Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

This is the budget version of Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo but it tastes delicious and you will love it. I know many people prefer chicken breast over thighs, but the thighs are less expensive. So I use thighs and I think they taste better. So here is your list of ingredients:

• 1/4 C. butter
• 1/4 C.olive oil
• 1 small onion sliced thin(from your garden)
• 1 med.bell pepper sliced thin(from your garden)
• 1/3 C. flour
• 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs or figure 1 thigh per person(broiled and sliced thin)
• 2 cloves garlic (pressed or diced fine)
• 1 can evaporated milk (or half and half purchased at Sam's Club is barely $1. and some change)
• 3/4 C. powdered milk mix with 2 C. water( or homemade chicken broth mixed with powder milk)
• 1 8 oz. pkg. store brand cream cheese(cut into chunks)
• 1 tsp.sea salt
• 2 Tbsp. dried basil or fresh basil from your garden diced fine
• 1 lb.cooked fettuccine noodles
• 1/2 C.grated Parmesan cheese (optional:use 1/4 C.Parmigiana Reggiano grated fresh, Note: Parmigiana Reggiano is expensive, however, it goes a long way and you won't have any cellulose filler in it either)
• (optional: 4 mushrooms sliced thin)
• If you like yours cheesy you can also add 1/2 C. finely grated mozzarella

Heat oil and butter in large sauce pan, when butter is melted, saute onion and bell pepper, when onion is translucent push veggies to sides of pan. Add flour and garlic to center of pan and stir into oil until a soft golden color. Add evaporated milk and powdered milk, stir with flat side of spatula, while stirring together with onions and pepper. This should turn into a gravy. Add chunks of cream cheese and stir constantly until cream cheese is blended in. Add sea salt, garlic powder, basil, then stir in your cheese, finally add your cooked chicken thighs. Meanwhile you have cooked your fettuccine noodles following instructions on package. Drain noodles, put on plate and top with Chicken Alfredo sauce. Garnish with mushroom and a fresh basil leaf on top, serve with beautiful salad from your garden and some crusty bread, and if your are privileged to have a Trader Joe's in your neck of the woods (so far not in Colorado), you can serve with a nice glass of two buck Chuck. (White Zin)

For more info: Check back for more recipes! Enjoy!

Do it yourself shelving

Are you limited on your ability to organize because your closets do not have adequate shelving? If you can you read a tape measure and use a screw gun, then why not do it yourself! You don't know where to start? Then check this out.

• You will need a tape measure, drill and drill bit slightly smaller in diameter than the drywall screws or 1 1/2" deck screws you will be using, a small level, and a pencil, and of course the shelving and cleats
• Clear the area to be shelved
• Decide how far apart in height you want your shelves to be (essentially how many shelves you will put up)
• Measure and mark the wall where you want your shelves located.
• Measure the width and the depth of the area and write it down
• Take the measurements to Home Depot and have them cut your cleats and shelves for you (use prelaminated or finished shelving, it's easier) Or you can cut your materials yourself. (My husband is a carpenter so I had all the tools I needed)
• Drill two holes in each end of each cleat
• Screw the cleats onto the wall (make sure to use the level)
• Put the shelves on and you are done!

I measured the back of the wall, which was 25 1/2" wide, and the depth of the shelves had to be 11". I built four shelves, so I needed two cleats per shelf making a total of 88" linear board I would need for cleats. I cut the cleats myself, but Home Depot would be happy to do it for you. I bought 12" wide prelaminated shelving 10' long and cut it myself. I pre-drilled the holes in the cleats, two holes on each end. Then using a small level I drew a line on the wall where the cleats would be located. I screwed the cleats onto the wall and put the shelves in. As you can see, I used some silver screws I found in the garage. That's it. Easy huh? For a more permanent shelf use wood glue and glue the shelf onto the cleats then caulk around the edges of the shelf.

Ladies, if you don't have a tool box, get one. You need the basics in your tool box to begin with. A hammer, a cordless drill and bits (make sure it comes with a flat head screw driver bit and a Phillips bit), a tape measure, a small level, screws (drywall screws and 2" deck screws will fix just about any home project you can fix.) and a pair of pliers. You can add stuff later as you find it on sale, or at garage sales (but don't buy used power tools unless they show you they work). I love the cordless tool kits that include a small circular saw and drill with rechargeable batteries, they are woman sized, and easy to use. Ryobi and Dewalt are both good brands but almost any brand will do for your home tool kit.

So get your organizing in gear and go for it! You can do it yourself!

For more info: www.homedepot.com

When an old person dies a library burns down

A friend told me that. I'm not sure she had the saying just right but the meaning is correct. Our older ones need to be given the respect they deserve. Their being alive today is a tribute to their strength and wisdom. Many survived through The Great Depression because of their very wits.

We do well to imitate their strength, their virtue, and their wisdom. They have so much to share with us and their knowledge may be going by the wayside. Do you have an older loved one or senior citizen in your life? It may be a good time to pick there brain, so to speak, so as to gain some of that wisdom in your life.

One of my best friends is an 85 year old woman named Marge. Marge is so precious to me, I think everyone should have a Marge in their life too. She tells me about her life and so many stories and I know when she is gone a library of information will be gone as well.

The Depression was a great learning experience and it built qualities in people that never would have been there had they the easy way out. Perhaps this time of turmoil is a time to reflect on what kind of persons are we, and will we allow difficulties to build in us virtue or otherwise?

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