This Dinner Is A Winner!!! And this one a Flop...

WINNER: 7 Layer Tortilla Pie

I made something for dinner last week that we all loved. From High School Graduate to High Chair Diner, it was a huge hit. I gave it it's own recipe card in my box. That's sayin' somethin. I am sure it will get much use.

And it was easy.

And it was inexpensive.

And it would work for my vegetarian friends.

So I thought I'd post the link here for ya'all.

Notes: I slightly blended the kidney bean layer in my VitaMix. To this, I also added some cumin and a little chili powder to suit my own family's particular tastes. You could also add some taco meat if you want to. I baked two of them on one cookie sheet (rather than in a tart pan) and did not cover it with foil while baking. I think this is what made my family especially love it. It was crunchy around the edges and very yummy. And I did not keep track of the number of layers I was using. I spread the appropriate amount of filling on each layer, then moved on to the next, stopping when I ran out of filling. Before serving I cut it just like a pie, as the name suggests, and served it with sour cream, salsa, pico de gallo and avocado on the side.


FLOP: Bourbon Chicken

Tasted too much like bourbon. If I were to make it again (but I probably won't even try) I'd marinate it for only 5 or 6 hours. We ended up eating burritos and quesadillas for a last minute dinner. I am going to try to use this chicken in the crockpot, maybe in a soup. Maybe it will turn out fabulously and will win alot of awards and a trip to Louisiana.

Could have turned out bad because I let it marinate even longer than the recipe called for. I was just so happy to have had it all ready to pop into the oven after a day of doctor's appointments. Perhaps this was not the appropriate day to do it.

Could be because I am cheap and don't know a thing about bourbon so just asked the lady at the liquor store for the cheapest bourbon she had, which was Jim Beam. Is that bad?

Menu Plan Monday

I loved doing this a couple weeks ago. It made my week so much more organized. It was worth the time I spent on it and plan to continue doing it even if I don't post it.

I used to plan our meals at least a week out, but my habit went out the window a couple years ago during the days of dehydration and misery called pregnancy. Now I see why I did it. I feel like a much better wife and mom. I am less stressed. It motivates me to keep adding back other things I used to do that helped me stay on track. And it blesses my family to see the menu plan hanging on the fridge. And maybe just a little but more taken care of. Even the big guys. This makes them look forward to dinner time. And maybe one day, when they leave this nest, the memories of it will call them back to my table.

Some of the meals I posted from a couple weeks ago will be repeated because we were given food for several meals. I took Anthony to another political thing and they had tons of leftovers from their BBQ. So we got enough already BBQ'd beef brisket for a meal+ and enough kielbasa for two meals. I used it in casseroles.

Then my high school friend overmade enchildas for her daughter's grad party and gave one pan of it to us, so we got that for yesterday when my nephew came for a visit. I love having a plan but I don't mind being flexible!
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Monday: Turkey Burgers served with Napa Cabbage Salad
Note: I found this recipe for Turkey Burgers through Menu Plan Monday. I don't really care if Oprah liked it or if it was an old family friend who recommended it. Point is, the ingredients looked interesting and I love poultry with apples or pears so I thought it was worth trying.

It was! I loved it.

I did not mind spending 6 bucks on Major Grey's Chutney, one of the ingredients, when I thought I was only using a little. However, I wasn't willing to spend enough to purchase the quantity needed for the extra sauce (after all, the recipe is served to the Rich and Famous) . So I did not make the sauce. Instead, I spread the patty with Major Grey's Chutney and placed a thin slice of pear atop immediately upon removing from heat. You could also sprinkle a little cinnamon but I didn't. This is a more affordable way to get all of the tastes in w/o spending a bundle. I also sprinkled a tad of feta cheese on top.

Tuesday: Taco Salad

Wednesday: Chalupa (Our recipe is a little different but basically the same idea. I like to play with spices to fit my family's tastes) served with tortillas, avocado, cilantro, sour cream, etc. (Crockpot Meal, my son is having surgery so I will be gone and busy with him most of the day)

Thursday: Lemonade Chicken over rice, steamed broccoli

Friday: Company MacNCheese (I have made this for years and it is the only homemade MacNCheese I like better than Kraft. I know, it's shameful. I like the stuff.) Serve with sausages for some protein, and veggie sticks.

Saturday: Fab Summer Blackened Chicken Salad

Sunday: Father's Day! Shredded French Dip served with sauteed onions and mushrooms, topped with mozzarella cheese on toasted deli buns. (crockpot meal so it will be ready and the house will smell good when we get home from church). My mother-in-law is bringing Broccoli Salad. And strawberries are just now ready. My hubby loves berries. So I will make shortcake for dessert. I will have to make the Amaretto Cake I was planning another time.

Father Time

Since a few months before my last birthday I have been contemplating the concept of time. Now that my oldest son is graduating I am thinking about it even more. Almost constantly. I have been wondering what is so magical about this new number that describes how long I've been here, and what about it causes me to contemplate time so much.

I am thinking alot about the past - the years I thought about and looked forward to as a young woman. Those milestones of getting married and having babies are now behind me.

It has occurred to me that the future is sometimes hard to look toward. I think it is because, in some way, that is acknowledging that the past truly is behind me.

I never thought this far ahead.

When I Cannot Fly...

"A bird's not defined by being grounded but by his ability to fly. Remember this, humans are not defined by their limitations, but by the intentions I have for them; not by what they seem to be, but by everything it means to be created in my image."

~ William P. Young


What a thought. I am not defined by what I cannot do or by those days when I walk tho I could fly. I am defined by what I can do, by God's Plan for me. By who He sees me to be - created in His image. And, since God is not trapped in time as we are, He sees me as such even now. I am not held captive to my weakness or my unbelief, but am totally free to live today, to make mistakes and to fall short and to be human. Not trapped by what I seem to be, but by what I really am -- as defined by God alone.

Ahh, sweet release. Beautiful.

Please Excuse My Dust

Please bear with me as I get everything unpacked and moved into this place I have had for awhile, but just moved the rest of my stuff to and am renovating. It is hard to combine two households, even if they are just blogs!

Win A Rug!

Gina, one of the bloggers I read, is doing a gorgeous giveaway. When comments reach 100 the contest will be over. Go look at it here and make sure you leave a comment right away!

Going Loco For Local: A Day At The Farm

I decided to move this post to our family blog. Click here to view it.