Reader Recipe Feature: Chicken and Dumplings

 I want to say thank you so much to everyone who submitted a recipe!  I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed reading your recipes and learning a little more about you... not to mention that I want to try every single one, because they all sound wonderful! 

The first recipe I tried was Mrs. H.'s Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings submitted by Laurie, who writes a blog called Heritage Schoolhouse. Laurie mentioned that this is her original recipe she developed, similar to the one she grew up with, but with more seasoning and homemade dumplings.  I love that she said it reminds her of her childhood.  Aren't those the best recipes?! 

I've actually made this recipe twice now, and it is so delicious. Today it was rainy and dreary and this just sounded like the perfect comfort food.  We were actually upstairs working on a project when I realized it was 5:00, everyone was hungry and I hadn't even thought about dinner other than setting out some chicken to thaw.  This dish is easy and quick and also uses ingredients that one would commonly have in their fridge and pantry. 

Mrs. H.'s Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings
 (Submitted by Heritage Schoolhouse)

4 servings

4 tablespoons butter, divided

2 tablespoons oil, divided

1/2 cup flour

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 onion, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 clove garlic, diced

4 cups chicken broth

1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon corn starch

1 1/4 cups half and half, divided

1 cup flour

1/2 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet.  Add 1 tablespoon oil.  Coat chicken breasts in flour and then brown each piece on both sides in skillet; set aside.  In a large sauce pan melt the other 2 tablespoons of butter.  Add the other tablespoon of oil.  Saute onion, carrots, celery and garlic until tender.  Add broth, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper to saucepan.  Bring to a boil, add chicken and cook until chicken is done.  Remove chicken and shred with two forks; set aside.  Stir cornstarch into a bit of water and then add to saucepan.  Cook and stir for one minute until thickened.  Add 1/2 cup half and half to saucepan and stir.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.  Add 3/4 cup half and half and mix until dough forms.  Drop dough by spoonfuls into simmering chicken broth and let cook for several minutes.  Add chicken back to pan, spoon up hearty bowlfuls and enjoy! 

Thank you so much, Laurie, for sharing your recipe with us!  It is delicious, warm and comforting and has gone into my file of keeper recipes!  

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

P.S.  If you are interested in submitting a recipe to be featured, you can read more here. 

In The Garden

This spring we planted a garden almost entirely of heirloom seeds... I really can't say enough positive things about the seeds.  The germination rate was great and the vegetables have all been delicious. 

On the flip side, this year has been a little disappointing... we had a bad wind storm come through a while back that did quite a number on our plants.  Japanese beetles came in and seemed to eat through the beans in a day.  Squash bugs were there from the start and although I tried picking off their eggs, the majority of the plants withered and died before anything could mature.  And we've had an unseasonably cool summer with a lot of rain, so the tomatoes are coming along very slowly. 

 But I've tried to take it all in stride... I love having a garden... bugs, weather and all (smile). 

 Our cucumbers have loved the weather though.  The girls and I eat our share each day and I've still had enough to can about 25 pints of pickles.  I don't think we'll need to buy pickles for quite a while!  

This year Justus fashioned some cages with some heavy duty wire panels that have been great.  He used the wire to create side supports for the cucumbers...

 

 And also built some tomato cages.  They are so heavy duty they haven't moved an inch since he put them in. 

He fashioned them in a triangular shape, so that one side can be undone and they fold flat for winter storage.

 One of my favorite things in our garden is the row of zinnias along one side.

 Not only are they bright and cheerful, but they attract butterflies.  

   

The girls and I have loved watching them each day... they just swarm around the plants.  At least we have some pretty insects!

 

Jillian begs to cut zinnias from the garden to make bouquets... I can watch her all day.  So sweet.

 How is your garden fairing this year?

Hope you have a great week!

Kiwi Crate - Fun Summer Projects

 When Kiwi Crate contacted me recently about sampling one of their crates with my girls, I was intrigued.  I felt like I had heard of them before and after visiting their website, I knew why... they've been featured in numerous magazines, Good Morning America, The Today Show and were even named one of Dr. Toy's Best Children's Products for 2012.  

Kiwi Crate designs crates that are filled with material and inspiration for hands-on projects.  The crates are sent via mail and include 2-3 projects depending on the theme.  Single crates can be purchased but you can also sign up for their monthly subscription service.  

Kiwi Crate sent me their Wonders of Water crate from their Summer Discovery Series, which included materials for three projects.  The crate itself was a lot of fun to open... it was so impressively packaged with everything organized and full of bright colors.  When Jillian discovered it had arrived she was begging me to get started, as I'm sure you can imagine!

 The first project we worked on was Watercolor Animals and this was probably their favorite.  Each project includes a little booklet that lists what you will need (almost all of the supplies are included in the crate and the things that aren't are common household items). 

 Although the projects are targeted for children ages 3-7, Rosetta (who just turned 2) also enjoyed this one.  They created sea creature art by coloring animals and using a spray bottle filled with water. 

 After the animals dried, little eyes were added.  Even Rosetta's circles created a fun tie-dye effect.  

 We created a fun summer garland to hang on the mantel with the animals they colored too (smile).

 The second project Jillian worked on almost completely by herself.  One thing I love about the little booklets explaining each project is that they include detailed instructions and pictures.  It was easy enough to follow that Jillian didn't have any trouble figuring it out. 

 She created a floating sailboat and had a blast decorating her sails with fun paint. 

We even had to take them to the pond on my parents' farm to test them out!  

 The last project was a couple water experiments.  We explored things like surface tension and buoyancy out on the front porch and while Jillian worked with the clay, I read some of the fun facts they included about water. 

 I was confident before I agreed to reviewing the product that we were going to enjoy it... what I didn't expect was to be so impressed that I would end up subscribing for their monthly crates!

I so often fail at putting together projects for my girls because I simply run out of time... not only were these projects creative and educational, but the supplies sent were high quality, the booklets were amazing and it was so convenient. The crate they sent included plenty of material for both girls and there was even enough leftover in some cases to work on the projects again at another time. Not only did both girls love the crate, but honestly, I had a great time as well!  

Hope you have a great weekend!

Disclosure: I was compensated and received product to sample; however, all opinions are my own and it was a pleasure to review and share such a great product.