Sad News To Share

♡ It is with the saddest of hearts that I write that last week, on April 21 my soulmate, my husband passed away after a brave two year battle with cancer. He fought to the end and did not want to leave me and our kids. My heart is broken. He is the one I have always counted on, the one who listened to me and supported me. He was loved and will be missed by many. Right now, I'm crying a million tears. My sadness is unbearable and my soul is hurting. Robert will never be forgotten and I pray I can make him proud as I try to continue this journey Solo.

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 `•.¸ ★ ★.¸¸.
¸.•*¨♡ℓღvє Hεlεɳa
●▬▬PЄTAL & LACЄ COTTAGЄ▬▬●

Chicken Tetrazzini

This is my families  favourite for sure!!!

This recipe is a result of perusing many cook books.  After many experiments over the years I finally  put together the right ingredients for success!  Enjoy!!!

Ingredients: 

2 - 4 boneless skinless cubed chicken breasts
1 medium chopped onion
1/4 cup of butter
2 tbsp. light olive oil
1/4 cup of all purpose flour
2 -3 cups of grated MEDIUM cheddar cheese  
1 can of chicken broth (10 ounces)
1 cup of 18% cream {you may substitute with milk}
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms {optional}
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 – 1  package of medium egg noodles 

Directions: 

Brown cubed chicken over medium 

heat in oil until no longer pink.
Add butter and onions, continue 

heat until onions are slightly caramelized.

Add flour and whisk in broth and cream until all smooth.
Fold in sour cream, cheeses, salt and pepper.

 Add more broth or milk if too thick.
Simmer on medium to hot,  just bubbly {stirring often}

...NEVER BOIL!  
Add mushrooms now if desired.
* Turn down to a low and simmer slow for 30  minutes.
*Prepare noodles in boiling water, drain and combine with sauce. 

Serve with tender crisp steamed  asparagus or broccoli
and fresh grape tomatoes sliced in half.

Serve hot with crusty bread ~ Delicious!

Happy Valentines Day

Romancing the Home on this Valentines day

A Change of Hearth

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`•.¸ ★ VALENTINE LOVE ★.¸¸.
¸.•*¨♡ℓღvє Hεlεɳa
●▬▬▬▬▬PЄTAL & LACЄ COTTAGЄ▬▬●

The Solitary Joys Of January

Winter’s hold is tight in January, as the house creaks and the furnace hums. 
Outside the trees are frosted with ice that sparkle in the sunshine. 
The sliding door protests and needs extra encouragement to open. 
As I opened the door a flurry of snow blew in.  Lacy, my sheltie passes through to brave the
frigid landscape.  The morning doves scatter with her arrival,
but soon return to continue enjoying their breakfast feast.
The crisp morning air tickles your nostrils as the snow crunches underfoot.
The cold seems animated as it rouses Lacy to quickly return to our cozy,
warm home, bringing along winter’s fresh scent.

The cold of January is such that one must live in the moment. 
The stillness outside resonates throughout the house. 
It brings with it a time for reflection, when life slows down after
the holiday excitement.  January, my time to renew emotionally
and to restore some order to my house. I tear apart cupboards and
make room for the clarity that sparseness brings.

You’re coaxed to your kitchen with calls for comfort foods,
cooking spicy savory stews, tomato sauces, casseroles,
chicken pot  pie and the like. You find yourself craving
sticky sweet deserts like butter pecan tarts, apple pie, and banana bread. 
The aroma of baking these delights fill your home to perfection.

Yes, the solitary joys of January, where days are shorter and nights are long.
A time where I curl up with my stacks of magazines, ponder over the memories
evoked by perusing photos from the past year and drink in the inspiration it evokes. 
It’s a time when I yearn for comfort through the tranquil seclusion that winter brings. Now,  for some peaceful musings in front of the fire, while enjoying a steaming hot tea and the sweet desert fresh from the oven.