Chicken and Biscuits

This has been a favorite here at Monkeys & Peaches for quite some time now. I'm just barely getting around to posting about it... At any rate, enjoy! :)

What you need:

1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 1/2 Tbsp butter
2 large chicken breasts, sliced in thinner halves
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1 cup sour cream (plain Greek yogurt is a GREAT alternative!)
1/2 cup milk
1-2 cups frozen corn
1 can (8 count) refrigerated flaky biscuits
Cheddar and/or pepper jack cheese

What you do:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease bottom and sides of 11x7 baking dish.

2. Saute the onion in the butter until tender. Add chicken breasts and cook thoroughly, seasoning to your liking (we used garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes). Remove chicken and shred.

3. Combine onion, chicken, soup, sour cream, milk, and corn in a large bowl. Stir until well-blended.

4. Pour into prepared baking dish and bake for 15 minutes.

5. Pull out dish and arrange biscuits on top of the baked mixture in three rows lengthwise. We put three in the first row, two in the second, and three in the third so that they are "windowed" if that makes sense?

6. Add cheese until the top is nice and coated. It can be grated or sliced, it doesn't really matter. The pepper jack adds a nice little kick that makes the dish even better.

7. Return to oven and bake until golden brown and the sauce is bubbling (about 20 minutes).


Enjoy!! This can be served with rice, but we felt the biscuits already added enough starch. We served it with steamed broccoli which went really, really well together!!

Everything You Need to Plan Your Visit to Disneyland!

I apologize in advance for any snarkiness that may come out while I am writing this. It's not that I don't love you, or the job I held for almost seven years (that ended in 2008, btw), I am just tired of answering the same questions over and over and over again. If you feel singled out, please don't! I have lost count as to how many times this pops up in my message box or as a text or even email (who are you people?). :) This is why I figured the best thing to do is write it all down in one place so that I can simply refer people here instead of typing everything out. Again. Again again. These are just some of the many messages I have received:

Hey. We're thinking about going to Disneyland for (fill in the blank: birthday, holiday, vacation, summer, etc.). Do you know any good deals or inside tricks?
 
What is the very best time of year to go as far as good weather and no crowds?

Got a good friend heading to Disney LA in Dec...any advice on cheaper tix?

We found the iPhone app for finding the princesses. Any other gems you know of for a toddler?

We wanted to buy tickets today but I was wondering if you knew of the cheapest place to buy them at? We heard Costco down there? Is there a place online? What do you think?

Is it crazy busy during Christmas? Would we be crazy to go that time of year?

We have never been with a toddler. Any advice as to how to make the adventure successful? What is there to do with her? Should we get Disneyland only tickets? If you know of any advice, that would be great!

Any input you can share would be great!

I thought I would ask you if you had any good tips for me!

Hey, we are planning a family trip to Disneyland the end of September. Do you know any cheap ways to get a couple of park hopper passes? I would need three of them, probably just two day passes. Or do you know anyone who could get them for free?!!!

Can you still get me in for free?

I know you're not doing this to me on purpose, and I get that I would know the answers to your questions, but this is how I feel every. single. time.

 

SO. I am writing this post to be helpful. I don't have to repeat myself so much, and you get your answers.

Everyone wins. :)

****

I will say this a few times:

THE BEST PLACE TO GO FOR CURRENT AND RELEVANT INFORMATION IS

Disneyland.com

Here you will find park hours, ticket prices, what to do, places to stay, vacation packages (through the Walt Disney Travel Company which has some pretty sweet deals), entertainment schedules, etc. 

Most (if not ALL) of your questions can be found here. :) I have been gone for over five years and things have changed!!! I haven't seen let alone even know the name of the current parades and shows.

****

Though I hated the sites when I worked there because most of the posters are Disney know-it-alls, check out these unofficial Disney fan boards. They have a TON of information because they go to the parks all. the. time. Like daily. Seriously. They have inside sources into the company too somehow. They knew things way before I ever did. Remember, these are UNOFFICIAL, so you can't hold the poor Disney people accountable for anything you find on these boards.

http://micechat.com/miceage-wp/

http://www.mouseplanet.com/

****

I do realize that there are some unusual questions that you can't readily find on the official page, so here are the most FAQs I answer. Remember, my answers are FIVE YEARS OLD. They might be relevant still, maybe not.

When is the best time to go for crowds/weather?

This all depends on what you want to see and do. The longer the operating hours, the more crowds they expect so the more entertainment options they offer. Fireworks are not held Mon-Thu during the off season (10-8 operating hours). Don't care about fireworks, parades, shows, etc.? Go during the week.

After Labor Day through about mid-October it's not as busy but it can be hot and dry thanks to the Santa Ana winds. Jan and Feb are great for low crowds but you might get rain. Some attractions close for the rain. Check Disneyland.com for this. 

Also check the website for any attraction refurbishment schedules. They have a rotating schedule EVERY YEAR for attractions to be closed down. They post this well in advance on the website so you don't get all the way there just to find out Space Mountain is closed for three months. Keep in mind, attractions can also go down throughout the day spontaneously for any number of reasons. They will probably open again later. THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN/IF THAT WILL HAPPEN SO DON'T ASK. 

The best time to visit might be after all the Spring Breaks are over but before all the schools get out, so May through mid-June but not Memorial Day weekend.

Check out Disneyland.com and look at the operating hours for when you plan to be there. 10-8 is a projected low attendance day. Anything outside of that (including weekends), they're expecting crowds.

How about discounted tickets?

The best deals were always through travel company packages or City Pass. One day deals don't exist. They just don't. Well, I guess if you count saving $2 per person a deal, then sure. That was the discount for one-day tickets at ALL Costcos nationwide, the local hotels, etc. Again, this information is from when I worked there. It might have changed since then.

I'd do something with a travel company. You get some extra perks like going in early. I think Fun Sun Vacations was a really popular one. Even the Walt Disney Travel Company has some sweet deals.  

Any advice on going with young children?
Best general advice is go when it first opens, take a break during the middle/hottest/busiest time of the day. That way they get their naps still, and you don't get worn out either. Trust me on this.

Come back later in the afternoon.

Stay until after the fireworks if possible. The biggest mass exodus happens immediately after the parades and shows. Hang out on a bench eating a churro until the crowds thin out. You'd just be waiting to exit, waiting to get on the tram, waiting to exit the property, etc.  

Have a plan of the things you want to do, but allow for alternatives and options. You won't be able to do it all! Prioritize!! 

Minimize walking 1,000 miles by going in a circle around the park as you go about your day. Don't go back and forth. Plan your route.

You can bring food/snacks in, just no meals and no glass bottles/jars. There aren't any microwaves to heat up the baby food, so bring the kinds that don't need to be heated. I highly recommend the pouches that can easily be found in the baby food aisles. No spoons, no fuss.
 
I have heard that there are awesome new apps to make your visit even easier with regards to wait times, character findings, etc. I have NO idea what they are or how they work. Check out any of the fan boards for info on those.
 
Can you still get me in for free?

I have a hard enough time trying to get my own little family in. Someone has to take time out of their day (usually their day off) to come down, park, meet us, and then sign us in. I don't know too many people that still work there. I hate asking for myself, let alone any extension of mine. Please don't ask me.

****

All that being said, HAVE FUN. If you have any other questions that you'd like me to address in here, let me know!!

It's Sad

First of all, everything is OK with us! The title of this post is in regards to a situation that keeps happening. Sadly, it will keep happening too.

Death from drugs.

There is no way to justify that this happens. Period. Notice I didn't say death from "abuse" because it can happen the first time of use. Becoming addicted to or abusing drugs wouldn't happen if there never was a first time. I am talking about recreational drug use. I'm not here to condemn or judge people for doing so. They are not "bad" people and I certainly don't believe they are going to "Hell." We all make mistakes in our own way and I do believe that we all will have to answer for them to a higher power (God) one day. What I am saying is that it shouldn't be happening. There is simply no good reason for doing drugs. Never, not ever ever. Not even once. NEVER.  

My heart hurts when I think of the tremendous talent we have lost from drugs.

John Belushi
Chris Farley
Judy Garland
Jimi Hendrix
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Whitney Houston
Janis Joplin
Heath Ledger
Marilyn Monroe
Cory Monteith
River Phoenix
Elvis Presley
Amy Winehouse
Kurt Cobain
Bradley Nowell

This list could go on and on. Sadly, it does.

While suicide (even more sadness) does happen, I honestly don't think that most people that do drugs sit down and say to themselves, "Hey, I might die from doing this, but I don't care if this kills me!" They probably don't want to die, they probably think they are "safe" and that it couldn't happen to them.

"It's my first time using it, I'll be OK."
"I've used it before and been fine, I'll be OK."

THIS is why it's sad. THIS is why it will keep happening.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Since I'm being all domesticated today, I'll share something else that I made today for poor Todd since he's sick still.

This recipe was the search result one night for a pregnancy craving. Boy oh boy it did NOT disappoint. Todd ate "lots" from that first batch and immediately requested them on a weekly basis. They take a little extra prep time because you have to slice, peel, and then dice the apples, but they are SO SO worth it!! Here's the original recipe. I've only tweaked it a tiny bit. Oh and the listed prep time is 5 minutes. HA. More like 20. :)

What you need:

2 cups flour (+2 tsp for coating apples)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon (+1/2 for coating apples)
2 cups peeled and diced apples (I found this takes about 1 & 1/2 apples, but I used 2 for more bits!)
1/2 cup butter, softened (+ enough to brush the tops after baking)
1 cup sugar*
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk

What you do:

1.  Preheat oven to 375. Grease and flour bottoms and sides of a standard muffin tin (12 muffins), making sure to discard any excess flour.

2.  Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.

3.  Toss together diced apples, 2 tsp of flour, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon in a separate bowl. Set aside.

4. Cream together butter and sugar until lightened in color, about 3 minutes. Add an egg, one at a time, taking care to fully incorporate before adding the other. Mix in vanilla.

5.  Gently fold in flour mixture, alternating with milk. Stir until just combined. Fold in apple mixture.

6. Scoop (I use a small metal ice cream scoop that is SO handy, especially for portioning cookies! Like this one.) into prepared muffin tins. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 20 minutes.

7. Once muffins have baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly in the muffin tin on a wire rack. This is where I start to deviate from the original recipe. Her topping calls for using 1/2 a CUP of cinnamon!!! That seemed a little much for me, and all the reviews said the same. So I just brushed butter onto the tops and then sprinkled a cinnamon/sugar (equal parts of each to your liking) mix on top. Place onto a plate to finish cooling.

8. Enjoy warm if you can!




*My second batch began my foray into using agave nectar instead of sugar. All you have to do is use 3/4 cup agave instead of the 1 cup of sugar, reduce the milk by a little (it says to use 1/3 less, but who has time for fraction division?!), reduce the oven temp by 25 degrees (so 350 here), and reduce the baking time by 10 minutes. I already reduce what the original called for (30 minutes) to 20, and that seemed perfect for the agave batch as well (so no change in time). They were just as good and we could not tell the difference! My next variation will be to use honey.

Potato Cheese Soup

This recipe came to us right after Rylin was born. Todd's Mom came and stayed with us to help out around the house and make delicious meals!

One day, sometime around noon, I woke up out of my first-child-newborn-nursing haze to the smell of bacooooon. By the time I pulled some sort of clothing on and stumbled out of my room, I was too late! It was not meant for breakfast, but soup?! Grumble, grumble... it better be worth it.

It. Was.


What you need:

1 pound of bacon, cooked extra crispy and chopped
2 Tbsp (or so) of the bacon drippings
1 bunch green onions, chopped
4 celery stalks, chopped
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
6-8 potatoes, scrubbed and diced
1-2 cups corn
2 cans chicken broth
4 Tbsp flour
Salt
Pepper
Milk
Heavy cream
Grated cheddar cheese (I know you're using Tillamook. Right? RIGHT?!)


What you do:

1. In a small saucepan, sauté the onions in the bacon drippings. I guess you can use butter if you're not awesome. ;)

2. Add the celery, carrots, potatoes, corn, bacon, and chicken broth to your large stockpot on medium heat.

3. Once the onions are done, add the flour to them to make a roux. You'll have to add some broth from your stockpot to avoid using a ton of fat here. Sorry. Once the flour is completely dissolved, add the mixture to your stockpot. Add salt and pepper.

4. Add milk or water if needed to make sure your veggies are nice and covered.

5. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer for about 25 minutes. When your carrots and potatoes are soft enough to be cut easily, it's ready.

6. Add enough (about a cup) heavy cream to give the soup a nice creamy consistency.

7. Add enough grated cheese to your liking. I use about 2 cups.

8. Serve and enjoy. If you're Todd or Evan, go back for seconds. :)

Homemade Mac and Cheese

Maybe it's because I am tired of trying to find the tiny piece of paper I have this written down on even though I have it memorized, or maybe it's because it's too good not to share with you all, but here is my favorite recipe for mac and cheese EVAR. I don't even have a picture to share with you because I eat it too quickly.

Trust me when I say I searched far and wide for something that would hit the exact spot I was looking for. It had to be creamy (without using Velveeta [gross!] or cream cheese [who regularly has this on hand??]), and salty (but not too much), not bland (using the right brand [Tillamook] of cheese really helps), and easy to make (only 5 ingredients that you are sure to have!). I have one or two others that are really good, but take longer or need more ingredients. This is by far the easiest!

I'm a little biased about Tillamook cheese because it's all we ever had while growing up in Washington. I have completely converted Todd over and let's just say the love of good cheese runs in my family. If you take anything from my Blog, take this: SWITCH TO TILLAMOOK CHEESE NOW AND FOREVER. You're life will never be the same and you'll thank me later.

They're seriously not kidding with the World's Best claim.

At any rate, now that you know what kind of cheese to buy next time at the store, you are ready to make the featured dish of this post!

What you need:

2 Tbsp salted butter (yes, you can use unsalted but it will be bland)

2 Tbsp flour (yes, can use whole wheat or a combination, it just makes it more grainy and... chewy?)

1 tsp salt (NOT optional unless you want it bland)

1 cup milk (the lowest you should go is 1% or it won't be creamy)

1 cup (or more!) medium cheddar cheese, shredded (yes you can use mild and it will be bland, yes you can use sharp and it will be... tangy??)

What you do:

1. Cook your pasta. I'm pretty sure you know how to do this already. Use any kind you like, but I highly recommend rotini (spirals), conchiglie (shells), or anything that has a lot of texture and grooves that can hold more cheese sauce! Drain it (do not rinse) and set aside. Oh, and make any amount you want because having cooked pasta on hand is really never a bad idea.

2. In the same pot (less dishes!), melt the butter completely over medium heat.

3. Add the flour and stir until well-blended. It will look like a paste at this point.

4. Add the salt and stir until well-blended. Still paste here.

5. Add the milk and keep over medium heat, stirring until paste dissolves/mixes with the milk well.

6. Add the cheese and stir until completely melted.

7. Keep over medium heat and stir until the sauce thickens. Don't walk away! You might burn the bottom of your sauce and then you'd be very sad. So would I. You will know when the sauce is thickened because it will not be runny/milky/thin anymore.

8. Remove from heat and pour whatever amount you desire over dished pasta.

9. Enjoy and go back for seconds. And thirds if there's any left...

OPTIONAL (I have never been patient enough to wait for this but it's still way good):

8. Remove from heat and pour over pasta that you have placed in a casserole baking dish. Either your square brownie pan or a small rectangle pan will work great.

9. Sprinkle the top with even more grated cheese (as much as you want!). Do not cover!

10. Bake at 350 for 1/2 hour.

Scary

*This entry contains information regarding blood and other pregnancy related details. Read at your own discretion.*



I've written before that it's hard to be overly excited when you're pregnant after a loss. Every twinge or odd sensation sends me off into a spin of, "What was that?! Am I losing the baby?!"

It's especially bad because I know the stress is not good for myself or the baby. Telling yourself to calm down just doesn't seem to work. Distraction sometimes does.

I've been having a few episodes of what is called "spotting" or otherwise seeing blood when you're not supposed to. I called the Midwife and been directed twice now within the last month to come in and get checked out. Both times they have determined everything is "OK" and I might just have to deal with this throughout my entire pregnancy.


Awesome.


At least part of the making-sure-everything-is-fine process meant I got another ultrasound and saw the tiny little heart beating away. I also got to hear the heartbeat for the first time. It's "high" at about 160 which in old wives' tales means it's a girl. I'm OK with that. :) I hope we can wait to find out. Maybe. Part of me is worried the tech might blurt it out or not have us look away at the right time.

The nausea hasn't let up as much as I hoped. I am officially at the start of my 2nd trimester when everything is "supposed" to ease up. Meh. It's for sure not as frequent (meaning all day every day), but it's still often enough and severe enough to take me out of commission.

All that being said, I am so so so so so SO grateful that I am pregnant again, even with all the grossness. I continue to have friends and family members that are struggling with infertility and my heart aches for them. Infertility sucks, and there's really nothing that can be said to ease that pain.

So I will put my big-girl pants on and deal with the heartburn and the nausea and the bloating and the cravings and the exhaustion, because I know it is all. So. Worth. It.