Because It's Been That Kind of Day

As in, the kind of day that starts out rainy but then thinks about getting sunny and warm, but then says, "no, it's November, it's supposed to be cool and windy. With big, wild-looking storm clouds." And for the record, it's also the day that the husband disappears for seven hours to play paintball with some friends (although, he just said, "you truly are the sweetest wife today," so he does get some suck-up points...question: aren't I 'truly the sweetest wife' every day?? don't answer that). And it's also the day where I cooked waffles and I (we) cleaned up the garage and I ironed five bajillion articles of clothing and one bedskirt and fixed lunch and wrapped a present and GOT HOOKED ON FACEBOOK and took Matthew to a birthday party and took Michael to Sams and Michaels (ha! Michael at Michaels!) and Food Lion and picked up Matthew and cleaned up the house and was sucked back onto FACEBOOK and got boys to clean up their rooms and bathed boys and read some "Magic Treehouse" book to boys. So, when it comes to dinner, Pooped Julie needs some Comfort Food. Which is usually code in our house for McDonald's, but not tonight.

My sis-in-law Shannon (hi Shannon!) recently told me about this supper exchange club that she belongs to. I think there are 12 ladies involved, and each lady receives a recipe from the "coordinator" and then cooks it (and freezes it) 12 times. And then they hook up and exchange meals. This is such a great idea. Not sure that I'm ready to commit to cooking 72 porkchops like Shannon was today, but I am definitely willing to receive the recipes and try them on my own. Tonight's menu selection from the list she sent was Chicken Pie. And, I have to say (because I can't seem to stop running on and on here), that I am a bit picky about my Chicken Pie. Really, the Bisquick crust and canned chicken and canned/frozen mixed veggies do not make the true Chicken Pie for me. Fortunately, I am here to save you, too, from the typical Chicken Pie of Doom and bring to you to the realm of the Enlightened Chicken Pie. My official new name. For this Chicken Pie. Which Alan said was "a keeper". But maybe he just meant me.

Enlightened Chicken Pie
Prep time: 30ish minutes
Cook time: 1.5 hours ??
Makes about six or so servings

• four bone-in chicken breasts or thighs (I'm a dark meat girl!)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup chicken broth (you'll get this while cooking the chicken)
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup milk
• 2 deep dish pie crusts (which I bought - did you listen to my day??)
• optional: a cup of cooked fresh carrots and a cup of frozen peas

Cook the chicken in salted (only I didn't) water for 40 minutes. Cool slightly, pull chicken off bone, and cube. In large skillet over medium heat, combine flour, salt, pepper, and melted butter. Stirring constantly, slowly add milk, cooking until thick. Repeat with chicken broth. Remove from heat and add cubed chicken to thickened broth (along with veggies). Pour into pie crust, top with pie crust, and cut slits in the top. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.