making dumplings

Dumplings, as in the southern kind with chicken - not the western kind with pork (though I love those). Caleigh's absolute favorite pasttime is helping cook in the kitchen. Any time she sees us (me) in there she says, "ya-ya help" (ya-ya being the way she pronounces Caleigh). So last night we had chicken and dumplings which I make the same way my mom and her mom did - using homemade chicken broth and homemade noodles (and no veggies!). I have such fond memories of helping my mom make the dumplings by putting the noodles in the pot of boiling broth (and eating many noodles in the process). So it was really neat for Caleigh to join in on that tradition too. We donned Caleigh's apron (and an old t-shirt for me) -

And then set out to rolling, cutting, and dropping the dough into the broth. Caleigh did some rolling and she put the noodles in the broth. Every noodle that she picked up she brought to her mouth and said, "ya-ya eat" to which I would say, "No, not that one - put that one in the pot" - she did end up consuming several noodles after I told her it was ok! If there has ever been a worse back shot someone please make me feel better - I look like an ogre in this one - but it was cute and so I posted it anyway... I am that humble. We had so much fun and a great (albeit, late) dinner!