Little miss stinker girl

Little Miss has begun to LOVE climbing in and out of anything she can.

She's mastered the stairs, the couch, and beginning to get off the bed by herself!

Well now she gets inside a clothes basket or box whenever she can

This week - her book box holder :)

Stinker :)

Mexican dinner night

Recently we enjoyed a mexican cuisine night!  I had recently made salsa from our garden (which I realize I did NOT follow up with through the summer with pictures...).  I made our favorite recipe of Chicken Enchiladas and tried my hand at some homemade guacamole!  I barely got the pictures taken before we ate all this delicious food :)

The guac was especially exciting because I grew up on avocados mixed with a packet of guac mix (probably salt and some dried spices?!) and this guac, made with fresh avocado, onion, garlic, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and a bit of lemon juice was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. I will definitely repeat!

Yummy Enchilada recipe from my mom

3c. enchilada sauce (recipe below)
2 c. chunked cooked chicken
1/2 c. sliced green onions
3/4 c. shredded cheddar
3/4 c. shredded monterey jack
1/4 c. sour cream
4 oz. can diced chiles (or fresh peppers from garden)
1/4 c. fresh cilantro
salt& pepper
10 6" corn tortillas/3 12" corn tortillas

Enchilada sauce:
2 Tbsp canola oil
2 Tbsp flour
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 - 14 oz can chicken broth
1 - 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Prepare sauce: heat oil in large saucepan, stir in flour and chili powder.  Cook for 1 min.  Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

In a medium bowl mix chicken, green onions, 1/2 c. cheddar, 1/2 c. monterey jack, sour cream, chiles & cilantro.  Stir in 1/2 c. enchilada sauce.  Season with salt and pepper.   Spray 9x13 baking dish.  Spread small amount in bottom of dish to just cover.  Spread chicken mixture in each tortilla and roll up.  Pour remaining sauce over and top with remaining cheese.  Bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes.  Garnish with extra sour cream, sliced green onions and homemade guacamole! Serve with refried beans, spanish rice, and homemade salsa.

Homemade salsa! Made to taste with:
tomatoes
onion
a LOT of garlic
cilantro
garden salsa peppers
jalapenos
salt
pepper



What are your favorite mexican dish recipes?

Joel's reward

For the month of August Joel gave up desserts (with a few exceptions like a friend's homemade cake while we were visiting and a homemade apple dumpling at bible study)!

I am so proud of him and not at all jealous - I have no desire to EVER give up dessert! 

Anyways, as a reward I got him a caramel pecan turtle from DeBrand's - He loved it!

You are amazing and teach me so much about dedication, determination, and motivation - I love you!

the best part of saturday mornings

favorite summer supper and sangria!

This summer we've grilled quite a few times and this has been one of our favorites!

Loaded portabello's!

soaked in red wine or red wine vinegar and garlic, pepper and salt

Topped with roasted red peppers, spinach, onions, and feta

Served on a bun or plain (preferably with a side of asparagus!!!)

With homemade Sangria!
I had my first taste of Sangria at Abby's wedding this summer - and then decided to try to make it myself!
There are lots of recipes to follow and I think its pretty impossible to screw it up...but it goes something like this:
Red wine
Fruit flavored liquor (we used apple flavored)
Cranberry juice
7 Up/Sprite
Pineapple/orange juice
Maraschino cherries (and the juice)
Sliced apples
Sliced lemons (squeezed)
Sliced limes (squeezed)
Sliced oranges (squeezed)

Serve in a cute vintage glass and enjoy!