Back to Normal, And a Recipe

You know your marriage is suffering from too much togetherness when you get into a screaming match (and one of you storms out of the house, taking the dog) over a FIG SQUARE. Yep -- that's what we'd come to by Friday. I can certainly relate to how Stephanie feels about having Joe underfoot while he's between situations.

But this morning M went to school for the first time in over a week and a half and only the second time in over 2 weeks. Now the pupper, kitties and I have the place to ourselves and peace reigns once again here at the parsonage. I should be cleaning the place since I haven't cleaned in a week, but for now here I sit at the computer catching up on emails, updating the Church's website, sending out this week's press release, job hunting, and doing a little bit of writing.

Nothing new to report on the job front. I have applied for some things from which it is probably too soon to expect any news. I have applied for some things for which I know I am overqualified and therefore probably won't get anywhere. We'll see.

It's interesting how many people seem honestly worried that I haven't found a job or at least gotten tons of interviews by now. M and I (and a few of our more astute friends) may be the only ones who aren't terribly anxious for me to find another job. I am looking (it is a condition of Unemployment and it is part of my nature), and if the right job came along I would accept it. I am also very aware that M is looking for a new church, and when she finds one it will necessitate moving out of commuting range for any job physically located here.

It is a dilemma, and one which could be solved if I did what M wants me to do and started weaving seriously and trying to sell my stoles. It would also be solved if I could put together a freelance writing/editing portfolio. That is actually my next big project -- organize all of my writing (which is currently spread across three computers), so that I can put together a portfolio and see about getting some freelance work.

I also need to finish that ICL application and return it.

But right now I really need to clean the house and do some laundry. Oh, and put together the exercise bike we bought over the weekend -- yay!

But here's what I threw together for lunch yesterday -- turned out pretty yummy.

Peanut Chicken Stir Fry

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into thin slices
1 1-lb package frozen sugar snap pea stir fry (or an equivalent amount of fresh sugar snap peas and thin sliced carrots, onion and mushrooms)
1 small handful cocktail peanuts
peanut or olive oil for cooking

Sauce:
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup water (add 1/4 cup if using fresh vegetables)
2 tbls vegetable or peanut oil
2 tbls cider or red wine vinegar (or 3 tbls rice wine vinegar)
2 tsp lite soy sauce (more or less to taste)
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
1 tsp black pepper (more or less to taste)

Put sauce ingredients in blender and mix until combined. If you are using frozen veggies, it will be a bit thick -- about the consistency of honey. If you are using fresh veggies it will be a bit runnier. Taste the sauce to make sure it is spiced to your taste.

In a wok (or sauté pan) over medium high heat, cook chicken in oil until juices run clear. Remove and keep warm. If needed, add more oil to pan. Cook vegetables (if using frozen veggies, put them in frozen) until done. Do not drain off the water which comes from the frozen veggies (it'll thin the sauce). Return chicken to the pan, add nuts and sauce and cook over medium high heat until everything is warmed through.

Serve over rice. Makes 4 servings.

Pupper Balks

So, after near balmy temps just a couple of weeks ago, today it was, well, frigid. So frigid, in fact, that Pupper (who has been reveling in the colder weather lately) balked at going outside this morning. He went out, pooped, and turned for home -- M nearly had to drag him to the end of the driveway to retrieve the papers. You know it's cold when even the dog with the thick, dark, curly hair doesn't want to be outside.

It was such a cold, miserable day, in fact, that I made this weekend's soup (chicken noodle with vegetables) a day early. Since last night's chicken, combined with the frozen turkey carcass from a couple months ago, made a lot of stock, I also decided to have a warm option for M's after school snack (the veggies and dip she's been having the rest of week feeling just a bit too chilly). So, for your after school, after work, after sledding, simply want something warm and comforting pleasure, The Pastor's Wife's Simple, Fast, Guaranteed-to-Warm-You-Up Soup of Love:

Ingredients:
1 quart chicken stock (homemade is best, but at the very least it MUST be low- or non-fat and low salt)
1/2-lb mild (or hot -- your choice) Italian sausage
1 can white beans, drained
3/4 cup frozen chopped kale (or green of your choice)

Bring chicken stock to a simmer in a sauce pan. Meanwhile, roll sausage (remove from casing if you buy links) into 1/2" balls. When stock is simmering, drop in sausage balls and simmer until cooked through (about 8-10 minutes). When sausage is cooked through, add beans and kale and simmer for five minutes, covered.

Serve to your chilled loved ones with crackers or even a nice loaf of bread.

Hoping it's warm where you are.