CHIZMO

Ok, so you might think that I am totally nuts, but this is not my game. Chizmo was created by my husband and his band of friends while in Elementary school or middle school, not sure which. So the whole concept is that no one can say the word Fourteen. If you do you get chizmoed. Or, someone comes up and rubs your chin. So I was thinking that to encourage myself to write more often and about important things or not that important things I would start a Chizmo. So on any day that is significant to the number fourteen (7, 14, 21, 28, 14th birthday, anniversary, 14th day of your cycle). I also wanted to start something new and not steel someone else’s ideas (whole other story about New Zealand). So today is the 7th so I declare my first Chizmo. 14 reasons why I Like to Blog or be online!

1. Great finds like this



2. A way for me to remember the great things my kids do. And they do some pretty cool things.

3. Getting Great recipes like this one from Mommy, What's for Dinner


Chicken With Apple Gravy and Rice Pilaf

Prep/Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 cup unfiltered apple cider


In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the rice and toast until light brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in 2 1/2 cups broth and bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 15 minutes. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, stir in the peas and cheese.

While the rice cooks, in a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, add to the skillet and cook until the juices run clear, 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.

Melt the butter in the skillet, then whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the apple cider and 1 cup chicken broth and cook until slightly thickened; season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.

Pour the apple gravy over the chicken and serve the rice alongside.

Tips and Tricks
I used instant brown rice in place of the white rice, and apple juice in place of the apple cider.
Make It Healthier
Use low-sodium or sodium-free broth. Omit the additional salt. Serve with brown rice.
How Kids Can Help
Measure ingredients. Older kids can stir the rice.

4. Keeping in touch with friends!

5. Meeting new friends!

6. Getting great family ideas from others! Like this one from one of my favorite sites. I got several packets of stickers. The kids need to get 80 stickers and then they get a reward. They are loving it.

7. Great ideas for saving Money! Like how to save on gas

8. Some great thought provoking information that may or may not come in handy someday! This was my favorite name test The Wayne-Ray-Lee Test: When watching the news tonight, listen for how many people being arrested have the names Wayne, Ray, and/or Lee somewhere in the mix. Credit for this rule go to my sister Angie and her husband Forrest who brought it to my attention several years ago. I have put their theory to the test and it is remarkably true. About 63% of all convicts are cursed by the Wayne-Ray-Lee syndrome. In fact, I heard that in Georgia a boy by the name of Ray Wayne Lee was born. Instead of taking him to the nursery, he was immediately 'cuffed, taken to prison, and placed in solitary confinement. Ironically, the name of the prison is Wayne State Prison in Wayne County Georgia. Even if your favorite uncle was good ol' uncle Ray, avoid these three names at all costs.

9. Crafty ideas and tutorials

10. Great products to purchase I really like these bags.

11. Fun things to add to your blog, like a bookshelf!!!

12. Great music the song I can not get out of my head!

13. Great way to get info on how to write the great american novel!)

14. Great place to start a chizmo!