Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Jeremy and I are heading to Greenville to spend time with his family. As I think on the past year – I’m so amazed, and so thankful and all that God has done and where He has brought me.

I’m so thankful for my sweet husband, our warm & cozy home, my family, friends, church, and all that God has given us.

Ingredients:
1 medium Onion chopped
1 clove Garlic, mined
1/2 cup Butter
1/2 cup All purpose flour
1 teaspoon Salt
2 cups Chicken broth
1 1/2 cups Milk
4 cups 16 oz. Mozzarella cheese shredded; divided
1 cup Parmesan cheese; grated, divided
1 teaspoon Dried basil
1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
1/2 teaspoon White pepper
2 cups Ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon Fresh parsley; minced
9 Lasagna noodles; 8 ounces cooked and drained
2 package 10 oz each; frozen spinach thawed and well drained
2 cups Cubed cooked chicken

Instructions:
In a saucepan, saute the onion and garlic in butter until tender. Stir in the flour and salt; cook until bubbly. Gradually stir in the broth and milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute.Stir in 2 cups mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano and pepper; set aside. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, parsley and remaining mozzarella; set aside. Spread one quarter of the cheese sauce into a greased 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish; cover with one third of the noodles. Top with half of ricotta mixture, half of spinach and half of chicken.Cover with one quarter of cheese sauce and one third of noodles. Repeat layers of ricotta mixture, spinach, chicken and one quarter cheese sauce. Cover with remaining noodles and cheese sauce. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese over all. Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered; for 35-40 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes.

I have challenged myself, in my entirety to declutter. That’s right, a good ol’ fashioned, spring cleaning – in the fall (of course). So I’m getting rid of, cleaning out, reorganizing, and repurposing. The magnitude of clutter that collects disgusts me, drawers filled with unnecessary papers, things I haven’t worn in years, magazine stacks, and even my inbox, desktop, and files that I just don’t need. So, it’s all getting tossed or given away to good will.

After all, “If you have two coats, one of them belongs to the poor” and by golly I think I have 5 or 6, and winter just isn’t winter in Wilmington, NC – these need to be given away.

I’m unsubscribing to emails that I delete upon entrance to my mail box. I’m cleaning up my RSS reader, and it all just feels so delightful.

So, you, too, join in. Take some before and after shots, and show me what you’ve got! (I’m working on my best before and after).

It’s no secret that Jer’s eyes close at 9:30pm on the dot every night (that we’re at home). Please limit experimentation of this fact.

Tonight, just a few minutes ago, he sat up and said, “I thought I was sitting on the TV composite.”

Oh the joys of a techy husband. His brain is jumbled with tech phrase-ology, that he in fact dreams in it.

I love you sleeping jer, and awake jer. all the time, really.

I’m in want of these nice typographic burlap pillows from Pottery Barn.

notice I specified want. not need, but close.

I have come to the realization that my blog is too serious – like, how I talk, isn’t how I type and I think that bothers me on some level. Here’s to lightening things up!

I remember back when I played the trumpet and bugle as often as I use my mac now, I used to call concerts “gigs” – and now, I don’t play at concerts (unfortunately, but I should be able to – by request only), now, however I am starting to dabble in design – gigs. I love the learning process, although the curve is steep, and just got my brand new copy of “Illustrator CS4 -Classroom in a Book.” My favorite part, by far, is the inspiration element, once it’s found within the project, the sky is the limit! I’m excited to continue learning.

I’ve recently had the privilege of designing a few business cards, postcards, flyers, and even websites.  Soon, I’d like to be able to display my work in a better way than on my desktop in png’s, so…I’m exploring options. I love what Cliver has done with his graphic art works and also, Sarah Gallardo -both very talented designers I admire.

I believe that recipes are best when they are shared, so here is the recipe I used for the chicken chili at the Pumpkin Party on Halloween! Enjoy!
Ingredients

* 1 1/4 lbs boneless skinless chicken

* 2 (15 ounce) cans great northern beans or navy beans

* 1 (15 ounce) can hominy or white corn (I used hominy)

* 1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope taco seasoning (I used spicy taco seasoning!)

* 1 (4 1/2 ounce) can of chopped green chilies

* 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

* 1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* chopped green onion (optional)
* monterey jack cheese (optional)

Directions

1. Place chicken in a 4 quart slow cooker.
2.Top with beans and corn (or hominy).
3   In a medium bowl, combine taco seasoning, chiles, condensed soup, and chicken broth. Pour over top of ingredients in the crock pot.
4. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. (I cooked it on high for 5 hours due to time)
5.Before serving, stir gently to break up chicken, then stir in the sour cream. (At the same time I took the chicken out and shredded it, then put the chicken back in the mixture)

6. Serve topped with green onions and jack cheese, cilantro (delish) and sour cream, if desired (and you should desire it!)

Serve and enjoy!