bath time!

Santa Fe casserole

1 lb lean ground beef

1 pkg taco seasoning

2 c. water

2 tsp chicken bouillon

1/4 c. flour

1 c. sour cream

1 can diced green chilies

1 pkg tortilla chips

1 c. grated Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese

1/2 c. sliced green onion, including tops

Brown meat and drain. Add taco seasoning; blend well. In small bowl, combine boullion, flour and water. Add to meat mixture; bring to a boil to slightly thicken liquid. Stir in sour cream and green chilies; blend thoroughly. In lightly greased 13 by 9 casserole dish, place 1/2 of chips. Top with 1/2 of beef mixture, 1/2 cheese and 1/2 onions. Layer again with remaining ingredients, ending with green onions. Bake in 375 degree oven for 20 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.

King Ranch Chicken Casserole

1 pkg tortillas broken into bite-sized pieces

2 or 3 chicken breasts

1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup onion (diced)

1 can rotel

8 oz. grated cheddar cheese

Directions: place tortillas in bottom of casserole dish. Combine chicken, mushroom soup, chicken soup, onion and rotel tomatoes. Place all of this in casserole on top tortillas. Add cheese on top. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

(Doritos can be used instead of tortillas).

More Hudson pics

He's 3 1/2 months now and growing so fast!

Arrggghhhh

So, I know I've said this before, but I need to say it again.

I hate dealing with insurance.

Health insurance, homeowner's insurance, car insurance....you name it, I hate it.

I realize that it's just the nature of the beast, but I still hate it.

The adjuster came out today at 8:30am as I was feeding Hudson.

He took his little pictures and entertained my "story"...the entire time, just waiting to tell me that it won't be covered.

After pouring through my entire homeowner's policy, I've realized that the only thing they really cover, is if my house burns to the ground, they'll pay to have it rebuilt. And that's only if they can prove it wasn't arson.

Ridiculous.

I'd like to quote, verbatim, from my policy:

From section 1, G "Water"

"We do not insure loss or damage consisting or composed of, or loss or damage directly or indirectly caused by, arising out of or resulting from the following, even if caused by or resulting from a Section 1-Peril:

G: A constant, repeating, gradual, intermittent, steady or slow discharge, seepage, leakage, trickle, collection, overflow or release of water from any source over any period of time"

Tell me, what exactly, then, DO....THEY....COVER?

Nacho Casserole

I've had a few people ask if I've made any good recipes lately, so I thought I'd post this.

My mother-in-law came down after we had Hudson and baked some casseroles for us to freeze and it was such a huge relief to have those on the crazy, fussy, "how on earth am I going to cook" nights! I love this casserole - super yummy!

Here goes:

1 tbs vegetable oil

1 cup chopped onion

1 tsp minced garlic

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

1 15 oz can tomato sauce

1 8 oz can tomato sauce

1 can red kidney beans

2 cups shredded cheddar

1 bag taco chips

1/2 cup salsa

1/2 cup chopped scallions

1 packet taco seasoning mix

Directions:

Saute onion and garlic in oil over medium heat. Add beef; mix and stir until brown. Drain. Stir in tomato sauce, taco seasoning. Remove from heat. Rinse and drain kidney beans in strainer. Toss with 1 cup of cheese. Grease shallow 2 qt. casserole. Line bottom with layer of taco chips. Layer cheese and bean mixture over chips. Spread meat mixture. Top with chips. Drizzle salsa and top with cheese and scallions. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

G'Mornin'

Home Sweet Home?

So sometimes, I miss being a renter. Because when you're a renter and things break (through no fault of your own) it's not your problem. It's the owner's problem and therefore, the owner is responsible for the repairs.....

We have decided to try to sell our house. We love, love, love our house....but I'm staying home with Hudson now and Darrin works incredibly long hours at a school that is 45 minutes away.

Like I said, I love our house. But I love my family more.

We've hired a realtor. We've got our pretty little sign out front.

We got our foundation repair guy out here to check it out because we've had some movement (as ALL houses on this black dirt in TX have) and come to find out, we have about 4 inches difference within about 6 feet near our master bathroom. Not good.

The plumbers are here now because the foundation guy thinks it may be a slab leak. However, the plumbers now think that the tubing leading from our shower was never installed correctly and there is no shower pan? That would explain why the wood floor around that area is now warped....

Quick pic

Just a quick Hudson pic to lighten my mood!

Phil's bday

Our neighbors, Phil and Gloria, had some friends over to celebrate Phil's 60th bday last night.

Morgan and Hudson and I had lots of fun! Daddy was at rehearsal, so he couldn't join us.

We're going to his school tonight for "Meet the Band" night and we can't wait to spend time with Daddy and hear his band!

Oh, and once again, I DO trim Hudson's fingernails. Somehow, he sneaks some scratches in on me occasionally....

sigh.....

Wildlife!

So, lately, I've seen a bunny in my yard or my neighbor's yard. But always in the BACK yard....

Today, I heard my cat, OJ, growling at the front door. (He actually does this often and it usually means nothing, therefore, I DID nothing).

Well, he kept at it for about 10 minutes, so I finally got up to check it out and there was a bunny sniffing the front door! I saw him from the window and by the time I got the camera, this was all I could get.

Also, we've got a family of hummingbirds that have discovered our feeder.

Hours of entertainment.

I Love Daddy

He may only be able to wear this once, so I had to get a picture!

He's just growing so fast!

Tummy Time

Grandma and Grandpa pics

Grandma and Grandpa visited this past weekend and we were all sad to see them go. Hudson was fussy for a few hours after they left, so I think he really misses them already!

He's really starting to talk and coo with us, which has been soooooo much fun!

He also LOVES his bathtime now. It's awesome, he's quite the swimmer and very proud of himself when he gets those big ol' legs going!

New ride

Well, the altima had been giving us a few issues. It was a really good car, but it had gotten up to 145k miles and it was a little small when we went on road trips with Morgan and Hudson.

So, we found a really good deal on wait for it....wait for it.....a station wagon.

Yay! Mom Car! We sold the altima on craigslist and paid cash for the wagon, so still no car payment! Yay again!

12 weeks!

Here are a few pics....hopefully I can post a video later today!

saddened

A former student of mine from Shepton HS just passed away today.

He was involved in a car accident in Stillwater yesterday and died today from his injuries.

I remember him as always being kind and helpful to both his teachers and other students.

He had a wonderful smile, left us too soon, and will be greatly missed.