Hello all!

Well, am I the only one who can't believe that it's February already? In this month's issue we have a few recipes (One for the microwave -- ya, it's not just for popcorn! And one for a crock-pot or the oven), Valentine Ideas, Suggested Books and just my normal ramblings.

I'd like to take this moment to welcome all of our new subscribers and bid a 'welcome back' to our returning ones.

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PLEASE take a moment to check out this site. We've donated this ad space to them in the hopes that we can help to get the word out about homeless people -- especially the children.

http://www.standupforkids.org/

Chicken in a Hurry

3-4lbs chicken cut up

Sauce:
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup broth from cooked chicken

(1) Arrange larger pieces of chicken to the outside and smaller pieces in
the center of a large casserole
(2) Microwave covered, on HIGH 10-12 minutes. Drain off excess broth and
reserve for sauce.
(3) Combine sauce ingredients and pour over chicken.
(4) Microwave on MEDIUM for 10-12 minutes, basting frequently with sauce,
OR until chicken is no longer pink. Serve with white rice.
This is a FAVOURITE of my kids!

Chicken Stew

4 Medium potatoes, cut bite size
4 medium carrots, cut bite size
1 1/4 cups Chopped Onion
1 1/4 lbs. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or any other type) cut bite
sized
2 cups Hot Water
1 tbsp. Chicken bouillon powder
1 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper
1/4 tsp. Ground Thyme
1/2 tsp. Liquid Gravy Browner

Layer potato, carrot and onion in a 5-quart slow cooker. Lay chicken thighs on top.

Stir next 6 ingredients together in a bowl. Pour over chicken. Cover. Cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours or on High for 4 - 5 hours. Serves 6

NOTE: If you don't have a crock pot you can cook this on low on the stove top or all 6-8 hours in the oven at 325 Degrees.

(1) Mom's House, Dad's House : A Complete Guide for Parents Who Are Separated, Divorced, or Remarried

From the reviews at Amazon.com
According to the Stepfamily Association of America, 60 percent of all families are breaking up, and custody and visitation issues loom large in the lives of many parents. Isolina Ricci's Mom's House, Dad's House
guides separated, divorced, and remarried parents through the hassles and confusions of setting up a strong, working relationship with the ex-spouse in order to make two loving homes for the kids. This expanded
and revised edition (the book was originally published in 1980) includes emotional and legal tools, as well as many reference materials and resources. As one parent said of the first edition, "This book is my friend."

(2) In Praise of Single Parents : Mothers and Fathers Embracing the Challenge

From Booklist
When she learned she would be a single parent, Alexander couldn't find a book that she could look to for comfort and inspiration, so she wrote this one, which does just that. Her changing circumstances, which introduce each chapter, are lucid descriptions of the intense emotional states single parenting can produce, from terror to ecstasy. Many other single parents share their experiences raising children without adult partners, men as well as women, white and minority, at varying levels of financial insecurity, though the very poor are not discussed. Worries,
satisfactions, attitudes, and decisions are explored, demonstrating the kind of positive support Alexander was looking for, in frank, often emotional conversations about victimization, personal support systems, guilt, relating to children, money, sex, cooperation, and dozens of related topics. These single-parent stories are sometimes self-serving but more often enlightening and positive, if not pretty--important reading for all parents struggling to do the right thing for their children.
Virginia Dwyer
Copyright© 1994, American Library Association. All rights reserved

So, it's Valentine's Day again--this is the worst holiday for me. I have no problem getting through Christmas as I'm so busy planning and watching the kids have fun, but this day just reminds me how single I am. Television, print news, the radio, they're all filled with images of couples -- couples deeply in love. People asking "what are your plans for Valentine's Day?". I fight back these lonely feelings by making it a special day for the kids. Let's face it, they're the number one love in my life!

This year, Valentine's Day does not fall on a weekend so you lose the luxury of having all day to complete your plans. If you're the morning type, and I'm NOT, get up early and make the kids some heart shaped pancakes. Yes, mine end up looking more medically correct than what we have come to expect hearts to look like on Valentine's Day, but the kids love them anyway.

Hit the Wal-Mart and buy a heart shaped cookie cutter. For less than $2 you can transform plain ol' PB&J into heart shaped wonders. Kids not only enjoy the novelty of these shaped sandwiches, but they don't have any crusts to eat!

In most Canadian Cities, Pizza Hut serves heart shaped pizzas on Valentine's Day. If you can't afford the $16.99 it's easy enough to make your own -- and often more fun! If you have a bread machine most of them come with pizza dough recipes. If not, buy a box of Chef Boy-ar-dee or Kraft Pizza mix.Spread the dough out into your best heart shape, give the kids a variety of toppings and let them go at it! Making a yearly tradition out of this is something that they'll remember for years to come.

If you want to find a way to get through the day, pick this special day to remember the people in your life that you love: a parent, a friend, a relative, even a neighbour! Let's make this day go beyond couples.

Well folks, that's it for another month. As usual, if you have any suggestions or contributions just reply to this email and let me know! We're always up to suggestions and recipes sent in also have the chance to be included on the website.

Well folks, that's it for another month. As usual, if you have any suggestions or contributions just reply to this email and let me know! We're always up to suggestions and recipes sent in also have the chance to be included on the website.

Jill Lassaline, editor
Single Parents World