Leftover Chicken? Make these!

I pulled out this recipe last night after realizing I had almost a full rotisserie chicken in the fridge that I needed to use. I had used some of the meat for chicken and black bean quesadillas a few nights ago and wanted to use up the rest of the meat so I could get the bones into a pot with veggies and herbs to make some more of my homemade chicken stock.

These are called chicken croquettes, and they're great not only because they are a unique way to use up any kind of leftover chicken you have (I've used leftover baked, roasted, and grilled meat) but also because they are so customizable depending on whatever you want/need to use up. Last night, for example, I had a couple roasted red peppers floating around at the bottom of a bottle in the fridge, so I knew those would work. My roasted chicken yielded about 5 cups of meat, so I also increased all the other ingredients to make 12 croquettes. I'll give you the starting recipe and then some things I do to jazz it up a bit.



Chicken Croquettes
Original recipe found HERE

• 3 cups cooked and finely chopped chicken (dark or white meat, doesn't mater; you're going to want to really chop it up pretty finely so the patties hold together better. I used my Pampered Chef handheld chopper)
• 1 1/2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups sauteed chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

1. Saute the onions in either olive oil or butter. I wouldn't skip the onions in this recipe because they help keep the croquettes moist and add a lot of flavor. Mine were vidalia so they were yummy and sweet.

2. Now this what I do to make sure my croquettes taste good even before I cook them. I mix all ingredients but the eggs together in a big bowl, and then I get creative! I usually add some parmesan cheese, herbs (either fresh or dry, doesn't matter!), Lawry's seasoning salt, garlic, etc. Like I said, last night I threw in some finely chopped roasted red peppers. I sample the mixture and add ingredients until I like the way it tastes, then I add the eggs.

3. Add the two eggs to the mixture. If the mixture is too dry to form into patties, add another egg.

4. You have two options for cooking these. You can cook them in a skillet in some oil over medium heat until golden brown, or do what I usually do and bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet for about 12-15 minutes at 350. I've done both cooking methods and the work just fine, I just like throwing them in the oven because it's less fattening and it gives me a few minutes to work on something else in the kitchen.


These are great with just about any sides, and the website I found the recipe has reviews from others that like to use them for sandwiches. I served mine with some broccoli salad and some cheesy herb baked potatoes. These are man-approved in my house, and I hope your family enjoys them, too!

Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods

Not perfect, but pretty!

I still haven't taken the time to share pictures of the living room, and that's partially because I don't feel like it's "done". The living room has a gray, white, brown, and navy blue color scheme, and right now it's just TOO gray. I'm kicking myself for not going with the navy rug...

Anyway! On a recent trip to Goodwill I found this metal wall art and thought it was pretty cute, and the $3.00 price tag made it a lot cuter! The price tag from Hobby Lobby was still on the back, and I'm hoping that the art's original owner didn't pay $25 for it. Yikes. There was a random yellow line of paint on the right side and there were a couple of dinged up spots, but I knew I could take care of that!

 The background of this picture makes me laugh because it shows the "his and hers" aspect of our garage. A pallet for me on the left, and hubby's weights on the right!

I decided that this project was my chance to start bringing more blue to the living room.

First I rubbed the whole thing down with a little sandpaper and sprayed it down with white paint and primer. Next, I covered the cross with aluminum foil and sprayed the rest blue, the same paint I used on my yard sale lamp. I'm sure there's a better way to do this type of "sectioning off", but I'm kind of impatient and it's the first idea I had :)

The aluminum foil method wasn't the greatest... there are a couple of spots where the paint went under the edge of the foil, but oh well! I channeled my inner nester and remembered that it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful!

AND it serves its purpose, if only temporarily. I finally have something on the living room walls and there's more blue... which makes me happy :)

And before I go, I wanted to share with you the most creative housewarming gift we got last month. Our sweet friend Cristina has been our go-to-gal for her photography skills, and we've had engagement, anniversary, and Christmas pictures done by her (and love them!). Cristina used her arsenal of pictures to make us this SO COOL gift...

A closer look:

Isn't that a great gift idea?

Thanks, Cristina!!!

Cheers!

Today's project was never meant to be a project. But sometimes that just works out, I suppose...

I was perusing Pinterest a few weeks back when I saw a recipe for a watermelon margarita. While I like a fruity margarita as much as the next person, I was more interested in the glass the drink was served in.

Source

These anthro glasses immediately caught my eye, because they looked ADORABLE and totally DIY-able! So while on a recent trip to the store whose name shall not be spoken to get some kitty supplies, I also picked up some paint pens. I was heading to the home department to pick up some glasses when I remembered a pretty set of glasses that we were given at our recent housewarming party.

*I would like to let the sweet and beautiful party guest know that I loved the glasses "as is", but I can tell she's a gal who appreciates a good makeover :) *

So here were the glasses before:

Instead of using all of the colors like the inspiration photo, I decided to stick with colors that went with my kitchen/living area since I'm all matchy-matchy like that. I used white, brown, silver, navy blue, and light blue paint pens. I just did one color at a time, randomly placing dots of paint on the outside of the glass. I tried to make the dots less concentrated as I went up the glass, and keep the paint on the bottom half of the glasses.

So here's the after!

I think it worked out pretty well and came super close to the original just with own little spin on it! Now, in full disclosure, these will definitely have to be hand washed and may not even hold up that well because the paint can be easily scratched off. However, I have ever intention on figuring out a way to do this project in a more permanent way because I think these would make the cutest wedding gift! I know I would love to receive them as a gift! I saw somewhere online about a paint pen that can be used on glass/porcelain and baked to make it permanent, so I will check that out. Anyway, I'm only out the cost of the paint pens, and I used so little of the paint that I can use them in other projects.

Wow Us Wednesday

Good Things

Life has been good lately. Here are some reasons why (If you follow me on facebook, most of this is old news)...

Adam and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary last week and it was wonderful. He had class on the night of our anniversary, so while he was gone I got out some decorations left over from our wedding and jazzed up on living room. When he came home we had a little candlelight, an AMAZING strawberry cream cake from Greenlife, and a little dancing to our first dance song. It was great.

Speaking of great, Adam's great, He had the most beautiful flowers I've ever received sent to me at work. They filled the office with the sweet smell of roses, and everyone loved them. The chocolate that came with them didn't hurt either...

Last year we celebrated our anniversary during our vacation, which was a cruise to Mexico. Fabulous! We're saving up our money and time off for a big trip next year (Alaskan cruise with my family! Eek!), so we decided a little weekend getaway would suffice this time around. We spent Memorial Day weekend in Gatlinburg/Piegon Forge and had a lot of fun. This area can be really cheesy and packed with tourists, but there's always a lot to do and great food to eat. The highlight of our trip was definitely where we stayed, Eight Gables Inn. We're becoming B&B fans quick, and this one was amazing. The owners are so thoughtful, the B&B itself was beautiful, and the food was great. Check it out if you're in the area and need a peaceful place to stay!  The picture up there is from our visit to the aquarium, where I fell in love all over again with penguins. They're just so dang cute!

I'm really digging the new cats. They are definitely a handful, and I don't always love waking up to spaghetti on the kitchen floor or miscellaneous hair accessories tore apart in the den, but they're so sweet and fun. It is a common occurrence to have both kitties asleep in my lap while Adam and I watch TV, and I love it.

Booyah! I can grow vegetables! I harvested the first of my green peppers and green beans this week and was so excited. It really makes me look forward to next spring/summer because I plan on doing an actual garden next year. For now my containers are working just fine! I should have some yellow squash ready in a couple of weeks.

And this here was the highlight of my week! I fell in love with this table/cart while visiting my favorite antique storing during my lunch break yesterday, and my sweet hubby went and picked it up for me after he got off of work! I had been having a hard time finding a coffee table for our den, so this just worked out perfectly.

It's looking like this summer is going to be a ton of fun, and we already have so many things planned. Just in the next couple of weeks I get to see one of my best friends from college, I have a ladies' night planned for next week, Adam and I are going to one of those wine-and-paint classes, we have several birthday parties to attend, we're hosting our very first family function at the new house (Father's Day dinner),  and last but not least... we're taking tango lessons!!

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Two Years Down...

Today is our second wedding anniversary! I know I'm not the first to say this, but sometimes it feels like time has just flown by, and then there are other days where I feel like I can't remember not being married to Adam.

Ah, the memories... **prepare for picture overload!**

We had considered doing a wedding outside on my grandfather's property, but I'm too much of a worrier and not knowing what the weather would be like would have worried me to death. The weather ended up being perfect, though, so we were lucky enough to get some nice picture's by grandpa's lake.

The actual wedding day and the days leading up to the wedding gave me such precious time with some of my dearest girlfriends. Ugh... I love these girls and don't see them nearly enough. I was the last of my college roommates to get married, but it was all in God's timing :)

Adam seeing me for the first time. It was just a surreal moment.

Our ceremony was simple and sweet. And perfect. Our sweet friends did the music, we wrote our owns vows, and there were lots of laughs throughout.

Our reception was... unexpected and wonderful. We had chosen love-themed classic songs for "background music" because we just assumed people would sit and eat and talk. Wrong. They were ready to dance! The decorations, which were handled mostly by my mother and grandmother were perfect. Had all the rustic charm I had imagined.



I've experienced a lot and I've learned a lot in just two years of marriage, and I feel as if I should share. For those who are already married and those who are waiting for their future spouse...

• I have learned that marriage is one of the most powerful ways God teaches us about Himself and what our relationship with Him should look like. There are contast lessons about selflessness, mercy, forgiveness, patience, unconditional love, perseverance, prayer. The list could go on and on. I often catch myself thinking of my expectations for my husband, and if I apply those same expectations to myself, I can see what God would want from me. I am challenged to forgive Adam because I know God forgives me on a daily basis.
• Being married is beyond wonderful, but they aren't lying when they tell you it's work. But it's work worth doing. Relationships in general take work because you're dealing with two different people with two different sets of character traits, love languages, priorities, etc. And the whole male and female thing makes it even more interesting. But at the end of the day, you've made a covenant with each other and with God to make things work, and you do it not only because of the promise you made, but also because you love your spouse and you're willing to make the effort for them.
• Marriage is worth the wait. I remember when I was single that getting advice from friends who were dating or already married was pretty much going in one ear and out the other. All that crap about it being worth the wait and "it will happen in God's time"... it didn't help. haha. When someone told me to be patient and enjoy the time on my own, that was just annoying to me. And now I'm saying it, too, to those of you who are reading this and haven't met the one God made for you. Be patient. Enjoy your season of being single, because there IS purpose in this time and there IS a reason you haven't met them yet. Take advantage of this time to grow closer to the Lord, establish life-long friendships, learn how to be self-sufficient. Travel. Watch whatever you want on TV without someone making fun of your choice of entertainment (not that this ever happens to me now...). Enjoy spending holidays with YOUR family. Seriously, you're ignoring me now but you'll know what I'm talking about one day.
• I'm just going to say it, because it needs to be said. When you give your body away, you're giving your heart away. Please, please, please save intimacy for your future spouse. I have never been ashamed of the fact that I saved myself for my husband and I have never regretted this choice. God gave us sex to enjoy inside of a marriage relationship, not only to grow our family but also to strengthen the bond between husband and wife. It's an important part of marriage, and it is worth waiting for. Outside of marriage, it can complicate matters and hinder your ability to see your relationship clearly. If you're with someone who doesn't want to wait, THEY DO NOT DESERVE YOU. Move on.
• I really believe that Dr. Gary Chapman knows that he's talking about with the five love languages. This is really one of the most important things to master if you want to have a successful marriage, and to be honest, it's not easy. We tend to love people the way WE want to be loved, and that isn't always effective. I will admit, I need to work on this. I will put it on my to-do list :)
• Compromise. Compromise. Compromise.
• Compromise.

Adam, you're my best friend and I am so thankful to have you walk beside me through the bad times and to have you share in the joy of the good times. You make me laugh like no one else and your creativity and passion for the things you love is inspiring. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us!

House Before and After: The Den

Calling all lovers of bright, cheery colors! This makeover is for you!!

We use the "formal" living room as our main hang out space. We've got a couch and a loveseat, and that's where we watch TV and too often to talk about occassionally eat our meals. So I wanted to use this room for reading, having girlfriends over to talk and drink some wine, sitting by the fireplace on cold winter evenings, etc. You know... the "chill" space.

Before I show you what we did in the den, let me show you what inspired me.

Source

Source

Source

Source

I think you get the idea :)

The major feature of the den is obviously the brick wall. I happen to love it, but I know some might think it's just too much brick. Here's the room before:

The doors going outside were in terrible shape, so my father-in-law extended the wall and did just one door. I was fine with this because it gave me more wall space for furniture. The floors got replaced with hardwood, and we updated the fireplace with some brushed nickel high temp paint. My goal is to get a rustic, railroad tie-like mantle sometime soon, but I haven't had much luck finding one so far.

As for the wall color, I decided to use the massive brick wall to my advantage. I have heard that one way to choose colors that go really well together is to use colors that are across from each other in a color wheel.

So... brick (oranges, reds, browns) would look GREAT with blue!

AQUA BLUE!!

Now, I still have more work to do in here. I need to get some stuff up on the walls, find the mantle I keep imaging in my head, get some table/floor lamps, and work out the table situation. (Adam and I can't agree on a coffee table, and the small side table is a temporary solution.)

Nonetheless, here's our cheery den in all of its glory!

Now for some detail shots...

So there it is! My aqua blue den! I pretty much love it. Not sure that the hubby is sold, but he's a good sport. As long as it's comfortable I'm not so sure he cares. haha. Some info for those who care:

• couch, chairs, and "script" pillows are from D. M. Stacy Furniture
• my father-in-law made the large mirror and the bookcase (we are SO lucky to have him!)
• Wyatt pillow and hydrangea pillow were etsy finds
• rug is from Overstock
• the brown and cream floral pillow, wood side table, wooden balls, and antique fabric were all yard sale finds. The blue bowl was a gift from my friend, Brenda :)
• the apothecary jars by the fire place were scored when my local Kirkland's store was closing
• art temporarily sitting on top of the fireplace and the blue magazine rack were made by your's truly!

And one last picture... I love that when you first walk in our front door all you seen in this space is the brick wall, so the aqua is a surprise!

This was taken pre-furniture, but you get the idea :)

Masterpiece Monday

Strut Your Stuff Saturday