Lemon Garlic Chicken

Good Tuesday morning!

The Gallery Pics are a hodge-podge of this and that... a little volleyball... a little Austin... a little family.

RANDOMNESS - Last week, my friend, Tonya, and her mother flew to Colorado. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, they walked 20 miles a day for three days. (That's a total of 60 miles, Guys.) They didn't do it because it was an athletic event (although it most definitely was). They didn't do it to spend time in beautiful Colorado. They did it because they are both cancer survivors.

The past few months while Tonya was preparing for the walk, she found ways to tell her story. She organized a Pink Ribbon Run/Walk in our town which was VERY well received! Before organizing the walk, she told her story to the City Council and they graciously and wonderfully supported her efforts. There was a reporter at the meeting. Tonya was able to tell her story to the reporter who in turn printed it in a major newspaper in our area.

And then there was the Walk itself, in which women told part of their story just by participating in the Three-Day Susan G. Komen Walk For the Cure held in Denver, Colorado.

What an amazing and brave thing to do! I cannot even imagine, and I am filled with admiration for Tonya and her mom, and ALL the women who chose to tell their story this way.

Once again, I've gone back into the Archives, and I wanted to share a little of that post with you today... one year later.

The topic for the week was "Everyone Has a Story."

In talking about stories, I just want to point out everyone has a story... and not just any old story, but a story worth sharing. Most people are like me... they just need someone who will listen. And that being said, I know I NEED to become a better listener. There is so much to gain from listening.

There is comfort in knowing you're not the only one going through a similar difficult time. There is joy in knowing there are people who think the same way you do. And there is a great, great release when the person you've been listening to stops to let you have a turn to share.

I was thinking about Steel Magnolias earlier this week. Dolly Parton's character (the town hairdresser) was talking to one of the other ladies about Annelle (Darryl Hannah's character). When Dolly was asked questions about Annelle's history she couldn't answer yet, she replied, "I don't know, but I think there's a story there."

There's a story in all of us. We just need to find the right friend to listen... and then return the favor by listening to their story as well.

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak... ." James 1:19.

Congratulations on a story well told, Tonya!

Hints for Special Guest - I didn't give you any hints yesterday, so today I will share FIVE! See if you can guess our September Special Guest today (especially since she'll be making her appearance tomorrow).

1. She is the wife of one and mother of three.

2. She is much younger than me, but definitely older than last month's Special Guest, Lauren, who was still a teenager!

3. When asked to use three adjectives to describe her, she picked the word "simple." Is it any wonder I like this girl?

4. She was a cheerleader back in the day.

5. She's the "fun" mom, and listening to loud music on the car radio with a bunch of teenage girls in the back doesn't phase her one bit.

Did I make it too easy for you? Guess away!

Lemon Garlic Chicken

I want to remind you (once again) of our theme for the week... Time Well Spent! This is also another well-deserved plug for Lana's Power Cooking Classes. The two go hand-in-hand. I'm going to share a delicious (we've already eaten this one), easy and economical recipe with you today. (This recipe came from Lana's class.)

You will need the following:

2 pounds boneless chicken breasts OR tenderloins
2 cloves chopped garlic
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoon chopped parsley
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon pepper

1. If you are preparing this meal for later, dump all the ingredients listed above in a 1-gallon freezer bag and freeze.

2. When you are ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

3. Pour contents of bag into a 9" x 13" baking pan and bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees for chicken breasts or 30 minutes for tenderloins.

It is tender and flavorful. Add a garden salad, noodles and dinner rolls and you have a great meal which takes NO time to make. That means you (Code for THE MOM) can sit down and enjoy your family AND dinnertime. See! Time very well spent!

NOTE - And while you are making one recipe, go ahead and double it. When a friend or family member needs a little help one week for whatever reason, you can give them a nice dinner. It's a win-win!

ANOTHER NOTE - If you are interested in one of Lana's classes, let me know, and I'll pass the info on to you when she schedules another one.

Have a terrific Tuesday. It is gray and drippy here... and I am happy. If it were 15 or 20 degrees cooler, I would be ecstatic!

Wednesday is going to be a big day! I have Wisdom, Traditions AND our September Special Guest will be revealed. Fun!

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

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda