LUCKY GIRL

Happy Valentine's Day! I am hoping that The Husband gets home early enough that we can have a nice dinner here. I am thinking steaks, but who knows, I will have to check the freezer. Do you like how I plan ahead? I hid a cute little card for him in his armoire for him to find this morning...he was really touched. Today I am going to bake some heart shaped cookies and try not to eat any of them I feel so deprived but I have lost a little weight on Weight Watchers and I don't want to mess it up. One cookie leads to another and another...

See the beautiful painting of the rooster? I won that on Sharon's giveaway. Her blog is My French Country Home, and if you haven't been there, you are one of the few. She shares her life in the gorgeous French countryside, you will love visiting. She had a weeks worth of giveaways and I won this painting by Ande Cook of Chickory. It's painted on a piece of wood, I love all the detail. I think it is going to look fantastic in my English Farmhouse kitchen at the lake. Thanks Sharon and Ande.
I also won a mystery gift bag from the beautiful and sweet Kathleen Ellis. A book, a bracelet and some vase filler gems. Her lifestyle posts are something you won't want to miss. Thank you Kathleen.
I was cooking again Friday night to meet up with Carmie's challenge of cooking a recipe a week from all of my dusty cookbooks. As you can see from the cover and pages of this book, it has been much loved. I bought it right after I had Abigail, as I was searching for quick meals and these are great because you get everything you need in one pot {or pan, crockpot, casserole...}. Just add some bread or a side salad.
This week I made Chicken Cacciatore and it turned out great. Enlarge the pictures and you will have the recipe.
I used chicken tenders so we wouldn't have to deal with bones. Doing it this way also means I shaved off 1/2 hour of the cooking. Try it this way, you will like it. I also confess I was out of frozen beans so they aren't in this, but do add them, they give it a nice crunch and more color.
This is the chicken after you have browned it.
And this is everything simmering in the pot. The wine really adds the flavor, so make sure you use it. and ONLY use something you would drink.
I served it with couscous but rice is good, too. And a small salad. I sort of threw this on the plate to take a picture as everyone was anxious to eat. I guess that's a good sign. Join Carmie at The Single Nester to see what's cooking at her place this week.
Saturday night took us to The Pit with another couple. People come from all over for their barbecued ribs and pulled pork.
I love looking at all of the memorabilia.
Everywhere you turn there is something interesting to look at.
Did I mention the food is delicious? Everyone had the ribs, but I ordered the Greek Chicken Oreganata served with a baked potato, pasta and Texas Toast. Oh, and lots lemon. Most of the dishes are on the Greek side, although all of the waitresses speak Polish. Go figure. And everything is cooked over a wood burning fire. Yum!
Isn't this an awesome place?

Yesterday we went to another party and then I was home and in bed at 9:00. I haven't had a chance to pick up my book, Pride And Prejudice, but I am working on it and look forward to the movies.

We had a warm up this weekend...it actually got into the 40's. The snow is really melting fast. I actually just wore a sweater to the party yesterday. To think I was freezing last week.

I hope everyone had a good weekend and that I didn't overwhelm you with all of this food. Now I'm off to do some much needed cleaning and laundry, and then to make those cookies. I hope all of you have a wonderful Valentine's Day with those you love! :-)