Pan roasted chicken with lemon-garlic green beans

So I'm a big Pinterest fan. Perhaps big isn't a large enough word for my infatuation with Pinterest. It's like my BFF on most days. I wish I had had Pinterest when I was homeschooling the kids. I'm a visual person so of course I'm in love with that site. Anyways. So I know most of us pin but what do we actually do with those pins? So I've been trying some of the recipes. Here's one I thought was really good. I'll post what I thought I would change at the end.

Here's the recipe from Real Simple. Here's their picture.

So here's how my version turned out.

I used my large cast iron skillet because it was oven proof. I probably wouldn't put the lemons on the bottom again. For me it made the potatoes and green beans too tart. I would marinate the chicken next time instead of just dipping it. Other than those 2 things it was great and very simple. So I hope you enjoy this recipe too.

Amanda

A corner of the living room

I don't think anyone followed me over and because I don't want to delete this blog it comes up as my primary account and directs everyone to this blog. So I'll re-post the first post I did at the other blog.
So I'm finally feeling like getting around and doing something with this house that I'm not totally in love with. It does have its pluses but also a lot of minuses. The square footage doesn't bother me, just how they utilized that space. I don't think the kitchen area is all that it could be, but it's a rental so I've got to live with it. Besides that's a whole other post.
So here's a before photo that you've already seen of the same decorated corner.

And here's the same corner after. It's really hard to photograph this house because of all the light it lets in. And I'm not the best photographer.

The oak dresser is a family piece and I couldn't get rid of it. I'm using it for office supplies right now. The mirror on the dresser is also a family piece. When you downsize from 1,500 to 871, you really have to pick and choose which pieces you really want. I was determined to use pieces we already had. Which for the most part I did. The only new piece is the little nightstand that is doing duty as a storage piece. I want to paint the cedar chest and I've been pinning ideas in Pinterest (my BFF) of course. I've also fallen in love with a slip-covered sofa at Ikea. So that old green couch will go bye-bye. Oh new curtains or valances and paint that pine nightstand and this room will be done. I think. Here's to hoping for more doing. Amanda

Moving

I'm not closing this blog because it means too much to me, but you can now catch me at this blog Second Honeymoon Cottage. I just get too tearful when I look at this one, but it has so many memories that I just can't delete it. So here's to happier blogging over at the new blog.

I know I've been remiss in blogging this year. Here it is May and I haven't done a decent post at all. I could say I've been busy, but mostly I've just been asleep. Not wanting to do anything. No inspiration, no motivation, nothing. Depression? Probably. But I've got to get busy. I've certainly pinned enough to get inspired.

Here's to 2012 being a better year

This is one year I'm not sorry to see go. Most of blog land is doing a year in review. It's been a pretty dismal year. There's been some good times, but I'm not sorry to put this year to rest. So may 2012 be a better year for everyone.

Happy New Year!!

Hugs, Amanda

The Bare Bones

Well we're still moving. Have most of the moving out part done. Just the guest house remains to be gone through. That will be my job because it's mostly my stuff. The main house is empty and it's kinda hard to walk through there. It echoes and its cold, not the little cottage that we once lived in. Stuff really does make a home. 

I thought I  would share some before photos of our new duplex. It's small and definitely cozy once all the stuff was in. 

Exterior views. Yep, I warned you it was tiny. These pictures of the front aren't the best. I was being bad and took them from my van. The garages set between the two units. 

 Tiny patio. Potted plants and a patio set will brighten this up right away.

The living room - nice big window with a big ledge. Decorating potential. 

Kitchen/Dining room - small but efficient (or so I tell myself)

Guest/craft/office room - another big window ledge - Miss Kitty will love this.

Our bedroom - with a grand view of the patio/garden area

Bathroom - 

And there you have it. The grand tour, all 871 square feet of it in all of it's plain vanilla potential. I know you're probably all wondering why we've moved. We had such a cute house. I've debated and debated about whether or not to put that on here, our reason for moving. But that's another post. This one is long enough. 

Hope you enjoyed the pictures. More to come.

Hugs, Amanda

Tomorrow is moving day. I'm looking forward to it and I'm not looking forward to it. Having to decide what stays and goes, where to put everything. Not looking forward to that.

I am looking forward to decorating it and having a much smaller place to take care of. We've rented a duplex. On a single level - so no more stairs. My knee is very happy about that. No more yard work. Though I've loved it in the past I'm just not able to do it anymore. It just kills my knee. :0( So new adventures await. Smaller payment that's for sure. Looking forward to that. 

I took lots of pictures of the empty place today. I'll be sharing soon. Wish us luck.

Hugs, Amanda