Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Good Tuesday morning!

I have more Gallery Pics today of Roxie and friends. We worked on binder decorations (very important to middle school girls). After they decorated for awhile, they wanted to have pictures made all over Gardendale... and I was happy to oblige. Pretty girls! And they are SO ready to begin 7th grade. I think they are going to have a great year.

NOTE TO CARMEN - Thank you for your sweet note of encouragement. I hope your recovery is going well, and that you'll be back to your old self in no time at all. Give your curly-headed Cade a kiss for me, and I'll be seeing you at school and the football games.

MOVIE REVIEW - If you have an ounce of estrogen in your body, immediately go see Julie & Julia... chick flick extraordinaire! I loved it. I love Amy Adams anyway, but the entire movie was just delightful. I was under the impression it was about Julia Child and food for the most part, but it was equally about Amy Adams' character and the blog she wrote as she cooked her way through Julia Child's cookbook 40 years after it was published.

SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER! She turned her blog into a book and the book was turned into the movie. The movie we saw last night. Roxie asked me if I was going to turn my blog into a book... and then a movie. I laughed and asked her who I should get to "play" me if A Simple Life was turned into a movie. Without hesitation, she said, "Amy Adams!" Heavy sigh! Amy Adams is one of those people (like Meg Ryan) who fits the description in my head of "enchanting." Alas, as we've discussed before... I am not "enchanting." (I'm afraid Meryl Streep would have to play me in the movie... and nothing against Meryl Streep, but she simply isn't enchanting. Heavy sigh... again!)

I did so identify with her character though. When she received the first comment EVER on her blog, she squealed and clapped... I did that, too. (I still do that!) If you have a girlfriend, pick her up and take her to see this movie. It is that good. (Do not see this movie on an empty stomach. You will starve if you do!)

AUSTIN UPDATE - He's still doing well. Twelve hour days are keeping him tired and helping him sleep well. He's made a couple of "friends" and he's slowly reaching out to others. He assures me he's eating well, using sunscreen and showering each day. (You know... The really important things in life.) He also assures me he will be home Saturday... without fail.

Tonight when he called he talked to Josh and Roxie (because it was their turn to get to talk to him), and he listened while they talked about their day.

I was right. The days are easier because I can "pretend" he's in Gardendale working at Chick-Fil-A or cutting a yard or visiting Melia or shooting hoops with the guys. The nights are very difficult, because I can't "pretend" any more. But I always said if he was happy, I would be okay. So far, so good. He's happy and adjusting, so I will eventually be happy and adjusting, too. (That's the plan anyway.)

I've never known a kid who truly loves band camp more than Austin. Where 12 hours seems like a horrendous (good word) amount of time to me to spend on ANYTHING, he obviously doesn't feel the same way.

The shrine is coming along nicely. I'll be able to open it to the public and charge admission in a week or so.

I miss him.

BARRY MANILOW REVEAL - That's right, folks. The reveal is just around the corner. Any guesses as to who the Barry Manilow back-up singer is in our midst? I'm trying to find my Barry Manilow blouse to wear in the picture... like I would still fit into that blouse (INSERT SARCASM HERE). I wore it to every Barry Manilow concert I ever attended (six total) except for one. I know I kept it. It's the finding part I'm having a bit of trouble with at the moment. (If and when I do find it, it will be the getting into the blouse I'll be having a bit of trouble with, I'm sure.)

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

First, I want to point your attention to My Blog List. If you click on Sweet Celebrations on Mondays, you will find a new recipe. Yesterday's recipe had cream cheese as an ingredient... Did you hear? Cream cheese. It looked delicious. You may want to check it out every Monday.

For today's recipe, you will need the following:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 teaspoons Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs

1. Combine mayonnaise and cheese.
2. Spread on chicken.
3. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.
4. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes or until done.

Hey, it doesn't get any easier than four ingredients and four steps. Plus, it tastes great. Very moist. Enjoy... or as Julia Child would say, "Bon appetit!"

Have a great Tuesday. Pick up a PEN right now and mark on your calendar to do something with your family today and/or tonight. Big or small. Fun or semi-serious. Be bold. Use one of those 33 new Sharpie pens the school supply list said your child desperately "needed." Make a commitment and stick to it! Another Seasonal Tradition awaits tomorrow. You really must come back!

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda Faulkner

(I may start ending my posts this way. What do you think?)