Spring Fever

Spring is almost here, I hope in a few weeks... The above picture is me horseback riding last spring! Oh its seems like Spring will never arrive! I will be so excited for spring to be here for the following reasons:

I will graduate from college! Woo Hoo. I can wear shorts and flip flops It will be enjoyable to go on evening walks. The air will smell crisp and fresh. Apache will be back in my parents field chomping on the green grass! I will get to see my new neice Claire enjoy Spring time. New flowers will be blooming. We are going to Washington DC to visit my sissy boo and get to go to the Yankees Game!!!! And much much more!

Do's and Don'ts

I have tried a couple new recipes in the past week or so. One came from Leslie's pampered chef cook book, the other from Food Network. The pampered chef recipe was delicious, the Food Network not so much...

So First the Good:
Spinach Artichoke Dip



1- 6 0z Jar of marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
9-11 oz chopped spinach, thawed.
1/4 C Mayo
1/4 C Sour Cream
1/2 C Parmesan Cheese
1/2 C Mozzarella Cheese (Not part of the recipe but adds more zip)

Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes.

Now for the Bad- Do not try this at home! One and I almost puked eating it!

Easy Lemon Pasta by the Neelys.

• 1 pound dried penne
• 2 chicken cutlets, cut into fingers
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, until al dente. Drain well.

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a large grill pan over medium high and add chicken. Grill until golden and completely cooked. Remove to a plate and slice.

Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to a saute pan with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and saute until fragrant. Add the cooked pasta and turn heat off. Mix all together.

Remove pasta to a large bowl. Add chicken to the warm pasta and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle in chopped parsley. Add the juice of 2 lemons and mix. Before serving top with Parmesan.

Gift Giving Forward

My Aunt Terry has offered the following opportunity: "the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a hand/homemade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment here, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. Then come back, let me know you're going to play, and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Remember that only the first 3 comments will receive a gift from me, so be quick!"

Alright friends and family- you better hurry and post a comment. You know you would love to get a hand crafted gift from Jenny!

Go Jazz! Woo Woo!

'One and I were honored when Marcie and Eric invited us to the Jazz Game. Eric scored (through his many connections) some tickets to sit in the Executive Suite. We had to dress up in nice business attire. One had no church pants that fit (I know, we are terrible) so I went on a rush shopping job to Express and got him some slacks. Once we were in the suite, there was a delicious buffet of food including; sushi, prime rib, chicken, potatoes, salad, pasta salad and of course desert. We had a blast- the game was so intense. After battling through, the Jazz beat the Lakers! Oh Ya Baby. Get This- Marcie was trying to curse the Jazz by betting Eric that they would loose to the Lakers. What a little shit!

Lessons of Life...

I have not been here on Earth for all that long. I have learned many lessons in my life, but by far the most important lesson I have learned is that the key to getting good grades, being the best employee, and success in general depends on one important thing.... FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS! To me and the people who read this blog (since everyone I know is smart) this seems like an easy concept.

I had a situation at school today. We had to do a case that is worth 20% of our final grade. We were to get in groups of 2 and not communicate with anyone else because it is somewhat competitive. These two girls in my class sit and chitty chat, surf the web and do other homework during class. This class is not the type of class you can do that. The teacher is very specific and explains things to a "T". Well he specifically told us orally and written that we needed to have 2 products and focus on 2 segments. These girls come to class with their case and asked to look at my groups. Well I took a peek at theirs as well. They had done 3 segments and only offered 1 product. I am sure they will get a bad grade. If only they knew how to follow instructions.

Luckily my parents taught me well. I did not have to read Following Instructions for Dummies, but I suggest that a lot of people do.

Valentines Party!

We had our Annual Valentines Party. It was full of fun people, delicious food and crafty card making. We had a total blast! I made a delicious desert - Prism Cake Cup Cakes. The recipe is below for anyone ambitious enough to make them! I have also posted some pictures of the cards I made.

Prism Cake:

1 Package of each: Orange, Lemon, Lime and Cherry Jell-O (small packs)
3 Cups Hot Water

1 1/2 Cups Cold Water

1 C Pineapple Juice

1/4 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup Cold Water

1 Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs (more if you like a thicker crust)

1/4 Cup Butter

2 Cups Heavy Cream

Prepare the Orange, Lime and Cherry Jell-O separately, using 1 Cup hot water and 1/2 cup cold water each. Poor into separate pans and chill tell firm (I use a 9-inch round pan for each kind of Jell-O). Combine pineapple juice and sugar and heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and dissolve lemon Jell-0 in hot liquid, add remaining 1/2 cup cold water. Chill until just syrupy. Mix crumbs with melted butter. Press crumbs in 9-inch spring form pan (or in cup cakes - I suggest using foil cup cake holders). Whip the 2 cups of cream and pour into it the syrupy lemon flavored gelatin. Cut all other gelatin's. Fold into whipped cream mixture. Chill 8 hours before serving. Enjoy!

Project Claire

I have been slowly working on an art project for my soon to be niece Claire. Traci asked me to paint a picture of daisies for Claire's nursery. I picked a picture with only one daisy, because I would rather do close up detail work. I started this project before Christmas and got it about half way done. Then school started, work got crazy, etc. and I haven't made time to work on it. I got thinking Claire will be here in about a month! So I got the paint brushes out and finished the painting. Now I just need to get a frame.

Diva Mele

There are lots of divas in my life. February 3rd is a day to honor my diva sister-in-law Mele. She turns 21 and will soon be partying her little heart out. Mele and I go way back. When I was in the 8th grade, she was in 7th, 'One in 9th. She threw a birthday party and invited me. Of course I went to the party- and I remember asking her where 'One's room was (I always had a crush on 'One). One of the girls at the party went in his room with me and we snuggled with his pillow and snooped around. She makes fun of me for it to this day. Mele is full of laughs. She always comes up with quarky little sayings and nick names. She coined the term "sissy boo"! Happy Birthday Sissy Boo! Love ya.