Chicken Tamale Pie

This looks involved, but it's really a snap to throw together. We all need a new recipe now and then, don't we?

Chicken Tamale Pie

Filling:

1 whole chicken, cooked, boned, yada yada

3-4 NM green chiles seeded and chopped (OR 1 can chopped green chiles)

1/2 can creamed corn

2 c. shredded cheese

2 t. taco seasoning

Combine all ingredients and place in 9x13 pan. Mix all cornbread ingredients together well. Pour over the top of of chicken mixture and bake at 350° for 25-30 min. or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cornbread Topping:

1 c. cornmeal

1 t. baking powder

1 1/2 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

1 c. buttermilk

2 T. melted butter, or oil

1/2 can creamed corn

2 eggs

Easy-Peasy variation:

*Use canned chicken or chopped chicken breasts

*Mix up a box of Jiffy cornbread mix and call it good!

The Things We Do That Make Us A Parent

I'm sitting at the computer in the dark. It's been a looong weekend. My poor Caleb has the dreaded H1N1 (aka: piggy flu, "Hiney" flu, whatever). Thankfully, he's doing better this morning. Fever is down a bit, he's still sleeping and I got a mostly full night's sleep.

I won't whine, mind you, but I will say that I am missing 3 important things this weekend:

Jarrod ~I sent him off to Kansas City yesterday to a Jayhawks game.

Weekend in KC with my hubby at a Jayhawks game

My 20th HS Reunion in Spring, TX

Ya know, God always has a reason for these quirky happenings that "mess up our plans".

"You can make many plans,

but the Lord's purpose will prevail."

~Proverbs 19:21

Jarrod just called this morning to tell me some of what God has spoken to him about...great, exciting stuff. Myself: I've had a weekend with my three kids in a tiny house and it's been good. I've let the house get messy (gasp!), we've watched lots of tv and movies (gasp!), we've baked STORE BOUGHT cookie dough (what?!? Not from scratch? Yeah, they're delish!)

When a kiddo is really sick, you stop everything and pour every ounce into getting him better.

Thank goodness for Facebook! I've been able to see pics from my reunion almost instantly! They're all old. ;)

Thank goodness for cellphones! Jarrod and I have texted and called a bunch.

yep, he misses me. :}

Plus, had I been in KC, I would have missed Jacob's first win yesterday: 18-6

GO WARRIORS!!

Now I shall begin the great clean-up.

Homemade Deliciousness...Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

I must say that this is not MY recipe, but rather from my Mom's bestest friend ever, Julia Sommers. I must give credit where credit is due. She gave it to me at my bridal shower, so many years ago, and everyone goes nuts over it.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

1/2 c. shortening

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/3 c. creamy peanut butter

1 egg

1/4 c. milk

1 c. flour

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1 c. oatmeal

Chocolate Frosting:

2 c. powdered sugar

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa

3-5 T. boiling water

1/2 t. vanilla

Mix first 7 ingredients, then add dry ingredients. Spread in pan.

Bake at 350° for 20 min. Cool.

Beat frosting ingredients together and spread over bars. Cut when cooled.

Yield: 12 servings

Oh my gosh, does it get any easier than this?!?

Today I...

On my Blessed Day Off I...

• Baked hamburger buns for our "Green Chile Cheeseburgers" tonight.


• Sewed up a clothespin bag (so easy, and so needed)


• Baked Whole Wheat Bread, which looks like it's gonna be hard as a rock...too much wheat flour or it's too old


• Watched old "Bewitched" and "I Dream of Jeannie" on hulu.com while I clean/sew/bake.


• Hung clothes on the line on this beautiful day, but one line fell down. boo hoo.


• Played a couple rounds of "WordWhomp" while I ate my lunch. Was craving Beenie Weenies, but had to sub the weenies for leftover meatballs. Not too bad.


• Need to change into nicer clothes to pick up the kids and take them for eye appts.


• Need to call and wish my Dad a "Happy 62nd Birthday"!


• Talked to Jarrod as he was going from one construction job to another.

She's Back

Pic #1:Mom, my cousin, and Myself
Pic #2: Caleb, Me and Jacob in the cccold stream.

In case you were worried...I'm still alive. I've kinda strayed from the blog-thing. Twitter captured my attention for a couple of months, but I'm bored with that. There are too many people who give a second-by-second account of their lives, and honestly,

I DON'T CARE!!

AND I don't think anyone really cares about MY little details on a regular basis. Boy, that sounds harsh.

Anyway, I'm back to "Blogsville". I've been so inspired by the cutest, most creative looking blog pages lately and it is stirring up the "left-hander" in me- ie: time to sew, bake, redecorate, shop..."let the creative juices flow!!!"

I was going to post about my summer adventure to New Mexico, but I did already mention some of the stuff I did there in my last post. Plus, I asked my Dad to post some pics from my trip as, *sniff, sniff*, I LOST MY CAMERA IN THE MOUNTAINS OF SANTA FE!!!!

OK, here's the low-down: So my parents (who BTW were AWESOME to be with), my kids and myself went up to the Sangre de Cristo mountains in Santa Fe. We did this twice while I was there to cook breakfast in the morning up in the mountains. We're weird like that. Eggs, bacon, fried potatoes and green chile just taste better up there. Well, then we drove up a little further for a hike. NOW, in case you are getting all impressed at my "athletic prowess", let me halt right there, partner, and make you aware that the term "hiking" is extremely relative. HIKE: to walk down the path at "my Dad's Rock" and enjoy the scenery.

So towards the end of our "hike", Mom and I decided to wait at the top at the van while Dad and the kids played in the stream downhill. I set my backpack down and walked around for a little bit. Then when the gang got to the van, I hopped in and we drove home. Lalala, I go about my day and begin packing that night to drive home the next morning, and I have this sickening feeling: THE CAMERA!! Too late now. It's a goner!

All that to say...I asked my Dad for any pics he had on HIS camera so I could post them on here. Well, I pray that these weren't his only pics, as I am lookin' pretty rough. But, in humbleness I will post these if you promise not to laugh.

Things I am Doing this Month

*Driving 12 hrs. straight with 3 kids to see my fam. in New Mexico

*Sitting in my sister's house in Albuquerque,blogging.

*Working waay to much and too early, and wishing I could be a stay-at-home mom again.

*Missing my hubby while he works in Kansas.

*Wondering why I feel like a Gypsy (never settled, always moving).

*Hoping beyond hope that God shows Jarrod and me just what on earth we are here for!!!

*Getting a pedicure today...I'm determined!

*Eating a huge Green Chile Cheeseburger from Blake's Lotaburger in Abq.

*Driving 12 hrs. straight back to Kansas to see my sweet hubby who works his butt off and is the greatest guy ever, and deserves...well EVERYTHING good that God has to throw his way!

*Making lots of yummy smoothies.

*Getting our new little home in order.

*Fryin' up our fresh eggs from our chickens.

*Scouring my Bible in search of what God is wanting to speak to me about. Looking for answers to this crummy life, and hoping to make the best of it while we all have to be here.

*Thanking God for ALL the blessings He hands me each day...my kids, my sister and her family, my parents, my good friends back in KS...and of course, Gooey Bars. ~sigh~

Will post pics of this trip when I get home.

It's Moving Day Once More

Yeah, we're either brave or stupid.
Today is supposed to be our big day. It doesn't feel like it, because we've been on a roller coaster of a ride for two weeks now with a "whole 'notha situation", plus Jarrod is working in 100°+ weather this week, I'm working EARLY mornings (today I went in at 4:30am), the kids are going to VBS...
You just do what you hav-ta do.
Jarrod and I (even the kiddos) could really use a vacation. We just don't get to take them. I must admit I am jealous of families who can get away every year to relax and refresh. My prayer is that this move will eventually allow us to experience that on a regular basis. Until then:
Thanks God, for my life. You've given me everything I need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)