Chicken Noodle Soup

I have a big family. Not to mention a fiance that takes his own lunch to work. So, I cook big, thus my large recipes...lol

With that said, I have to admit I made a great chicken noodle soup. I started it last night, I took Tyson Boneless Skinless frozen chicken breasts in the 2.5 lb bag, still frozen and put them in a stock pot covering them with water, and 4 cups of Swanson's Chicken broth. Turned it on low, and left it for about 2 hours.

When I came back to it I added about a tbsp of garlic powder, and 4 bay leaves. Then I let it simmer again for....you guessed it 2 hours.

Once that all cooled off I put it in the fridge over night.

When I got home from work today I pulled the chicken mix out of the fridge, diced up the breasts, (OK OK so I really just kinda shredded them) they were so tender they just about fell apart. Once they were all shredded up and back in the broth I brought them to a simmer, while I diced up a cup of carrots, and a cup of celery. I also added a good shaking of paprika, and sage, as well as a tsp of roasted garlic. I left that on simmer for about an hour, until the veggies were tender.

Now, about 15 minutes before I pulled the pot off the heat I boiled up a pot of water and made some Barilla Campanelle pasta. I don't like to put my pasta in the soup after a second heating the pasta tends to be mushy.

Now, to serve it up....

One big spoonful of pasta, and cover with a couple ladles of the chicken and broth.

It was to say the least.....YUM

Next time I think I'll just do the chicken and broth in the crock-pot.



* yes I agree I did forget the pictures again.

Grades

Last year, I was talking to my Fiance about hopes and dreams. Things I wanted to do, and be. I had never had this conversation with anyone. No, one had ever seemed to care what I wanted. I was just expected to do certain things.

I told him I wanted to go back to school. Now, I must confess that this is something I had tried twice before, and failed. I had no support, no one to cheer me on, no one to help me balance life as a mom, wife, and student. I was expected to do everything at home, and if I had any spare time I could work on schooling. I was set up to fail.

Here was this fantastic man, telling me that I could do it. He would support me, he would let me lean on him. He would help me balance life and school. Home, kids, job, school....could I really do it? I was scared. So, I said that I would wait a year. And if I still wanted to do it, I would. I wanted to do it right this time.

Fast forward to this summer. I took the leap....I started taking paralegal classes. I was scared and excited. And most of all determined that I was going to succeed.

Shortly after starting classes I read an article in Woman's Day magazine, about how several amazing women made over their lives. One of them was an inspirational young lady of 69 years. Her name is Mary Price. I read her story several times, feeling stronger each time. Her tips for making over her education included reminding yourself that you don't always have to get the best score possible. That "Sometimes good enough is good enough". I was inspired! YES, this is what I needed to hear.

I always tell my children to be realistic about their grades. Not everyone will get a perfect score every time. We are all human. If you apply yourself, and do your very best that is what matters. No, this is not a get of jail free card that allows you to slack off and not do your work. I'm happy to say that my children are all carrying very good grades.

But what about me? What standard do I hold myself too? Simple

PERFECTION.

If I get less than an A+ in a course then I am angry with myself. I have let myself down. Its not good enough. The only grade is the best grade. No matter what my fiance says I cannot accept anything but. I know that I shouldn't be so hard on myself, and I honestly wish I wasn't. But.....I can't do anything about it.

I'm interested to hear what other Moms going back to school have to say.

Some times....

It really is just the little things that make my day.

Like dinner tonight. We had left over chili from Halloween. I wanted to use it up tonight. So, I put it in a casserole dish covered it with a Mexican 4 cheese blend. Layered biscuits on top and cook per the instructions on the biscuit package.

It was YUM! I know I know I should have taken a picture of it.

We served it with a big dollop of sour cream on top!

Everyone loved it, and that was enough to really make my day.