I THINK I WANT CHICKENS....SERIOUSLY!

 

Virginia, Siddalee, Mrs. Mumford, Goldie Fay, Mrs. Tuttle, and oh yes.....

Mama Lady

 

Cat and I were talking the other day and she mentioned to me that she thinks she would like for Miss Elizabeth to add some chickens to her ranch.......I LOVE this idea! I have wanted chickens for awhile now, ever since I saw that Paula Deen had chickens in her yard and the most exquisite designer chicken coop! Seriously, have you seen the coops they make nowadays?

 

 

Darling said, "You don't know anything about raising chickens!"

 

 

"Well, I replied....I Know, but all we have to do, is build a fabulous little home for them and read a book...I already have names picked out for them. We will start with six, that seems like a good number. I think six fat and beautiful hens should get along famously!"

 

 

"Hmmmmm, he replied.....what about a rooster? Do you want a rooster too?"

"No, absolutely not...one male in the group of females brings trouble...you know that! This is strictly going to be females only and a very girly coop!"

 

 

"Think about it...we can have fresh eggs every morning!"

He was rather silent.....

"Don't you think that just sounds marvelous?

We can actually be sort of like little city farmers...

a new project to begin as we discover our

 fabulous fun-filled retirement years!"

 

 

Poor Darling! I could tell he was not too excited about the idea!

Then, thinking he had me over a barrel....he asked,

 "Don't you need a Rooster for a hen to lay an egg?"

 

Smiling sweetly, I replied, "Darling.....a hen will produce and release eggs without a rooster present. The only need for the rooster is to fertilize the eggs to develop into a little chick! See, I do know something about chickens! Domestic chickens lay one egg every day, pretty much, and they lay their daily egg about four or five times a week. When they are not laying their daily egg, they just kick back and relax!"

 

"Well, he said, that sounds like a wonderful idea, but quite a project!

How much do you suppose a chicken coop costs!"

 

"Well, Williams- Sonoma has one that is around $1500.00"......

I said $1500.00 very softly by the way....it came out rather like a whisper....

 

Then he had the nerve to reply....

"Well sweet girl, when you decide to come out of retirement and

 earn the $1500.00, you can have your designer chicken coop!"

 

"MEANIE!!!!"

 

 

GARDEN VEGETABLE TORTELLINI

10 ounces dried cheese-filled tortellini                           

1 medium carrot, thinly sliced                            

1 1/2 cups sugar snap peas, halved crosswise                            

1 tablespoon margarine or butter                            

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces                            

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms 

1/3 cup chicken broth                                                                 

2 1/2 Tablespoons snipped fresh oregano                            

2 teaspoons all-purpose flour                            

3/4 teaspoon garlic salt                            

1/2 teaspoon pepper                            

1 cup milk                            

1 8 ounce package cream cheese, cubed and softened                            

1 tablespoon lemon juice                            

1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes                            

1 small red or green sweet pepper, coarsely chopped                            

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese                            

 

                    Cook tortellini in boiling salted water according to package directions, adding the carrot during the last 5 minutes of cooking and the sugar snap peas during the last 1 minute of cooking; drain. 

  Meanwhile, heat margarine or butter in a 12-inch skillet. Add chicken and mushrooms, and cook about 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from skillet.

 
Shake together chicken broth, oregano, flour, garlic salt, and pepper in a screw-top jar until smooth. Add to skillet along with milk. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly; add cream cheese. Cook and stir until cream cheese is smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice. Add pasta mixture, chicken mixture, tomatoes, and sweet pepper. Toss to coat. Turn into an ungreased 13" x 9" x 2" baking dish. Bake, covered, in a 350 degrees F. oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until heated through. Stir mixture and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.