Another year older . . .

Well . . . here I am, another year older and, hopefully, another year wiser. I am 54 today. I can remember when 54 sounded to me like a very ancient age and it seemed a loooooong ways off in the future. Somehow it seems to have crept up on me overnight.

Birthdays are kind of like that. When you are a child, you can hardly wait to grow up . . . and when you are an adult, you look back on your childhood years with great fondness.

But, if you are really lucky . . . you are the type of person who just enjoys the trip along the way. That kind of reminds me of something I saw somewhere about an elderly person who had to finally give in and use a cane (Not that I am ready for that by any stretch!)

"I find," she said, "That with the passing years my pace gets a little bit slower. It's true that I don't go as fast, or as far, but I see a darn sight more along the road!"



Here's to another year of seeing more along the road, and stopping to smell the flowers along the way!

I kind of slept in a bit this morning, so I don't have a lot of time. I'll be back later today to pick a winner of my Birthday Giveaway! If you haven't yet entered, there's still a few more hours in which to do so. You can find it HERE.

It's not hard to tell that we are great chicken lovers in this house. Well, I am at any rate . . . Todd just eats what I put in front of him, and thanks his lucky stars that it's not from a can! He subsisted on tinned food in the 12 years he was on his own before we got married. He still gets a "beans on toast" supper once in a while, but more often than not, he gets a slap up meal, cooked by moi.

Before we got married his weekly grocery bill used to amount to not much more than £10 a week. (I can't imagine!!!) After we got married, it went up to about £50 a week, then when we moved down south it went up to £75. I hate to think of what it is now. I guess I'm somewhat of an expensive habit, but nevermind . . . I'm worth it! (said in an O'real kind of voice . . . )



*Baked Chicken Breasts with Garlic and Cheese*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Imagine moist and tender chicken, loaded with the flavours of garlic, parmesan, cheddar and butter. Mmmm . . . mmmm . . . good!

1/3 cup butter melted
2 fat cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1 tsp Italian herbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup finely grated strong cheddar cheese
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts



Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Butter a shallow pan that will fit all the chicken breasts leaving a bit of space between them. Set aside.

Melt the butter in a shallow dish. Stir in the minced garlic, garlic powder and the salt. Set aside.

In another shallow dish combine the bread crumbs, black pepper, Italian herbs, and the cheeses.

Dip the chicken pieces into the butter mixture and then roll them in the bread crumb mixture. Place in the prepared pan, drizzling any leftover butter over top.

Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until nicely browned and crisp and the chicken juices run clear. Don't overbake. If you keep it to the exact times stated here, your chicken will be perfectly cooked and deliciously moist.



You didn't think I'd have a Birthday Celebration without cake did you??? Hop on over to The English Kitchen to see this year's indulgence!

(Be back later today for the draw.)