Faux Wood Heart

While out and about shopping for Valentine's Day decor, I've been really disappointed in what I've seen.  I guess I'm just not a bright red/pink heart with lace/glitter fan. As I was driving home after another disappointing shopping trip, I decided I should just make myself a decoration. I began thinking about what I already had in the house and devised a cheap, non-glittery idea for my mantel.
One thing I had on hand was cardboard and plenty of it. I also had some sheets of scrapbooking paper.

In a predictable move for me, I didn't even remove the packing material, I just started cutting into a box that was being used by the kids, then I just threw the box back in the pile ready to be used in more fort building. This was a very confusing development for Jellybean who couldn't figure out why one of her boxes suddenly developed a heart-shaped hole.

I glued my scrapbook paper heart and my cardboard heart together. Then I grabbed some twine (left over from the pine cone bird-feeder project) and some red felt circles (left over from my felt circle belt project).

I stitched the felt circles into some flowers and glued them on top. Okay, it's obviously not real wood, but there is something about a blue Valentine's heart that makes me smile. I don't know why. Plus, it still looks cute on my mantel. At least it was basically free and there wasn't any lace or glitter involved...

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Rustic Chicken and Noodles

There is nothing better this time of year, when the weather is starting to cool, than simple, hearty, homemade recipes that really warm you up. Growing up, I loved it when my mother would make this simple, family recipe for homemade chicken stock and noodles made from scratch. Poured over some starchy, mashed potatoes and it's the very definition of comfort food. What a joy it is to make simple, delicious fare for my own family now that I'm all grown up.

This is a very straight forward recipe with few ingredients. It all starts with a stock-pot, salted water, chicken breasts (bone-in), some celery and an onion.

You bring the chicken to a boil and then simmer until fully cooked. While the chicken is simmering, you can roll out your noodles and allow them to dry. You can even prep the noodles earlier in the day.

Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove the onion and celery. Remove the chicken breasts and strip the meat from the chicken.  Bring the broth to a boil, add the noodles and cook for about 10 mins. Add back in the stripped meat and thicken with some water and flour. Sprinkle in some chicken granules to boost the flavor. We like to thicken it enough that it takes on more of a gravy consistency. It's really wonderful poured over some mashed potatoes. The texture of the potatoes is perfect with the noodles and tender chicken.

Homemade Chicken and Noodles

Broth: 

4-8 chicken breasts (bone-in) 4 chicken breasts feed 4 to 6 people.

4-6 Celery Stalks trimmed

1 Large Onion quartered.

Water

Salt

Chicken Granules

Place chicken in a stock pot. Pour in water just to cover the chicken breasts. Salt the water. Bring to a boil, add in celery and onion. Simmer for about 40 mins.  Set chicken aside to cool and remove pieces of celery and onion from broth.

Remove chicken from bones. Discard any skin and bones. Cut chicken into bite sized pieces & reserve.

Noodles:

3 Large Eggs

1 tsp. Salt

Flour 

While chicken is simmering beat together the eggs and salt. Then beat in flour until a very stiff dough is formed. Roll out on a floured board. Cut noodles with a pizza cutter to desired size. Allow to dry on the board.

Add noodles to the boiling broth and cook for about 10 minutes or until tender. Add in the chicken pieces and a mixture of flour and water to thicken to desired consistency. Sprinkle in some chicken granules for added chicken flavor.

Pour over mashed potatoes and enjoy.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ