Monday, December 10, 2007

Chicken Vesuvio and Tree Trimming

Thanks to the wonderful Sarah of Misadventures of Mama and Jack, I decided to take a trip to Kmart to check out the Martha Stewart holiday decoration collection. You have to understand, going to Kmart isn't a simple 10 minute drive down the street, it's more like a 30 minute drive to the other side of town...and it's near a mall, which is always "fun" this time of year. Martha is usually so dependable for chic decorations, but you never know just what a store will be sold out of or not carry. The whole way over, I was keeping my fingers crossed that my trip would not be a lost cause. I have to say, the Kmart was not the most organized place I'd ever been. I couldn't figure out where the holiday decorations were and couldn't find anyone working there to help me. I just walked in circles in complete confusion. Can you tell I don't frequent the Kmart much? Nothing wrong w/ Kmart...I'm just too lazy and too busy to go so far for stuff I can get closer to home. I finally had to ask someone at the checkout (while they're were checking someone else out) where the holiday decorations were. Turns out they were in the Garden section...no wonder I didn't see them when I was circling the store. Anywho, by the time I finally made it to the decorations, I was slightly irritated, but that all just melted away when I took one look at the beautiful Martha Stewart ornaments and trim. Every doubt I'd had when I was driving over, fighting the mall traffic, and feeling completely lost in Kmart instantly disappeared as I started oohing and ahing over all the lovely decorations. I found way too many things I liked and bought far too many ornaments for my tree. By the time I got back from my shopping spree, it was nearly time for dinner. I made one of my favorite Everyday Italian recipes - Chicken Vesuvio


This is a super yummy dish with a light yet tasty flavor. The dish contains chicken, potatoes, artichoke hearts and the sauce is made with white wine, chicken broth, and butter



I've made this dish a couple times and must offer up that I usually only make this with two bone-in chicken breasts, though I keep the liquid ingrediants the same. Also, be sure to watch this dish as it's cooking because the high heat usually burns my chicken and 10 minutes for both the chicken and potato cooking times is too long.



Anywho, I had a lovely evening of enjoying delicious food, sipping wine, and trimming my tree. I think these new ormanents will go great with my sparkly snowomen



And look! My Christmas present came early this year and already unwrapped!

6 comments:

Lys said...

Wowza! That tree is amazing and Bailey looks so happy under the tree. I've been going through the KMart site and they have a blue tree skirt that warrants a second glance - preferably in person. Thanks for the idea. I just won't tell my father that I've picked up a few Martha Stewart items (He's still cranky over that whole stock scandal)...

I finally brought the tree up tonight, tomorrow is when I'm going to have to put it up. Wednesday will be decorating night.

Shopaholic D said...

Thanks Lys! Yes, I thought her stuff was pretty darn cute at Kmart...some stuff was so-so, but I thought the basics were really nice and the tree skirts were pretty cool. The tree skirt in this photo is one of the MS tree skirts - it's red, pink, green, and white with little holly berries. I saw that turquoise one online, but didn't see it in the store. :( But I'm pretty happy with the holly berry one I ended up with!

Have fun doing your tree trimming!

:) Diana

PS A man at a craft show this weekend told me Martha Stewart was the devil...I didn't have the heart to tell him how much I love her ideas...even if they aren't hers - her books & mags are awesome!

Shopaholic D said...

...I want to add that I hope that the ideas seen in MS are hers, but I like them either way :) love the ideas, the photos, the recipes...love it all, basically! haha

Lily Goodwin said...

I love the tree ornaments... I usually decorate the tree on Christmas eve. But I already hang some lights on the dining room lol

Sarah and Jack said...

I am glad there was something there that would work. I bought my martha kmart stuff WAY back in October because of the sell out factor.

(And I think kmart everywhere sucks. Ours is so dark and they are so unhelpful.)

Anonymous said...

This dish looks yummy and not too difficult. I could use a fast and tasty recipe for when I get home from work or working out. Also, love your Christmas present - lol - hey - I'd like to see more pictures of Bailey! How about a close-up of big red bow around his neck? He's such a cutie!!