On this day...

 twenty-four years ago, Elizabeth Jane was born.

We were friends from the start.

 Here we are at my 5th birthday party...

 elementary days our friendship consisted in writing letters...

 As you can see above we even had our very own club complete with a secret language and handshake.

Now as to what the letters JFS stand for...that dies with us. :)

 We shared a love for American Girl and were so excited when they opened a store in Chicago.

Her parents took us to the spend the day there and we had a blast!

 

We were a crazy group;

and Liz was someone I knew would always make me laugh.

When we entered junior high our friendship was full of ups and downs.

We hung with different groups and did not spend time in each other's company much.

  

However in college that changed when I was on the bus route with her.

We spent many a Saturday visits and Sunday shuttle drives together.

  

It was then that we picked up where we left off.

Our friendship resumed as if it had never missed a beat.

  

I discovered that Liz was a sincere sweet girl and she still could make me laugh.

We made so many memories and in those two years I made a forever friend.

 I do not doubt that the Lord brought her back into my life.

You see all my close friends had moved out of state but she was here.

Here to listen and to laugh.

When she asked me to stand along side her on her special day, I was honored.

  

She married a great guy who is perfect for her and they moved

all the way to California!!

But, you know what?

Despite our distance we remain constant.

She is a faithful, loyal-true-blue friend...

This summer I was able to visit her, and I had a wonderful time

in her beautiful state. 

And somehow, despite how old I get she still manages to bring out my crazy side!  :)

So on her birthday, I just wanted to share with all what a truly wonderful friend she is.

I wish I could spend the day celebrating with her.

Liz,

I just want to wish you a very happy 24th birthday and let you know that I count you among one of my greatest blessings.  If I could I would fly out there this very minute to help make your day special.  I miss you lots and want to let you know that Sunday pickups are just not the same.  No one else wants to stop at Luke's gas station for chocolate donuts and mountain dew...;)  I miss us giggling like school girls one moment then reminiscing and tearing up in another.  I look forward to being reunited soon!

Happy, happy birthday friend.

Love you!

Come see some of my photography over at Serendipity-Images.

and yet another pasta dish...

 I have this addiction to pasta.

When I was deciding what to make for dinner the other day, all of my ideas were pasta.

So I decided to try something new from my pinterest board;

something called Crispy Chicken with Creamy Italian Sauce and Bowtie Pasta.

(Kind of complex, I know, therefore I have renamed it::

Italian Manna) :)

Ingredients::

{serves 6}

• 3 chicken breasts
• 5 C corn flakes
• 3/4 C flour
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 C milk
• 6 T olive oil
• 1 12 oz package of bowtie pasta

Sauce::

• 1 10 oz Philadelphia cooking cream (Italian Cheese & Herb flavor)
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 C chicken broth
• 1/2 C milk
• fresh parsley

  

Crush the corn flakes into crumbs and put in a loaf or pie pan.

Add the salt to the flour and put into another pan.

Place the milk in a separate pan.

Split the chicken breasts into two

Pound the chicken flat with a meat mallet. 

Dredge the chicken in flour

Lay the chicken on a plate and put in the freezer.

Let sit for 5-10 min.

Prepare the pasta

 

Remove the chicken from the freezer and dredge each piece in milk and then into the corn flake crumbs.

Lay the chicken in the hot oil.  

Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

  

Cook both sides until golden brown,

then let sit on medium heat for 7 minutes.

When the chicken is cooked through remove and place on a plate.

Cover with tin foil.

Into the skillet pour your chicken broth, cooking cream, cream of chicken and milk.

Whisk the sauce until it is warm and bubbly.

Approximately 3-5 minutes.

Slice your chicken into strips 

and serve over cooked pasta and sauce.

Garnish with parsley.

Enjoy!

 

Bon Appetit.

Come see some of my photography over at Serendipity-Images.

My kind of day

Once upon two days ago, there was a mother and daughter who ventured to a place they had never been before...

It was always a special treat to spend time together, but today was extra special because they were going to a store they had only dreamed about.

Upon entering, they were almost overwhelmed.

They were asked if they wanted FREE breakfast.

FREE breakfast was something they had never heard of it, so they jumped at this opportunity!

They slowly made their way around the showcase section taking in each tiny little detail.

Living room set ups, kitchens, and even miniature bathrooms were on display!

The mother - being the supreme interior decorator - was completely in heaven and the daughter - she was wishing she had a house of her own to decorate.

After getting ideas from the showcase they made their way down to the warehouse, where the shopping began!

It was all there::

Dishes,

frames {of every size and color},

plants & greenery,

and bolts of fabric too!

This place had it all;

a dream come true!

When there cart was all full and the money all spent,

they excitedly made their way to checkout...

They began talking and making plans for the next time they would visit this amazing place.

As they left they turned to get a last glimpse,

but then were on their way, anxious to put to use the items they had bought!

IKEA - a dream come true...

Have you ever been?? :)

Come see some of my photography over at Serendipity-Images.

"booed"

I came home the other day and noticed this in the window...

My parents had come home earlier to discover a bag full of goodies with a ghost stapled to it 

and these instructions inside.

OF COURSE, I got excited about this!!

(I was a PreSchool teacher for 3 years and I miss the excuse to act like a child...)

So we got two treat bags together and yesterday my mom and snuck around the neighborhood trying to find a house without a ghost in it's window.

It was a fun Halloween gesture and I am already looking forward to Thanksgiving...

perhaps there will be Turkey treat bags??? :)

Come see some of my photography over at Serendipity-Images.