Tasty & Hot, Hot, Hot!

I love Mexican food. I love tasting the vibrant flavors that you really don't taste in any other type of cuisine. It is my favorite kind of "party food" to make ... as you just kind of kick back and enjoy it. It is simple, yet delicious.

Sunday night, as a reward for my husband finishing a pretty big "honey do" item ... I made him a Mexican feast. It was delicious (and the leftovers today were just as good!)

Chicken Enchiladas 252 calories per enchilada

2 chicken breast halves, sprinkled with 1/2 tsp chili powder and cut into 1" pieces

1 red pepper, diced

1/2 yellow onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

10 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced

1 tsp thyme (fresh)

1 tsp rosemary (fresh)

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp olive oil

10 oz can of enchilada sauce

1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese

2 cups mozzarella cheese

8 whole wheat flour tortillas

Saute pepper, onion, garlic, mushrooms, thyme, rosemary, and salt in olive oil until tender. Remove from pan to a bowl and keep warm. Add the seasoned chicken to the pan and cook 5-6 minutes until cooked through. Add the veggies and stir in the ricotta cheese. Remove from heat.

Coat both sides of a warmed tortilla with the enchilada sauce. Fill with the meat/ veggie mixture and top with a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese. Roll and place into a greased casserole dish. Repeat until all 8 tortillas are filled. Top with any remaining enchilada sauce and any remaining cheese.

Bake in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and filling is bubbly.

Serve with pico de gallo and guacamole. Followed promptly by either a fiesta or siesta.

A Tribute to my Husband

As I write about my husband ... I find my attempt of characterizing him somewhat challenging; yet, as this is his birthday month - I will attempt to do so.

After 11+ years of marriage, my husband is still very much a mystery ... an enigma to me. He is father to our children, provider for our family, friend and lover of my heart. My husband can be a leader one minute and a little boy (playing with his radio controlled planes) another moment. His enthusiasm and vigor for life is unsurpassed. He is my protector. He challenges me and helps me to see the me that I want to become.

Teddy Roosevelt once said, "It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man of the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly ... who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat."

My husband is definitely the guy that is unafraid of a challenge, who is brave, who is supportive and who enthusiastically devotes himself to the causes in which he believes in. I am lucky to have such a man as my husband. To my one and only ... my darlingest, my sweetheart, my knight ... King of our home and my heart. I love you!

My First-Born

My thoughtful one, my forever song, my light, my laughter ... with the kindest heart, the most inquisitive mind, generous spirit, and adventurous soul. My oldest son has brightened our lives for 8 years and I am forever thankful. I am privileged to have been given the gift of being his Mommy and I look forward to seeing his character and personality more fully develop in the years to come.

It never gets any easier ... watching my child growing up and becoming more independent. This last week was his first week of school for the 2010-2011 year. I have a second grader. My heart is filled with joy and excitement as I see him developing and growing more secure in who he is. However, while I can say that, I am also a little sad as I watch my first-born son flying just a little bit farther away from our nest... I am lucky that he still enjoys cuddling on the sofa and watching a movie or reading a book with me. I am fortunate that he loves discussing his days with me (at great length) and relaying his latest adventures with me. I love watching him interact with his brother; he exudes patience and generosity as he plays with my second-born. My oldest demonstrates his love for his brother with every action (although, these boys still enjoy a good fight now and again ... and they love wrestling). We are raising our boys to be "best friends" and most days, I am happy to report that they are.

As August closes, I celebrate my first-born in his birthday month. I am so thankful for his life. I love my little fisherman who loves to go camping with his Daddy and Grandpa (though, I am still waiting to be invited to go on these guy-activities), who will illustrate a comic book just for his Mommy, who will joyfully help me make pancakes on a Saturday morning, who loves to run and ride his bike, who collects bugs and frogs (and usually sets them free), who enjoys helping our 93 year old neighbor (who he calls his friend), and who always has a song to sing. He is one of my treasures ... and I am forever blessed.

What's for Supper: Fresh Flavors Menu #1

So ... I took most of the Summer off of posting my blog. While I did not necessarily post our weekly menus, my family did not miss out on meals that were packed with our favorite flavors of the season.

As the air grows crisp, the leaves start to embrace the vibrant hues of the season, and the days grow shorter - I still like to prepare simple, flavorful meals for my family. This is my favorite time of year. We are starting to plan our annual Autumn events: our Autumn party (complete with Cajun-infused turkey), a trip to our favorite apple orchard in Wisconsin, hiking in Palisades for our family pictures, and trips to the pumpkin patch are a few of our favorite activities that we are looking forward to the most. What is your favorite part of this season?

Before I drift any further away from the topic at hand ... this is what is on our plate for this week.

Meal #1:
Tasty Chicken Enchiladas (with an Italian Twist)
Spanish Rice
Pico de Gallo & Guacamole

Meal #2:
Funky Chicken (Faux-Fried)
Retro-Rotini Pasta Salad
Fresh fruit (peaches, blueberries, and strawberries)

Meal #3:
Summer Shrimp and Corn Chowder
French loaf
Garden salad with herbed vinaigrette

Meal #4:
Meatball Sub Sandwiches
Chips
Fruit Salad

Meal #5:
Tender Beef Stroganoff
Garden Salad
Garlicky Green Beans


We are looking forward to re-introducing some of our favorite foods back into our menu. I hope your family enjoys the flavors of fall as much as our family does.

What's for Supper? Summer Meal #4

We love Summer - we love the fresh tastes it brings to the table. However, it is a busy time for our family because we just love to get out and soak up the Vitamin D (on the days that are filled with sunshine).

Here is what is on our plate for this week. Easy, satisfying, and filled with the fresh flavors of Summertime.


Meal #1:
The "Grill Master's" Marinated Pork Chops
Rosemary-Thyme Potatoes
Sweet Corn
French loaf

Meal #2: Cook-out with friends
Asian Broccoli Slaw 'ala Hungry Girl (www.hungrygirl.com)

Meal #3:
Green Onion Brats
Buns
Chips
Cantaloupe

Meal #4:
Hamburgers
Garlic-toasted buns
Oven fries
Green beans


I hope your family is enjoying Summertime as much as our family is. Go soak up some sun!

July 4th Fare

We were meeting friends on the 4th of July for supper and fireworks. As it was a potluck, I had Matt ask what I should bring. The response was, "Either a side or dessert". I said, "I would like a little bit more direction." The final response was, "Dessert - and surprise us."

So... here is what we brought~


And here is the lonely leftover piece of Patriotic Cheesecake ... just begging to be eaten. My darling husband has requested ... but if he doesn't claim it soon, I may have to intervene. ;o)

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!

Balloon Glow

Our picnic lunch all packed, lawn chairs and a blanket ready to go - we climbed aboard a bus to attend the Balloon Glow. My youngest son was relishing his first bus ride. He would squeel, "Wheee" as the bus would make a turn on a curvy road, and then grin at me, his blue eyes sparkling with utter delight. "This is fun, Mommy," he said as he smiled. I looked down, meeting my son's eyes, "It sure is, honey." I said. He turned to look out the window - taking in all of the beauty that surrounded him with such innocence. I sat back, just enjoying the moment.

The bus let us off at the mansion grounds, and we made our way to a nice, shady spot on the greens. We carefully laid out our heavy Mexican blanket - woven with blue, black, and cream. The boys were excited to sit in the wooden lawn chair that their Daddy had made so many years ago. They would giggle as they took their turns sitting in the chair. The picnic supper was laid out: hot dogs, watermelon, grapes, cheese, chips, blondies, and lemonade. We ate, watching the people mill about us as they made their way to their own spots. A band played music from the 80's and 90's in the back ground. It was the perfect accompaniment to a wonderful evening: the heat had dulled, the bugs were sparse, and the shade proffered from the great pine tree was so inviting. I sat back, soaking it all in. What a life we have been blessed with!

A friend walked by and my husband jumped up to greet him. We packed up our picnic and blankets to move closer to where our friends were sitting. A crooked pine tree half-way up the hill provided much shade, warm smiles and greetings from friends, as well as the perfect spot to watch the hot air balloons as they were inflated and eventually lit. My boys were delighted to find friends to chase around the greens, play ball with, and to laugh with. I sat fully back in my chair, my head resting on its high back as I took my surroundings in. The music was lively, so infectious that our friends started dancing. I watched them dance, song after song - as though they were the only two beings amid a sea of faces. Another friend joined in with his young daughters - dancing with his princesses and delighting them so. I raised my camera to capture these moments. Treasured memories... simple pleasures.

Dusk started embracing the horizon and all five balloons were fully aerated, standing proudly on center stage with the audience captivated by their grandeur. I raised my camera to capture the moment when all five balloons were illuminated. Although one balloon never fully realized its full potential, the sight of the four balloons glowing on the skyline enraptured us all. I stepped back, watching my sons clap their hands and stand amazed at the beauty presented before them. A cadence of flashes from would-be photographers surrounded me, adding even more magic to that very moment as their light sparkled from all directions. These elements all taking part in creating a very enchanted evening.

As we walked back to our car (in lieu of waiting in line to take the shuttle bus back), I reflected on the evening our family had just enjoyed. We are blessed with many gifts - too numerous to list: Joy, in the simple pleasures of life - like chasing your brother, glow-sticks fashioned into frisbees, and the satisfaction of popping a perfectly sweet grape in your mouth; togetherness - enjoying time with each other and with friends, making new friends along the way; laughter - dropped hot dogs, piggy back rides, singing along with the band (maybe a little out-of-tune), and escaped balloons climbing up into the heavens; and richness - knowing that no amount of money could replicate the idyllic evening, our family, or our friendships. As we loaded our packs into the trunk and climbed into the car, I peeked back at my greatest treasures - who had instantly fallen asleep. I watched them for a moment before taking my husband's hand and laying my own head back on the head rest. As I slowly closed my eyes, I said a grateful prayer - praising God for the abundant blessings in my life, too numerous to name them all ... but so very thankful for each one. Yes, I live a blessed life!