Happy Cinco De Mayo

Via

It's the 5th of May!  

I'm thinking we'll have Mexican food.  Not that we need a reason, we love Mexican cuisine! 

Appetizer- the old stand by recipe for Velveeta Cheese Dip. I add a can of cream of mushroom soup to make it a little thicker and creamier.  (Add browned ground beef and you've got a meal.)

Via

Here's an easy crockpot recipe. It's oh tan bunea!

Zesty Picante Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

16 oz jar picante sauce

15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

Shredded cheese

Place chicken in bottom of slow cooker.  Add picante sauce.  Spread black beans over top.  Cook on low setting for 6-8 hrs or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced.  Top with cheese, cover and heat until melted.  Spoon into pre-heated soft tortilla shells and roll up.  

Via

I do not reinvent the wheel when it comes to Spanish rice.  Both of these brands are easy to make and delicious. 

 

The best refried beans come from a pot of  fresh cooked pintos.  Just mash them up.  But if you don't have time, the ones in the can are just fine.

My family likes chalupas (tostados.)  Spread refried beans on a toasted hard flat tortilla shell.  Top with salsa, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes and/or black olives. Delicioso!

Via

For dessert, we need something cool and refreshing after all this spicy and rich food.  How about key lime pie?  Better yet, after all those calories, what about an almost fat free key lime pie? 

This is one of my favorite recipes.  I'm always asked to share it.

 Low Fat Key Lime Pie

6 oz reduced fat graham cracker crust

14 oz can fat free sweetened condensed milk

8 oz fat free egg substitute

1/2 cup fresh lime juice from Key limes

8 oz fat free whipped topping

Preheat oven to 325.  Combine all ingredients, except for whipped topping, and pour in crust.  Bake about 15 minutes.  Garnish with topping.

Via

 You will not believe how wonderful this pie is!

So go ahead...

Via

Have yourself a little fiesta today!

Posting to Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum

Besos y abrazos,

Read More

Banana Bread and Heartstrings

  Can anything pull at your heart more than children?
  
This morning I made sure to stand here.

While taking a walk with my 5 year old last evening, we discussed the route his bus takes every day.  I wait with him every morning on the front porch.  What he didn't know is I stand at the window and watch as his bus circles back by.  It's a melancholy moment for me.  So I said to him, "Do you know mommy watches you ride by on the bus every morning?"  This thrilled him.  He gave me specific instructions to look at the first window on the bus because that's where he sits (as if I didn't know.)  I don't think there will ever be another morning when I'm not standing at the big window with every single shutter open.  I even had breakfast here today.

Normally breakfast is on the go.  But I'm savoring the moments.  You see, I have a 20 year old too.  Yep, you read right. And another child in between who is 12.  The oldest is in college.  She's busy in her own world now, being independent.  The 12 year old still needs me but doesn't want anyone to know it.  He certainly doesn't want me to walk him to the bus although I have waved at him a few times. (I think he liked it but would never admit it.)

There were a few overripe bananas laying around yesterday so I decided to make banana bread.  

This morning I wanted to enjoy it. Nothing fancy, just making the most of the moment.  

EASY BANANA BREAD
Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,174,144187-255202,00.html Content Copyright © 2011 Cooks.com - All rights reserved. 1 1/2 c. self-rising flour 3 bananas, mashed 2 eggs 1/2 stick butter 1 tsp. vanilla 1 c. sugar Cream together butter, eggs and sugar until smooth. Add bananas and vanilla; beat well. Mix in flour. Bake at 325 degrees for about 1 hour or until golden brown.

Posting to Rednesday at It's a Very Cherry World
Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home


Today is an ordinary day but I'm taking time to be thankful for extraordinary blessings.

Read More

Joy.

We are posting our favorite Christmas song for Pink Saturday.  I love all of Mariah's Christmas songs but chose this one for its upbeat tempo.  Seems we joyfully celebrate over gifts, decor and parties but tone it down a bit when it comes to Jesus.  He came to earth for one purpose- to give us eternal life.  Now that's real JOY! 

I love to turn on Christmas music while I'm baking. It puts me in the mood. Here's a time saving recipe for peanut butter cookies.
1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut  butter
1 egg
Mix in order. Bake at 350 for 7 minutes.
So far I've managed to bake these and traditional choc chip.  We're making a little progress.  More baking to go!

Don't forget the milk.

Santa will thank you!

 And it wouldn't be Pink Saturday without a Pink Christmas...

Better Home and Gardens

I just want the chandy.



Joy to the world!
Posting to:
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound
Then Sings My Soul Saturdays
Spiritual Sundays

Read More

Hot Pink Party Dip

 The dip is hot and it is pink.  Recipe is an oldie but goody, a hit at every party. People can never seem to figure out the ingredients, thinking it's much more complicated.  Well, the secret is....

a block of cream cheese and 1/4 - 1/2 cup salsa.  Yep, that's it. Soften and beat the cream cheese.  Gradually add salsa to your desired taste/consistency. 
Try it.  
You'll like it.

Posting to:
Show and Tell at My Romantic Home
Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge 
Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound.

Read More