atmosphere. Emilia was excited to have Amanda there. It was so funny to watch her shopping for books at the bookstore. Amanda said she was walking around acting like the whole place was hers – like her bedroom or something. I only wish we had that many books!

 

My New Favorites

My lovely husband got me a new Cuisinart coffee maker for my birthday. It grinds and and brews and I love it. The coffee tastes so fresh and delicious - goes great with my homemade blueberry oat mini muffins. I had to have this coffee cozy, too. It's hand knitted and I found it at this Etsy shop. I feel like I’m drinking my coffee while wearing my favorite sweater. Literally, cozy.



I’ve mentioned my love for Toms, here. I received some birthday money from my parents and in-laws so I purchased two new pairs. I had been waiting for the ballet flats to become available for purchase. I got a pair of wedges, as well. The best part is two more children in need receive shoes because of my purchase. One for One.



My coffee cozy has be dreaming of snowflakes while my new shoes have me dreaming of Spring. It will be right around the corner. I saw signs of it outside yesterday. Tulips are starting to sprout!

Sweet Things

My Valentine’s Day was filled with sweet things…

Emilia playing with her sweet play food. I found this adorable handmade wool felt sugar cookie/baking set at this Etsy shop. I adore it. We may start baking real cookies together soon. Be still my heart.

Looking at sweet books. A new book titled, You Are My Work of Art. I adore it, too. As well as, a new coloring book from Uncle Ryan. It’s Elmo and Friends and she loves it.

Sweet moments during Open Gym at Gymboree. Emilia made a few Valentine crafts for loved ones and worked on her climbing skills. Oh, and she has a mini obsession with Gymbo.

Sweet treats. I made Valentine Oreo Truffles - my mini obsession with chocolate.

Sweet flowers from my Sweetie.

I hope your day was sweet as well.




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I encourage all of my Mom friends to check out, Enjoying the Small Things. Kelle, mom of two, has written a beautiful memoir, Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected. You will find a trailer for the book on her webpage. I’m looking forward to reading this incredibly sweet story about the strength of a mother’s love.

One fish, two fish…

I chose to celebrate my birthday with the two people I love most. That’s what it’s all about, right? Spending time with those you love, and cake. Don’t forget cake. So, we visited Newport Aquarium for some family fun on Saturday. Emilia loved seeing all the fish, sharks, turtles, penguins and frogs. However, I didn’t get many photos. We enjoyed watching her walk through the aquarium like a big girl. She has gained independence.

I had plenty of cake to enjoy all weekend. My family know me well. Chris surprised me with a Chocolate Ganache Cake from Fresh Market. Amanda, Josh, and Cooper sent me cupcakes from Caramanda’s. Yummy!

Heart Crayon Valentines

I came across this adorable Valentine craft at Crystal & Co. ( you will find everything you need to make them there).  It’s such a clever way to re-purpose crayons. You will find free pintables, as well. I love the way they turned out, even though my photos aren’t great.

   





Emilia and Nana tried them out and they work! I can’t wait to make them again when she is in Preschool. I think it would be a perfect Valentine for classmates. Color your heart out, Valentine!

Joseph-Beth Story Time

I’ve been taking Emilia to Joseph-Beth Booksellers  for story time since before she could sit up. We go to story time at the library as well. I must tell you this girl LOVES books. Before she was born, Chris and I started buying books for her at Joseph-Beth and other bookstores. We wanted to start a collection for her and hoped that she would enjoy them. I think most parents want their kids to like books and reading, but our girl truly does. Her favorite thing to do at home is look at books. She likes her toys but her books come first. That makes us incredibly happy.

She has always enjoyed story time. Ms. Amanda is great at reading and singing nursery rhymes. Emilia loves to sing and clap her hands. However, she is finally big enough to walk around and explore things on her own. So, recently she spends more time doing that than participating in stories and rhyme. If you’ve never been to the bookstore you’re really missing out. It’s awesome for kids and adults, if I do say so myself.

 

 


The weather has been fantastic, so a stop to see the ducks and fish just outside was perfect.







Love.

February: Chocolate, Hearts, and Love

February has always been one of my favorite months of the year. It includes my birthday and Valentine’s Day. When I was a little girl, I had chocolate heart shaped birthday cakes - what girl wouldn’t love that! As I grew older my love for chocolate did too. I consider it one of my favorite things. So, in honor of February and all things chocolate, hearts and love - I wanted to share my favorite chocolate recipe. Chocolate Truffle Pie. I’ve been making this dessert for several years. It’s my go-to dessert. I make it for friends, take it to parties, enjoy the whole thing myself sometimes. I love everything about it. It has simple ingredients made in one bowl, and tastes so delicious. It has a rich, dense filling like a truffle. Seriously, it’s divine.



Chocolate Truffle Pie -

10 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1/2 cup whipping cream
4 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
 
Heat oven to 325°F.

Microwave chocolate and whipping cream in microwaveable bowl on high 2 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted. Stir until completely melted. Cool.

Whisk in eggs, sugar and flour. Pour into lightly greased, 9-inch pie plate.

Bake 35 minutes or until edge of pie is puffed but center is still slightly soft.

 
* I like to serve each slice with a dusting of powdered sugar, and a dollop of whipped cream. For the photo above I used a heart shaped cookie cutter to slice, and didn’t add the whipped cream. However, you must enjoy with whipped cream. It's like icing on the cake!

 

This is a heart shaped banner hanging on our mantle. It just makes me happy.