A few nights ago, I got a message from my cousin Lisa’s husband, Josh. He asked me if I’d be his “back-up” for a few days. Lisa was going to be away on business and his in-laws who are usually around are also away. I told him of course and that we’d be around for emergency pickups or any last minute help he might need with their daughter Harper. She is three and my boys adore her! Since we knew Lisa would be away we invited Harper and him to come for dinner tonight.
It was a quiet, easy dinner. Harper met Emmy Lou for the first time and the six of us had a nice dinner together. Nothing big, nothing elegant. A good comfort food meal of crockpot chicken and dumplings. Perfect for this cold night! (Drew wouldn’t eat it, neither did Harper, they had some macaroni and cheese instead. DJ picked his apart, but at least he tried it.)
Josh and Harper brought chocolate chip cookies and we ate dessert watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Such a simple night, yet such a nice time. A change from our routine. Something we should do more often. Normally our family get togethers are huge and although they are always fun, sometimes getting a chance to spend with just bits and pieces of the family is a treat. Since my mom passed away, my dad comes now and then and my brothers do too. When we are small groups, we can actually fit around the dining room table. I don’t think our house could hold the whole family at once!! That will have to wait for nicer weather when we can bring the party outside, (or win the lottery….) For now, I look forward to these small get togethers and getting some quality time to spend with the family.
Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
- Chicken breasts cut up
- 2 cans of Cream of chicken soup
- One can of water
- One chopped onion
- 2 pats of butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- One can of refrigerator biscuit dough
Mix all ingredients except biscuits in crockpot. Cook on low for 8 hours. At the 7th hour, rip apart the biscuit dough and toss into the cooked chicken. Cook at least one more hour.
Tagged: backup, chicken and dumplings, cousins, crockpot, family dinner, Harper, lottery, recipe for crockpot chicken and dumplings, the back up plan
A Project for Kindness 
thank u so much claire…and how very nice of u…when u were saying what u made, the first thing i thought of was; yeah, like harper was going to eat that…lol…so glad to hear u were all together ..miss u guys but not enough to come home to that cold…i don’t think i could ever stand it again…wish we all moved to warm climate years ago…be well..are u going to fla with your dad?? is he going?? hope so xoxo miss and love u xoxo
Chip and Tim are going to Florida. We can’t. I have work. We will go to hilton head in April and meet up with him there. Miss you. This awful weather is miserable!!!!!