Ingredients

Directions

1. Heat pan on high heat, pour in enough garlic infused olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. When very hot, place chicken breast into the pan, let sear for 10 seconds and flip. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Slice basil and set aside. Chop mushrooms and set aside.
2. Chop snow peas and place equally into indivdual’s bowls (the ones you will give to each person). Cut cherry tomatoes in half and place equal amounts in the individual’s bowls along with the snow peas. Separate florets and place equal amounts in the individuals bowls with the peas and tomatoes. Sprinkle feta as desired in each bowl.
3. Turn the chicken. Add just a touch of wine to deglaze the bottom of the pan and allow the chicken to move freely. Cover and let continue to cook on low heat for 10 more minutes.
4. Turn the chicken. Add the basil. Cover and let cook on low for 5 more minutes.
5. Remove the chicken. Add the rest of the wine and completely deglaze
6. the pan. Cover and let simmer while cutting the chicken breast into 1/2 cubes. Place equal amounts in each individual’s bowl.
7. Add the mushrooms to the sauce and quickly stir until all mushrooms are fully coated with the sauce.
8. Pour sauce and mushrooms into each
9. individual bowl. Toss the ingredients gently with two forks.
10. Serve with garlic bread and white wine.

(serves two large portions)

So, here I am in sunny California.  Southern California - about an hour south of LA, to be a bit more accurate for those of you who have voiced a curiousity in the matter.  I’m in Orange County, and I have to say that it’s not a bad place to be.  It’s overpriced, in my opinion; and, just goes to further reinforce my opinion that I have zero desire to live in a state that prices things way over what they are remotely worth.  I pay $400 more a month than I was for my house in Austin - and I get half the square footage.

While that’s annoying, I do have to say that I’ve been wonderfully blessed by my roommate.  The house is great, and my roommate seems to truly enjoy the pups - a massive mark in his favor.  He’s helpful and friendly, without being intrusive.  A hard combination to master.  And, we enjoy enough of the same things that we have plenty to talk about and even some things to do together.  Given that I have no particularly close contacts in the area, having someone willing to drag me around  places with them and show me the area has been wonderful.

I am a total of **gasp** 10 minutes away from work.  Even catching all the lights and the two school zones, I max out at 15 minutes.  I’m loving that little factor.

I chopped off 4.5 inches of hair, got it highlighted and dyed a slightly lighter colour.  I’m loving it.  It seriously needed the cut to get rid of all the split ends - and now  my hair is looking really good.

I haven’t put any real effort into gathering my things from Austin for several reasons. So, for now, all my stuff is sitting in storage waiting for life to straighten itself out. One way or the other.

Work resumed as if I’d never left.  It was literally like I’d had a two month vacation.  A much needed vacation.  The people are friendly, and my new manager was less difficult to deal with than I had anticipated; though, of course, I’ve only had to deal with him face to face on one occassion so far because he’s been traveling.

I went to see the new Star Trek movie with my roommate on Thursday night and it was a blast.  Amazingly well done movie.  I truly enjoyed it.  And, there is a zydeco festival happening in Simi Valley this next weekend that my roommate has suggested we go check out, so we may head up there Saturday or Monday.  Yay for long weekends!  Especially considering I have to work for a few hours tomorrow afternoon.

Anyway - there’s a bit of an update.  Still waiting to hear about the job in Montgomery, though the guys keep calling to let me know they are interested, they just have to go through all the right moves…number one being “eliminate all possible internal hires before going outside the company”.

Ginger-Cinnamon Cookies

INGREDIENTS

* 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
* 4 teaspoons ground ginger
* 3 teaspoons baking soda
* 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
* Four pinches orange zest
* ¾ cup shortening
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1 egg
* ¼ cup dark molasses
* pinch of sea salt

A bit of cinnamon sugar - less than ¼ cup

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Sift the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt into a mixing bowl. Stir the mixture to blend evenly, and sift a second time into another bowl.
3. Place the shortening into a mixing bowl and beat until creamy. Gradually beat in the white sugar. Beat in the egg, and dark molasses. Sift 1/3 of the flour mixture into the shortening mixture; stir to thoroughly blend. Sift in the remaining flour mixture, and mix together until a soft dough forms. Pinch off small amounts of dough and roll into 1 inch diameter balls between your hands. Roll each ball in cinnamon sugar, and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
4. Bake in preheated oven until the tops are rounded and slightly cracked, about 10 minutes. Cool cookies on a wire rack. Store in an air tight container.