So hard to say goodbye...

I hate saying goodbye. I hate the unknown. The not knowing. My mother flies out early tomorrow and that's that. It always goes by too quickly. Truth is, I don't know when I will see her again. I don't know when I'll get a chance to go home again. All I know is it is not this summer, as we have commitments and other things we must take care of.

I don't dwell on it completely, but I do get sad. However, in the past four days with my mom I was treated to her famous Orange Chicken, and even breakfast made for me. It was like a taste of home and what used to be. We laughed, we talked, we spent that much-needed time together. My daughter will have to cope with this and it will be harder for her to handle than myself, but she goes back to school tomorrow, so that should keep her occupied as well.

I did not get any pictures of the Orange Chicken, but I do have the recipe.

Orange Chicken

3-4 cloves of garlic, diced
2 green bell peppers, cut into thin long strips
1/2 large white onion, chopped up
5-6 regular sized russet potatoes, chopped into pieces (just a bit over bite-size)
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped up into bite sized pieces (or you can use Chicken Thighs, which is what my mom normally uses)
1-2 cups ketchup
2-3 cups water
Salt & pepper to taste
Extra Virgin Olive Oil for sauteeing veggies and meat

Saute garlic, green bell peppers and onion with EVOO. When it's carmelized and wilted down, add in the chicken and cook thoroughly. Add ketchup, salt & pepper and mix well, then add the potatoes and water and let simmer until the soup is thick (should be about 15-20 minutes). Let cool down and serve over rice.