Determination and Hard Work:Pay-Off

I must say dreaming big was certainly evident in the finale of America's Got Talent show. Leona Lewis, a past winner, and Susan Boyle, a winner from the UK, both gave heartwarming performances. They are just some of the many talented people in all walks of life who aspire to beat the odds and be a winner. Shakira, another of the evening's performers said she felt determination and hard work helped her rise to the top of her game.
Well these two traits: determination and hard work certainly could describe the sock fairies work ethic. Each day and way into the evening they are determined to stuff their leather bags till they bulge with mismatched socks. They can be ruthless snatching socks from clotheslines, dryers, under the beds, behind the toilet, between the couch cushions and even from the dog's bed. They seem to move silently with just a little flutter of their gossamer wings as they make their way down the road toward a large brick building. What kind of building do you think would attract sock fairies carrying bags of mismatched socks? Now that is really something to think about!
We Minnesotans certainly have had a lucky break with a bit of summer extension with this warm weather. Of course I think we really deserve it. Are you still in the mood for grilling? Here is an easy idea for a meal you might want to consider.
By the way, I am almost done with the book The Help I mentioned a few blogs before. What a fascinating story that draws the reader in told by three voices: two black maids and one white woman in Mississippi during the early 60's. It is on the New York bestseller list and very deserving of this place.
Mango-Peach Chicken
Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/3 cup of rum or tequila
• 2/3 cup orange juice
• 1/3 soy sauce
• 2 TB honey
• 1 tsp of garlic
• 1 tsp dried of thyme leaves
• 1 cup of prepared mango-peach salsa-save rest of jar for thickened sauce used in basting
• 2 green onions chopped
• 2 lime slice
• 2 orange slices

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Combine all ingredients except chicken in a bowl. Place 2/3 cup of marinade in a large plastic
bag and add chicken breasts. Turn bag several times and place in a 13x9 inch pan. Refrigerate for 4 hours and turn occasionally. Take leftover marinade and place in saucepan. Add 1/2 cup peach-mango sauce from the jar to marinade. Mix 1/4 cup water and 1 TB cornstarch and thicken slightly on medium heat. Drain chicken and grill. Baste with thickened marinade.
To serve place chicken on a platter and place rest of marinade on top. Add orange and lime slices on top.
Yellow rice and watermelon wedges would be great with this chicken dish.