What's For Dinner Wednesday Giveaway

I thought it would be fun to start a little dinner party here on my blog. Back in the fall, I had a little contest with my local friends where I would send out an email with what I was cooking that night and they would reply to all and do the same. This was a great way to get some really delicious recipes! At the end of the week, I would put everyone's names that participated in a hat, and Mallory or Jack would pick a winner. The winner would get a little appliqued t-shirt for their child. I was going to do a weekly one here as well, but I don't know that I can commit to getting over to my sewing machine once a week, so we'll do it monthly! Each week that you participate, your name will go in to the hat for a great prize! The more times you participate, the more entries you will get! Don't have any kids? No problem, I have lots of other fun things I can make!

You can either link up below, using McLinky, or just type your recipe in the comments section (please leave your email address if you do it this way!)

Here's the first What's For Dinner Wednesday Recipe!

Amy's Hot Chicken Salad



4 cups of cooked & chopped chicken
3/4 cup mayo
3/4 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded white American cheese (I didn't have any, so I used a Mexican Blend)
1 can of chopped water chestnuts
1 cup of sliced almonds
1 container of sliced mushrooms
1 cup of corn flakes





Mix all of the ingredients together and sprinkle the corn flakes on top.
Bake for 350* for 45 minutes to 1 hour

Enjoy!

Running

During some point at the party this weekend, probably after a few too many drinks, I told one of my dear friends that I would run a 5K with her in March. We did our first run together on Tuesday, my first time running in a L.O.N.G. time. She has this cool "app" on her phone that shows some cool information! I think I did pretty good, only stopping twice, but there is lots of room for improvement!!

Preparing for the Party

I have spent the entire week cleaning, organizing, shopping and painting for Nathan's big birthday bash tomorrow night. It's a repeat of last year's event HERE.


Aren't these invites adorable?

Dresser Reveal

I have to say, for my first time refinishing something, this was pretty easy. It still needs a little smoothing with some steal wool and a coat of protective sealer, but I love the way it looks in my dining room now!

Here's the before:



Here's the after:



I used a can of Krylon white primer spray paint first, then 3-4 coats of Krylon Black Semi Gloss spray paint. With the handles, I used the primer spray, then 2 coats of Krylon Brushed Metallic - Satin Nickel. I love the spray paint, because it dries in just a few minutes. I did the drawers on Tuesday morning, then the base dresser and handles yesterday. I think it took about 3 1/2 hours total. Now I'm debating whether to paint my dining room set black... I might do the table black and the chair white, maybe with some cute custom seat cushions?

New Year's Resolution from my 5 year old

I was trying to keep one of my New Year's Resolutions this weekend (keeping my desk area organized) and came across this among the piles of papers.



It reads: My resolution is to get lots of money to Mallory Matthews.

Really? I am aware of the gene in my family (from my dad's side) that is consumed with the thought of money (how much said person can get, what they are going to buy, etc.) and it's a dominant gene in my sister. I guess it's a dominant gene in Mallory too. Sigh...

I'm going to try to tackle one of this week's resolutions today, since it's going to be a balmy 56* this afternoon. Goodbye yucky cream with gold flecks of paint, hello glossy black!!

Brrr....

It's COLD outside. Hope you are keeping warm!

Goodbye 2009, a year in review

I know this is a little late, but that's the story of my life!

2009 was pretty good to the Matthews house.

It was filled with birthday parties...















Visits from far away friends...






Vacations to the beach and to see Mickey...



















Demolition...






Construction...










Beautiful new spaces...





Getting ears pierced...





First days of kindergarten and riding the school bus...





Soccer games, scoring lots of goals...





Holiday parties...















Ended a business and started a new one...









and a goodbye to our sweet Aunt...




I am so blessed to have everyone that's dear to my heart, actually near my heart, everyone healthy and employed, friends that would do anything for me and my family, and a wonderful husband that loves me unconditionally. Here's to more fantastic memories in 2010.