Wonderful Weekend v.2.3

Valentine's Day is coming up! Use fancy craft or wrapping paper to make some special valentines for a friend. This Girl's Life has some great free Valentine's Day printables. It's not the gift, it's the thought that counts, and they'll love the thought so much they'll hopefully forget all about not having that special someone (besides you) in their life.

Feel like the cold winter will never end? Hold a soup party with friends. Everyone can bring a favorite variety to share (or make my spicy black bean soup). Complete the evening with a fun film. You'll feel warm and cozy in no time!

Plan a clothing swap with a group of friends. Bring all the totally chic clothes you haven't worn lately, and trade with each other. It's just like shopping for brand new outfits - for free! What's better than that?

Grab a girlfriend and take a belly-dancing class together for a guaranteed night of exercise, laughter, and stories to tell for years to come. Check out US Belly Dance Classes to find a course near you.

Photo courtesy of We Heart It.

Plan a family heritage night with friends. Have everyone bring over family photos and keepsakes. You can create a family tree or just share stories. You'll learn a lot about each other's family history and have fun in the process.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. What are your plans?

Deep Dish Turkey Pot Pie

With Thanksgiving just one short week away, you're probably gonna be scrambling to figure out what to do with the rest of those turkey leftovers. Since I celebrated my Thanksgiving this week (as next will be my vacation) I've come up with a delicious recipe for turkey pot pie that will be sure to have you craving more of this classic comfort food.

Ingredients:
Pie crust or one recipe pastry topper (listed below)
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
¾ cup sliced celery 
½ cup chopped red sweet pepper
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
⅓ cup all-purpose flour

1 packet General Tso's chicken seasoning mix

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

1½ cups turkey broth

1 cup milk

2½ cups chopped cooked turkey

1 cup frozen peas and carrots

1 egg, beaten

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Prepare pastry topper; set aside. 

3. In a large saucepan cook onion, mushrooms, celery, and sweet pepper in hot butter over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the flour, chicken seasoning mix, salt and black pepper. Add broth and milk all at once. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Stir in turkey, peas and carrots. Pour into a two quart baking dish. 

4. Place pastry over chicken mixture in dish. Turn edges of pastry under; flute to edges of dish. Brush pastry with some of the egg. 
5. Bake, uncovered, in a 400°F oven (205°C) for 32-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Let stand for 20 minutes before serving.

Pastry Topper Recipe: 
In a medium bowl stir together 1¼ cups all-purpose flour and 1¼ teaspoon salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in ⅓ cup butter until pieces are pea sized. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon cold water over part of the mixture; gently toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to side of bowl. Sprinkle an additional 5 tablespoons cold water over remaining flour mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork, until all dough is moistened. Form into a ball. Form in pastry dish. 

This recipe will be sure to have your family craving more, I know mine did. Plus it's a great way to get rid of some of your leftover. The General Tso's seasoning mix adds a delicious sweetness to the flavor of the turkey while at the same time giving it a little southern kick. I haven't let you down yet, so just give it a try. I promise you'll love it!