Saturday, September 28, 2013

Chicken and Rice (and cheese and broccoli) Casserole

Kevin's FAVORITE meal EVER.  This one is from his mom and I learned the recipe early-on in our relationship so I could keep my man happy.  I mentioned it here, but it takes so long to prepare, that we haven't made it in awhile...until Labor Day weekend.  When Kevin's in the mood for it, I know I'll have help in the kitchen to prepare it, so we gather up the ingredients and we get to work.  We also ALWAYS double the recipe because he can eat an entire casserole in the first sitting.  It's a little ridiculous.

Thank you to my mother-in-law for the recipe.  I don't know where it came from before then, but that part doesn't matter to me.  And it doesn't have a name.  Kevin says, "Can we make Chicken and Rice..." and I know exactly where he's going.  It's also probably not so healthy for you, but in our house, if it's good, we don't count calories, we just eat, so there's your warning.  Beware that it is delicious and if you do make it, you won't be sorry!


Ingredients (for a single casserole...I didn't double this part)
1 and one half sticks of butter
1 small onion
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
8oz Velveeta cheese (and we always add more because Kevin loves cheese)
2 cans milk (use soup cans)
1- 7oz package of minute rice (cook as directed)
2 packages of 10oz broccoli chopped
2 whole chicken breast

Directions
* Start with a clean kitchen and every single pot and pan that you may own, because this one will use them all!

In no particular order:
* Boil the chicken and cut into bite size pieces

* Chop the onion












* Cook the rice according to directions












* Cook broccoli according to directions














THEN...
*Saute the onions with the butter and broccoli

*Cook the soup with the milk and cheese until melted (stir constantly on low to medium heat or it may burn)
















*Finally, mix all ingredients together in a large casserole dish and bake at 350 for one to one and a half hours.  The top will look golden brown and yummy when it's finished baking!

*Then enjoy!  And get it fast because if Kevin's in the room, you'll blink and it will all be gone!

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Officially Part of the Pack

I've been at NC State for 3 months now, which is just plain crazy!  And I've never worked so hard in my life!  Seriously!  I had about 2 months to get the hang of everything before classes started for Fall semester and then it was ON!  We had recruitment, to hire students to work for University Recreation, the first day of school and 662 people attended.  2/3s of those people submitted applications and I processed all of those and got them passed out to the different areas that were hiring.  That settled down a bit until the areas told me who they were hiring and then Orientation sessions started.  I've been working late almost every day and I feel guilty leaving work because there's always something pressing to do.
My office in the middle of Recruitment...a MESS!
On top of everything, I'm taking a class this semester.  It's free because I'm an employee at NCSU and using a tuition waiver.  And it's convenient because it's a Distance Education class, so I don't have an actual class to attend, I can do everything online.  But it's been TOUGH!  I'm taking Managerial Accounting, something I know nothing about since I've never had a business course.  And managing my assignment schedule with a full time job has been exhausting!  It has helped a bit that Kevin has been traveling so much for work.  I miss him so much, but I have lots of time alone, which has been turned into study time!

My co-workers are all on the young side, which makes things fun at work.  The strange thing is there's a group of singles...not all of them are from the area, most moved to Raleigh just for the job.  And they hang out together ALL THE TIME.  They spend time with each other every weekend.  And good for them!  I know I'd want a community like that if I moved here and knew no one, but it makes for awkward conversations when we're all sitting together at lunch and they're talking about times they've hung out together when some of us weren't invited.  It gets even stranger because some of those people are other's direct supervisors and they drink together in the evenings and on weekends.  Lines are definitely crossed in my opinion.  Regardless, it was during one of those strange lunch talks when I learned that everyone had been invited to the first State football game of the season, by our director, and they would be sitting in a box in Vaughn Towers.  My feelings were a little hurt, but I was told that people were invited in order of seniority, based on their start date at URec, so I didn't think much about it...until I learned that people who were hired after me, were attending as a plus one of others.  Still not a big deal because I know there are cliques, but I just wondered why I hadn't been asked.  (I later learned that I was the only person that hadn't been asked because all of the tickets were taken.)  Just a little punch in the gut, but what can you do?  The next day, the director came to me with a pair of tickets inviting me to the game.  I knew all the tickets were taken, so I verified that he wasn't offering me his tickets and he wasn't.  His boss was going to attend, but got invited to sit in the Chancellor's box, so the tickets were up for grabs.  Unfortunately, Kevin was returning from the Minnesota State Fair and was told he may have to travel to the Pittsburgh area that weekend, so I turned the tickets down.

When Kevin found out, he was upset because he didn't think it was likely he would have to go to Pittsburgh after all, and he wanted to go to the game.  Oh well, here I hadn't been asked at all and then when I was asked, I turned it down.  I'd made my bed and I'd have to lay in it!

Then I got an e-mail!!  Someone couldn't make the game and was giving up their tickets and the first to respond could have the tickets.  I quickly checked with Kevin and then e-mailed that Kevin would be in town, after all, and we'd like the tickets.  And they were ours!!!  YAY!

That long story to say that this is most likely the only time we'll sit in a box in Vaughn Towers.  Athletics gave us the box as a thank-you for something we, at URec, did...not sure the back story.  Anyway, one time only.  Co-workers were tailgating at 8am for a 12:30pm game and while we didn't rush to get there, we did stop by around 11am.  Then we walked over to Carter Finley and up to our box.  I really felt under-dressed, everything was so nice!  The game was awesome and we really enjoyed our time in the suite.

The band making some sweet patterns!
This is OUR STATE!
It was a fun afternoon and I can officially say: Go Pack!

Friday, September 13, 2013

Baby Anna's Shower

Mid-August, we hosted a baby shower for Heather and baby Anna, who's on her way.  I have to say that I didn't contribute much other than food, but Kaleena did an amazing job pulling everything together and making it a great day for Heather!  I know she was happy to have some girly things and lots of pink!

It was an enjoyable day, so gorgeous outside after a rainy weekend and we enjoyed relaxing and celebrating Heather.

Enjoy some photos from the day!
Blue Moon cake...yummy!

Some food

Decorations from Kaleena...so cute!

Opening gifts!

The glowing mommy-to-be!


The ladies at the shower

Heather made her own chocolate covered pretzels.

The girls!