Fresh Green Beans

• Green beans, a couple of hands full or the amount you desire.

• I just cut the ends off and leave the full length.  I bundle up in groups and cut.

• Wash.

• Put a small amount of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in pan

• Add the fresh green beans with minced garlic, I purchase the minced kind in a jar...always ready when I need it.

• Pepper, and a little salt.

• Add a small amount of water, cover and cook over medium heat until just tender.  You may have to keep adding small amounts of water until done.

That easy and delish!

Chicken and Rice Casserole

This is a recipe that was shared with me by my sister in law, Jan Madden.  Jan is not afraid to try new recipes and Southern Living recipes are her favorites.

With this recipe, I would consider it a family staple.  Of all the things I fix for my own family, this is one that both of my "big" kids love.  I like it because it is one of those things that get even better the next day for a warm lunch.

The recipe is flexible.  For example, if you only have 1 breast or left over roasted chicken, you can use just that.  If using already prepared left over chicken from another meal, I would make my rice in water including a bouillon cube.  By the way, bouillon cubes should always be a staple in your pantry.  It is super inexpensive and will add flavor to many recipes.  Also, when a recipe calls for chicken broth, I make my own using some heated water and my bouillon cube.

2 chicken breast
Rice, I make instant rice using 2 cups and water and 2 cups of rice
1 small can of green chopped chilies
1 small can of mushrooms, this gives the dish some texture and will absorb the flavors
2 cups of grated cheese, if any family member does not like cheese, only put cheese over part of the dish
bouillon cubes, I use 2
salt and pepper

• In a pot of water, add the chicken, bouillon cube and cook until tender.
• Take the chicken out to rest and keep the juices.
• In the same juices, I put the rice in my casserole dish and add the amount of broth from the chicken while it is still hot.
• Once the rice is done, add the chilies and the mushroom, drained
• Cut the chicken into bit size pieces and add
• You will want to add some extra broth in the dish so it will not bee too dry
• Add some salt and pepper to taste
• Stir in dish, distribute evenly in dish
• Cover with the cheese and bake @ 350 degrees until it is bubbly and the cheese is melted

This is good with just some green beans or a salad.  Note:  my recipe for the green beans is embed in this link.

Christmas 2013

Click on the title to view the complete blog post here.  Lots of photos.
This is our real tree with old and new traditional ornaments from the first year Gary and I married adding a few along the way.  I opted to tone down color this year with gray and white, green small trees and snow.  This year I painted 2 accent walls in our living area with Restoration Hardware's gray as is in their Baby store on Westheimer, Houston.

Clear lights, chevron rustic burlap ribbon and silver.

This year's tree came from Houston Garden Center, Sam Houston Parkway South.

This was the first year I had to do this alone.  With my now working/college kids,

time just did not permit a time to do so.  The weather this day was calling

for rain, which we had lots of this season plus cold temperatures.  Once

home, Aaron helped me get it in and in the stand.

This was one of 5 trees, not including the tiny ones.  Our live tree is always our 

traditional one.  Wrappings were using paper by the yard at a teacher supply shop

and ribbon from Craftex.

Our niche is one my favorite spots to decorate.  The antlers is a recent find at a flea market in 

Winnie, Texas.  The art photos are thrift store finds, old, rustic and the gray background

makes a perfect backdrop for this scene.

Hannah and I attend the music party.  She is a choir member/praise singer and I sub on the organ.

This season included a wedding of my husband's 2nd cousin, Kinsie Gurley.  Thought you would enjoy seeing a special feature...the wedding cake.  Beautiful wedding for a great couple.

One morning, drinking my coffee, I could not resist taking a photo of my view.

We hosted 3 parties this year in our home.  #1 was a small group of friends who all were ministers in our church plus the maintenance director and wife who we have worked close with this year in decor projects in our church. #2 We had our small group Gary and I are leaders of for TNT, "Together in Triumphant", 40-60's age group.  #3 A simple breakfast with Gary's 3 sisters and their spouses.

With great food left from our first party, I fixed 3 box lunches for Gary, his mother and myself.  We took the ferry on this beautiful day.  I had to check on a job in progress in Channelview, so we decided to make it a special time for Mom to ride with us.  We ate our lunch as we waited on the ferry.  Special guest:  Frosty, Mom's constant companion.  

Cheese Soup, Tarragon Chicken Salad Sandwich, Pasta Salad, Cream cheese on a cracker with pepper jelly, candies with hot apple cider and whipped cream.

Always interesting to see the water traffic.

A shopping trip to the Galleria with my Hannah.

A fun day at Salt Grass Steak House with my hubby.  It was a very cold day and this setting was perfect.

Aaron and Hannah go shopping...

Special memories include a trip with my sweet Abigail wrapped up to go and see Christmas lights right in our own neighborhood.  She is such a sweetie!

This is Abbey's little tree in our kitchen window with all pics of her and our family.

A few TNT party pics.  Simple menu:  Southern Home Made Vegetable Soup, Cornbread with Sharp Cheddar on top and Jalapenos, Tea, Coffee, Cider and desserts.

The tree in this room was decorated with college interior design first year work, or should I say, I little of that year's work.  Loved it all.

Thank you Jennifer for bringing Savannah's Bakery sugar cookies...my fav!

Hannah's room, done by her.  She has a love for vintage style.  This Thanksgiving evening we lost our family pet, Teddy.  Her tree this year featured tons of photos of her pet for 8 years, Teddy.

Hannah's first piano recital, just before our church concert.  Instructor, Lisa Davis.

This is Abbey, the queen of the table for the day.  This was our special Christmas time with her.  We opted for a breakfast casserole, fresh fruit and danish rolls.  Then a time around the tree with her gifts from our family.  

Now...Christmas Eve night with the Madden Family.  We met at my sister in law's daycare after school

room made so nice by her hubby.  Food, great togetherness and always gifts to open.  Here are just a few

pics I took.  More on others Facebook pages.

Momsie, Gary's mother.

Hannah and friend, Blake.

Rod may kill me but...the two oldest people there. : )  Gary's "big" brother.

Mama kissing Santa Claus. : )

All the grandchildren.

Then....the Saturday following Christmas was my "Walston" family party in my mother's home
in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Decor by my mother.

With a variety of creative people in the family, you never know what kind of creative
gifts just may be there.  These were large boxes with special items
right out of Judy's home.

 and another little flare of what I think is "cute" and playful.

Linda's gifts were garnished with real greenery, berries and home grown cotton right

out of her own yard.  Inside was 3 kinds of home made jellies.

Our parties always includes lots of door prizes.  This year, Linda brings gourds and

loofahs grown by her in her many gardens.

I decorated the table using a rustic vibe with mix match plates, fresh rosemary, holly and berries

right out of my Mother's yard.  The apples were wooden and the gourd is one that Linda

grew and made into a ladle.

My "first" plate...I'll admit, too many starches, but, oh so wonderful.

Daniel and Thomas from New Orleans.

Hannah and cousin, Andrea.

Kevin and Rebecca, my nephew and wife.

Formally known as "the Walston girls".  

My "little" brother, Kenny.

Typical modern day kids at family gatherings.

My great niece, Madyln.

Judy and me.

"Selfie" with my Mom.

Our last stop before heading home was Tamp and Grinds for a latte' and a white mocha coffee.

So thankful for this wonderful season.  Our immediate family agrees that the highlight of this entire season was the Christmas Concert at our home church, The Church Triumphant.  What a blessing that 

Hannah was able to be such a part of the sign team, special solo part and choir.

Hannah, Victoria and Krislyn

Our fabulous band.

Because He came, we can live a life of freedom and "great joy"!  So happy

not only to have 2 wonderful families but our church family that

we love dearly.

Wise men still seeks Him today.

I hope your season was bright!