Creamy Chicken Bake

I thought since I went grocery shopping last week, it would be prudent to use up several of the perishable items before they go bad. I am really horrible about that. I have no idea what nights I'll be home and what nights I'll be out, it all depends on my mood half the time. Whether I feel like I want to go eat out with friends after work or if I'm not all that hungry after work because I had a big lunch. Anyways I decided to have a friend over for dinner and I decided to make what I consider comfort food. Some creamy, something with wine, and anything with pasta. I first made this recipe for my sister in law Madeleine a few years back when her Aunt was our dinner guest but for some reason had just been sitting in my inbox since then. I added a thing or two here and there but the recipe is very simple and turns out perfectly.

Yield: 6-8 ( if using regular sized breasts)
Main Ingredient: Chicken
Cuisine: American

Tags: Main dishes, Poultry, Cheese, Parmes, Chicken, Cream, Butter, Garlic, Parmesan, Wine, White wine, Dinner, Spring, Comforting

Ingredients:
4 whole Chicken Breasts ( i  used 4 thin sliced chicken breasts)
4 slices Swiss Cheese (I used the pre sliced kind and broke them in half)
1 10-oz can Cream of Chicken Soup
1/4 c Dry white wine
1 c Herb seasoned stuffing mix (or crumbled ritz crackers ect similar)
1/4 c Butter; melted
Garlic powder; (opt.)
2 tb Parmesan cheese; (opt.)

Instructions:

Arrange split (if using whole chicken breasts), skinned and boned chicken breasts in a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish. Top with cheese slices. Combine soup and wine; stir well. Spoon sauce evenly over chicken and sprinkle with crushed stuffing mix.

Drizzle butter over stuffing. If desired, sprinkle with garlic powder and Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 45 to 55 minutes. I baked for 40 minutes for 4 thin sliced breasts and it turned out perfect.

I then decided to make some risotto to put the chicken over and let me tell you, risotto has a special place in my heart after traveling to Italy. Seems like anything you put over in with it, will soak up that flavor. I like how risotto isn't sticky and its not very grainy like rice. Maybe I'm just not a master at cooking rice but risotto is easy and simple and tastes good with just about everything. 

I topped off the meal with some baked asparagus, nothing special. Just salt, pepper, and a little bit of lemon juice for tenderness. Baked on 350 for ~ 15-20 min. I wasn't keeping very good track of the timer, I just put them in when the chicken was atleast halfway done. 

Sorry, no gourmet picture. I'm not good at taking pictures with my nice camera while I cook but I used my cell so pardon the poor quality. ENJOY!

+AMDG+

June Bug

I can't believe it is already June 1st! I really don't know where time has gone. My mom always told once you get a "real" job you'll know the same feeling about how quickly time goes. I guess I am finally starting to experience that, and I don't know how to stop it! I feel like I'm doing tons of stuff and my days are packed as it is, but yet you always find time to do something else. Part of the reason I haven't written really much at all lately is because this is the first weekend I have been in town since mid March. Between weddings, family events, birthday parties, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and more weddings I have been out of town for the past few months. I get exhausted thinking about all the traveling I have been doing but now that is all slowing down. I guess I'll just try to highlight what I have been doing in the past several weekends but I could very well write a novel.

April

Bacon, Apple, and Gouda Pizza- Sorry I'm really bad about blogging anything I make but I am usually pretty good at atleast getting a picture of the finished product.

Picture with my sweet niece Maris and Nephew Jack on Easter Sunday. Yes, even Shakespeare made and appearance in the picture. What can I say, the kids love him.

I had my lovely friends from Reno/Tahoe area come and visit me for a few days after Easter. This is at the local minor league team, the Charleston River Dog's stadium. Best part about the night... "So how do you girls know each other? ... we all dated the same guy... *people in stands suddenly turn around and give a look of utter shock* priceless. Needless to say we were not the problem in the relationship.

Me and one of my best friend's Joy Beth at her dress rehearsal for her wedding. Such a gorgeous lady!

The back of my hair for Joy's wedding, thought it was funny that my hair looks somewhat like the clock in the background of this picture. Thanks Christi at Fringe Salon in Evans, GA!

The bride and I. I was so blessed to be her Maid of Honor and watch her marry the love of her life, Max. Front view of hair style- loved my hair!

Another reason I was busy, Joy asked Me and another friend to help design her candy table for her wedding, I made the "Just Married" signs, candy bags and helped coordinate candy and such.

Ok now for my 2nd wedding of April that I was in, Dorita's wedding! I did my hair myself for this wedding and it turned out great, I had to pat myself on the back for this one.

A picture of the bridal party for the wedding. I know what you're thinking too... let's just say I'm quite diverse. =)

A little blurry but a picture of me with the new Mr. and Mrs. Lattany. I had 4 classes with Dorita my freshman year in college and atleast 1 with Melvin somewhere along the way.

 My sister and my niece came to visit me in April and we took Maris to the beach for the first time and she absolutely loved it, even the water. 

May

My Mother, my sister Monica, Maris and I at Maris's 1st Birthday Party.

Playing airplane with Maris in the play room, pay no attention to that giant vein in my forehead. Dang it made you look for it. 

My sister in law Madeleine and my niece Emma happened to be in town too! I definitely don't get to see them often at all since they life in NYC. My two sisters and my two precious nieces. 

Maris's smash cake. Her big brother, Jack, is helping her blow out her candle.

Picture of me before Lindsey and Brett's wedding in Sand Key Beach, FL. 

Picture of the happy couple, the reception site was beautiful and she did an amazing job picking out colors and decorations!

And more visitors! Kurt and Sheila came to visit me from Colorado and Miami. I had a great time hanging out with Sheila and seeing Kurt again, 5 years is too long to go without seeing a friend.

Kurt and Sheila at South End Brewery downtown Charleston. We were the 3 Muskateers for the weekend

Kurt and I planking it. lol.

At Shem Creek park near my house, I was sad to have such fun people leave.

There was too much fun to be had in the last few months but I am looking forward to some down time and having a chance to explore my new hometown. I look forward to many more visitors and seeing what  other gems are hidden in this paradise of a town.

+AMDG+

Hiatus

I've definitely been in a blogging funk since arriving to Charleston... and I think mostly its because I have been so busy since I've been here, which I'm grateful for. I had quite the opposite notion that I would be spending a lot of time in my apartment and "homemaking" but in reality I am gone 2-3 evenings out of the week doing something with "Lucis Via" the Catholic young adult group here in Charleston. I really am so blessed that I have already found a group of people that I can call friends and I can count on. I've been doing some fun activities lately with friends, I will post several pictures to document the happenings so far but I am ashamed to say I haven't been faithful with picture taking. So my few pictures will have to suffice. 

I am loving Charleston but my wallet isn't loving it quite as much, the sales tax here is a whole 1.25% higher than back at home so that is a big change for me and there are so many great places to shop here. I had my first out of town guest 2 weekends ago... my friend joy beth came to visit me in her last few weeks of singledom. She gets married April 14 and I am her maid of honor. I'm trying to enjoy the few times I get to have with my single friends since it seems that most of my friends are married or getting married. Nothing against my married friends but it is not God's timing for me right now and I am not going to try to make anything happen or seek out someone just because I'm single. I'm still healing from my previous break up and I want to be as whole as I can be for the person God has in store for me. I am really trying to focus this lent on healing and forgiving, just as Jesus forgave the people who sang his praises just a week before and then sentenced him to death. He is the only one who can put my heart at peace and who can make my spirit whole again. 

I've also been reading the Hunger Games series recently and I have to say I am hooked! I still have to read the third book "Mockingjay" but I have to admit I'm 'Team Peeta.' Something that I love about a guy that is  so constant. 

Anyways glad to be back to the blogging world. Writing things out always seems to make things feel better. Hope everyone had a great Saint Patrick's day! 

Katherine and I at the Sullivan's Island Oyster Roast

At the MUSC Wine tasting night at the Charleston Aquarium, thanks to my friend Justin

My friend Justin and I at the Charleston Stingray's Hockey Game

My niece Maris and my nephew Jack on my Dad's Birthday

My friend Joy and I at her bridal shower

Saint Patty's Day/Maggie's Birthday Party with Katherine

+AMDG+

Trendy Me

Well I think I want to start doing a "Trendy Me" blog every week just to highlight a few trends that I am really enjoying. They aren't always fashion because I love decorating as well. So these are my favorite trends of the week!

Trend #1: Grays/Silver

Silvery Grays, and these patterns via Pinterest

Silver chairs via Pinterest

Gorgeous gown I found via Pinterest

Cute outfit for work or going out, lots of different shades of gray via Pinterest

Trend #2: Color block

Color Block Platform heels via Pinterest

Colorblock Mini messenger bag by Marais via Nordstrom

Orange and Green Colorblock outfit, would never have put these two colors together myself via Pinterest

Color block with colorful bangles via Pinterest

Coral Colorblock platform chunky heel via Google

Colorblock pants/shoes by Zara via Google

Trend #3: Trefoil pattern

DIY Trefoil wall <3 via Pinterest

Trefoil Headboard via Pinterest

Trefoil patterned rug from Ikea via Pudel-design

Hope ya'll are having a fantastic week, I'm about to pull my hair out with working and having no time to be able to prep for moving. Thankfully I did a good bit last week when I was off but still plenty to do! Hopefully Ill have pictures of my new place up soon!

+AMDG+

Honored

I am in two of my lovely friend's weddings this coming April and I have been trying to help out in whatever ways I can. I was distraught to learn that one of my best friend's was having trouble with her wedding, mainly getting in touch with her maid of honor. This is not a rant or a rave on how people should act but it ends up that one of my bride's MOH ended up dropping out of her wedding simply by refusing to get in touch with her and causing her much undue stress. My friend told me earlier this week that she had a surprise for me, and when I was at work the other evening she said she left it in my mailbox. I got home and found a cute little notebook with a peacock on it, as most of my close friends know I have a slight obsession with peacocks. I figured she had just found something that "screamed me," and I brought it inside and didn't look really closely at it because I had my hands full of stuff. I came back to my bedroom and I opened it and I finally noticed she had written in there. It read...

Bridgette Bear,
You have always been there, the truest of any friend. You know just who I am and everywhere I've been. We've watched friends come and go in and out of our lives, Yet you are one of the few true who've stood rock steady by my side. No matter where life takes me, no matter where I roam, When we are together my heart feels right at home. Simply to say thank you just doesn't seem to share, the place in my heart that you hold and how much I care. So please let me honor you and be my maid of honor, my dearest friend, my treasure.
<3 Joy

I started welling up with tears, after a hard day and I came home to such a wonderful message and to feel so honored to be the MOH for my friend. I wish she didn't ever have to choose another MOH because of what happened but I am so very happy to be present for one of my very best friend's wedding. I was already in the wedding party to begin with but I was honored to now be her MOH. Joy is one of my absolute favorite people, she has a heart of pure Gold and not a mean bone in her body. I look up to her and hope I will be able to emulate her joyful spirit, I believe she was very appropriately named. :-)

Old picture of Joy and I ... Summer 2007

Joy and I- My undergrad graduation party (wow short hair flashback!)

Joy and I with our carved pumpkins- Fall 2008

Being silly and having a photo shoot- Fall 2008

Easter egg dying party - Spring 2009

Drinks at Fatz cafe - Spring 2009

Joy and I after I moved back to GA- Fall 2011

So thankful for this wonderful Christian woman in my life. Such a great friend and example. Love ya!

+AMDG+

Busy Busy!

Every time I write I have to chide myself because it has been forever and a day since I have written something. I have been feverishly trying to get things together for my hospital board credentialing deadline of Feb 1 and also making sure all things are in for my SC state license. Somehow I thought everything was in for both, but after making a call to the board this week I found out I am still missing one thing. Groans... 4 days later I am still not sure if I have done everything but it will all get done. Right?! 

I have been doing a lot of driving in the past few days, more than I'd like to to tell you the truth. I already had gone back and forth to Charleston, apartment/house hunting, three times in the past week. Thankfully these short days trips proved productive and I signed a lease for a great 1br apartment in Mount Pleasant, SC. It's near the beach and fairly close to work. I debated between a 2br and a 1br because I knew I would be having visitors but the $300+ difference in price won out in the end. I am trying to spend less money this year! It really is a gorgeous apartment and I can't wait to post some pictures once it is decorated. Of course I am so excited to finally have a place of my own and to add lots of my personal touches. I am trying to decide on a couch right now, which has been proving difficult because I want a sectional, but I need one that doesn't overwhelm the space. It is a very open concept floor plan I'd like to keep it feeling that way. I just hope that includes a sectional, I often have day dreams of me curled up on a fabulous sectional reading a book with a blanket. A girl can dream can't she?

In addition to driving back and forth to Charleston to look at places, I have been in Atlanta and Athens helping my sister and brother in law find a place. My dad had flown out on Monday of this week to help my sister and brother in law pack up their place and drive with my brother in law across the country to Georgia. My sister flew with the kids to Atlanta on Tuesday and was staying with her in laws and I arrived that night so we could leave early in the morning for Athens to go house hunting. All that I have to say is how excited I am that my sister is back living in Georgia and I will have my nephew and niece close by! They are so adorable and my niece, Maris,  who hasn't warmed up to anyone really, has a special place for her Aunt Bridgette. Most people say my sister and I favor each other but Maris hasn't quite figured it out. She is ok with me as long as mom isn't in the room and then when she sees mom she realizes I'm not mom and cries for her. As soon as I give her back to my sister she looks back at me and reaches her arms back out for me. It is the funniest thing in the world! Gosh kids are so cute. 

I also got to visit with my old roommate Lori, A crazy walk on the safe side. We used her house as a base for my sister and I to A. Use Internet B. Bathrooms C. My sister have privacy to use her breast pump. Lol She was excited not to have Maris for the day but she still is reminded she has a little one around. Lori played hostess of the mostest. She gave us a tour around Athens and even came and looked at a house with us, not to mention letting us take over her and Greg's place. I also got to stop by and visit my friend Erin and Drew and their new baby Blake Allen! I introduced Erin and Drew, was in their wedding early last year and now I get to see what their beautiful marriage has made. I only got a picture on my phone because I apparently left my camera in my bag at my sisters in law's house. I guess that is life, but thankfully Erin took one on her camera. 

My last week at my current work place is next week and then it is off to Charleston permanently! Can't wait to be starting my career, having my own place, and meeting lots of new people.

+AMDG+

Trendy Me

I've been seeing a lot of other people's blogs recently who have posted their favorite trends of the moment, and almost all of my close friends would be able to pick out "my style," I feel like these are a few trends that I am digging... that they wouldn't immediately see coming.

Trend #1: Cobalt Blue

I'm still on the hunt for a pair of cobalt pants that fit me but I like how these are skinny pants but have cuffs and aren't jeans.

This makes a great accent piece and of course eye catching color

This is a great color option for a night out, its dark but bright! 

Cobalt, with belt... and pleats, leading into my next trend!

I got all of these ideas from Pinterest. I am so addicted to that website it's sad. I will find a new hobby.

Trend #2: Pleats

Great retro pleated dress in white, very flattering

This skirt has large pleats, big or little pleats are a go

I've recently fell in love with maxi skirts and this punch colored pleated maxi is to die for!

Yellow, High-waisted and layered

This really enlongates the body

There are too many great pictures of pleated skirts! I guess I am all lady because everything is skirts or dresses but I am not opposed to tops. Once again I found all of these on Pinterest

Trend #3: Tweed/Herringbone

Can't forget blazers, and <3 elbow patches on this jacket

Herringbone pattern is my favorite!

Love the peep toe and the elastic to button closure give it such a retro feel

tweed looks exceptionally good on men too. =)

Tweed/Herringbone belted shorts by J.Crew, belted shorts are a super cute option

Once again all of my tweed ideas came from Pinterest

Anyways- Hope you guys enjoyed my trends!

+AMDG+