I had a dream about the little town on Long Island I grew up in. Every now and then I will have a dream and it will be more way more vivid then normal dreams. I woke up and for a second felt like it was real. Does anyone else have those? It's usually nights when I have gone to bed with a hideous migraine which is what happened Friday night. Anyway... it was nice like I went on a vacation without the hassle of packing (much easier now that I wear skinnier clothing but still), airport security (3 oz?!? quart size baggie?!? for this Product Diva not possible), and flying (pass me the Xanax). Woke up feeling better and most of Saturday I spent doing yard work and absolutely nothing else exciting. Oohhh I did see a preview for "Becoming Jane"
If you've read my blog for any length of time you know I am a Jane Austen freak. I own leather bound versions of her books and every movie adaptation ever made. My family who does not share my love (despite their full or 1/2 British heritage) proves their disinterest by falling a sleep within 10 minutes of any film. Persuasion is my favorite in case you were wondering.
Saturday night I BBQ'd Chicken Kabobs and we enjoyed dinner outside on the patio. It's really been a pretty bearable summer so far (knock on something) or heck maybe it's just because there's -134 pounds less of me this Summer.
Sunday I started a huge photo organizing project which has been long overdue. It will take a week (at least) but will be worth it when it's done. It always made me nervous that our pictures were so disorganized. I mean you never know when you might have to evacuate and what do you grab first when you don't have a system. So we are creating a system. I'm trying to employ some of the techniques I've learned watching neat. I love that show. It's really helped me clear my clutter.
Here's some good stuff from the neat website:
When shopping, use these 5 questions to guide your purchases - you can prevent yourself from acquiring unnecessary items that have a high potential to turn into clutter.
1. Do I really need this?
2. Do I have somewhere to store it?
3. Do I already have something like this?
4. Am I buying it just because it’s on sale?
5. Is it something I've been interested in for a long time, or am I buying on impulse?
While this is all very good advice it of course does NOT apply to purses.
I made Pesto Chicken and Veggies for dinner which is one of my absolute favorite weight loss surgery adapted meals. I actually used to make this dish with pasta pre-op and seriously I do not miss the pasta one bit... what a ton of unnecessary carbs and calories I added. When you want an Italian food fix make this dish you will not be sorry.
Here's the finished product:
Shelly's Pesto Chicken & Veggies
1/2 yellow onion, diced
4-5 crimini mushrooms, sliced
2 boneless, skinless breasts, sliced into strips
1 cup yellow summer squash, sliced
1 cup zucchini, sliced
artichoke hearts, 1/2 of a 13.75 oz. can (non-marinated type), chopped
4 Tablespoons pesto sauce (I use the refrigerated Trader Joe's or Buitoni)
1/4 Cup chicken broth
butter
olive oil
For marinade: 1/4 cup Italian dressing
Marinate chicken in Italian Dressing for at least 4 hours in refrigerator. Discard excess marinade. Saute the onion till slightly golden in a touch of butter and olive oil. Remove from pan, set aside. Drain chicken from marinade but do not rinse. Saute marinated chicken till golden. Remove from pan. Add mushrooms, squash, and zucchini and steam saute till fork tender. Add chicken and onions back to pan. Add artichoke hearts and pesto sauce and stir till coated. Add broth and heat through stirring occasionally about 3 minutes. Serve.
Highlights of the weekend:
* It's been fun looking at old pictures. I'll scan some and share soon.
* I thought I needed a new blender but I just took it all apart and put it back together and it's crushing ice much better now. I think it was just off kilter. I love my Beehive Chrome Oster. I'm glad we don't have to part company yet.
* Bought two cute tops on clearance at Ann Taylor Loft so I have some clothes that fit again. Yeah!
Listening to: "The Adventure" Angels & Airwaves
