We eat this at least once a month; and how could we not? The ingredients are always in our fridge/pantry, it’s super easy and incredibly tasty. This recipe is even husband approved. Simply add rice and broccoli as sides and dinner is DONE! I am not sure where this recipe came from, but thank you to the genius who created it!!
4 chicken breasts (skinless) 1/2 cup Kraft Bacon Ranch Dressing 1/2 cup Liberte Plain Greek Yogurt 1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce 1/3 cup breadcrumbs 3/4 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
Directions
1. Spray a casserole dish with PAM and place the chicken in the dish. 2. In a medium bowl mix the dressing, yogurt and hot sauce together. 3. Pour over the chicken. 4. In a separate bowl mix the breadcrumbs and cheese together. 5. Sprinkle over the chicken. 6. Bake for 35-40 minutes at 375F.
The pandemic had many people adopting dogs, baking bread and colouring. But it had me learning how to give myself shellac manicures. I got all my supplies from ABS Beauty Supply. Personally, I use CND shellac –I love the colours and it’s just a great product. The new colours I am most excited about for the New Year are…
Although this sandwich was invented in the mid 1960’s and made a major resurgence in 2020; I have ALWAYS been a fan –I grew up on tuna melts! Some people like to jazz it up with bacon, tomato and even avocado, but I am a purist!
1. Drain the tuna; then flake the fish into a bowl with a fork. 2. Add the Miracle Whip, onion and pickles and mix well. 3. “Butter” one side of the bread and place it margarine side down on a sheet pan; then top with half of the tuna mixture, spread/pack the mixture evenly. 4. Put half the shredded cheese on top of the tuna mixture. 5. Top with another slice of bread and “butter” the top. 6. Repeat steps 3-5. 7. Bake for 6 minutes at 400F
As a result of the pandemic; I had a lot of time on my hands during the school breaks since travel was non-existent and many professional development sessions/ conventions/ conferences were cancelled. Coursera really helped to bridge the gap. It allowed me to continue learning and took my mind off of the state of the world. This site was developed in 2012 by Stanford University professors. You can take courses for free, for certification as well as obtain degrees from a plethora of universities and other post-secondary institutions.
The courses I have enjoyed and highly recommend include…
1. Indigenous Canada, from the University of Alberta
“A 12-lesson course that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. Topics covered are: the fur trade and other exchange relationships, land claims and environmental impacts, legal systems and rights, political conflicts and alliances, Indigenous political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life, art and its expressions,” (Coursera).
2. The Science of Well Being, from Yale University
“In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life,” (Coursera).
3. Big History — From the Big Bang until Today, from the University of Amsterdam
“After completing this course you will develop a better understanding of how you and everything around you became the way they are today. You will also have gained an understanding of the underlying mechanisms that have helped shape the history of everything and how they will help shape the future. Last but not least, you will have developed the skill to use this knowledge to put smaller subjects into a bigger perspective with the aid of the little big history approach,” (Coursera).
4. The Arctic Series from the University of Alberta This series includes: Introduction to the Arctic: Climate, Arctic Economy and Arctic Development.
The first; provides, “an overview of regional geography: the cryosphere (ice), the atmosphere and ocean. You will learn why the Arctic is cold and ice covered, and how that impacts its climate and ecosystems and how the Arctic is connected to the rest of the world. Finally, an examination of present day climate change, the processes driving it, and evidence for it in the Arctic as well as the implications of it,” (Coursera).
The second course teaches you that, “Arctic communities are facing new kinds of challenges to their survival as a result of globalization. You will investigate the challenges faced by Indigenous, North American, Russian and Nordic Arctic communities in a modern world and how those communities adjust to change while maintaining their ways of life, socio-economic histories, and cultural traditions,” (Coursera). In the third course; “you will investigate the role that natural resources play across the Indigenous, Nordic, Russian and North American Arctics, different strategies for resource management in different regions, and how these affect community planning and development efforts in an increasingly populated part of the world,” (Coursera).
I was gifted an awesome journal for Christmas last year; Picadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts. I am still working my way through it! I wanted to share my most recent entry with you…
1 Tbsp Olive Oil 1 Onion 1 Red Pepper 5 Cloves of Garlic 1 tsp Paprika 1 tsp Cumin 1/2 tsp Chili Powder 2 cans (14 oz) Aylmer Diced Tomatoes (do not drain!) Salt Pepper 5 Eggs Parsley (fresh or dried)
Directions
1. Dice the onion, red pepper; saute them in the olive oil until softened. 2. Mince the garlic; add it and the spices (paprika, cumin & chili powder) to the pan. Heat for another minute or two. 3. Add the tomatoes, a sprinkle of salt and pepper; then simmer to break down the tomatoes. 4. With a large spoon, create wells in the sauce. 5. Crack an egg into each well. 6. Cover the pan and continue to cook for another 7 minutes. 7. Uncover and sprinkle with parsley.
We all thought that 2021 was going to be better than 2020 –it just had to be. I endeavoured to find the good among all the bad, the calm among the chaos, the happiness among the devastation. Today, as we put 2021 to bed and prepare to wake up to; and welcome 2022, I wanted to share my highlight reel (so to speak) with you.
January 2021 I enjoy ice fishing; however, the frigid temperatures really make it tough to want to leave my cozy home and reading spot by the fire. But, I braved the wintery conditions and landed quite a few chunky Whitefish.
February 2021 Teachers’ Convention; although it was online –I spent a wonderful few days in the city with an incredible friend and colleague soaking up sage teacher advice, strategies and knowledge from educational gurus and a plethora of inspiring presenters, while staying in the lap of luxury.
March 2021 After FOUR months of being kept apart by work and the pandemic; I was able to reunite with my best friend for the ultimate girls’ weekend. Complete with margaritas and movies, breakfast at Pip, a trip down memory lane (walking around the very campus were we became best friends) and of course you guessed it… charcuterie.
April 2021 At this point in time, school was getting pretty tense –numbers were rising province wide; we were all tired and stressed, the kids were getting sick and we were faced with shutting down in the face of personnel shortages. The sweetest standout moment was when my husband came home with “JUST BECAUSE” flowers. I remember the moment vividly.
May 2021 I turned 35! And my husband gave into my obsession with bird watching and built me the ultimate bird condo.
June 2021 5 years of wedded bliss!
July 2021 & August 2021 My summertime freedom/fun was cut VERY short after I fell and broke my ankle –I had to have emergency surgery to have a plate and five screws put in. This is a bittersweet highlight because although it was painful and scary, I got to spend a lot of quality time with my AMAZING family. I don’t think there is anything more special and more important in life than family. Another highlight: THE OLYMPICS!
September 2021 Return to normalcy! We went back to in-person teaching (at first without masks… but that quickly changed) AND I ditched my crutches, my aircast boot and started walking on my own and driving!
October 2021 Fancy AF weekend with my best friend complete with charcuterie, shopping and a six course tasting menu at Butternut Tree. Also, discovered two new wines from Sperling Vineyards (Speritz Pet Nat & Ruby Pet Nat)
November 2021 Midterm break –a well deserved rest after many crises and report cards. A week to myself to focus on self-care. Reading, movie watching, sleeping-in, catching up on much neglected chores (which caused me great anxiety), sipping on wine, and spending time with equally exhausted teacher friends.
December 2021 A return to ‘normal’ Christmas –all the family; feasting, exchanging gifts and simply just appreciating that we were all together once again.
I was gifted this awesome journal for Christmas this year; Picadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts. I thought it would be fun to spend a few moments each Wednesday working through this journal and then sharing them with you.
I spent the last month and a half checking out a new author, Wilbur Smith. My husband is a longtime fan and has been ‘suggesting’ that I read the books. And, I should have known that he was going to be right… I LOVED them!
Smith has several series: The Courtney Series, The Ballantyne Series and the Ancient Egypt Series.
I started with The Courtney Series; there are a couple ways to read these novels. They can be read in order of publishing date or in terms of the historical eras. I chose the historical era route; which is broken down into THREE parts. The order of the parts is as follows: Part 3, Part 1 and Part 2.
Part 1 (1860s-1925)
1. When the Lion Feeds Twins Sean and Garrick grow up in Natal; their lives forever changed by an unfortunate hunting accident and the Anglo-Zulu War. After a torrid affair brothers are pitted against one another causing Sean to flee North. Striking it rich in the gold fields, Sean and his friend Duff live high on the hog –however, nothing lasts forever; they are ruined and seek adventure and fortune hunting for ivory. Despite falling in love, Sean does not get his happily ever after as when his wife takes her life. His only reason for living is his son, Dirk.
2. The Sound of Thunder Once again, Sean ends up in the middle of a war; this time between the British and Boers. Enter: Ruth –Sean’s new love interest and mother of his daughter, Storm. Ruth is married to a soldier in the war, who Sean later befriends. Sean finds himself facing off against his brother-in-law Jan Paulus (whom we met in When the Lion Feeds). Ruth reunites with Sean after her husband is killed. Dirk becomes increasingly unhappy as Storm diverts their father’s attention away from him. This bitterness causes him to yearn for bringing down his own family. After many years Sean is able to reconcile with his twin brother Garry.
3. A Sparrow Falls Sean meets Mark Anders, a soldier hellbent on killing a WW1 German sniper. Once back at home Anders discovers he has nothing (his grandfather; killed, his home; taken). Dirk Courtney is putting his plan into action to bring about the fall of the Courtneys as once again Sean favours someone (Anders) over Dirk. Storm and Anders fall in love while South Africa once again teeters on the brink of war. Sadly, Dirk succeeds in his campaign of revenge by murdering Sean and Ruth. However, they are avenged by Anders who lives happily as a warden with Storm.
