Summa' Vacay!....and an awesome recipe!

I am delighted to announce....it is officially SUMMER VACATION!!!!!!!!  To celebrate, here is an awesome recipe (in my humble opinion).

Boneless Pork Chops with a White Wine Cream Sauce

White Wine Cream Sauce
1.  Chop up 1/2 onion and add it to a pot with 1/4 stick melted butter.

2.  Cook until onions are translucent.

3.  Add 1/2 cup of white wine.  I use whatever is on sale!

4.  After wine reduces by half, add about 1/2 cup of heavy cream.

5.  Let simmer on medium low heat for 2 minutes or so.  After two minutes, add a couple of handfuls of      parmesan cheese.

6.  Stir and let thicken for 5 minutes or so.  Once sauce is thickened...add the secret ingredient....worcestershire sauce.  Only a couple of dashes is needed!!!

To cook the pork....

1.  Salt and pepper boneless pork chops on both sides and cook on a "grill skillet".  (that's what I call it....maybe it has a professional name???)

I serve this dish with mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach.  I have heard about the "steam in the bag" potatoes.  They look like this in the grocery store.

Now I have always been a "from scratch" kind of girl but I must say...these potatoes are easy and delicious!!!  Here is the final product...

So So So good!  Enjoy!

~Ashley

My dad....

When I was in elementary school I was known as a tom boy.  I can thank my dad for that.  If it weren't for my dad I wouldn't know how to throw a softball.  It's all in the step forward and the follow through.  I wouldn't know how to fish.   It's all in finding the right spot and having patience.  I wouldn't know how to pick out a good winter coat.  It's all in the down feathers.  My dad taught me those things.

When I was in middle school I asked my dad for homework help once.  When I got through with the problems and answered them all correctly, he made me do 10 more.  It was extremely annoying at the time.  Now I know that when I have children....they will absolutely do extra homework problems.  Just because you understand something the first time doesn't mean you can't learn something from doing it again.  My dad taught me that.

When I was in high school my dad required that I have a clean car.  As we all know...I'm not an organized person so this was an extremely hard task.  I never understood why my car "had" to be clean and how it would "better" my life.  Yesterday I just cleaned out my car and I finally understand what my dad wanted for me.  I literally feel at peace in my car knowing that the junk is cleared....and this cleanliness applies to all areas of life.  My dad taught me this.

 Happy Father's Day dad...I love you.

~Ashley

Just Call Me Aunt Ashley....

I have news.....BIG news people.  I'm an AUNT!!!!!!!  Never before have I loved a text message picture so much in my life.  My niece was born early.....Homegirl's picture message on my cell phone had me confused.....and then gasping for breath at the realization that homegirl was indeed my first niece.  Homegirl was ready to embrace the world and beautify it with her presence  It's amazing the love that instantly fills every cavity of my being....6 and some lb's of pure bliss.  Welcome to the world Caitlyn June!  Fun times are to come....you just wait!  Love, Aunt Ashley