Coffee Makes Everything Better

     We have finally hit the countdown till the big day. Soon the kids will be tied down nestled all snug in their beds, with visions of how to get out of bed sugarplums in their heads.  Like these two in the picture. Santa doesn't look too thrilled either.

     During this time of year, it is easy to kill someone get wrapped up in the commotion. Heck yesterday at Walmart, I was ready to play bumper carts.  The lines are long, people's patience are nonexistent thin, and all everyone wants is for that annoying little girl to get her hippopotamus for Christmas.

     Usually I am reluctant to buy things for myself, only because I have a hard time justifying it. Every year, my mother gives me a gift card from Wal-mart (Thank you, Mom and love you) and normally I would use it for my sons. This year, I bought a mini Keurig and wow!, already it is proving to be a wise purchase. In my house, we have the bad habit of brewing 12 cups of coffee, for two people. Somehow, if we don't brew the
the whole pot it will taste funny. What's worse is that my husband, eyeballs it, and the coffee comes like some highly caffeinated redneck Redbull.

     What a difference a perfectly brewed cup of coffee makes. Gotta love my husband though, I am awake less than 30 seconds, and he says "Did you keep the receipt on that coffee maker?", "because I put the water in, and pushed the buttons and all I got was a cold cup of slightly colored water". Hmmmmm, strange? "Did you read the directions? I smirk, knowing the answer.

     I am glad that the holiday season is winding down. It has been quite the nightmare adventure. Looking forward to the weekend, when I can sleep in. Spending time with my family and of course cooking. I have hit my sugar wall, between being at work and it being Christmas. I just want a big comfortable dish of Chicken and Dumplings. Put my slippers on, curl up on the couch and enjoy a holiday film with my family.

Gould's Chicken and Dumplings

1 6 pound broiler-fryer chicken cut up
1 large sweet onion, rough chopped
4 stalks of celery, rough chopped
3 medium carrots, peeled and rough chopped
4 cloves of garlic, peeled and slightly smashed
2 parsnips, peeled and rough chopped
2 small turnips, peeled and rough chopped
1 can chicken broth
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper to taste(around 1 tsp of each)
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
water to cover

Dumplings

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp butcher grind black pepper
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons chopped chives

Combine all ingredients in a large pan and add enough water to cover chicken. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for two hours or until the chicken is done.  Remove the chicken set aside and allow to cool. While chicken is cooling, adjust the seasonings to the broth. In a mixing bowl combine the dumpling ingredients and mix well to form a stiff dough. Set aside and allow to rest. Remove the skin from the chicken and discard the bones. On a floured surface,  roll out the dough and cut into squares, and drop into simmering broth and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes. Add chicken back to pot and enjoy.

Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness.~Richard Carlson