Holiday Happiness and Home Cooking! (PLUS a giveaway!!)

I thought I would share with you a few pictures of Kylie's first visit (of 2011) with Santa.  It was a Magical Time. 

Kylie was scheduled to dance with Dance Without Limits (a ballet class for children who experience special needs) at the annual charity benefit for Blank Children's Hospital called Festival of Trees.

We were to arrive early and it was during our wait that we noticed Santa and Mrs Claus were also at the event.  Wasn't it SO NICE of them to make time in their busy schedule to help support Blank Children's Hospital?

This is the first year we have helped Kylie put together an actual Christmas List (I'll write more about that in a future post, as, of course, you KNOW we had to adapt the process!)

However, on this particular day, God really answered my prayer as, when we encountered Santa, there was no one else around - Miracle!!  This made the atmosphere and sensory level just perfect for Kylie to (with a good bit of encouragement) approach Santa.

With prompting and a very patient and kind Santa, (and mommy interpreting) Kylie was able to tell him the two things she has asked for this Christmas.

Take a look at our pics and Enjoy the Magic we experienced in those moments...



Kylie is admiring the Barbie Tree



 

Today is also Day 5 of my series with Jolene Philo, Author of

 

Different Dream Parenting:

A Practical Guide to Raising A Child with Special Needs

* To read my Introduction of Jolene click here

* To read part 1 of my interview with Jolene click here

* To read part 2 of my interview with Jolene click here

* To read Jolene Guest Blog Post click here

 

There are a lot of people who know Jolene as an Author, but I also want to share with you that Jolene is a FABULOUS cook!  Maybe someday we can convince her to put together a cookbook. 

 

I asked her if she would share a recipe that her family really loves. 

 

Here is her recipe for Cashew Chicken and the story behind it...

 

 

 

 

A few years ago, my daughter Anne begged me to get the recipe for Cashew Chicken from her best friend’s (Rachel’s) mom, Joni Gainer. So I did, and the dish quickly became one of our family favorites. The vegetables in the recipe provide quantity guidelines, but you can swap those listed with whatever is in season. Try green or wax beans, cabbage, cauliflower, zucchini, summer squash, grape or cherry tomatoes, different varieties of peppers, and sugar snap peas.

The last time I made this, I’d just returned from a week of travel. When I went to the cupboard, the peanut butter jar was empty, so I substituted almond butter. The cashews were gone, so I used almonds instead. Conclusion: Jolene’s Almond Chicken is tasty, too.

Joni’s Cashew Chicken

3 tablespoons soy sauce

3 tablespoons peanut butter

3 tablespoons honey

4 tablespoons sesame or peanut oil

1/2 cup cashews

1 whole chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

3 cups green onions, washed, topped, and cut into one inch slices

1 cup peeled carrots, sliced into thin, one inch pieces

2 cups broccoli florets washed and cut into bite-sized pieces

3/4 cup sweet red pepper, washed, seeded, and cut into half-inch pieces

2-3 cups pea pods, washed

Sauce: Combine soy sauce, peanut butter and honey in a 1 cup measuring cup. Heat in the microwave for one minute on high. Stir until peanut butter is mostly melted. Set mixture to the side.

Turn burner on high and heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large frying pan or wok. Add cashews and stir for one minute, until cashews begin to brown. Spoon them onto paper towels to drain. Heat another tablespoon of oil in pan. Turn burner to medium high and add chicken. Stir until meat is completely cooked and begins to brown. Spoon chicken into a bowl and set aside.

Heat last two tablespoons of oil in pan and add vegetables, one kind at a time, at one minute intervals. . Add chicken and stir until mixed. Pour sauce over all and stir until the stir fry ingredients are coated and sauce is bubbly.

Spoon mixture onto a bed of rice and sprinkle with cashews. Serve hot.

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I just love the picture that Jolene sent of her Cashew Chicken.  It looks so festive with it's red and green presentation.  I can just see it sitting on a holiday table!

If you try out Jolene's recipe, please let us know!  We'd love to hear what you think!

(I can't wait to try it!!)

ALSO.....

As an added bonus, Jolene has generously donated a copy of her new book - just released last month: Different Dream Parenting: A Practical Guide to Raising a Child with Special Needs for me to give away to one lucky reader!

To enter the drawing to receive a FREE copy of Jolene's new book just do one or more of the following before December 20th:

* Comment on this blog post
* Sign up to "Follow" my blog (and leave a comment letting me know you did)