Easter once again.

Easter weekend was so much fun! It started off with dying eggs at home... Kenna liked it, Gavin LOVED it. He was so sad when there were no more eggs to color. Or paint (he kept correcting me).

I'm standing on my tip toes... he is crouching

After, we had the annual Staheli Family Easter picnic. And as usual, it was a lot of fun.

It is always a good time, and you never know who is going to be there... literally, half of the time, I don't know half the people that come to it. But they are always nice and make some killer dutch oven potatoes, so I don't care who comes!!! We ate, ate, and ate some more. It was SO freaking good. These pictures are out of order... but I'm too lazy to fix them. Sorry.

Some of the people getting ready for the hunt.

One of Gav's best buddies.

Such divas.

What kid doesn't love climbing on hay stacks.

And jumping from them.

Yes, I know my extra chin makes me look super old.

My grandpa convinced McKenzi and I to get back on "a good horse".

Little story. When we were four or five, my grandpa got us on a "good, old horse" that never spooked or bucked. Needless to say, we ended up on the ground when the horse got scared... we haven't really been on a horse since. So we figured we would try it again. We went around twice and the horse started backing up so we got off. We were proud of ourselves.

As you can see (I think we were saying naughty words at this point)

This is how we all felt by the end of our excursion. Isn't that hilarious?!

Sunday was great as well... we woke up like normal (meaning I was yelling at everybody to get ready for church for 45 minutes), coming home, me yelling some more (I'm really good at it right now) and then us having a relaxing rest of day, a dinner at the in laws and then home for bed (thankfully)....

Garlic Herb Chicken con Broccoli.

Well, I'm not a very good promiser (I know, not a word) and haven't posted in a while. Anyway, here is another meal idea. If you want the original recipe click here. But, if I were you, I wouldn't follow it straight up. Here is why. The sauce has hardly any flavor if followed that way. I have been craving garlic (can PMS make you crave it?!) and maybe that is why I wasn't loving it at first. But I fixed it, and my familia ended up LOVING the food.

Oh, and double the recipe. For the chickens sake. Here is my new and improved version.

Garlic Herb Chicken con Broccoli

1 lb. chicken breasts with seasonings (1-2 tsp. dried basil, parsley and rosemary; 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes; salt and pepper to taste. Rub into chicken breasts. I just estimated the amount of seasonings)
2 tsp. olive oil
4 oz. dry pasta (I used medium shells)
1 c. heavy whipping cream
6 T. butter
6 tsp. minced garlic (if not more)
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 c. fresh broccoli florets
salt and pepper to taste (you will most likely want lots)
2 T. grated Parmesan cheese

Cook chicken in olive oil until done and browned. Set aside.

Cook pasta. Drain.

Stir butter and garlic in saucepan. Cook until garlic caramelizes. Add cream and cornstarch and stir on medium heat until thickened. Add pasta. Stir in chicken and broccoli and simmer until noodles are done.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste.

Divinie Breadsticks (super easy to make)

1 ½ cups warm water

1 tablespoon instant yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
3 ½ cups flour (I usually use a combination of unbleached all-purpose flour and white whole wheat flour but use whatever you have on hand!)
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter, melted (for the baking sheet)

Mix all ingredients (except melted butter) in a large bowl or electric mixer and knead for three minutes. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spread melted butter onto an 11X17-inch baking sheet. Roll out the breadstick dough about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick and cut into strips with a pizza cutter. Twist slightly if desired and place about 1/2-inch apart on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with garlic salt, herbs of choice (I vary this depending on my mood but it usually consists of rosemary, basil, or thyme in some form and crushed finely) and parmesan cheese. Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise 30 minutes. Bake 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees until golden brown.

Recipe found here.

I hope you enjoy. If not, go to Olive Garden and order it. Its delish!!!

Sweet and sour chicken.

I got this recipe here. My kids love it, the husband loves it, and I love it. I have even put chunks of green pepper and onion into it, and that is delish as well. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Yum-my!!!

Sweet and Sour Chicken
Printable Version

*Note: if you like extra sauce, double the sauce ingredients – pour half over the chicken and follow the baking directions in the recipe and pour the other half in a small saucepan. Cook the sauce on the stovetop at a simmer for 8-10 minutes until it reduces and thickens. Serve it on the side of the chicken.

*Serves 4-6

Chicken:
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup canola oil

Cut boneless chicken breasts into chunks. Season with salt and pepper. Dip chicken in cornstarch and then in egg. Fry in a little oil until brown but not cooked through. Place in a single layer in a baking dish. Mix sauce ingredients (below) together and pour over chicken.

Sauce:
¾ cup sugar
4 tablespoons ketchup
½ cup vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic salt

Bake for one hour at 325 degrees. Turn chicken every 15 minutes so it is evenly coated with the sauce. Serve over rice.