Quick Fix ~ A Commercial Inspired Dinner ~

Their version is shrimp and spinach .

I thought I would share this " quick fix " dinner inspired by a knorr pasta sides commercial . I am sure you have all seen it . The Chef comes in mixing some unexpected what not with a simple packet of pasta mix .

 

Well , their clever marketing got me and when I saw the Knorr Alfredo packet on sale for a dollar at the grocery I thought I'd give it a try . My version is a Chicken Broccoli Alfredo and it would serve two people .

1 packet of Knorr Pasta Side Alfredo Flavor (cook per labels instructions) (milk and butter required) cooks in 7-8 minutes once boiling
1-2 baked chicken breast depending on size ( place on cookie sheet lined w foil , drizzle with olive oil , salt , pepper , bake on 350 for 20 -25 minutes , flipping half way through )
1/2 bag of Green Giant Steamed Broccoli ( you could probably use the entire bag, but for me that was going to be too much broccoli compared to pasta ratio ) cooks in 7 minutes in the microwave

Cook everything , mix together and boom ! In less than thirty minutes you have a yummy , quick , inexpensive meal . I would recommend keeping watch over the pasta as it cooks . I tend to walk away and do other things , but this is one in my opinion you need to watch .

I hope this helps you out with one of your weekly meals and your budget . What are you cooking up this week ? Please feel free to share in the comment section of the blog !!! We are all in this together . We might as well share survival tips .

Little Big Town ~ Girl Crush

I am a music FAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like , IDK "fan" is really even an appropriate word for it . It is my therapy , my encouragement , my sympathetic ear , the words I want to say, but can't . It is at times my prayer , my advice , and even my justification . It is EVERYTHING !! My parents have never understood why I'd spend money on multiple CD's or iTunes purchases when there is the radio and music t.v. , but I attribute it to one of those "parents just don't understand" things in life . When relocating one of the heaviest items was my container of CD's . DON'T JUDGE!!!! I listen to all genre's for the most part and was a radio D . J . for a hot minute in college . I also spent five years working concert production  along with many more years in booking , contract negotiations , venu rep, etc. . Also while in college one of my graphics projects ended up being a concert poster for my friends band . So, to say my hearts in the art form , is barely saying it right . My heart is in every part of the art form and when RIDICULOUS radio drama is going on over an AMAZING tune I get riled .

I was raised very conservative and in the south so, I totally see how folks (particularly the "typical" country music listener) could jump on a band wagon, get the message wrong or simply go on someone else's conviction when glancing the lyrics of "Girl Crush" . But , to not research for yourself ,  to not listen further , to not truly hear and understand the lyrics and protest it's being played is madness to me . It is the epitome of ignorance . It is those folks that picket because they "heard" such and such was going to happen , play , etc . I CAN NOT HANDLE the logic of " well someone told me...." or "everyone said that " . I CAN'T !!!!! I have this fire when it comes to a great many topics, but I tend to try and keep it contained . For whatever reason I just have to share it this time . I received Little Big Towns Pain Killers album as a gift and have listened to it on repeat . I was a fan to begin with , but have only grown to love them more with this new album . It took a bit longer than some albums take to be made and released, but the band always discussed how pain staking their effort was to make it the best yet . I vote well done .

 

Girl Crush, the second radio release from the album is a beautifully, skillfully, and cleverly written song about the woman not chosen . It was written by three women and it is the point of view of "if I was her would you want me ? " . A love song . A hurt song . A I wish or what if song . Some listeners have taken it to a all to literal level and are declaring it unfit for radio . Protesting stations that play it and forcing airwaves to remove it from their cycle . It is in the top for it's genre in itune sales and the lyric video's on Vevo.com  and Youtube.com each have almost 700,000 hits . Clearly people are relating to it , loving it and getting it . How radio can be so easily bullied is something I may never understand . I am attaching the lyric video so that you can not only hear the tune , but read the lyrics as it plays . Seriously , cleverly written and beautifully performed song . Who hasn't been there ? Who hasn't compared themselves ? Who hasn't at one time or another debated changing their hair color , lip stick shade , or perfume to catch the attention of someone ? If you are honest , we all have .

 

" I have a girl crush . Hate to admit it but , I got a heart rush that ain't slowin' down."

Little Big Town - Girl Crush

~ Spring Thaw ~

 

I am fully aware that writing this post is like washing my car, as soon as I post it there will be a snow . Don't blame me you guys !!!! The last week has been warm , rainy and gave a little sunshine here and there . Hints that Spring is close . This week also brought with it my Mamaw's 82nd birthday . We tend to always do a small family something for bdays and so that is how we celebrated this birthday . I am pretty much o.k. with any way we celebrate as long as there is cake involved . I don't even really need to know who or what we are celebrating . LOL !! Jack Davis got his spring grooming and not a moment too soon. He was on the verge of becoming this guy.....

The Komondor

I am not even joking!!! Along with getting Jack spring ready I am mentally preparing myself for the spring cleaning of my car inside and out . Again, I am sure that once this is done a torrential down pour will be unleashed from the heavens for days and days . And again you guys.....it isn't my fault !!! I have written several posts in the past on Spring and you can find them here , here, and here . I love the seasons . I guess that is why I have spent so much time waxing poetic about them on here . I am the kind of person who needs the changing of the seasons . I don't know that I could live in a climate that is always one way or another . My mind , my body , even my soul needs what each season brings with it . My body and hair could do without Summers 100 degrees and humidity, but alas for every positive there is a negative.....a. very. frizzy. negative .

For me Spring brings with it renewed hope and a reminder of promises long forgotten under the layers of snow . I get this excited feeling inside me that something big is going to happen . My skin can start to feel the warmer air almost as soon as the time changes . Suddenly the days are longer and with them a chance to be more productive . I am looking forward to whatever this Spring may bring with it . In my heart I have high hopes for promises fulfilled , new habits, and a renewed spirit . Now, if it snows tomorrow I will be giddy , but it is nice to think forward into what possibly is next .

Do you have traditions , decorations, or whatever that change with the seasons ? What is your favorite season and why ?! Got any spring recipes or DIY's to share with us ??!!

You never know what is growing underneath .
This pic is a reminder for me that even in difficult situations
something beautiful and even delicate can be seemingly
suddenly brought to the surface .