Mike and Maty's Chicken

Anyone remember 'The Mike and Maty Show'? The show aired in about 1994 and wasn't on for very long. My sister-in-law was a big fan and taped the show while she was at work to watch in the evenings. She was still living at home with her parents, so if my hubby and I were visiting his parents on a week night, inevitably we ended up watching 'Mike and Maty'.

I was recently having one of those "what in the world are we going to have for dinner" nights, when I remembered that a long, long time ago I had written down a recipe from an episode of 'Mike and Maty'. I had made the recipe once or twice over the years, but not for a long time. This prompted me to get out my favourite cookbook and begin going through all the recipes I have shoved in the front over the years. The recipes I've shoved in the front may actually exceed the actual numnber of recipes in the book! I was looking for that light pink piece of paper that had been torn in half. Isn't it funny how we can remember the silliest details, but can't remember where we left our cell phone? I found the paper and to my delight, I had all the ingredients for the recipe. Since I have been helping my oldest get her Grade 9 credit for Home Economics, I decided to have her make the majority of the recipe. (When you homeschool it's amazing what you can classify as "school"!) MacKenzie did a great job and the recipe turned out even better than I remembered. No one else in my family remembered ever having eaten it before!

So, if you are wondering what to have for dinner and want something easy and tasty, why not try "Mike and Maty's Chicken".

3 or 4 boneless breasts of chicken cut in bite sized pieces
Shake in 1/2 cup of flour and a bit of salt
Brown in 1 tbsp of butter

All in one bowl, add ...
1/2 cup of chopped celery
1/2 cup of red pepper
1/2 cup green pepper'
1/2 cup onion'
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp pepper
1 cup ketchup (She used 1/2 cup ketchup and 1/2 cup chili sauce)
1 cup water

Mix it up, add to the browned chicken, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

We served it with basmati rice (my personal favourite!) and canned peas.

YUM!

Father's Day

Father's Day was this past weekend. I am blessed to have my dad (and mom) here for a visit from Iowa and so we spent the day together. I am blessed to have a father that was always pro-active about providing for his family and teaching us right from wrong. My dad appears to be very staunch and business-like, but I know what a tender heart he has. He is man enough to let the tears roll without being ashamed. For the first 9 years of my life, my dad was a banker, but since then he has pastored.

My Dad and I ... Father's Day 2008

In honour of Father's Day I'll share a story that happened recently to my hubby. He was standing talking to his friend Jeff about very important "musician things". Jeff was holding his 2 year old beautiful daughter, Celeste. The two men were deeply engaged in discussing the benefits of the latest model of ear monitors, prices, upgrades etc. etc. As they talked, Celeste kept trying to interrupt. "Daddy, daddy ... I want to tell you something."

And then again ... "I need to tell you something, Daddy".

Jeff gently kept reminding her, "Just a minute, Celeste." The two men continued talking.

Finally, Celeste couldn't wait any longer. She put one of her tiny hands on each of Jeff's cheeks, turned his face towards her and said, "Daddy, I just need to tell you that I LOVE YOU!" Both men completely melted in tears.

I'm thankful for a heavenly Father who is my provider, my peace giver and my protector. Abba ... Daddy ... I just need to tell you that I LOVE YOU!

Thoughts ...

Over the last few weeks the Lord has been highlighting some things to me over and over again. There haven't been flashing neon lights, but the same things keep jumping out when someone is speaking or when I'm reading something. Thought I'd share.

• TRUTH (see this previous post) My mom always ends up with a "word for the year" ... Truth is my word for 2008.
• Use wisdom
• Get the facts before you jump to conclusions
• My children will inherit one of two things: my fears or God's promises (Lisa Bevere)
• When God asks me to do something, I MUST obey immediately ... no matter how much people won't understand
• How can anyone have a proper relationship with God when their earthly relationships are so messed up ... and yet, we can't fix those earthly relationships on our own, we need God to help us
• I can't do anything on my own, but I can do all things through Him who gives me strength!
• There is a school bus company from our town that uses the logo "On the Journey of Learning" ... I feel like that wraps up my life in a nutshell