Fall in Idaho

Sometimes I wonder why I live in this state of Idaho. It gets very cold in the winter and it can be very windy any time of year. In fact it can get cold any month of the year. The weather is not my idea of an Eden. But all it takes is a look out my back window and I remember how gorgeous it is. Here are examples of a Fall evening and sunset. See why I love it here?

Logan the Elf

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Something New for Dinner

I have been trying to get a family cookbook together for quite some time. In fact, I think it was Becca that started it for a Laurel project, what, 8 years ago? Usually when I try something new I type it up in my "family recipe file" that she started and there it sits. So I thought the best way to get it to them would be to post it here, then all of you that read my blog can try it out too. I have to admit that this started out as a Pampered Chef recipe but I have changed enough ingredients that I think it is no longer theirs, just the idea is, so I renamed it too. Next time I make it I think I will try to take a picture of it so you can see how I folded it. I hope the directions make sense. Anyway we thought it was pretty good and it was super easy, so here it is.

Easy Chicken Baked Burrito
1 Large Tomato thinly sliced
3 C. chopped cooked Chicken
1 Can diced Green Chilies
½ C. chopped onion
½ lime (juice only)
3/4 C. thick and chunky Salsa
1 T. Taco seasoning
1 clove Garlic (minced)
1 ½ C. Shredded Mexican cheese blend
4 burrito size Tortillas
1 Can refried beans
Preheat oven to 425. Mix together chicken, green chilies, onion, lime juice, salsa, taco seasoning, garlic and 3/4 C. of the cheese, set aside. Arrange tortillas in an overlapping circular pattern on a round stone (pizza pan would be ok). Tortillas will extend off edge of pan. Spread beans in a square shape in the middle of the tortillas (about 10"X10"). Spoon chicken mixture evenly over beans. Sprinkle with more cheese if desired. Fold all 4 edges of tortillas up over filling like an envelope pattern. Arrange tomato slices in rows on top of burrito, sprinkle with cheese covering entire surface. Bake 18-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and edges are browned. Cut with pizza cutter or large knife. Top each serving with shredded lettuce, sliced olives, green onions, guacamole, sour cream as desired.
6 hearty servings

Farewell to a Good Friend

Some things are harder to part with than others. Monday we parted with a "thing" that had become a friend. Ever since our van went to the graveyard, after serving us faithfully for many years, we have had a hard time keeping vehicles. I cant even count how many we have been through- T.C. (Texas Chili) that was smashed while sitting in Arby's parking lot, Mindy's "robin blue" whatever that was extremely crashed up, the cute green ford escort that died after a 6 day dash to Illinois during record heat, the hyundai that we sold to April and was hit on 17th, my dear Intrigue that Becca did a number on at Fred Meyer, Dave's enduring little red ford ranger that was left smashed against a cliff on the Ashton hill, and my birthday present Impala that we just swapped with Becca's Saturn in August. That's just the ones I remember most. So in February Dave broke down and bought a nice truck. I only got to ride in it once or twice before I went to Albuquerque and when I got home it was probably July before I even drove it. But I fell in love with it. I should know by now that you never fall in love with inanimate objects. In an effort to reduce our debt and the fact that we needed to replace Becca's Saturn (it isn't doing well) Dave put it up for sell. He knew that trucks of that size are not selling well, but guess what? He got a call on it within a day or two of advertising it on the INL trading post. The people loved it, it was just what they were looking for and they showed up Saturday with a cashiers check to buy it. Dave talked them into waiting till Monday and we met the lady at the bank and turned it over to her. They are a nice young family and I hope they enjoy it and take good care of it.
So here is my goodbye to my good friend "the truck"...thanks for safely taking Dave to Albuquerque to bring Ellie and I to Utah for my dad's funeral, thanks for getting us to California and back to help Becca move, and thanks for the countless trips to Utah, and not enough trips to Island Park. Becca and Millie loved driving "the truck", that is why it was so long before I drove it. Millie had it at school for a couple of weeks and it was a great guy magnet. I felt safe in "the truck" and even felt like I could drive at night because I was high enough to be above the glare of most other headlights.
You served us well, "truck" and we will miss you!

Thank You Voice Male!

I just wanted to publicly thank Voice Male for the free CD they sent me and let all my followers know that they are a great acappella singing group. I won their new "Kid Stuff" CD. It is full of fun songs like "Popcorn Popping" (or copporn as Ellie would say) and "Circle of Life". They also have CDs with Hymns and a great Christmas CD. Check them out at this link (Hope that works, this is the first time I have tried a link)
Anyway, Thanks Voice Male!