Artichoke Chicken

Thanks to a dear friend, Margaret-Jane and I were able to make Artichoke Chicken (AC).  Let me back up.  As I assessed our dinner options on Wednesday evening for Thursday evening's dinner, I realized I did not have one of our staples- cream of chicken (COC) soup.  I text several school friends to locate a can or two so that I do not have to go to HEB, but I have no success.  I decide that a run to HEB after school will have to happen because we are going to make AC.  Lovely surprise-there is a bag on my school door with two cans of COC and CHOCOLATE...somebody loves me.  We are definitely making AC Thursday night.

When we get home, I invite the Gourmet Girl to assist me.  She is ready and eager.  The recipe calls for shredded cheese which is one of Margaret-Jane's favorite ways to eat cheese.  She could hardly stand waiting until we were done creating the AC to have some cheese. 

Once we try our creation, we decide that "something" is missing.  Margaret-Jane felt like we needed bread of some sort with the AC, but I thought it needed some other spice....hmmmm.

Tonight we "made" pizza dough in Margaret-Jane's kitchen.  I even let her pretend with my flour.  The smile on her face made the flour mess worth it.  She especially enjoyed throwing her dough into the air and forming a pizza pie....smile.  The joys of make believe.

New Day and vanilla

So today, tonight rather, Margaret-Jane says she wants to try the vanilla....vanilla extract that is.  Okay, I say.  She proceeds to try it and analyze the flavor.  It is bland but strong all at once she says.

I just read my friend's blog about her time with her little one and the disappointment in ending the summer.  I am teary as I lament the end of my summer with Margaret-Jane.  I am hanging on to every moment of this weekend, trying desparately to prolong the summer, the moments with my 6 year old daughter.  Seeking to be in the moment as we savor the weekend is my focus.