Irish Chicken and Dumplings

Hello Bloggers,

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR It is cold outside!!

Tonight I come to you with a recipe that will warm your soul!!! Goodness knows I couldn't resist it when I saw it and was needing something warm and yummy for dinner.
A couple of weeks ago I had bought a chicken- only because it was on sale and I thought "I have never tried cooking a CHICKEN!!!

So I started by boiling the chicken in a pot of water with salt and pepper to taste. I would recommend cooking it for 1-1 1/2 hours. The chicken will literally shred when you are done with it.
Once the chicken is shredded add that to the crock pot with the following ingredients:
1 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup

1 can of chicken broth


3 cups water

1 cup chopped celery

2 onions, quartered

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
 
5 carrots, sliced


1 (10 ounce) package frozen green peas

4 potatoes, quartered
 
Cook this till it is a rolling boil. This will probably take 2 hours.
 
While the soup is cooking mixture together the dumpling mix from Bisquick. When the soup is boiling drop in the dumpling mix in and let it cook for 10 minutes.
 
Enjoy this yummy recipe!!

Home Once Again

Good Evening,

As I write this post I am sitting in front of a roaring fire with Wrigley on one side and a glass of wine on the other. In my opinion a great way to end the long weekend.  Is there a specific location or regime that you follow when you write your posts??? I would love to hear about them.

We are home from another holiday visiting family for Thanksgiving. We are grateful to of had so much time with our loved ones and for our safe arrival and return.  We were able to see lots of family, and see some of Joe's friends while we were back in Albia.

I always look forward to Thanksgiving because I view it as the opening ceremony for many family gatherings and lots of holiday decorating. Today we got our Christmas tree, did some decorating and I couldn't be happier to be in my home. I think it is true Home is where the Heart is.

I am digging the smell of our real tree right now, I always do! It is so symbolic of the holiday season kicking off.  Our house is full of that sweet pine smell right now and I am already looking forward to heading out the door tomorrow to the sweet smell of our tree.

If you have a real tree this year I have a tip for you.Put 3 tablespoons of sugar in your water mixture 1-2 weekly when you are watering your tree. It will keep it soft and alive.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Later on this week I will be posting:
-Irish Chicken and Dumplings
-The Haluska Home decorated for Christmas!
-Video Log

If you are a new follower to this blog feel free to become a follower of this blog!!!!
Have a great Monday everyone!

A Time For Giving and A Time For Thanks

Good Evening Bloggers,

I hope you are staying warm on this November evening! The weather has taken a dramatic turn as yesterday it was in the 70's and today it is in the 30's only one word comes to mind with this swift change and that is
BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

I am not a cold weather person but I am trying to embrace it as I know I have many cold winters ahead of me with things like boots, scarves, and hats!! Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

Tomorrow we leave to celebrate Thanksgiving with some of our families (sorry Turners you will be missed and we cant wait to see you in the weeks to come) We will head to Indianola tomorrow afternoon and then off to Albia on Thursday afternoon. Joe and I have a tradition to hit up the Black Friday shopping together. I am so appreciative that we carve out this time during holidays for one another. Saturday we will be heading back to Davenport because on Sunday we are getting our Christmas Tree!!!!!!

Tonight I come to you with things I am thankful for and things I want to give:

I am thankful for my home that shelters me, welcomes me home, and supplies me with endless projects to tackle.
I would like to extend a big invitation to all family and  friends and say that I would like to give you an anytime invitation to the Haluska Home in Davenport, Iowa.

I am thankful for the family that I have that loves unconditionally, that makes time to spend with Joe and I, and that has helped us be the people we are today.
I would like to give my family an ounce back of the love that they have showed me.

I am thankful for my husband. Yes I know this is cliche but as I have learned this year life is so very precious and you shouldn't go a day without looking at your loved one and showering them with words of love.
I would like to give my husband my unconditional support. You are inspire me with your work ethic and you tenacity for life. CARPE DIEM Mr. Haluska!

I am thankful for memories. As I think back over the last 12 months I have some very found memories and I am cherish them whether they are from planning the wedding, spending time with family and friends, or from my garden being wilded away from a dirt virus they are special and they have made 2010 a blessing.
I would like to give memories to my family and my husband. I hope to continue the traditions and look forward to starting new one.

I am thankful for my momma. When I call my mom, momma this makes my grammie laugh so I am doing this for her. She has had a tough road parenting me by herself and I am thankful that she has stuck through all the good and bad with me.
I would like to give my mom my appreciation. You have always put me first and now you put Joe and I first. You are the purest form of unconditional love.

Finally I want to give thanks for life. The last 12 months have gone by so fast and at some times I am saddened because they seem like a blur. Other moments have had a lasting impression on me like the moment I walked down the isle to marry Joe, stepping off the plan in St. Lucia, juggling work and the responsibilities of being a wife, to enduring loss of loved one, seeing the pain it has caused in loved one, the loss of friendships, or the simple fact of Wrigley chewing one more sock. They all make up my life and I am grateful. Life is the mixing bowl of  good, bad, raw, and beautiful.

I wish all my blog readers a very blessed Thanksgiving. I hope that your time is precious with your families and that you are able to stop and smell the yummy turkey!!!

Happy Birthday Joseph Steven Haluska!

Happy Birthday Joseph Steven Haluska

27 years isn't looking so shabby!!!!!

 The brothers getting ready to head out for an afternoon of football and wings!!! Cant get much better than that!

Heading out for Joe's birthday celebration with friends

Happy Birthday to my best friend and hubby- Joe!!!!

You make me so proud to be your wife! This is our first birthday as husband and wife and I cant wait for all the future ones we will have together. You are a man that loves unconditional and that inspires others to do the same. You are a man that works extremely hard to accomplish your goals and for your loved one. You are a man that shows the ability to show kindness and consideration at difficult times. You are a husband that takes your vows seriously and reminds me everyday why marriage is worth the work. You are a husband that protects and supports which is priceless.

We love you Joe Haluska, thank you for blessing us with you love and companionship.
Your Wife- E

What's On The Agenda!!!!

Good Morning Bloggers,

Happy Friday and I wish all of you a very happy and joyful weekend!!!!!!

Well I thought I would give you an update on what's being going on with the MR and the MRS.

This has week had literally BLOWN by, where did the time go I remember waking up Monday morning and that seems like it was just yesterday! Don't get me wrong though I am grateful to see the arrival of the weekend. HELLLOOOOOOOOOOO FRIDAY!!!!!

We have alot of fun things on the agenda for the weekend. Joe's brother Mikey arrives tonight for the weekend and we cant wait- we love having house guests!!!!!
Joe's project at work went out this week so he is ready for the weekend as well!! Hopefully he can cut out of work early today and enjoy some ESPN!!!!! YOU ROCK HUBBY THANKS FOR WORKING SO HARD.

And you might be wondering what today holds for me. . .. Well typically on my Friday's off I enjoy a cup of coffee and watch the TODAY show!!! Then I tackle laundry and cleaning! This afternoon I am getting the big SNIP SNIP- a HAIRCUT I am debating on what to do, I have to different styles picked out so you who knows what I will decide to do!!!!!

Saturday the boys plan to watch some of the football games and I plan on heading to MENARDS they are having a great sale on Benjamin Moore paint (thanks Poppy for this hint hint) and I WILL BE WALKING OUT WITH PAINT no second guessing or looking again I am making a decision.
Up for Saturday night I must keep that under wraps since it involves the HUBBY!!!!!! If you read this blog you probably already know the deal!

Also I haven't mentioned our other housemate and that is WRIGLEY aka THE WRIGSTER. He is currently attending K9 University for dog obedience. He is progressing and reminds every Tuesday night that a puppy is a puppy until they are 2- guess that means we have another year of puppyhood to muddle through! One of the main things we are working on is that when guest come to the door getting Wrigley to stay in one place and not hound the people coming through the door. That task is still a work in progress but we have faith in him!!!! WE also have to wish Wrigley a HAPPY BIRTHDAY he turns one the same day that Joe turns 27-how ironic?

So that is what is on the agenda for this weekend!! Is there anything you are looking forward to for the weekend?????

Have a great one!!!!!!!!!

Here It Is The Big News!!

Hello Bloggers,

I apologize I have not been a good blogger this week. I had plans for posts the past couple of nights and the time gas gotten away from me and I have lagged on my posts this week.

But here it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am going to start a new feature on this blog. And that is on Mondays I would like, oh wait let me say LOVE to feature posts from other bloggers. At times when I have been blogging I can feel like I am the only one writing and reading my blog and in recent months the doors have opened and I have really started to enjoy blogs and learning pieces about the bloggers that write them and what a better way to begin by inviting them to share a bit about themselves with you.

I have questions that I will give to the bloggers that I feature that will give you a glimpse into their lives and into their blog.

So the question is who is going to be my first guest blogger??????????????????????????

COME ONE COME ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you thought about blogging but haven't taken the plunge yet? Did you recently start a blog and are looking for a way to get connected, do you have a mission or a topic that you are passionate about and want to spread the news??????????????? Well this is a great opportunity for you to jump in the WIDE WORLD OF BLOGGING!!!!! Leave a comment if you would like to be featured or you can email me at erinturner26@gmail.com.

I have one last surprise, A special gift for my first blogger. . . . The book by BLOG BAKERELLA
CAKE POPS!!!!!!!

Also I have to give a shout out to my friend Keli, she was the first to squeal about the big announcement I know she was thinking it was going to be something different and it was fun laughing about it at work. Keli all good things come in time- it will be here before we know it!!!!!! Love ya!!!!

Weekend Recap

Good Evening Bloggers,

Hope you all had a great weekend!!! WE DID!
It was a long one since I have been off of work since Thursday Whoot Whoot.

Thursday night my mom came into town and spent the night at our house!! She spoiled us with goodies from Trader Joes!! Thanks Momma! Please come back for another visist very soon!

Friday my grandparents, mom, Joe and I went to dinner and a movie. We saw "Morning Glory" with Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams, and Diane Keaton. It is about a morning news show. We all thought it was pretty good and enjoyed being out together.

Saturday, Joe did some football watching and I did some SHOPPING. I needed some new clothes for work desperately bad. Saturday night we headed over to Joe's friend from college. He moved here about a year ago and recently became engaged so we had lots to catch up on. We had a great time and if you haven't played Rock Band I would recommend it I am not a big "GAMER" but we all did this and it was so much FUN!! Lots of laughing and good music!

Today I was a little bit under the weather but we did manage to run some errands and Joe raked our backyard. Today alone he had 6 FULL bags- to date I think he is at 17 bags. YIKES!!!!
This week we have full plates at work and at home. We head back to K9 University  aka Dog School for Wrigely on Tuesday night. And I will be getting ready for Mr. H's big birthday weekend!!!! Sorry I cant share any more details since he frequents this website daily!!

Have a great Monday everyone and up for tomorrow's post: EXCITING NEWS!!!!!

MISSION STATEMENT

I am just about to head out the door for a full day of errands, and some shopping if I can fit it in but I wanted to post something that I thought would intrigue many of you.

I believe everyone needs a motto, a personal statement, mission statement.

Today I give you my personal mission statement.

LOVE THIS SO MUCH!! I want to get it enlarged and hang it in my home!!!!!!

Do you or your family have a personal motto or mission statement????? Let me hear it if you do!

Here Comes The Bride

Today was a great day!!!

My dear friend from work is getting married and I couldn't be happier for her. She has exquisite taste and I cant wait to see this wedding- IT IS GOING TO BE BREATHTAKING.


I was honored to be asked to go dress shopping with her today!!!
We started at a dress shop called Hope's and we had great luck. Here are a few of the pictures of some of the dresses she tried!
Don't worry her groom doesn't blog so we decided that I could post these pictures.

Then we headed to lunch and the next shop called Celebrations, here are some of the dresses from that store:

 Let me say Keli tried on this dress for me, it is a couture gown with a shrug we all loved the lace but knew from the moment she walked out it wasn't the ONE but it good to try on all different types.

 For many of the dresses I had Keli turn to the side like this, I think it really showed off the dress and the lines of the dress, let me say EVERYTHING looked great on her.

I took this picture because it reminded of the classic Cinderella picture!
She didn't say "YES TO THE DRESS" but I think she well on her way to finding the ONE.
I didn't post pictures of the #1 contender because I thought that should be saved for the big day!!!

Some New Blogs To Follow

Greetings,

Well last night I was out at with some of my girlfriends at dinner and we started chatting about BLOGS!!!!!!

They are evolving the whole communication WORLD. As we got to talking we started sharing the different blogs that we follow so I wanted to share some of the GOLD MINES that were revealed to me last night. I am calling them GOLD MINES because theses new blogs ROCK!!!!!

Thanks girls for your dish and these great finds!!!!!!!!
http://tinybitofsparkle.blogspot.com
This is a great blog all about design and life. This blogger is new and she is gaining followers FAST!!!!!!

http://tandsdaybook.blogspot.com
This is a blog about FASHION. I love how the author of this blog posts pictures in different outfits so it is a great way to brainstorm different outfit options., also she has started a 30 day challenge where she picked a 30 pieces of clothing that she has to wear for the next 30 days, interesting challenge right?

http://madebygirl.blogspot.com
This is my favorite type of blog that features a little bit of EVERYTHING from interior design, art, food, fashion, and a little bit of her personal life!!!

Well Hope you enjoy checking these out and some of the other ones that I have recently added!
Have a great Thursday everyone!

Our Buried Life

Hi Bloggers,

Hope you have had a great week!!!!! Tomorrow is my "Friday" since I am off on Thursday and Friday.

Have you ever watched the show "The Buried Life" it is a show that MTV airs once a week about 4 guys that have a list of 100 things they want to do before they die. Each week they complete one of these tasks and grant someone else the ability to do something they want to do before they die.

We don't typically watch this show but the other day it got Joe and I think about that "What do we want to do before we die" We decided to each make list, we thought 100 things was a bit overdoing it on a Saturday so we decided to aim for 5.

Joe's Buried Life List
-Finish an Ironman Triathlon

-Run a marathon

-Get elected to political office

-See all my Grandchildren graduate college

-Patent an invention

Erin's Buried Life List
-Go to Ireland for a 2 week trip

-Watch my children run to their dad

-Write a book

-Take a mother/daughter trip

-Renew my marriage vows to my husband

Have you ever thought about what your "buried life list" would consist of??????
An interesting thought to ponder and brainstorm on how you will accomplish them.
I was most surprised by Joe's ambition to run for political office. He has mentioned it before but after he put it on his list and we talked more about it I realized his passion to make a difference and to be a leader for the youth. Joe was caught off on guard by my desire to renew our vows together. I have never mentioned that and he was interested on my desire to do that.

I recommend doing this for all.

Wine Tasting Birthday Party

Hello Bloggers,

Hope you had a great weekend! WE DID!

On Saturday we hosted a Wine Tasting Birthday Party for my dear friend Jessica!

It was filled with great friends, yummy food, and LOTS of WINE!

The Menu:
Lemon Dill Shrimp
Veggie Pizza
Artichoke Dip
Wonton Cups
Pineapple Cheese Ball
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Santa Fe Pinwheels
Stuffed Mushrooms

The Wine List
Merlot
Cabrnet
Pinot Grigio
Chardonnay
Champagne
Riesling
Sauvigon Blanc
Pear Wine

Now for some pictures:

 The beautiful tablescape that my friend Julienne did for the party it couldn't of been better! The candle actually had a "J" on it for the birthday girl.

 Mr. Artist made this sign!!!!!!!!!!

 Jess, Charlie and Joanna

The Birthday is in the middle in Red Happy Birthday Jessica!!! 26 isnt looking so bad!

 Joanna and Joey being the greeters at the door!!! Welcome to the Haluska's

The aftermath from the wine party. . . .. . . . . . . many empty bottles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Few New Additions

HI Bloggers,

Hope you have had a great week so far!! This week has gone incredibly  fast. I wanted to post a few new additions to our house and tell you the story behind them.

 St. Anthony's the church that we got married at gave us this picture as a wedding gift. After our honeymoon I had a 60% off coupon at Michael's so we headed to get it matted and framed! I love the brown frame because with our house so well and the orangish copper matting brings out the colors beautiful. I will never forget the bagpiper and all our family and friends standing outside of the doorway as we came out of the church on that special day.

 This was a wedding gift that we received sadly it didn't come with a card so we don't know exactly who it is from!!! But we LOVE IT I think it is something so unique and we will have it for years to come.

 This is the new piece of furniture for our dinning room that I wrote about a couple of weeks ago. I finished getting it set up last weekend. I don't know how but the wood matches our dining room perfectly and we didn't get these pieces together.

This is the picture of both pieces. It is a great finish to this area of our home!!!!

Pre Party Planning

Hello Bloggers,

Happy November!!! Can you believe it is November???? Oh how the time flies when you are enjoying the ride. Well we have PARTY on the brain this week. This upcoming weekend we will be hosting a wine/appetizer birthday party for my dear friend Jessica. I am really looking forward to this!!!!!!!!!! I have been plotting for two weeks on what this will consist of. I thought I would share some PRE PARTY PLANNING information for the big galla.


First of all I have been collecting different wines from Chicago. Joey will be featuring the RED's and I will be featuring the WHITE'S. When the guests get here they will be given a wine guide which will have a list of the wines and a brief description. I almost have the menu done which I thought I would post later this week and see what you all thought about. The one thing I am struggling with is a color theme for decor???? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Well if you are a win-o like us let us know of any reasonably priced wines that you would recommend, I would love to hear of them!!!!!! Also I recently started reading a new blog called The Reluctant Entertainer, so great and she just published her first book (way to go girl!) Guess who added it to her Christmas List!!! Have a great Tuesday everyone.