Orange Chicken

I originally found this recipe on Pinterest; one of my friends that I follow had pinned it and it looked so good that I re-pinned it.  Here's the recipe.

1 lb. of boneless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
1/3 cup flour
olive oil
1/2 tbs. of salt
1 tsp. of balsamic vinegar
3 tbs. of ketchup
6 oz. of frozen orange juice concentrate (thaw)*
4 tbs. of brown sugar

* I used fresh orange juice -  from my oranges on my tree in the back yard

In a bowl, mix the orange juice, brown sugar, vinegar, salt, and ketchup.

Put the flour in a gallon bag and add the chicken.  Shake until the chicken is coated.

Pour a small amount of olive oil in a skillet and brown the chicken.  The chicken doesn't need to be fully cooked.

After cooking the chicken, put it in a crock pot and cover with the sauce mixture.

Cook on low for 5 - 6 hours or on high for 2 - 3 hours.  Serve over rice.

Very easy and very yummy!

I Love Books

I love books.  I love the smell of a new book, I love how the pages feel.  I have an E-Reader, but it's just not the same.  There's something about sitting curled up in a chair with a blanket over your lap, and a good book in your hand that you can't get from an E-Reader.

For Christmas, I received the Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks, and the Autumn series by David Moody.  I have to admit - I love zombies!  World War Z by Max Brooks is one of my favorite books.

Ever since I was a kid, I have loved to read.  The first book that my mom gave me was Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.  I think that I still have that book lying around someplace.  I have a tattered collection of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series and the Hobbit.  I have a set of  Zane Grey books from my dad.  I'm a huge fan of John D. MacDonald and I hope to one day have copies of all his books.  I have books piled around my bedroom just waiting to be read.  I love books! 

Another Crocheted Scarf

I'm still on my scarf kick.  I've started crocheting a hooded scarf in lavender.  Purple is one of my favorite colors.  The pattern is very easy but it's taking me longer to finish because I started back to work full time this week - almost 2 months after my car accident.  I start to poop out around 2:00 pm and by the time I get home a little after 4:00, I pretty much just want to rest.  I am hoping that my strength and stamina return soon.  As soon as I finish the scarf, I will post directions and a picture. 

Cascading Potato Chip Scarf

I'm on a bit of a scarf kick and when I heard the words "potato chip" in the same sentence as "scarf", I was intrigued.  It turns out to be a super easy scarf to crochet.

I found the pattern at http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Hats-Scarves-Gloves.  Just search for cascading potato chip scarf.  If you're new to crochet, this is a good project to start with.  I love the blue (Red Heart Blue) against the brown (Coffee Fleck).  Hope you enjoy!

PS - I am now the proud owner of a 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan in metallic blue :)

I'm Off To Buy A Car - I Hope :)

I think that I've found my new car.  I've been doing a lot of research.  I decided to go with a new car because the cost of buying a good quality used car is more than the cost of a new car (or so I read).  I believe it, because I have looked at a lot of cars online and the difference in price is not significant; in some cases, a used car actually costs more than the new model.  OK. 

My primary source of information was  http://www.edmunds.com/.  You can search for new or used cars based on make, design, price, options, etc.  I decided that I wanted a 4 door sedan under $15,000.  I was leaning towards a Nissan because my old car was a Sentra.  I went and test drove a Nissan Versa and I loved it - four doors, automatic, power windows & doors, power locks, 6 cup holders (very important), a big trunk, and lots of leg room. 

Next I went to http://www.truecar.com/ and found out where I could get the best price for a Versa.  I printed off my price guarantee certificate and talked with a salesman who told me that he could give me an even better price and the color I want.  How great is that?

So here's a picture of the car that I want and hopefully, by the end of the day tomorrow, I'll be driving it.

A Simple Winter Scarf

It doesn't get cold here in Florida very often, but we're looking at a second night with a hard freeze - time to cover the plants and pipes and bundle up with a jacket and a scarf.  Most of the time though, wearing a scarf  in Florida is more of a fashion statement.  My daughter-in-law loves anything purple, so for Christmas, I crocheted this simple scarf for her.

It's easy to make and only uses one skein of yarn.  I used "I Love This Yarn" in mixed berry from Hobby Lobby.

Use a size K crochet hook.

Chain 27.

Foundation Row: single chain (sc) in 2nd chain from hook.  1 sc in each chain to end of the chain.  Turn.  You should have 26 single chain stitches.

First Row:  Chain 3 (counts as a double crochet (dc).  Skip first two sc.  In next sc, *(1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc).  Skip next 2 sc.  Repeat from * to last 2 sc.  Skip 1 sc and 1 dc in last stitch.  Turn.  You should have a total of 26 stitches.

Second Row:  Chain 1.  1 sc in each chain to end of the chain.  Turn.  (26 sc).

Repeat First and Second Row until you run out of yarn.  Finish with a 2nd row.  Fasten off.  Scarf measures approximately 45 inches.



Another New Year and I Have to Buy a Car

Today a new year begins.  I looked back at some of my posts from last year and it brought back a lot of good memories.  Although I had some bad times in 2011, overall, there was more good than bad.

This year my first challenge will be to purchase a car.  My car was totalled in the accident that I had on November 15th, so for the first time in almost 7 years, I'm without a vehicle.  Luckily, I don't have to rush my buying decision.  I live close enough to my job so that I can either walk or ride my bike.  I have a lot of friends who will take me to my doctor's appointments and my son will take me grocery shopping.

I know that in order to buy a car, I need to have a budget, I need to know the make and model of the cars that I'm interested in, I need to decide whether I want to buy a new car or a used car, and of course, I have to test drive the cars.  My old car was paid for, so I'm looking at the possibility of having a car payment - yikes!  It's a big decision, but I'm making my decision in steps.