My family history

For some reason (and I have no idea what or where it came from), I was suddenly inspired to research my family history. I'm guessing part of it comes from the lack of motivation to do my school work for the week just before spring break (I mean, c'mon...it's time for a break!). However, how this particular topic came to me, I don't know.

I remember that many years ago (like, grade school...I think it was 4th grade) I had an assignment to make a family tree. Mom did the "digging" and asked my grandparents who our ancestors were and we made a poster that I still have at their house. I think I'm going to dig it out when I get home at the end of this week.

However, in the interim, I did some digging on my own on the internet and was able to trace my maternal grandmother's history back to the 1600's. I recognized a lot of the names from my poster that I did way back when...and it's really neat. I was able to go back 12 generations (which was a surprise to me).

I think I have found a new hobby. Maybe I'll be able to trace some of the other branches of my family. I'm excited about this!

Ranch chicken

So, I'm sure that someone out there has come up with this recipe. No doubt. However, after some searching, I didn't find one like this and thus the experiment began! Unfortunately, my better half took off for Florida yesterday morning and left me here all alone so he didn't get to be the guinea pig for this recipe (he claims to enjoy it...I guess because he's getting fed and doesn't have to cook).

So, here's what I used:

• 2 chicken breasts (no, I didn't eat all, or even half of that, but it's silly not to make enough for at least 2 meals for me
• 1 cup of chicken broth (I used 1 cup of water and 1 chicken bouillon cube)
• 1/2 package of dry ranch dressing mix
• 1/2 cup of milk
• Flour as needed
• Olive oil

Here's what you do:

Old Disney movies

I love watching old Disney films. I, often times, enjoy animated films more than live action movies. Here are some of my favorite animated classics from my childhood:

• Fantasia (1940)
• Cinderella (1950)
• Alice in Wonderland (1951)
• One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
• The Aristocats (1970)
• The Little Mermaid (1989)
• Beauty and the Beast (1991)
• Aladdin (1992)
• The Lion King (1994)

See a theme here? Lots of princesses and animals.

Random thoughts strung together

I have a bunch of random thoughts that were running through my head last night during my insomnia run -- and some are still running through my mind today. So, I'll share them with you in a bulleted fashion. (Warning: one thought is not guaranteed to flow nicely into the next. You have been forewarned.)

• When Jon and I get married, we have planned to take pictures prior to the ceremony so that we are not away from the reception for hours while we get all those necessary family pictures. This being the case, there will be a "reveal" that takes place between him and I. This will be his first chance to see me all dressed up in my gown, with my hair done and my face all made up. It will also be my first chance to see my soon-to-be husband that day -- and I couldn't get that out of my mind as I was trying to sleep last night. I was trying to imagine what his face is going to look like when he sees me. I was trying to imagine a scenario that I didn't cry in. I was trying to imagine myself with the gown and my hair/make up all done...in other words, imagine myself as a bride. I've seen the dress on me. I think I know how I want my hair. But, I haven't seen all that together. I'm rather excited to be able to see it all together. So, that was something I was thinking about (and if something was going to run through my mind and not let me sleep, I'm okay with that being it).

My twist on "aloha chicken"

There is a cookbook that I was given several years ago that has LOTS of delicious recipes in it. I haven't made nearly 1/4 of them but the ones I have tried have not been disappointing. One of my favorites is called "aloha chicken". Delicious! First I'll give you the original recipe and then I'll share my twist on it with you.


Original recipe: