Holiday Memories

It's my favorite time of year. I absolutely love the holidays. And no, its not about the gifts (although...I do love presents :) ), it's about the traditions. I am blessed to have been able to grow up in a home where holiday traditions are the heart and soul of the season.

Christmas cookies, new PJs on Christmas Eve, Cinnamon Buns and muffins on Christmas morning, yankee swaps...etc...These are all traditions that I have come accustomed too, and look forward to every year. I would be lying if I did not say, this year I am slightly sad...I am only getting older...and it is getting harder to be that same little girl who would stay up all night, only to run down the stairs the next morning to the delight of a big mound of presents. But it never was about the presents that got me excited. It was the time spent with my family...the time together Christmas morning...that I hold so sacred. The good news is, that I will carry on these traditions in my own home, and for my children one day. There is no place I would rather be, than with my family on Christmas morning. Christmas is magical--buying things that you really don't need, but have always wanted. I was spoiled as a kid, (and still am), when it comes to gifts at Christmas----because to my parents, the look on my face of pure happiness....was and is worth every penny spent. I know for certain I will feel the same way with my own children...and will spoil them the best I can!

Looking back at Christmas pictures---makes me so happy...here is look down memory lane!

Christmas 2009!

Christmas 2007!
Brad and I's first Gingerbread house!

Tomorrow marks the 25 day countdown, and I could not be happier! This is such a special time of year....enjoy it! Time spent with each other is so precious! Happy Holidays!

Black Friday and Pumpkin Cake!

Back to work....after a great Thanksgiving Break!..Its also Cyber Monday...for all you deal grabbers! I had a very relaxing turkey break myself! It was wonderful to spend the holiday surrounded by family! Actually, it was great to just relax...and enjoy the holiday---and not think about wedding planning! Last year at this time--I was driving myself insane...trying to book bands, reception halls, etc......which now leaves me more time this year to concentrate on shopping :)

Speaking of shopping....I shopped till I dropped on Black Friday...literally! I was good and passed out on my pillow by the time Friday night rolled around! My mom and I started our day at Legacy place in Dedham. The lines at GAP, were out the door....not worth waiting for at all!! Next we landed on Newbury street....which surprisingly had great deals and more merchandise....probably becuase no one would think to shop for deals on Newbury street, but its our hidden gem! (plus no crowds!) I ended up purchasing a gift for my brother and some new things for Brad! My mom and I stopped at Pinkberry for some lunch. It was my first time at Pinkberry, and I really enjoyed it. Their fro-yo is tangy and sweet---and when topped with fresh fruit, almost tastes like a big smoothie! After exploring newbury and the Copley mall, we jetted off to the Chestnut Hill Mall. It was there, that we met up with my dad, brothers and Brad for dinner at Cheesecake. I was starving!!...All that shopping can really work up an appetite! I surprisingly (and I say surprisingly because I never, EVER venture off from my one favorite meal at restaurants) ordered the eggplant veggie pizza. It was really good!...I crashed later that night...along with my bank account..................just kidding!

So like I said last week, I was going to attempt to make a pumpkin shaped cake for Turkey Day. Well, 3 cakes later....and it finally came together! It came out much better than I ever expected!
I used Duncan Hines spike cake mix. In order to make this cake, you start by baking 2 bundt cakes. On the first cake, after it comes out of the oven/has had the proper time to cool, you trim the top slightly--so its flat. This can all sound confusing.....but if you look at the picture it will make more sense. You do the same to the second cake. Remember to save your cake scraps in another bowl, you will need them later. Place the 2 cakes together, so that they form a pumpkin shape! Now its time for the stem....UGH! I was happy I had 2 helpers with me...because for the stem...you need to use Marzipan! This stuff is really hard to work with......vegetable oil...helps soften a bit...but it takes some muscle. Use a toothpick (dipped in Oil) to help form the ridges on the stem. Roll the Marzipan into a cylinder and bend the skinny end into the stem shape. Use color dye to turn the stem orange. I also added a leaf...which you can choose to do...also made from marzipan. Okay, now....fill the hole in your cake with the extra cake scrapes that you put aside in the bowl. When you get close to the top....add in your stem and stuff some of the extra cake around it....to make sure its securely on.

Okay, frosting time.......you can do 2 types:

1. Kid friendly frosting: Frost the entire cake orange....by using confectionery sugar and butter (beaten together). Kids will love the taste...and the look!
2. Adult party (this is what I chose)....Mix 1 cup confectionery sugar...and 1 teaspoon of water together...to form a nice white glaze. Take a spoon of your glaze, and slowly pour it over the crease of the pumpkin, so that if falls into the stem region and down the sides of the cake. This makes it look really classy.

To finish---shave off filings of a chocolate truffle onto the cake and your plate! I had so much fun making this!!.....I am already drumming up ideas for Christmas.....I am thinking a cookie tree!

Brad and I really got into the holiday mood yesterday!...The music was blasting as we began to put up our holiday decorations! We ended the night...with some good old fashioned chicken "cheesesteaks!"...And since you all know I am into make healthy meals.....this one did not disappoint! I don't have a picture.....but we used lean chicken breasts (broiled for 7 minutes)....healthy flat bread, lots of veggies and low fat cheese---delicious!

Happy cyber shopping everyone!

Weekend Recap and Thanksgiving Burgers!

Happy Thanksgiving week!...Gotta love a short work week!...First to catch up on my weekend adventures. On Friday Night I went to dinner with Friends at Patriots Place....very yummy and a good time. On Saturday morning, Brad and I were out an about early, because we had an appointment to look over our wedding photo album!...I am really excited, it is going to look amazing! Before our appointment, I whipped up a quick breakfast, eggs and cranberry toast. Lately I have been addicted to cranberry everything! This past weekend marked Brad and I's engagement anniversary. In order to celebrate, we made reservations at Mistral in Boston. We have not been out to dinner, just the 2 of us since the honeymoon really, so it was nice to finally get to do that....not to mention....that the food was OUTSTANDING. I had the Dover Sole, with spinach, onions, capers and roasted potatoes. Brad had Beef with whipped potatoes and asparagus. When it came time for dessert, we could not decide. We were down to a warm apple croustade and the chocolate torte. Typically, when I think of a torte, I think of a fudge like, dense cake. When we asked the waitress to describe the torte, she said it was warm, gooey and full of chocolate. We were sold instantly. It was the BEST chocolate "molten" like cake we have ever had.

I also was able to gather my ingredients for a Thanksgiving dessert. When I think of Turkey day dessert, Pie is usually what pops into mind first. However, I am not in love with pie. Besides that fact, everyone brings pie, many of whom have been making their specialty pie for decades. I am only 23...and not a seasonsed pie maker. That's why I decided to make something inspired by the ace of cakes. I will document the making and post it after thanksgiving.

Speaking before of being obsessed with Cranberries, last week for dinner I made cranberry turkey burgers! I paired the burgers with roasted cauliflower and warm toasted cranberry bread! It was so good! The recipe is quite simple...

Thanksgiving Burgers:
-Ground Turkey
-Pepper
-Pinch of salt
-Dried Cranberries --As many or as little as you like!
-1 egg/and or egg white
-Chopped fresh breadcrumbs
-Motezerlla (1/4 cupped shredded)

In a bowl combine all those ingredients, and form your patties!...Grill them up, and warm up your bread and your finished! I paired it with Roasted Cauliflower. Place tin foil on a baking sheet. Next pull apart your cauliflower head, and spread the minis on the tin foil. Drizzle some OO around the cauliflower, making sure the pieces get coated. Pepper, pinch of salt, and sprinkle fresh breadcrumbs on top. Bake at 350 for about 20ish minutes. It was delicious!! They came out, perfectly cooked....not too soft, not too hard.

Brad and I also made 2 kinds of pizza last week. Pita pizza and real pizza!...I blogged about the pita pizza recipe last week, but here is the picture that I promised of the finished product!

We also made "real pizza."Mamma Mia's" thin crust ready made pizza dough is our favorite! I bought some new organic, Tomato and Basil tomato sauce (low in sugar, sodium) to spread on my pie first. I loaded my pizza up with peppers and onions. For the cheese, I use a blend of laughing cow babel cheese, feta and a little Italian blend. For brads pizza, he used fresh cut pepperoni, spinach, onions and peppers. He also used mozzarella and Italian cheeses. Here is a picture of Brads pizza. It was so delicious. I love homemade pizza so much better than takeout. It is less greasy, and I have the power to pack on more vegetables. This pizza only takes 30 minutes to create...the same amount of time that it takes to call and order takeout. We cook our pizzas on a Mario Batali pizza pan. The pizza comes out sizzling.....not to mention the kitchen smells of Italian goodness!

Have a great beginning to this Holiday week everyone!!

Pita Pizza and Thanksgiving Themed Food!

And I'm Back!...What a crazy week it's been....Good thing tomorrow is Friday! I have some pictures that I have been meaning to post....I will have them for tomorrow.

On Tuesday, I made Pita Pizzas for Brad and I. We both love pizza, but having pizza every night is unrealistic...and take out pizza is not that healthy for you. Well, I have found a great solution. You start with a couple organic, whole wheat pita pockets. Next, take out a baking tray, lined with foil, and place the pita pockets on top. Meanwhile, begin to heat up some tomato sauce on the stove. In another pan, saute your veggies....(use whatever veggies you like). I used green peppers, onions, corn, spinach and tomatoes. If you don't have a nice healthy variety of shredded cheese, take whatever whole cheese you do have...and blend it in a mini chop. Brad and I just so happen to have lots of left over cheese from our party, so I grind-ed up the cheeses in my mini chop for the toppings.

Okay time to assemble your pizzas. Brush lightly, each pita pocket with a little OO. Next, on one pocket, spread a little of your tomato sauce around and pile on some of your shredded cheese and a little spinach. One another pita, layer on your veggies and sprinkle cheese over. And lastly, on the final pocket, layer tomatoes, spinach and feta (Greek style)! ....Put in the oven at 350 degrees..and bake for about 10-12 minutes. And your done!...the pita should come out crispy and the cheese all melted...like a real pizza.....but super healthy for you!

I have pictures of the final product...and will post them soon!

Ah, ONE week until Thanksgiving. I am psyched!...Can't wait to kick of the holidays....not to mention...BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING!....I have a new store obsession...Jack Wills....just in case anyone is wondering what to get me ;) ...I have drummed up a new dessert to make for thanksgiving...and I am pretty excited about this one...if I can pull it off...it is going to impress!

Yesterday, I had B.Good for dinner....and it was Oh.so.good!...best veggie burger by far...and I have had my share of veggie burgers!...It was so good..that I am craving another burger tonight....and because it is so close to Thanksgiving....I decided tonight... I am making a Thanksgiving burger!..I will post pictures and recipe tomorrow! And sticking yet again to the Holiday season themed food...Brad and I split one of the last caramel apples of season last night....loaded with dried cranberries.......it was too good to be true!

Party Recap and Thanksgiving!

Why does the weather always have to be so gloomy on a Monday...isn't that fact that it's MONDAY....bad enough?

I am dead tired...and waking up early this morning to get to the office at 7 A.M did not help! My weekend was packed! It started off Friday night with a trip to Patriots place after work! I dined at Travelino...which was really good! After dinner, I spent some time shopping for last minute party items. I woke up early Saturday to finish the rest of my errands. Even though our house is kept pretty much spotless during the week (how messy can things get with only 2 ppl---that's what I try to tell myself anyways)--but my family was coming over, many whom have not seen our place yet, so I wanted to make sure it was extra clean. Brad spent his time out racking leaves and landscaping. I spent my time inside cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming stairs and washing floors. It was exhausting. Finally 5 O'clock rolled around and the first early arrivals were at my front door. Of course I expected my grandparents to arrive early. If you tell them a particular time, they will make sure to arrive one hour before. Gotta love that generation.

The party, in my opinion, went off without a hitch!...It was fun to see where in the house that people gathered. Every home always has that one "gathering spot." Ours was the kitchen and our front living room. The wine was flowing, along with the conversation--which usually means that everyone was enjoying themselves. I used some of our wedding name stands to help decorate the tables. I loved being able to reuse items from our wedding! It adds a touch of class! Brad and I even received some wonderful house warming presents...mostly Christmas decoration related. I was pumped!...I am slowly starting to collect my Holiday decorations...which I will need to get ready after Thanksgiving......just in time for our next party!

After the shin dig was over, I grabbed a leftover dessert and put my feet up. It was so nice to relax and reflect on the night. I thought of some things that I am going to change for our next get together.....such as the locations of food and drinks. It's going to be my goal to spread people out more. But overall, Brad and I had a blast, and we hope that our guests did too!

This upcoming weekend marks Brad and I's engagement anniversary. How crazy that it has been a year since we got engaged and then married! Last Thanksgiving I surprised my family with the big news! It was such a special time. This Thanksgiving is going to be more low-key, considering we are married, with no major announcements in sight!..I am looking forward to kicking back and relaxing!......I am trying to decide what to make for a really good Thanksgiving dessert....Any suggestions?...I want to try something different...Maple walnut pie, Pumpkin Bread Pudding, Apple Cranberry walnut pie??....all appealing choices....which I will have to practice beforehand.

Last night, we went out to dinner and movie! Wicked Pizza, which also has a location in Mashpee, MA, opened at Legacy place. They have great individual sized pizzas.....I tried the vegetable goat cheese...really good!

Brad and I are planning a date night this weekend for just the 2 of us. It seems like it has been forever since we have gone on a "date." I am really looking forward to it!

Favorite Memories and Party Prep!

It is currently 10:30 A.M and I am onto my second cup of coffee for the day! I am beat! Timed seemed to fly by last night....and before I knew it, it was already Midnight! After work, I arrived home and cooked up a quick chicken stir fry. When I need to whip up a quick dinner, there is nothing better than chicken stir fry. I don't have to sacrifice a healthy meal in the essence of time either! Seasoned chicken, lots of vegges and Jasmine white rice are all the ingredients you need! The chicken (seasoned with a variety of spices), rice and sauteed vegetables (veggies can be whatever you like...I used corn, peppers, onions and spinach!) only took 25 minutes to come together!

After dinner, Brad and I bolted out to IKEA to make some returns and purchases. I think my favorite part about going to IKEA, besides the 1.99 deals...is the $1 Fro-yo ice cream! Brad was so kind..."as to spring" the 2 dollars for 2 cones...what a gentleman :)

When we arrived home...the work began!...We managed to finish painting our bench, hang the cellar curtains and 3 pictures!...I took out my appetizer plates and gave everything a quick wash!...we are on a roll...with no stopping tonight!...Having people over this early into our move, was the best thing for us. It really gave us a kick to finish everything in the house...a process that would have taken a lot longer if we didn't! Its really cool to look back on where we first were with the house back in May, compared to right now!

Brad putting together the kitchen furniture!

Me, Vacuuming for the first time in the house!

Oh the memories!...I will post pictures of what the rooms look like now next week......the rooms are almost ready! I am so looking forward to having over the family tomorrow night! It is the first get together of the Holiday season!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Veterans Day and Caramel Apple Goodness!

Happy Veterans Day! God Bless those who are serving and who have served for our Country. Thank you for your service and for keeping us safe. A quote from President George W. Bush really hit home with me this week. In his new book, "Decision Points," he writes...

"Then I looked at the little kids. The innocence of the children in the classroom in contrast to the evil of those who would attack America was vivid. It became very clear to me that my job was to protect the people."

Our service men and women are out risking their lives everyday, in order to protect ours. "War" is never the answer....but on 9/11....everything changed for our great country, and our President at the time, made it clear, that protecting American lives came first. Children, brothers, husbands, wives, grandparents, parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins.....we all came first that day, and our troops are still fighting for us. So for that, we salute you.

Last night I made sausage sandwiches for dinner. I would have a picture, but Brad was so hungry that the food disappeared before I could get a good shot. I made 3 kinds of sandwiches....and some might say they even sound gourmet. I made a Greek Isles sandwhich, one traditional ballpark and the other "chicken parm." I started by thinly slicing peppers and onions. I then sauteed them with a little OO and seasoning. In another pot, I heated up my tomato sauce with oregano and a pinch of Parmesan cheese. I then began to cook my chicken sausage on another griddle. While everything was cooking up, I grated cheddar cheese into a small mixing bowl. Once the sausages were cooked, I took out a baking sheet and lined it with tin foil. I put my sausages on it, and turned on the broil in the stove. I topped one sausage with the tomato sauce and grated cheese. I topped another sausage with feta cheese and spinach, and for the last one, I topped it with the sauteed peppers and onions. I put them under the broil for about 4 minutes. Meanwhile, I began toasting flatbread "fold ems" (there new at the grocery store) on the griddle...to get them warm and slightly crispy. After time was up, I removed my sausages from the oven and placed each inside a nice warm fold em roll.

This was such a yummy meal...and good for us too. Got that nice serving of veggies and whole grains in...plus organic chicken sausage!....... Sometimes Brad and I feel like randomly celebrating.....and because we have been so busy lately, he took me out and got me my favorite thing in the whole entire world....a milk chocolate and orange sprinkled covered caramel apple! When I was in High School, nothing would make me more happy than sitting down, eating my apple and watching my favorite TV shows at night. 5 1/2 years later...and that is still one of my favorite things to do. We came home....indulged in our apple and put on our DVR. It was the perfect night! Tonight, will most likely not be so relaxing....a trip to Ikea is in the works along with curtain and picture hanging!...Good thing tomorrow is Friday!

A Stress Free Holiday!

Last night I attended a Holiday workshop at the Wrentham Public Library. It was truly eye opening! The theme of the workshop was holiday stress. The holidays for me personally have never been a stressful time period, although I imagine that will change the minute kids are in the picture and I am out shopping more, wrapping last minute gifts, Christmas cards, etc. Actually, now that I am thinking about it...this year already feels more stressful than last.......considering Brad and I are planning on hosting a mini Holiday gathering, more presents will need to be wrapped and bought and possible holiday cards!

But don't get me wrong...I love the Holidays. My favorite holiday(s) is Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve (Yes I know Christmas eve is not really a holiday). Thanksgiving really kicks off the season. Family get togethers, great food, pumpkin pie and the start of holiday music. Nothing screams the start of the season more than when my Dad blasts Amy Grant's classic, "Christmas to Remember," throughout my parents home. And although I am no longer living at home...I will still request it be played the morning after Thanksgiving....when I head over there to begin preparations for the annual Black Friday Shopping trip. I love to buy and I love to give...which is why I love the holidays. There is so much excitement, love and joy when Christmas Eve rolls around. I was fortunate to grow up in a home, where we got to share in so many traditions together...many of those traditions will be passed onto my own family one day.

But I digress. Back to the event last night. I learned so much from the speaker, Donna Morin Miller, owner of betteroffwell.com. She decided to really "get healthy" when her first child was born, a time in which she made the decision to raise her child as a vegetarian. Now I am not a vegetarian myself, however, I do believe that everyone should try to be one. I sound confusing right?...What I mean is...you should incorporate vegetarian principles into your everyday diet. For example, Brad and I always try to have our veggies and greens everyday. It is so important to get your full dose of vegetables on an everyday basis. We both enjoy fish, chicken, lamb, steak, etc....but for every dinner, we accompany those meats with corn, spinach, peppers, healthy spices, etc. It is so important!

A couple other tips that I learned last night include:

1. If you are prone to sinus infections (like me) try incorporating parsley into your dishes.
2. Candles bought from stores such as Yankee candle may have been made with toxic chemicals. Instead purchase your candles from stores such as Whole Foods, where the wax comes from all natural ingredients, such as beeswax.
3. Tea Tree Oil and lavender mixed in water make for a great DIY scent for your home.
4. Recipes for delicious muffins, pastries, and bars that use Coconut Milk!

The night ended with a meditation from a Zen Minister! It was so cool! The mediation only took 5 minutes, and I have to admit...I felt so relaxed after!...Making sure to breathe all the way into your stomach is so important! For a quick try...breathe all the way into your belly and squeeze the muscles in your face and neck...then release your breathe while releasing the muscles....trust me...it works!

Eggs In a Basket?

What a storm it was last night! We woke up to our grill blown over on it's side!!

Any-who.....Happy Tuesday Afternoon!...It's only Tuesday and this week has been so hectic already!..After our grill was restored to an upright position....I decided it was time to dig into our carton of 20 plus eggs and create a yummy breakfast. I made Eggs in a Basket....a classic childhood favorite!...however I quickly discovered...after numerous shifty eye glances from Brad...that he has never had eggs in a basket! I was stunned!...Brad proceeded to ask if it was a Greek thing. Gotta love his sarcasm. Essentially eggs in a basket is inside out french toast. To start take 2 slices of bread and cut out a whole in the middle...about the size of a quarter! Make sure to save the extra piece of circular bread. Next butter up your bread and place on a medium heated griddle. Toast the bread slightly on both sides. Next crack an egg into the middle of hole in your bread. Let it cook, flipping the bread once..to make sure it cooks on both sides....and your done!!...While the egg is cooking...you can take that tini piece of extra bread..and place it on the griddle for a minute or 2. Some like to eat their eggs in a basket with maple syrup...and others like it plain. Needless to say, I will be making this meal again for Brad...he was very happy!

Brad and I are hosting a mini get together with our family this Saturday Night! It is the first real get together at our home...and we are scrambling to get everything unpacked, cleaned and looking it's best! Last night Brad finished putting up the curtains in the bedroom and hung a couple pictures in the Kitchen. I painted an old white accent table Black for the living room, and started on "antiquing" our kitchen furniture. It was hectic starting that whole process. We mixed our black paint with water and lightly brushed it on our practice bench. It appeared thick at first, so Brad suggested wiping it lightly with a paper towel. Surprisingly... it seemed as though it was in fact working. The color green crackled through the black to give it an old, battered, antique appearance. Of course, lighting in our home has been an issue latley...so I could barley see where I was painting (not recommended)!! That was until Brad grabbed his mega flashlight for me!

I ended my evening by watching Decision Points on NBC by myself (B was asleep next to me)...not really the type of show that Brad enjoys...but he was a trooper for letting me watch it!

Tonight seems like it is going to be an even busier night...no time to cook dinner either...darn...(although a night off from dishes isn't so bad! ;) )

Entertaining is hard work!

It's FRIDAY...and a rainy friday at that, but friday nonetheless! It has been quite the week!...I can't tell if it's the rain, work or life in general...but I am so tired today!...Tonight I am heading into Beantown to relax....a big glass of cold Pino is calling my name!

Last night was a busy night in the Jansson Household. 4 loads of laundry, cleaning, unpacking, organizing, painting and 2 DVR shows later...my head hit the pillow hard!...Night after Night, I have noticed a continuous pattern in my life. I spend more time cleaning dishes and pans than I do doing anything else...probably why I was so far behind on my laundry! Martha Stewart states on her pans when you purchase them that in order for the shine to last, you must hand wash them. I took this challenge head on, but now its just flat out annoying. I highly doubt Martha is hand washing all of her pots and pans, actually I am quite sure that she has assistants to do that for her. But I am stubborn and refuse to give in...so for now I will continue to spend my nights hunched over the kitchen sink....washing away!

When we first moved into our home, we purchased 2 wooden stools from the unfinished furniture store. We have had the intention for the last 2 months to paint them black, and we finally did so last night!

Before!

After!

They look great with only one coat! We can't decide if we want to paint on another coat or not. Part of the reason being, we are going to "brush" paint black over our green kitchen furniture. We are hoping to achieve an "antique look." If we can pull off what I have pictured in my head, it is going to look great....but for now..."To be Continued..."

Our party is next weekend....so in other words....no relaxing for us this weekend! Happy Friday everyone!

Put Your Blues Away Puttanesca!

It's ELECTION DAY! I hope everyone gets the chance to Vote! Its almost surreal to think that in 1918, women were holding signs on election day that read.."We want the right to vote!" and today women are holding signs that read the name of their favorite candidate whom they are voting for!

To help Brad and I get over our Monday blues...I decided to attempt a dish for dinner last night that I have never tried to cook before! I called it..."Put Your Blues Away Puttanesca!"

To start, fill a pot up with water, salted and heat on medium to begin the boiling process. In another pan, drizzle in OO and place in 4 or 5 chicken tenders seasoned with a little salt and pepper only. Begin to cook the chicken so that the outside begins to brown. In a Wok pan (featured in the picture...the big silver one)...drizzle down some OO and place chopped onions, green bell peppers, frozen corn bits, garlic, red pepper flakes, pepper, salt, and oregano. Keep the heat on medium and begin to saute all your veggies. Once your chicken is 95% cooked, place tenders in the Wok pan with your veggies (the chicken will fully finish cooking in the wok). Now add your penne pasta to your boiling salted water for about 10 minutes or until al dente.

Meanwhile, in a mini chop, take a piece of multigrain bread, a little Parmesan cheese and oregano.....and chop together until fine formed bread crumbs are made. Remove crumbs from mini chop and place in a pan with some OO, heat on medium..constantly stirring the crumbs until they look crispy...then remove from heat.

Continue stirring the chicken around with the veggies in the wok pan. Then add in sun dried tomatoes to the wok pan. Ive found that sun dried tomatoes cook up fast, which is why I add them now. Put the heat on low. Once your pasta is done, drain and add to the wok pan as well. Stir the chicken, penne and all your veggies together....adding a hint of OO to the mixture. Lastly, add in a few spinach leafs...stir again, and your done!

Place chicken, pasta and veggie mixture on a plate. Top with breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. The picture, shows the finished product, which looks so yummy, and it was!! Now traditionally Puttanesca dishes are really spicy, or contain plump tomatoes. I decided to use sun dried tomatoes and an Olive Oil, Parmesan flavoring. Brad really loved this dish, and so did I. And if your wondering...it did take away our monday night blues!!!

This dinner was so good, that it gave us a little extra energy to finally put the second coat of paint on our spare bedroom....something that we have been putting off for weeks now!! Well......Election night for me...is like the Oscars!! I will be glued all night! Happy Tuesday!