So, I know I emailed most of you about this , but the non-profit The Academy for Creating Enterprise is one of the things I'm involved right now. It's been a lot of work but a lot of fun knowing that I'm helping others become self-sufficient. Our big fundraiser right now is a piano concert this Friday night (the 11th). I'm really excited to see Jason play and to see what the inside of the Masonic Temple is like. Maybe I'll see some of you there?!

Grown up, alright!

I am having to relearn how to use these functions, after a year away. But I saw this picture of Misty today and remembered her modeling for Amber doing hairstyles for contests and hair shows a few years ago. Do I recall you using wire to hold the hair up. . . .

So my lesson for today was get red-eye out and figure out where you stored something. Remember - I'm old.

Next lesson - figure out how to change the colors and text - at the moment I remember it is easy but I can't see it!

White Sauce Chicken Enchiladas

When we did our Mexican Dinner themed Christmas Party a few years ago, I made these enchiladas and took them. I had a few people ask me for the recipe and I am not sure if I ever gave it to who wanted it. Here it is if you are interested. We have really enjoyed them.

WHITE SAUCE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
½ Cup Sour Cream
2 oz. Diced Green Chilies
¼ Cup Onion, Chopped (sauté, if preferred cooked)
8 oz. Chicken Breast, Cooked (chopped or shredded)
5 ea. 6 inch Flour Tortillas
¼ Cup Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded (6 cheese blend is good too)
¼ Cup Black Olives

1. Heat oven to 400 F.
2. Mix soup, sour cream, chilies, and onions in a bowl.
3. Spread ¼ of mixture in the bottom of a casserole dish.
4. Divide chicken evenly between the tortillas and place down the center of the tortillas.
5. Spoon 2 T. of soup mixture over the chicken in each tortilla.
6. Roll up tortillas and place enchiladas edge side down in the casserole dish.
7. Spoon remaining sauce over enchiladas and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and olives.
8. Bake 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

No Bake Cookies

Here is my recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies. They are the ones I took to Vauna's when we were visiting with Chris.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER NO BAKE COOKIES

1 STICK BUTTER 1 TBS. VANILLA

½ CUP CHOCOLATE CHIPS ½ CUP PEANUT BUTTER

½ CUP MILK 2 CUPS SUGAR

3 CUPS OATS

BOIL BUTTER, CHOCOLATE CHIPS, MILK, SUGAR, VANILLA AND PEANUT BUTTER FOR ONE MINUTE. ADD OATS AND MIX WELL. SPOON ON TO WAX PAPER AND LET COOL.

MAKES APPROX. 40 COOKIES.

Chicken California Recipe

I have come across so many recipes lately that I have been wanting to share with everyone! I have decided that this is where I will share them with you. I think everyone should share recipes that they love as well! We could all use more ideas on what to make for dinner, right?

I have been loving every minute of my new kitchen. I love cooking and I told Clint the other night that maybe I shouldn't have set the bar so high with me cooking almost every night for the past five months! lol I have spoiled him pretty good! Lucky guy. It's really helped us on not going out to eat so much for dinner or lunches. We actually very rarely go out to eat anymore. We still like our sushi nights every couple of months. We do have those rare nights where I pretty much refuse to cook and we head to Arctic Circle or Del Taco for a quick dinner. I think that it helps that we aren't near civilization anymore so we shop and eat out less. haha..

Although I am not the most healthy cook, I think it's still more healthy than going out to eat and getting all those sneaky ingredients mixed in our food. Right???

Our latest and most favorite is Chicken California. You can add in different vegetables and change it up each time and it's so simple to make. I definitely recommend it. I made it for mom and dad and they both really liked it as well. My favorite way to make them is with my "special" sautéed mushrooms and onions. Sauté your mushrooms with butter, soy sauce and brown sugar and you will get such a wonderful flavor. Ignore the fact that they aren't very healthy anymore and just enjoy them!

If you try the recipe, let me know how you made them. I'm always interested in different ideas. A co-worker tried it and she said she cooked her chicken in chicken broth and when the chicken was cooked, she threw in broccoli and onions and let it simmer for a minute then put it in the tortillas. I think that sounds really good too!

CHICKEN CALIFORNIA

4 TBS. BUTTER ¼-½ CUP VEGETABLES (ASPARAGUS, MUSHROOMS, ONIONS, BROCCOLI, ETC.)

4 TBS. FLOUR 2 CUPS CHICKEN, COOKED & SHREDDED

½ TSP. SALT 2 CUPS GRATED CHEESE

¼ TSP. PEPPER 8-12 FLOUR TORTILLAS

2 CUPS MILK 2 TBS. PARSLEY

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350*

MEASURE FLOUR, SALT & PEPPER IN TO SMALL BOWL. MELT BUTTER IN SAUCEPAN OVER LOW HEAT. ADD FLOUR MIXTURE; WHISK UNTIL MIXED WELL. COOK OVER LOW HEAT; STIRRING UNTIL MIXTURE IS SMOOTH AND BUBBLY. SLOWLY STIR IN MILK, WHISKING CONSTANTLY AND HEAT TO BOILING. CONTINUE STIRRING UNTIL SMOOTH AND THICKENED. PUT A SPOONFUL EACH OF CHICKEN, SAUCE, CHEESE AND VEGETABLE IN TORTILLA, THEN ROLL UP ENCHILADA STYLE. LAY SIDE BY SIDE IN 9X13 PAN. SPREAD REMAINING SAUCE OVER TOP AND SPRINKLE WITH CHEESE AND PARSLEY.

BAKE UNCOVERED 20-25 MINUTES.

Riding Family Blog

We now have a new family blog! Check it out at http://btjbez.blogspot.com

November 2009

Zerik seems to have a new bruise on his face almost daily.... even now he is climbing off my bed which most likely will end up in a fall... well, he got lucky. He is now 16 months old and is adorable... his only consistent word still is mom or "mum", but he has said "hi" a couple of times. He loves his brothers and loves to play with them but the feeling isn't always mutual.

Bridger is in Kindergarten and is doing well even though mom has forgotten to go through his backpack a few times and was reprimanded by his teacher.

Jaden is in 2nd grade and has a wonderful teacher, Mrs Reyes, which is fabulous since his 1st grade teacher, Mrs Barker, was a bust. He is behind in his reading and writing and because of this has started with a tutor, Mrs Hutchinson, who comes twice a week to assist.

We are excited for the thanksgiving holiday and the boys both have class plays tomorrow. We are also working on a little "skit" based on the book called, "My Favorite Book". We are trying to go get costumes but the boys are really taking their time in getting their lasagna and salad finished.