Remember that nice long list of places Eric applied for residency? So far he's gotten 10 interviews and actually been on one (to Louisville, which he really liked!). We're gearing up for being gone the next several weekends to fun places like Charlottesville, VA, Charleston, SC, and Baltimore, MD. Then he gets about a two week break, and he's off on at least five more. Yikes!
My parents came to visit last week, which was really fun, but kept us busy! We spent a lot of time the week before converting Eric's office into a second guest room since our current guest room is going baby. Then we went all over the place while they were here (and ate some delicious meals at places like Village Tavern and On the Border. Yum!) Their church was super-sweet to collect baby gifts to send to us and so we got to have a little mini-shower when they got here (minus the cake!). It was basically like Christmas!
Getting all those gifts prompted me to start working on that baby room more. It's coming along slowly, but there's still sooo much stuff we need to get! I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever get it done on time! I'm trying not to stress about it, but I can't seem to find a [reasonably priced] dresser to match the crib, or a [reasonably priced] comfy chair to rock him in - two pretty important pieces of furniture. We're leaving a guest bed in the room (for me to sleep in the first couple of weeks when I'm nursing constantly), but now I find myself wanting a new comforter that matches a little better... I know it will all come together, but three months isn't feeling like that long anymore!!
I've also been being uber-stubborn about continuing to run. It's harder some days than others and it takes up a lot of time, but I feel soooo much better when I do that it's totally worth it! I ran a 5K yesterday and I'm planning on doing one more before the baby comes, though that one will include a bit of walking I imagine! :-)
I keep meaning to blog about our trip to Niagara Falls last month too, but I never seem to have our camera handy. One day I will get around to it!
And, of course, I've still been trying to cook some, although I've been a little less picky about how often we eat out since I know we won't be able to anymore in a few months! Here's some things that turned out well:
Chicken & Spinach Pinwheels
OMG Yum. I made these for a potluck and they were gone in minutes!
1 cup (or so) chopped spinach (I'm not super careful with my measurements)
1/4 c. chopped onion (or some onion powder if you're short!)
1 clove garlic (garlic powder...)
2 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled (you could probably use Bac-os, but who would want to?)
1/2 c. finely chopped cooked chicken
3/4 c. cheese of your choice
1/4 c. mayo
1 can crescent rolls
Heat oven to 375. In a small skillet, cook onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes in EVOO. Remove from heat and mix in spinach, bacon, chicken, cheese and mayo. Unroll crescents into one large rectangle. Spread mixture onto rectangle and roll. Cut into approx. 20 slices and bake for 10-15 minutes
Easy Squash Bake
I sort of combined a few recipes here, but the result was De-Lish!
2-3 medium squash or zucchini, thinly sliced
1 c. grated cheese
2 Tbs. EVOO or butter (I spritzed some I Can't Believe it's Not Butter instead)
1/4 c. panko crumbs
A few shakes of Mrs. Dash or other seasonsing
Heat oven to 350. Grease an 8x8 pan with cooking spray. Arrange squash on the bottom of the pan. Cover with cheese, then top with panko crumbs and seasoning. Spritz EVOO or butter over the top. Bake for about 30 minutes or until squash is tender.
Nutella Cookies
Easiest. Cookies. Ever.
1 c. Nutella
1 c. flour
1 egg
1/2 c. sugar, if desired (they're pretty sweet without it!)
Mix ingredients together. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 350.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Veggies
I thought this was great. Eric thought it was so-so. Picky man.
3/4 lb. baby carrots
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 c. flour
1 1/2 lbs. chicken (breasts, thighs, whatever you want to use!)
1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
1/2 c. dry white wine
1/2 c. chicken broth
6 biscuits, split (I just used Grands!)
1 c. frozen peas (I skipped that - we're not pea fans)
1/2 c. heavy cream
salt and pepper as desired
In a large slow cooker, toss veggies in flour. Place chicken on top and sprinkle with poultry seasoning. Add wine and broth. 15 minutes before serving, add cream, salt and pepper. To serve, place the bottom half of the biscuits on a plate or in a shallow bowl and top with chicken and veggies.
Anyway, that's a quick peek at what's been going on around here! Hopefully I will get around to updating again soon. :-) Until next time!
