Greek Orzo Salad

1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
2 (6 oz) cans marinated artichoke hearts
1 tomato, seeded and chopped
1 cucumber, seeded and chopped
1 red onion, chopped
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 (2 oz) can black olives, drained
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tbs lemon juice
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp lemon pepper

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Drain artichoke hearts, reserving liquid. In large bowl combine pasta, artichoke hearts, tomato, cucumber, onion, feta, olives, parsley, lemon juice, oregano and lemon pepper. Toss and chill for 1 hour in refrigerator. Just before serving, drizzle reserved arthichoke marinade over salad.

Caribbean Chicken

2-3 cups cooked rice
1 tbs olive oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces
1 cup salsa (medium gives more flavor)
1/4 cup orange marmalade
1 tbs brown sugar
2 tbs lime juice
1/4 tsp allspice

While the rice is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet at medium high. Add chicken; cook and stir until chicken is no longer pink (about 7 minutes). In a medium bowl, combine salsa, marmalade, brown sugar, lime juice and allspice. Mix well. Add to chicken; mix well. Bring it all to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer five to ten minutes stirring occasionally. Serve over hot rice.

Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry

I like this recipe. I didn't use broccoli and forgot to get something else so used onions. I also left the ginger out. Without thinking I also served Ham Fried Rice. This was not smart because you need noodles or rice to serve under the stir-fry.

2 tbs vegetable oil, divided

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz), cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce, divieded

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp ground ginger

2 tbs cornstarch

3 cups broccoli florets

1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 tbs brown sugar, firmly packed

2 tsp sesame oil

1/2 cup dry roasted cashews

Cooked asian noodles or rice (optional)

In wok or large skillet heat 1 tbs vegetable oil over medium-high heat 1 minute until hot. Add chicken, 2 tbs soy sauce, garlic and ginger; stir-fry 4 to 5 minutes until chicken is no longer pink. Transfer chicken to platter; loosely cover to keep warm. Combine cornstarch and remaining 2 tbs soy sauce; set aside. Add remaining 1 tbs vegetable oil to wok. Add broccoli and red bell pepper; stir-fry 3 to 4 minutes. Return chicken to wok; add chicken broth, brown sugar and sesame oil. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until broth begins to bubble. Stir in cornstarch mixture; reduce heat to medium. Cook 3 to 4 minutes until sauce thickens. Stir in cashews. Serve over cooked noodles or rice, if desired. Makes 4 servings. http://www.fishernut.com/

Crispy Chocolate Chewies

I made these cookies and enjoyed them alot. After tasting them I decided you could use any flavor cake mix to make them. I got this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens. My nieces don't care for coconut, so I left it out and used Funfetti frosting. It was great!

1 (18.25 oz) pkg German chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
3/4 cup crisp rice cereal
1/4 cup flaked coconut
1 cup purchased coconut-pecan frosting
Flaked coconut, toasted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine dry cake mix, melted butter, milk and egg. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until well mixed. Stir in cereal and the 1/4 cup coconut. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Cool for 1 minutee on cookie sheet. Transfer to a wire rack; cool. Frost with the coconut-pecan frosting. Sprinkle cookies with toasted coconut. Makes about 40 cookies.
To Store: Layer unfrosted cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container, cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies; frost and spinkle with coconut before serving.

A-Fib is no fun!

We've been told fixing A-Fib is difficult. It's a process of finding the right combination of procedure and medication. The right combination has not been found for Kay. On Tuesday he is going in for an Ablation. We are hoping that will help!

Things Come In 3's

I hope we can count 3's to the family not to one person. I had a tooth ache during the weekend and was in alot of pain. Went to the dentist on Monday and had a root canal done. My tooth is a little aching still from being worked on but I'm out of pain! I gave Kay the last shot yesterday, YEAH!!!! His leg doesn't hurt anymore so he his walking more and feeling better. He can move his arm just a little in front of him. I think we both are headed to recovery!

Pace Maker and Blood Cot

My husband has had Atrial Fibrilation for years where it would bother him for 24 hours and then settle down. About one week ago it started and wouldn't go away. His heart beat would jump around between 40 and 120. He went to the doctor and he suggested having an Ablation done. The next night his heart went really crazy so at 3 am Saturday he had me take him to the ER. The doctor told him to see the Cardiologoist that day. He was taken by Ambulance to the hospital in Murray. The Cardiologoist told him they were putting a pace maker in on Monday. He can't use his left arm for 6 days after that he can move it. He just can't lift if over his head. It will take 8 weeks to recover. Sunday night his calf hurt and he thought it was a charlie horse. It was uncomfortable to walk. We came home on Tuesday. The surgery went well and he had no pain with it. Wednesday morning he got this pain in his calf that brought tears to his eyes. He couldn't walk on that leg. He had me call the ambulance to transport him to the ER. They did an Ultra Sound and found out he has a blood clot. I have to give him a shot in his stomach every day for 6 days. This will make the clot adhere to the wall of the vein so that it doesn't move. He also has to take a blood thinner. You know how it's said things come in 3's, well I'm hoping that doesn't happen. I don't like giving shots because I don't like needles but we both have survived the first one. I'm lucky in that he is not a demanding patient!

Hobble Creek Ride

I am taking the picture, my nephew Joe was standing to the right, on the left is his Uncle Danny, my nephew Braden and my brother Earl. It was a beautiful 6 hour ride.