Tuesday Thoughts-Week 20

First of all I have to say that I can hardly believe that we are in the 20th week of the year...where in the heck has time gone???  Before I know it I will have two teenagers...that is totally freaking me out!!  This year is flying by WAY too fast!!
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Week 20-Let your faith be bigger than your fear.

This may be the best thing I have ever read...it really sums up so much to me right now.  I think at one point or another we have all let fear get the best of us.  We all need to remember that we only have one life.  Letting the faith we have in ourselves be bigger than the fears can be hard but worth it.  Move on from things you can not control and take chances even when they scare you...I will be reminding myself of this everyday.  Sweet faith-

Mother's Day Gift Idea...

My newest obsession is...

Now that I have purchased the chalk board spray paint my mind is racing for ideas of what to paint next.  The possibilities are truly endless!!!  Then the other day in an attempt to organize my craft room I came across these two Terra cotta pots...

They were crying out to be painted...so I obliged...

It was easy.  I just set them outside on a garbage bag and gave them a couple of coats of paint.  Then I let them dry.  Once they were dry I filled the bottom of the pots with a few rocks to help with drainage...

It was now time to plant.  I put a small amount of soil in the pot and then added these simple and sweet petunias that I picked up at my favorite place...Bloomers...

After that is was just a matter of tying a piece of burlap around the top edge and writing what I wanted to on the pot.  One for each of my children's grandmothers...

&

It was easy and fit right into my budget (less than $5.00 each).  Perfect for someone special on Mother's Day.  Sweet mama's-

Camping Checklist...

Memorial Day is quickly approaching and in Lake County I feel like it marks the beginning of camping season.  Going camping is one of my favorite summer activities!  It is so nice to leave the real world for a while and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery.  To me it is therapeutic...it calms me and makes me a VERY happy girl.  As much fun as it is there is always the packing and as a mom we have A LOT of packing to do!!  Ever since my kids were young I have kept an ongoing list of things to bring and I thought that some of you could benefit from it as well.  Because this list is one that I have had for years it may have things that you no longer need or never needed to bring but it just might help. 

Camping Checklist-

CLOTHING

__Shorts/Long Pants
__T-shirts (Long & Short Sleeve)
__Sweatshirts
__Jackets (Hat and gloves if cold)
__Hat
__Socks
__Underwear
__Bras
__Extra Shoes
__Bathing Suit
__Pajamas

SWIMMING ITEMS

__Towels
__Sunblock
__Water Toys
__Sunglasses
__Water Shoes
__Life jackets
__Swim diapers

BEDDING

__Sleeping Bags
__Pillows
__Favorite Blankets (kids)
__Cot
__Extra Blanket/Sheet
__Portable Crib
__Inflatable Mattress/Air pump

MEDICINE/1st AIDE

__Lotion
__Chap stick
__Bug spray
__Tylenol/Ibruprohen
__Prescribed Medicine
__Benedryl (Liquid & Topical)
__Band aids (Different Sizes)
__Neosphorin
__Hydrogen Peroxide
__Eye drops

TOILETRIES

__Toothbrush/Toothpaste
__Deodorant
__Hair Brush
__Body Wipes
__Toilet Paper
__Feminine Hygiene Items
__Body Soap
__Glasses/Contacts & solution

PAPER ITEMS

__Paper Plates/Plastic Silverware
__Cups
__Garbage Bags
__Ziploc Bags
__Dish Soap
__Matches/Lighter
__Paper Towels
__Table Cloth
__Foil

MISC. ITEMS

__Camp Chairs
__BBQ/propane
__Toys
__Bikes/Helmets
__Games/Color Books-Crayons
__Books/Magazines
__Camera
__Flashlights w/ extra batteries
__Fishing Gear & license
__Clothes Pins and line
__Saw/Axe
__Pocket Knife
__Shovel

I also have a check list for food items and meal ideas that I will share next week.  I hope this is helpful and I hope that it makes you want to camp somewhere soon.  I'm very excited and ready to go!!  Sweet camping-

Wednesday Thoughts-Week 19

Week 19- Just relax and enjoy the CRAZY!!

I know that all of you can relate to this...especially this time of year!!  Last week seemed to be EXTRA crazy for us...Taylea had her last track meet.  We had one of her friends and her sweet puppy for most of the week while her parents were out of town.  Two softball games...one out of town and one that I helped coach (which Taylea does not enjoy).  Two performances of Tales dance recital.  A birthday party and Tate's friend over for a night.  Oh and I decided to have a Cinco de Mayo party at my house on Saturday night, which was so much fun!!  Not to mention the 2 pigs and 3 dogs that need our attention.  Needless to say by Sunday I was feeling a little tired (the margaritas the night before might have had something to do with that).  Before I knew it we were on to a new week of craziness and to tell you the truth...I wouldn't have it any other way.  Sweet mama hood-

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

This recipe was one I had planned on posting last week for Cinco de Mayo but time got away from me...so here it is today!!

"Chicken Again"...that is what my bratty sweet children ask me and I just sigh.  I get soooo tired of trying to make everyone happy at dinner time.  Do you feel like you can never make EVERYONE happy like I do?  I often wonder if I am alone in this culinary journey of dinner bliss.  I have to say that I do take my children's taste buds into consideration when planning meals but I never make more than one meal to please everyone.  If you are one of the gracious one's then more power to you...I can hardly get one meal on the table in an evening let alone two.  In fact I'm tired just thinking of it!!

This is one recipe that everyone likes at my home but it hasn't always been that way.  I have discovered that my children's palate changes just like mine.  Besides everyone liking this recipe the very best thing about it is that you are using up the leftovers in a delicious way and instead of standing at the counter and rolling enchiladas we are going to layer them like a lasagna.

I have adapted this recipe from one that my Aunt Meme gave me about 16 years ago.  Her recipe called for chicken (and that what I am using today) but I have found that the leftover turkey works perfectly.  So remember this in November when you have 2 gallon Ziploc bags of turkey laying in the fridge. To make this recipe you will need:

Two cups of leftover chicken or turkey-chopped, 1 pkg. of tortillas (I have used both corn and flour), 1 can of enchilada sauce, 1/2 can of sweet corn, 1 small can of olives, 1/2 can of black beans, 1 cup of cooked rice (mine was leftover), 2 cups of shredded cheese (sorry that didn't make the picture), 1/2 cup of jarred salsa (it didn't make it either) and 1 small container of sour cream...

To begin combine the 2 cups of chicken, rice, corn, black beans, sour cream, salsa and 1 1/2 cups of cheese...

Spray pan with non-stick cooking spray and add a small amount of enchilada sauce to cover the bottom of the dish, then add a layer of tortillas...

Add the chicken mixture to the top of the tortillas...

Then another layer of tortillas, more enchilada sauce, the remaining cheese and the olives...

Bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes or until heated through.  Serve with a side salad and dinner is on the table...

It is easy and delicious...

Sweet enchiladas-

My Seesters aka Sisters...

I was lucky enough to be blessed with two AMAZING seesters!!  When we were younger and would fight like cats and dogs my dad would always tell us that one day we would be best friends...we thought he was CRAZY...but now we know that he was just wise!  I even tell my kids that sometimes and they don't believe me either.  The one thing I know to be true in life is that my seesters are my constant.  They are there through it all...Good and Bad!! 

Amus and I having a great time in Sunriver...

Our annual Branding picture...

(Me, Amus and Jamus)



Birthday Dinner with my sister Amus, my mom and best friend Jenn (who is just like a sister)...

I have also been blessed with two extra amazing friends that are just like sisters to me.  Tonia and Jenn have been there for me through EVERYTHING in life.  It is great to have such amazing ladies in my life.  Thank you & Love you!!  Sweet seesters-

Homeade Taco Shells...

One of my sweet mama's signature recipes is her Homemade Taco Shells.  They are divine and since Cinco' de Mayo is this weekend I thought that maybe this would be perfect for your upcoming Mexican fiesta.  Having taco's at my parents is not just a meal...it is an event.  When my seesters (I know that isn't how you spell sister but that is how we do it...hehe) and I were young we had taco's EVERY Saturday night after church.  We said we were having "Taco's at Taco Bill's" (my padres name is Bill and as you can see from my posts I NEVER really call anyone by their given name).  It was a family tradition, which you know I absolutely LOVE!!  I'm shooting you straight when I say that once you have a taco at my mom's...well then...you will never want anything else.  Does it seem like I might be going a little overboard??  I promise you I am not!!

The only way I can explain them is that they are a cross between a crepe and a corn tortilla.  Fill them with all of the goodies and top with some chili and your taste buds will be in H.E.A.V.E.N.!!  I want to warn you that the first one NEVER turns out perfect but don't be discouraged...keep on going.  Today we are lucky enough to be shown by the master herself...my MAMA...

To make them you will need 1 cup of cornstarch, 1/4 cup of yellow cornmeal, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, 1 cup of milk, 2 eggs and 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning salt (this will make about 8 shells.  Whisk all of the ingredients together well.  It should be a little thick but still runny...

Heat a non-stick (very important) skillet over medium heat and spray with non-stick spray.  It should be warm enough to only be able to keep your hand over it for a few seconds...

Add about 1/4 cup of mix to the pan and swirl around to cover the bottom of the skillet...

It only takes about 20 seconds for the top to set and then you flip over...GENTLY...

Another few seconds and you are ready to start on your next one...

We like to fill them with unseasoned ground beef, grated cheese, lettuce, tomato, olives, onions, sour cream, taco seasoning...roll it up and top with chili...

I love these taco shells and I love my mama even more...look at this face!!!

Sweet taco shells-