Happiness

I came across this poster recently and it really made me think. How often do we (I) keep doing things that don't really make us (me) happy. I've been busy making changes lately and trying to get out of a few ruts. Change is good!

Air and Space Museum - Udvar-Hazy Center

We've visited the Air and Space Museum in DC a few times but hadn't been to their companion facility in Chantilly, VA. Today was the day. We spent the day taking it all in. On display, among many other aircraft, were the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the Enola Gay, and the Space Shuttle Enterprise. Fun day. Kurt was in his glory ;-)

Budget Date Night

I love a bargain! Tonight our date night consisted of dinner at TGI Friday's (buy one entree, get one entree free), and 2 tickets to see "Beastly," purchased through livingsocial.com (2 tickets for $9.00). Total savings = $22.50! Woot Woot!!!

Evening Stroll

Kurt and I took a walk tonight through a park near our apartment. It was a peaceful evening and it was nice to get out after being pent up in our apartment because of cold weather. This park is named Signal Hill because it was a Confederate observation post during the civil war during the initial stages of the First Battle of Manassas. This is where the first use of wig-wag signals during wartime occured. A memorial across the street claims this was the first telecommunication on a battlefield.

Not Quite - But Almost!

Kurt and I have been on a quest for some decent Mexican food ever since we arrived here in Virginia. We've been so spoiled living in California to be able to enjoy yummy authentic Mexican food. Not so much here on the east coast. Tonight we went with Howard and Sharal to one of their favorite Mexican restaurants in Leesburg. It's definitely the best we've had since we moved here, but I'd give anything for some Tijuana Taqueria carnitas!

Tuscan Garden Chicken

Dinner was SO yummy tonight.

TUSCAN GARDEN CHICKEN

Ingredients
4 each (4 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 cups flour, plus 1 tablespoon
1 Tbsp salt
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 lb fettuccine pasta, cooked according to package directions
5 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp garlic, chopped
1 red pepper, julienne cut
1/2 cup white wine (I use chicken broth)
1/2 lb whole leaf spinach, stemmed
2 cups heavy cream
1 cups Parmesan cheese, grated

Procedures
Pre-heat oven to 350ºF.

1. MIX 1½ cups flour, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning in a shallow dish. Dredge chicken in the mixture, shaking off any excess.
2. HEAT 3 Tbsp oil in a large skillet. Cook chicken breasts 2 at a time over medium-high heat until golden brown and crisp (2-3 min). Add more oil for each batch as necessary.
3. PLACE cooked chicken breasts on a baking sheet and transfer to preheated oven. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
4. HEAT 2 Tbsp oil in a sauce pan. Add garlic and red pepper and cook for approximately 1 minute. Stir in 1 Tbsp flour, wine (chicken broth), spinach and cream and bring to a boil. Sauce is done when spinach becomes wilted. Complete by stirring in parmesan cheese.
5. COAT cooked, drained pasta with sauce, then top with chicken and remaining sauce. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese.

Oh Thank Heaven!

We're still in hog heaven having a 7-11 on almost every corner here in Virginia. We had to drive almost 25 miles for a Slurpee in California. Guess what we did after Family Home Evening tonight?