The countdown is ON!

I certainly love Thanksgiving and all that it entails! Even the "why don't we just go out to eat instead" crisis I have oh, about the same time, each year. (I would just as soon show up at the Chinese place and hope they sing "Deck the Halls" just like in 'A Christmas Story'. Farararara.....)

The city really started sparkling this week as everyone began preparations for the Grand Illumination Parade!! It's a very fun event for Norfolk and for Hampton Roads in general. Downtown Norfolk and our neighboring Portsmouth will have a synchronized countdown to light up the skyline!

The lightposts were dressed in greenery and big red bows, sparkling lighted ornaments topped the light poles, and the 24/7 Christmas music station debuted early this year, and I've been watching Hallmark Channel's countdown to Christmas nonstop!! T'is the season.

I've got so many plans to finish up my prep work for Thanksgiving and finalize my decorating for this holiday season! So, what can I throw in the crock that will be a great dinner? Since obviously I have no time to cook today. My magic crock fairy will save the day!!

"Hello, Honey! Chicken"

1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup chopped onion (or 1/8 cup onion flakes)
1/4 cup ketchup
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
2 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper, put into crock pot. In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 3 hours or on high 1 1/2 hours. Chicken into bite size pieces, then return to pot and toss with sauce. Serve over rice or noodles.

To bake chicken as a 30 minute meal:
Dice chicken and season both sides with salt and pepper, place in 8x8 pan. Pour sauce over chicken and bake at 350 for 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes.