A curious happening....

Today was one of those days that I had to push myself through work and then took a "quick" trip to Joanns. A quick trip these days involves a hour (plus) long wait outside because during this difficult time Joanns is only allowing 10 people inside at a time. Now there are good things and bad things that go with that rule -

The good:
* Short lines (inside anyway) at the cutting table, the registers and everywhere else including the little girls room.
* No kids screaming and having meltdowns. That's rather nice in a fabric store.

The not so good:
* L-O-N-G waits outside, after work when your feet ache and the rest of you do too.
* There's no "quick" trip to the fabric store. Ever.

Anyway, while I was shooting the breeze with the gal 6' away a man pulled up in a pickup and asked if we were making masks. We all kind of look at him like "huh"? He says again, "Are you making masks, getting supplies?" I answered, "Most of us". (Still a little clueless.) And he asks "are you donating them"? I answered "Some." He waved me over and hands me a $20 toward the cost of my masks. He asked me to use the money for supplies to donate more masks "because he doesn't know how to sew" and he'd like to pitch in some. I kind of wish I'd gotten his name. Or his phone number....

So, I used his $20 to get LOTS more interfacing (then I'd planned & could afford) and some cool patriotic fabric to make up some masks for the local Vet's Hospital about 2 blocks from my house. One of my former daycare moms works as a counselor and I told her she could either keep them for her office to use for home visits or donate them to the hospital itself. Use them where they could be used the most. I'll also through in some girlie type masks. ;)

Do you have a quarantine/isolation story? Please share your story in the comments or if you have one on your blog share the link for everyone =D

(A quick clarification - Nebraska is not a state on lockdown. I am a essential employee who is also making masks when I'm not working and they didn't have any interfacing or thread at work which I needed. Nebraska is just participating in the 6' apart rule and common sense lol. Anyway no lectures please.).

Thanks for reading! ~Tina

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Chicken Pot Pie ~ Dairy Free & Easy to Make

I've been craving chicken. I'm usually eating fairly cheap since I'm not feeding a family or a daycare these days and make up something delicious such as a soup or stew on Sunday and eat on that the first half of the week and then I figure something else out the rest of the week (PBJ anyone?). Lately though I've been thinking about Mom's Chicken Pot Pie. YUM.

Today I tried a new pie crust for this recipe. I cannot make a pie crust worth a hill of beans and so usually I just buy a refrigerated pie crust. This time, I grabbed the WeWalka brand of refrigerated pie crust. This company prides itself on having no artificial colors or flavors, no high fructose corn syrup, no hydrogenated oils or bleached flour. The packaging said it was flaky & Lard Free. Sounds good to me! The pie crust came out light, didn't have that "off taste" that the pie crust I usually buy (whether frozen or refrigerated) has and rolled right off the parchment it was packaged on without being sticky or stuck together. I found it at HyVee for $3.29 by the canned biscuits. These specialty doughs also include pizza crust (these looked good), a bistro pizza crust, a flatbread and a puff pastry. Sign up for their newsletter for coupons & recipes (at bottom of their website).

Mom's Chicken Pot Pie

This is a family recipe that I've tweaked some. I've added sage to the recipe and mixed veggies. It's chock full of veggies. The original recipe was served at my Mom's restaurant many years ago and was a favorite of her diners. It's still one of my favorites and my daycare kiddos loved this.

Begin by poaching 2 chicken breast halves in water. When done poaching remove from the water and set aside to cool before cutting up or shredding. You will want about 1 1/2-2 cups of diced chicken when done. RESERVE 1/4 cup of broth for your roux.

Filling:
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1" pieces or there about. Today I actually sliced mine up pretty small as my potatoes were small and then I just cooked them carefully so I didn't over cook them.
1/2 bag of mixed veggies, or carrots & peas.

Boil until just done. I usually cook the potatoes until softened, add the veggies and cook according to the package. Pour your veggies and water in a colander and let drain.

Pie Crust:
I used the WeWalka pie crust this time but have also made a crust from the Betty Crocker cookbook or bought a frozen deep dish piecrust. This makes a deep dish piecrust and you only need 1 crust. If you use a frozen one put it out to thaw about 20 minutes. If you use a refrigerated one like the one I used today set it out to warm up about 20 minutes approximately.

Sauce:
Note: I use Almond Milk due to a sensitivity to dairy. I've also used cows milk, oat milk, soy milk and coconut milk. I prefer a almond milk that's unsweetened and doesnt have vanilla in it. I find the alternative milks tend to thicken up faster than the cows milk.

Before starting your roux, combine in a bowl:
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk (see above)
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp poultry seasoning
1/4 tsp sage

In a 4qt saucepan add the following in this order & by these steps.
2-3 Tab butter (don't use margarine please)
Melt & add 1/4 cup flour
Stir to form a roux (this is a thickened soft paste).

Pour the milk & broth mixture into your roux and stir till it thickens. Be sure to stir your sauce till it's thick. It will be quick with the alternative milks. Pour in the veggies/chicken and then add to your pie plate. This is a deep dish pot pie. Heads up:  A regular pie plate may not be deep enough for this pie. Top with your pie crust, flute the edges (my edges always look terrible) and pop in the oven at 350 for 1 hour. After 20 minutes start keeping an eye on your crust to make sure it doesn't burn. If it starts getting really dark take a piece of foil and cover your crust. You don't want to burn the crust.

Tip: This filling actually freezes up very nicely. When you want a pot pie then you'll just thaw the filling and grab the pie crust or make one and once the crust is warmed up top the pie and bake.

YUM! Enjoy ~ Tina "The Book Lady"

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Bible Study, Fear, Stress & Covid-19

Howdy everyone! It's 1:15 am and I am wide awake. Actually I went to bed around 930 thinking I'll read and instead I fell asleep. 10:30 pm and I was wide awake. That's how my nights roll when I go to bed before midnight. How about you?

This week has been interesting. Sort of. Friday I saw a friend briefly and without thinking I accepted a hug from her two kiddos. No one was coughing, sneezing, feverish, etc.... By Monday they were all sick. I called my Dr who had me call Methodist hotline and they decided I was "Low Exposure" and "Negative" likely and asked me to self monitor from home for a few days. Since I'm still working I called my boss, let her know what's happening and I've been home Tuesday and Wednesday and will likely be back at work very soon since I'm not showing any symptoms. I feel fine. A bit tired but that's normal Fibro stuff especially since I don't sleep like a normal person. We'll see how it goes. Please pray that nothing comes of this.

This week I also joined a online Bible Study called Faith Over Fear. While I'm not feeling like I'm fearful in this whole Covid-19 pandemic "thing" I am feeling stressed some and stress is my fibro trigger - it brings sleepless or lack of restful nights, higher pain levels and exhaustion.
My thoughts are that getting together with other women who are struggling whether from fear or stress (or other issues) it will help me focus on something else. Also, as my illness progresses and with the stress of my very physical job I'm not able to participate in church regularly and small groups with other women like I'd like to. This is the next best thing.

We would love for you to journey with us this month (for the next 100 days) as we direct our hearts and our minds on Faith! Click Here to join us - no book is needed although if you'd like to follow along with us you can purchase the book "100 Days of Faith over Fear" for $13 in the group. Just ask Shauna how to order it or click on the name of the book above. This is more than just a bible study but a chance to gather together online to fellowship and study what the Bible says about conquering fear by focusing on our faith in Christ. There will be scripture prompts, prayer request opportunities, readings, zoom gatherings and fellowship too!

100 Days of Faith over Fear
by Lisa Stilwell
With the Maker of heaven and earth by our side, we have nothing to fear! In this 100-day journey to a fearless life, you'll find space to reflect on God's strength, courage and unwavering love for you. With encouraging devotions, empowering Scriptures and heartfelt prayers, 100 Days of Faith over Fear will help you release your worries, cares and concerns to your all-powerful, almighty God.

Hope to see you there! ~ Tina "The Book Lady"

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Disclaimer: I am not receiving any reimbursement or reward for sharing my thoughts or the link for the book or bible study. At times I may share products or items that I liked or am paid to share and think my readers will enjoy. This however is not one of them.