Celebrating 35 Years ... of Living!

I must say that I had a really good 35th birthday!

Brian took 3/5 kids out shopping on Saturday for the usual groceries, plus gifts. I created a birthday/Christmas list for Brian to take the kids out shopping with. I stayed home with the 2 girls that were grounded!! Cleaned house for the sitter to come and did some laundry. Boys brought me home a bouquet from Costco. One of the gifts on the list was a poinsettia - they brought me home a GIANT one from Costco also.

One of Amber's friends, whose Mom I worked with and am good friends with, came over to help her babysit. We took Ashley over to my friend Jamie's house so that slightly older non-English speaking sister didn't have to deal with her! :)
I put on a sexy dress and hubby took me out to a very nice dinner - our fav place (Bone Fish) with good appetizers/drinks - and I got to order lobster, which was super yummy (regular date night I would not have)!! Hadn't had any cocktails since before summer (due to hosting and I only get them when we dine out for special occasions w/out the kids). Winter white martini w/cranberries - very yummy!
 
Sunday morning the kids gave me their gifts. Boys got me slippers, but they are mid-calf and look like Elmo's feet or something - they'll probably go back to the store! The girls that were grounded Brian picked out the gifts for - large holiday scented candles - one fall and one Christmas. Brian's gift to me was several boxes of Ghiradelli Peppermint Bark. Amber and Brian conspired to get me a gag gift, which is actually a gag gift for Amber, not me.

Amber's friend stayed overnight, so took all the kids to church and I taught 5 yr old Sunday School as a sub for a friend who was out of town. The family took me out to lunch at a pseudo family-friendly place called Not Your Average Joe's. The food it hit or miss, but the ahi tuna wantons are always good and I LOVE their crab cakes. The dessert was horrible!! Sounded good "the peanut butter thing" ... the kids devoured it once I let them try it!

Jamie took me out for "spa" mani/pedi (we usually don't get the extra "spa" part when we have a girls' day out). I got light purple polish and purple glitter! After that she took me to Starbucks for a peppermint mocha and then we went back to her house and we watched the new X-Men First Class movie that just came out on DVD.

I got home just after 9pm so that all my kiddies would be in bed! :) Ashley and Amber were still awake and came down to give me a hug ... and check out my nails! :)

My Gift from Brian

Amanda & I at Not Your Average Joe's

The kids devouring my dessert!

Purple Manicure

 The rest of the birthday weekend celebrations are on FB here:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2669518258641.146993.1276629484&type=3

Spanish-style Turkey & Black Bean Stew ...

... topped with cheese, salsa & sour cream ... and a side of tortilla chips!

Some of the kids really like it and others just tolerate it. Since Amber does not like anything spicy, I toned down the spice compared to the way I've made it in the past. So, how much spice you like it completely up to you.

Oh, by the way, this also works in a crock pot, after you cook the rice & meat.

Spanish-style Turkey & Black Bean Stew

• 1 - 1.5lg ground turkey
• 2 cups dried rice (I use Jasmine rice, but any rice should be fine)
• 1 - 28oz can crushed tomtatoes (I use Contadina - 6pk from Costco)
• 2 - 14.5oz cans diced tomatoes (I use Del Monte Organic - 8pk from Costco)
• 2 - 15.5 oz can black beans (I use generic brand/whatever is on sale)

OPTIONAL VEGGIES (use all, some, or none)

• corn - canned (not creamed corn) or frozen
• 1/8 cup freeze dried onions OR 1/2 real onion diced, if preferred
• 1/2 to 1 chopped bell pepper (any color)

SPICES (as desired)

• 1 TBSP dried parsley
• 1 TBSP dried cilantro
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix (or if you bought in bulk 1/8 - 1/4 cup to desired spice level)
• note - I have also used Mrs. Dash Extra Spicy if I don't have anything else
• pinch of crushed red peppers

Begin by cooking the rice per package instructions. I usually put on the water to boil and then begin working on the rest. Brown & crush up the turkey meat. Drain & rinse. Return to pan and add salt/pepper to taste. In a large stock pot (or use crock pot if going to let it simmer all day) combine all cans (DO NOT DRAIN) of tomatoes, beans, veggies, and seasonings. Stir and simmer on low, covered. Add cooked meat. When rice is cooked, add to the stew. If it's too thick, add 1/2 to 1 can of water (I always add 1 can of water). Simmer on low-medium, covered until slightly boiling. Stir frequently to prevent burning/sticking, or use crock pot.

Serve in bowls and top with your choice of condiments: shredded Mexican blend cheese, sour cream, salsa, etc. and a side of tortilla chips for dipping!


ENJOY!!!

Holly's Meatloaf

Brian hasn't eaten it yet, so I can't claim a success yet ... but most of the kids liked it! I really liked it! Too long to explain why, but it will always affectionately be called Holly's Meatloaf!

Holly’s Meatloaf

1.5-2 lbs. ground beef 

½ onion, chopped
2 tbsp. minced garlic
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 cup of dried bread crumbs (any flavor)

¼ cup Worcestershire sauce 

 2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. spicy brown mustard
1/3 cup ketchup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Sauté the chopped onion in a little bit of butter. When the onions are almost finished, add the garlic. Set aside to cool. 

In a large bowl combine the beef, egg, milk and bread crumbs. Now add the onion & garlic. Mix well. Place in a lightly greased loaf pan. 

 
In a separate small bowl, combine the Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard and ketchup. Mix well and pour over meatloaf. 

 
Bake at 350 for 1 hour. 

  
I made just 1 modification and that is that I used 1lb ground beef and 1lb ground turkey. I also skipped the garlic in the onions because I didn't have any! I used garlic salt in the meat mixture and I think it turned out ok.

Today's Experiment!

What started out to just be me cutting up some left over chicken for lunch, turned into an experiment that I hope to be calling dinner tonight! Last week I took a small bottle of creamy Caesar dressing, poured it over some boneless skinless chicken breasts, and baked it for dinner. Served it with a side of broccoli. Everyone enjoyed it (well, not the broccoli part). Left overs were put away and today I decided to clean out the fridge in prep for the welcome home party we're having for Amber tomorrow. http://piecesofmyheartukraine.blogspot.com/

Anyway, I found the left over Caesar chicken and decided it would cut some up, put it in a tortilla, top is with cheese, nuke it, and have it for lunch. As I was chopping it up, I realized there was actually quite a lot left and started thinking about what I could make it into for another meal for the family. Two cans of organic "diced" tomatoes came to mind. These cans were purchased as part of an 8 pack that was buy 1 get 1 free at Costco a couple of weeks ago. I have the word diced in quotes above because the cans do not contain what I would call diced tomatoes, but rather large pieces of chopped tomatoes in some liquid. So much liquid actually, that soup comes to mind.

So, here's my experimental recipe and I put it into the crock pot in hopes that it will taste yummy for dinner tonight.

The Chicken Soup Experiment

• 2 - large boneless skinless chicken breasts 
• (pre-cooked with creamy Caesar dressing as described above)
• 2 - 8oz cans del monte organic diced tomatoes 
• (available in 8pk @ Costco)
• 2 - 8oz cans filled with water
• 2 packets chicken seasoning 
• (per Mary's recommendation, saved from top-ramen noodle packets that I used the noodles but not the seasonings)
• 1/8 cup - freeze dried chopped onion
• 1 TBSP crushed garlic
• 1 TBSP dried parsley
• 1 tsp each dried spices 
• basil, thyme, oregano, cilantro 
• (you pick what you like, I used them all)  
•  salt & pepper, as desired
• pinch of crushed red peppers

Cut cooked chicken to desired size. Empty 2 cans of the tomatoes into stock pot or crock pot. Fill both cans with water and combine into the soup mixture. Add spices as desired. Add chicken. Cook until desired temp and serve with side of rolls.

I'll let you know how it turns out! :)