Monday, February 14, 2011

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! :-)

61 comments:

Theresa said...

You certainly ARE a LUCKY GIRL to win all of those goodies! The Chicken Cacciatore looks delicious! I take short-cuts with recipes too, and it is still good! Enjoy your Valentine's day dear Jane! BIG HUGS!

Susan Freeman said...

Hi Jane! I just stopped by to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!!

Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Rebecca Nelson said...

You are lucky, lucky, lucky girl. And...you are happily married, too! Wow! God is good!

LOVE YOUR WINS SWEET JANE! Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Love, Rebecca

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Your chicken dish looks delicious, Jane. I may have to give that a try to switch up our chicken dinners a bit.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Linda said...

What a wonderful post! I feel like we have had a little visit and I enjoyed it very much!
It's a good way to start off a happy day!
Linda C

Jeanne Henriques said...

Jane...good timing, I am reading this post just before starting dinner and now I am starving! It looks and sounds yummy :) What a week you have had...the gifts and a great night out. WIshing you a wonderful Valentine's day...hoping it is everything you wish for Jane.

Jeanne xxx

Low Tide High Style said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend and that you've been lady luck lately! The food all looks delicious, thanks for the chicken recipe! I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Kat :)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love your wonderful rooster picture. Gorgeous. All of the food looks amazing. Maybe I am hungry. lol Hugs, Marty

Sarah said...

Jane, I saw that you were the lucky winner of the painting. It's a great piece! Fun to have it at the lake house. We'll stay home and have dinner here tonight. Not a big celebration at our home. ;-)
Happy Valentine's Day. ~ Sarah

Lynn said...

Happy Valentine's Day Jane! Looks like you had a fun weekend, The Pit looks like a great place to eat! Have fun making the cookies:@)

NanaDiana said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful and fun weekend, Jane...AND that you are doing a good job with WW. Congratulations- I know how hard it is to stick to a new food plan.
I am happy to say that I have been Sugar-free for a week now...and the spell is broken. Sugar, to me, is my biggest weakness...and downfall. You are right- one bite leads to another and another and pretty soon I am right down in the sugar pit. I went 5 years with no sugar and never felt better in my life--and that is where I am aiming to go again.

I would love some of that BBQ though. Everything tastes so much better cooked over an open fire, doesn't it? Yum! And how funny- Greek food served by Polish waitresses.

Happy Valentine's Day, Jane- xxoo Diana

NanaDiana said...

ooooopps....PS...Congrats on the stuff you won! You did good, girl. LOVE that French inspired painting~! Diana

sharon santoni at my french country home said...

Hi Jane

Glad to see that the painting has found such a lovely home, thank you for taking part and thank you again for talking about your win.
Sharon
xx

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

Wow you are lucky! time to buy a lottery ticket Jane! :)
That restaurant looks like fun & great food. Hope your Valentines day is sweet!
hugs,
paula:)

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Happy Valentine's Day Jane!
What great give-aways you have won!
And your chicken look's so yummy and that restaurant looks so fun!
How do you like the weight watchers?
I am thinking of joining the online program to lost my winter fat.
We hit 48 degrees yesterday! Boy was that nice!
Big Hugs friend,
Cindy

April said...

Wow...with all of those wins, I would definitely have to agree that you are one LUCKY LADY! Big congrats, Jane! I have that same cookbook and it has some really good recipes in it. I'll have to give the Chicken Cacciatore a try! Happy Valentine's Day...ENJOY!!!

Pamela said...

This food has made me hungry Jane! Yummy!!
Congratulations on your wins!!

Happy Valentine's Day to you!
Pamela xo

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Hugs and ♥'s...
On Valentine Day!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Happy Valentines day!! Congrats on the wins too!! :)

Donna said...

Sounds like you had a Valentine weekend! I love Sharon's blog and the chicken painting is fun! You made chicken caccitore while I make coq a vin the next recipe...good, huh? The greek chicken (I have a good recipe for that too -from a friend) looks like a great place! Happy V Day!!

Amber said...

you won some great gifts. lucky gal! I hope your dinner with your man goes swimmingly

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

That place is totally awesome!.. love the vintage soda crates.

Your chicken painting is beautiful too.. it's a barred rock, I believe. YOu know how I'm all chickens and stuff, lately.

Barb said...

Girl,
You are one lucky woman!
Happy Valentine's day to you and hubby!

XOXO

Julie Marie said...

Hi Janie, love that chicken sign you won!... I must check out her blog, sounds wonderful!... all that food is making me hungry!... your recipe sounds delish!... and I would love that rib place and all of the memorabilia too!... how fun!... that looks like a really interesting book too, I must try to find one... wishing you and your family all a Happy Valentines Day!... xoxo Julie Marie

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

Happy Valentines day!!! xo Rachel

French Farmhouse 425

Stacey said...

You lucky girl! Great prizes and good food. :)

Knitty said...

Happy Valentine's Day to you, too!

Deanna said...

Sweet lady, I can see myself getting more chubbier with the fabulous recipes you are posting...(swoon!)

Happy Valentine's Day Janie!
Deanna :D

By the way, I got shrimp on my way home tonight. I'm going to make it on Wednesday.

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Hi Jane,
Happy St. Valentine's Day.

You are a lucky girl with all of those beautiful items! The chicken looks good but what's got me is that baked potato, yum!
xo~Tracie

Pondside said...

You've had a great few days! I enjoyed reading all about it - and loved your rooster painting!

LuLu Kellogg said...

You really did get lots of goodies!

I hope you had a Happy Love Day!

LuLu~*xoxo

Suzann said...

WOW! Congrats to YOU. Nice stuff.

Happy Valentine's Day to YOU

Melissa Miller said...

Yummy meal. Congrats on the win. It all looks great.

Happy Valentines Day Jane!
~Melissa

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Happy Valentine's Jane! I know you and your husband had {or are having!} a wonderful evening. I bet he feels lucky to be married to you, sweetie. And you to him. xoxo Lidy

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

The Chicken dishes look so good! What a great place to eat with a lot of ambiance too! Funny you should mention "Pride and Prejudice"....I happened to watch it this afternoon. I thought it would be a good movie to watch on Valentine's Day! Speaking of that I hope you are having a love filled day!~ Hugs, Patti

Sue said...

You won some fun things! All the food looks delicious! I must get back to counting points for a few weeks. My dad is coming for a month in May and being with him so much in the past year is how I put on these added pounds in the first place. I have to get it off before he gets here and I try to spoil him with food again! It is so hard to eat in restaurants and be on WW!

Hope you had a great Valentine's Day!

Sherri said...

Happy Valentines Jane! Hope you enjoyed it. Great winnings, so big congrats. That chicken looks Yummy and I'd LOVE that BBQ place.

Kammy said...

Hiya Jane,
I thought...let me stop by to wish you a Happy Sweet day - should have
known I would be reading a book - hee hee ! You are so lucky winning so many prizes :o)
Kammy

koralee said...

Happy Valentine's day my friend...your chicken looks amazing. oxoxo

Gypsy Heart said...

Hmmmm, I'm starving now and it's almost midnight here. :-) Glad you had a good weekend. It's warmed up here too...in the low 70's and bright sunshine. LOVE IT!!

Can you send me some cookies? LOL
xo
Pat

Amy Chalmers said...

Hi Jane,
Your coq au vin looked great. So funny because I made one last week and it had called for thighs and drumsticks with the bones of course. It was so tasty (the sauce!!) but my MIL told me I should have made it with chicken tenders!!!!. ha! Anyway, next time I will do it your way.

La said...

Hi Jane!

Great rooster painting and don't you just love the Osteen's. I saw them last year when they were in Columbus and it was a very uplifting evening.

Your Chicken Cacciatore looks delicious. I love it, but the family doesn't care for it so I don't make it very often.

The rib joint sounds fun. Jordan is a big BBQ fan.

We're supposed to be in the 60s by Friday. Woo-hoo! You'll be at the lake house before you know it.

Happy Valentine's Day! La

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Your chicken cacciatore looks really good. My husband ordered that for dinner last night. He thought it would be a good thing to make, so I'm definitely going to pass your recipe off to him!

vintch said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
vintch said...

how lucky are you?? oh those presents make me swoon and look at your delicious meals! you always inspire me with your creativity in the kitchen! have a beautiful week!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on winning TWO giveaways, June!! Great gifts!!
All the food looks sooo delicious! That restaurant looks fabulous... how fun!!
Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's evening with your hubby!
Have a great week!
XO,
Jo

xinex said...

What a great looking restaurant with good food.Your chicken dish turned out so well too. Love ther ooster painting. COngrats on all your wins, Janie! Glad it's warming up there. It is 70 degress here in Natchez now....Christine

Cass @ That Old House said...

Whoa Jane, what a scrumptious looking post! And I love the idea of Polish waitresses serving Greek food. God bless America!

And thank you for your kind words of sympathy on the loss of my father earlier this month; they were much appreciated. I was sorry to learn that you had lost your own Dad so recently. We never get over being Daddy's Little Girls, I guess.

Best wishes,
Cass

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Jane! Your chicken looks yummy! And those ribs...my favorite! Congrats on winning the giveaway! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

Debbiedoos said...

Lucky girl Jane!!~ I love those goodies. I swear blogging is not only the best for making friendships, but you get some extra perks too:)! XO
Great looking food too!

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

You are the give-away queen!!!

So *that's* where all the prizes are going!!

Well done, lovely Jane. I think they'll look gorgeous in your home.

Sarahx

Decor To Adore said...

All of your winnings are wonderful. I love the yummy look of the food.

Anonymous said...

Did he like the cookies? Woohoo....looks like you are on a winning streak? How much fun is that? Hope you are enjoying your "warmer" weather Jane. I am savoring ours because I know more snow is coming. xoxo

Valerie@chateaualamode.typepad.com said...

That recipe looks so delicious. I think I might try it.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Jane my Dear friend...what a fun post you did..I hope you had a GREAT VD with your hubs..Mine even took me out for dinner..that was a first girl Len it not te most romantic man on the block ha ha!!
Sounds like you have been a Lucky girl..the only things I have ever gotten from blogland is from peeps like you..Hugs and smiles Gloria

bj said...

Ahhh, you won some fabulous prizes. I love all those and especially the Rooster painting.:)

I've never even tasted Chicken Cacciatore. My daughter loves it.
Your's sure looks good. :)
xoxo

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

A lucky girl, indeed . . . and one coming all the way from France. Have you decided where you will hang Mr. Rooster.

Your week sounds happy and full.

Fondly,
Glenda

Honey at 2805 said...

The chicken receipe looks delish. Thanks for sharing it. Sounds like you had a great weekend, including the receipt of all of those goodies! How fun!

Signing Out said...

I always enjoy visiting your blog and reading your interesting posts. You won some great goodies, especially that rooster sign.

All the food looks great! Even though I just had lunch, I am feeling hungry. BTW, congrats on sticking to Weight Watchers!

Jane
frugalfineliving.com

Kathleen Ellis said...

Hi Jane!
Wow! you hit the jackpot this week, didn't you! I'm so glad you've received some beautiful things to add beauty to your life!
Your chicken looks amazing...thanks...now I'm hungry!
Congrats on your progress w/Weight Watchers...keep going girl!
Have a beautiful week~
;-D Kathleen

The Muse said...

Thank you for your kind compliments regarding my book of prose, which was so sweetly shared at Ms Bee's blog :)

Congrats for all your wonderful finds/winnings :) An added extra delight to a wonderful life :)