A new Beginning

As you can see, I've made a few changes.  And some are still in the works.

While I loved the name "Quahog Tales," I really felt like the name of the blog wasn't representative of me and what I've been writing about.  While my original intention was to write about RI, the truth is really that I'm only from RI, and I haven't written a single thing about the state or our traditions.  And as I mentioned yesterday, we're moving out of RI at some point over the summer.

While I have been writing about a collection of different things, I decided to go with Camille's Collections for my blog title.  In reality, I write about tons of different things - baking, cooking, movies, my new house (and all the wallpaper that came with it), etc.  So while I'm writing about a collection of different things, my blog should be representative of that (with a little Rhode Island flair, of course).  

I received a number of different ideas about what my blog name could be.  I loved the idea of incorporating my name into different words like Camillections (combination of Camille and Collections) or Camilleon (a play on the word Chameleon, obviously using my name, but meaning that I'm changing and evolving with different opportunities in life).  But in the end, I decided to just go with the straight and narrow.

So please bear with me while I update some things - My awesome cousin Carolyn is helping me with a new image, and I can't wait for the big reveal!!!

So be patient, and keep reading!!!

I need your help!!

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately.  


Does "Quahogtales" fit this blog? 


I ask because while I promote the blog as being a "Rhode Islanders view of life," I really don't talk about RI.  At all.  I really just talk about food and the progress of my house.  And when push comes to shove, I'll be moving out of RI at some point over the summer.  Yes, I'm turning into a Masshole. So Do I keep the name Quahogtales?  Or do I change to something a little more descriptive of myself??


So I'm turning to my audience....Should I stay or should I change?


Opinions, please!!!

What wallpaper?

With the exception of 1/2 a bedroom that still has backing on the walls and one room where all of the paper is down and we just need to remove the excess glue (thanks to my mother in law who graciously paid to have someone help us -Thank you again!!!), we're almost done with the wallpaper removal!!


It's taken over a month (far longer than I originally anticipated) and we still have a lot more work ahead of ourselves.


I honestly don't know what I will do when there is officially none left. Maybe I'll drink a huge drink. All I know is I'll probably be seeing ugly 1970's patterns in my nightmares for a long time.


Once we finish the wallpaper and glue, we're on to washing (with TSP), priming (we have to use a special primer for walls that have been papered but not painted), and then finally painting.


Wish us luck!!

A view of the hallway, clear of wallpaper!

Crock Pot Chicken and Broccoli

Another attempt at Chicken and Broccoli.  But this time was a little better than my last attempt.


I stopped in the market really quick the other day and picked up a package of chicken - 1 lb of chicken breast tenders.  When I got home, I realized that I had no clue what to do with it.  I had a bottle of stir fry sauce, but only peppers to go with it (not an onion to be found!).  Last week, I did Chicken Caesar Salad, so I didn't want to do that again so soon.  I browsed around online a little bit, and found what looked like a cool recipe for crock pot chicken and broccoli.  It had cream of mushroom soup and cream cheese, neither of which I had, so I ended up adapting it a bit...


In the crock pot, I threw together the following:

• 1 lb chicken breast tenders, cut in medium chunks (probably 4-5 pieces per tender)
• 1/2 bag frozen chopped broccoli
• 1 1/4 cups chicken stock
• 1 package Good Seasons Italian Dressing (just the dry seasoning)

That's it.  Cooked on low for 3 1/2 hours, and Viola!


Some notes on this:

1. It is better to cook the chicken, stock and dressing for about 2-2 1/2 hours, and THEN add the broccoli.  Because I cooked the broccoli the whole time, by the time we ate, it was like complete mush.  
2. I made this with brown rice.  I added a dash of salt into the water when I boiled it, and I would recommend NOT doing this.  With the concentrated flavor of the dressing mix, the salt was not needed.  Also - if you happen to have low sodium chicken broth, I would use it.  

Crock Pot Chicken and Broccoli

Enjoy!! :o)