Today is really what I needed. Time to work, rain to cleanse, food to cook itself and send piquant and sweet aromas throughout my house.

The rain came down so hard last night, my two-year-old climbed into bed (where I had gone to pout and watch the Food Network) with me and fell asleep.  My six-year-old daughter was at the neighbor's, and my son and husband went to buy yet another baseball bat, it's an inch issue - I decided not to ask.
 
Doesn't matter who is on the Food Network, I get inspired, and I calm down. Like it doesn't matter who covers Landslide, I find harmony (that is not entirely true, I despise the Smashing Pumpkins version).

So last night, after releasing some visiting demons, I ate lasagna in bed, planned the menu for this evening, and listened to water drops break up against my backyard deck and fall into my vegetable garden where they were happily received.

I was so happy. Today I was even happier.

So after my daughter put in Shrek 2 for herself, I started writing. Soon as I needed a break, I seared some chicken breasts in olive oil and placed them in the slow cooker. To the pan in which I sauteed the chicken, I added:

2 cans diced, roasted green chilies (mild)
1 can diced tomatoes (with "zesty" jalapenos)
1 bottle Tabasco ("the whole damn thing")
Garlic Powder (with parsley), about a teaspoon
Cayenne Pepper, about a teaspoon
Chili Powder, about a teaspoon
Salt & Pepper

I deglazed the pan with these ingredients, then added them all to the slow cooker.

Two hours before being done, I added some brown rice and about 2 cups of chicken stock.

That's all I did, and now dinner is ready, it's still raining, and I have the rest of the night to write or watch Food Network (in between and after baths and bedtimes).

Hopefully this will give me strength for what I am preparing - a document provong to be maddening that I intend to present this weekend at a Writer's Conference.

It is supposed to rain all weekend. Diners, Drive-ins and Dives will be on, however, as well as Jamie Oliver and Nigella. My favorite food of all time, leftovers, will be waiting for me no matter what time of day.

I don't know today even what I will need then, but that is a good start.