March 14, 2011

Our day started off with a very foggy morning.  I thought the sun looked cool peeking through the trees.  This picture doesn't really do it justice, but it captures the idea.

Shila ready for gymnastics class.

 Shila's class.  We are able to watch in the hallway through a glass viewing window.

A couple pictures of Keaton waiting for Shila to get out of class.

When Ellary got home from school I suggested we go to the park and enjoy the beautiful 80 degree day we were having.  The girls wanted to stay home and make a treat instead.  We took a quick look on Pinterest for a recipe to make cookie bars.  I didn't feel like making individual cookies.  We decided on these Black Bottom Cookie Bars.

Ellary making the base cookie recipe.

The girls favorite part... adding chocolate.

 Combining the two layers.

 Keaton was happily playing while we baked.

 After taking so much time baking I needed a quick dish to make for dinner.

Years ago, when I lived in San Diego, I bought a cookbook from my boss's kid.  It was for a school fundraiser and it was all recipes that were submitted by home economics teachers.  One of the recipes I have used a number of times is Chicken and Parmesan Potatoes.  It is a quick one pot dish that everyone in the family will eat.  You dredge the chicken in bread crumbs and parm then brown it on both sides in a fry pan.  Next you add one can of potatoes, including the liquid, and sprinkle with the remaining bread crumbs and parm.  Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Super easy and quick.  This time I removed my chicken at the end and reduced the remaining liquid to use as a pan sauce for the potatoes.  I highly recommend this step.  I have also been so sick of boneless skinless chicken breasts lately that I have been using boneless skinless thighs instead.  They have so much more flavor.  I accompanied this with one of my favorites... roasted Brussels sprouts.  

Time for dessert!

The girls couldn't wait any longer (I made them eat dinner first) so we cut into these before they were completely cooled.   They were super tasty.