Weekend of Relaxation

Here we are 9 weeks since the Spring semester ended, and it is my FIRST weekend at home. Between birthdays, visiting friends, mini-vacations, and the family emergency, I just have not got to be home. I am so relieved to get to spend this weekend in my own home, doing my own things. Don't get me wrong, I love my family and friends and love traveling, but it is draining to be away living in other people's routines for so long. So, what did this exciting and relaxing weekend involve?

Saturday morning began with some deep and dirty cleaning. I love to clean, and since I've been away, dust had built up. I broke out the Clorox and went to town on this poor little house of mine. It feels fresh now. After the cleaning spree was a trip to the grocery store because I had a craving to test some new recipes. Saturday night was girls' night so what better way to test some new recipes on my friends! (I just hoped they turned out!)

The first new recipe I tried was Chicken Spaghetti from The Pioneer Woman. In true Tracey fashion, I didn't follow the recipe exactly...here's what I did.

Southern-Style Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

1. Boil several chicken breasts. Season with salt and pepper. 

2. While the chicken is boiling, cut up 1 green bell pepper, 1 red bell pepper, several carrots, and1 yellow squash. (or whatever veggies you like)

3. Boil 2 cobs of corn, cut the corn off the cob, and add to the veggie mix. 

3. Add 1 can of Cream of Chicken soup, 1 can of Cream of Mushroom soup, and 2 cans of Rotel. (I like the kick of Rotel instead of the seasonings The Pioneer Woman uses)

4. When the chicken has finished boiling, remove it and let cool on a cutting board. Scoop out 2 cups of the broth and set aside. Add spaghetti to the boiling broth left in the pan and cook for about 6 minutes (you want it to still be a little crisp). 

5. Cut up the chicken and add to the veggie mix. 

6. Drain the spaghetti and add to the veggie/chicken mix.

7. Add 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese (or whatever cheese you like).

8. Mix together and add broth so that the mixture is smooth and just a little liquid-y. 

9. Add salt and pepper to season as you like.

10. Pour mixture into a casserole dish and sprinkle more cheese on top.

11. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to keep the cheese from burning, and cook in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. 

Yummy finished product! And yes, it tasted as good as it looks. 

The Chicken Spaghetti was well received and scrumptious!! I have left overs to eat for the rest of the week because I didn't think to pare down the recipe for my smaller crowd. Oh well, live and learn.

Now for dessert! I saw this recipe on The Pioneer Woman and could not refuse...it looked too sinfully delicious to pass up. I was nervous because this recipe involved some of the cooking chemistry (adding hot things to cold things to create reactions) which always makes me nervous. I also did not follow this recipe exactly since I'm not the biggest fan of orange, so...

Instead of regular coffee, I used this Coconut Coffee from Dunkin' Donuts...

And instead of Orange Liqueur, I used this Chocolate Wine from Fredericksburg...

Chocolate-Coconut Dream Mousse

1. Add 12 ounces of chocolate chips to a blender (I used milk chocolate chips). 

2. Crack in 4 eggs.

3. Add a dash of salt and about a tablespoon of your chosen liqueur.

4. Blend until smooth-ish.

5. While the blender is going, add in 1 cup of REALLY hot coffee through the little hole in the top of the blender. Add it slowly. 

6. Blend until smooth. 

7. Pour into glasses, jars, bowls of your choice. (I chose wine glasses, naturally). 

8. Put the glasses in the refrigerator and let them set for a few hours. (I put a little too much liquid in mine and they didn't quite set, but were still very tasty. I can't wait to try them again and hopefully they'll set like mousse.)

9. When you are ready to serve them, add whatever toppings you like. To capitalize on the coconut flavor of the coffee, I added shredded coconut and whipped cream! 

Like I said, these didn't quite set completely, but they were also well loved. Try them today!

Dinner was lovely. Girls' night was lovely. I am happy.

This Sunday morning has found me full of energy after getting to spend a relaxing Saturday at home. I enjoyed a morning run, walk with Jack, and am currently watching the Men's Final of Wimbledon which is my yearly Christmas in July. What more could I ask for on a relaxing summer weekend? 

Camping in Fredericksburg

I love peace, beautiful scenery, trees, fresh air, food off the grill, and wine. Combine these things, and I'm in Heaven. A couple of weeks ago, that wish came true. My family celebrated the official start of summer with a camping trip to Fredericksburg. The weekend included shopping, great food, peace and quiet, and wine tasting. What more could I ask for?

I should clarify, I'm not really the "camping" type girl. I love the outdoors, but equally love air conditioning, indoor plumbing, and a soft bed. Too much Texas heat, peeing in the woods, and sleeping in the dirt do not sound appealing to me. The Tracey version of camping includes taking the RV, renting a space at a campground, and bringing all the amenities to the outdoors - and that's exactly what we did!

The weekend began with a peaceful drive through the hill country. I giggled with excitement as I passed through Austin and approached the rolling hills. Something about seeing tall rocks on the landscape makes me so happy. I want to live amongst big rocks (otherwise known as mountains) in a few years. Add a slow-flowing river. Done. Ahhh... and back to Fredericksburg.

Friday was spent sitting outside under the shade of tall trees reading a good book. I could live my entire life like that and be perfectly happy.

On Saturday, we went to downtown Fredericksburg to enjoy the shops. The main street of the city is filled with cute little shops selling unique items. I picked up a few gift items for friends, homemade queso and salsa, a yellow rose scented candle, and many bottles of wine (but we'll get to that). After strolling through the shops, we went to The Wildflower Store which is a hodgepodge of all things good: seeds, flowers, trinkets, pickled, jammed, salsa-ed food, and of course, wine. We enjoyed wine tasting and bought chocolate wine for my coffee on weekend mornings, peach moscato for girls' night, and my favorite riesling. The day ended with grilling t-bone steaks and beans, eating fresh peaches, and making smores. Yum!

Sunday we headed home where another adventure began (which will be coming soon to the blog).