You can start with the Compliment Sandwich; offering a compliment, then the constructive criticism, followed by a compliment.  This helps to keep the situation positive.  Yes, it may be “sugar coating”, but if it helps the “medicine” to go down, then it does the job.

Make sure to focus on the point, not the person.  It’s the action that you are applying the constructive criticism towards, not the individual.

If the situation allows, add a bit of humor.  By approaching the topic in a light-hearted manner, it usually helps the recipient to be more open to the subject.

And of course how the person responds to the offer of constructive criticism is completely outside of our control.  Keeping in mind, we can’t control what other people do or say, the only thing we can control is how we react.  So know that you are doing the right thing by offering the advice, and hope your friend receives it in the same spirit.

For more on dealing with how others react, here is a previous post on “Hurt Feelings”.

I’m a huge fan of acronyms, so to help avoid a Hat Hazard, here is a simple solution to help you navigate the social seas with style, grace…and of course a fabulous hat!

H – Hats are reserved for daywear; please remember, no fashion hats after dark.

A – Approach with your hat on the left and kiss on the right cheek,

T – Tilt your head, far enough for clearance (45 degrees should be good),

S – Stay in position as you step back.

Good luck! Please email me a picture of you in your fabulous hat!  I would love to post them.

Maybe there is something to good old-fashioned face-time.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about the new ‘game’!

I only have a picture of the finished – half-eaten product… I was too busy slicing, dicing, stirring, etc., to take pictures (not to mention I didn’t know what I was doing at the time!)

First, make your Pie Crust and get it chilling in the fridge.

Preheat oven to 425.

Gather:

Chicken Broth (not sure how much, it was enough to boil the chicken and veggies)

2 Chicken Breasts

Veggies (I used:  celery, carrots, frozen green beans and frozen corn – approx 1/2 cup each)

2/3 c Milk

1/3 c Flour

Salt and Pepper

Here’s the gist of  how I pulled it all together:

I started with chicken broth on the stove on high, while it was heating up, I cut two chicken breasts into chunks and chopped a couple of sticks of celery and some carrots (approx 1/2 cup each).

I added the chicken breasts, celery, carrots, along with frozen corn and frozen green beans to the chicken broth and boiled it for about 15 minutes with salt and pepper.

After the chicken and veggies had boiled for 15 minutes, I set it aside and took 1 3/4 c of the broth to use for my cream.

In a smaller pot I started on the “cream” concoction.  I stirred together the broth, 1/3 cup flour and 2/3 cup of milk over medium heat, working to get the “lumps” of flour dissolved and stirred until it started to thicken.

Once you have the cream in good condition, roll out the first pie crust and place in pan.

Strain the remaining liquid from the Chicken and veggies. Discard the excess liquid (or save for another project) and place the Chicken and Veggies on top of pie crust, add some salt and pepper.  Then pour the “cream” mixture over the chicken and veggies.

Roll out second pie crust and place on top of your “pie” – seal the edges and make several small slits in the top crust to let the heat/steam escape.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes.  My edges started looking a little “golden brown” too early, so I took it out and MacGivered foil around the edges so they wouldn’t get “too” done and put it back in until it was finished baking.

Let the pie set for about 10 minutes before diving in.

I thought about adding some Cheddar Cheese (after it was already in the oven) –  I think I’ll try that next time!

I’d love to hear from you if you make one; let me know what you added or changed… I really don’t think you can mess it up!

Enjoy…

Gather:

1 cup unsalted butter, cold

2 cups all-purpose flour

3 Tablespoons White Sugar

1/3 cup ice water (or more, if needed)

Get Started:

I use mix Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer.  Add Flour and Sugar and mix.  Cut the butter into Tablespoon pieces and mix into the flour/sugar.  After all of the butter has been added, with the mixer on medium speed, add the cold water.  As the dough starts to clump, turn off the mixer and use your hands to make the dough into a ball.  If more water is needed, add a little bit and check the consistency until you’re happy with your dough ball.

Divide your dough in half and make two patties.

Place in fridge for at least 30 minutes before rolling out to use.

You can freeze it for later if you’d like.

I’ll share our finished product next week.

In the meantime, click here for the link on how to make your own.

http://careysuevega.com/?p=1935

Here is the fabulous Miss Savannah Hanke

Laptop Etiquette

The facility change is for this class only.

If you have questions, please email:  CareySue@CareySueVega.com