Snapshots

Well, it has been an embarrassingly long time since I've posted to my blog. With the death of our laptop, the opportunity to sit in front of the computer is very little....not to mention that for some reason I've stowed away my camera....not really sure why. So my apologies for the quality of these pictures as they are from my phone. I've also had a resurgence of GI (Gastrointestinal) malfunctions which has left me relatively incapacitated. For GI history, click here. So a few snapshots to catch up.

Two is always better than one


Say it ain't so....Home Depot delivers the $500 check owed to us for the paint spillage. For the background story or if you would like to just be aggravated, click here.



This was a shirt my brother Mike bought for himself.
Nice wool shirt from Banana Republic.
Yeah....it got washed...and shrunk.
Not it's perfect for Sofia.


Griff!
Stella cried & hung on to me for dear life.
Sofia doesn't look all that reassured either.



I teach art to Kindergartners at St. Mark Lutheran.
This was my first project.



Playing with food is fun.


Matching pajamas.
Stella spilled my coffee on them at Meijer.
So we had to buy them.


Proof that I do sometimes feed my children healthy food.



Children's Museam when Grandma Feyen was in town.
Sofia loves the giant bubbles.
Grandma bought us a season's pass....sweet!!


Neighbor girls on a sunny day.


Neighbor girls again


Leaf piles in the fall are awesome.


Stella does not look like a boy....well, maybe a little



Carving pumpkins.
Stella gagged once we cut the top off.


Sofia likes everything except touching the pumpkin.



The final product.
Stella's is on the left and Fia's on the right.


Trick or Treat time!
Nona....Stella's costume is on backwards.
Apparently they were rushed.
No one noticed...except me.



I did not send Nona these pictures to her phone earlier that week.


Halloween 2009
The original costume was reversed with Peter as the devil.
But to be more true to form...we switched.
...and I wanted to win the prize.
...and I told Peter he would never dare to do it.
I was wrong
Awesome.


Made white cheddar asparagus soup for a fundraiser chili/soup cook-off at church. I was going to post the recipe, but it was waaaaay to much work because I had to fill 2 crockpots. I'll do it some other time. p.s. I won (yes!)



Last weekend Peter and I hosted our first house party.
We had a beer tasting competition.
We think people had a good time.
5 correct (of 12) was the winner.
90% only got 3 (or less).

Snapshots

Sock Puppets!
A fun birthday project from the Hassenriks.


Sofia got a Snuggie for her birthday from Uncle Mike.
A little big right now....she LOVES it.
I didn't think we would ever own one of these.
Never say never.


Preschool Field Trip.
Sofia is top row, third from right


Ummm....can Stella wear a bike helmet all the time? Please?


Stretch those legs!
At least she doesn't have her hands in the toilet


Stella, I just love your long flowing hair....


Something tells me that soccer will be a good outlet for her....so long as she can eat chalk during her warm-up.


What? These aren't climbing blocks?


Nice jump Fia


The girls love daddy time

Chicken Enchiladas

I never enjoyed enchiladas growing up. In fact, these are the only enchiladas that I will eat to this day. I first ate a version of these at a bridal shower. After a few tweaks & adjustments....this is my version. I tried to measure & get a good guestimate of the quantities of the ingredients....but please keep in mind that this recipe is not exact. When I make them for Peter's family I use mild flavors & allow people to add heat with hot salsa. When they are for our family, then I add cayenne pepper to give them a kick. I have also made these vegetarian style & added a can of black beans & sauteed bell peppers & I loved it.

One more note....I made a double batch so the quantities in my pictures reflect that.

Ingredients
- 3-5 boneless/skinless chicken breasts (boiled & chopped)
- 1 pkg of Knorr Spanish Rice Sides (prepared)
- 4 oz cream cheese (1/2 of 8 oz pkg)

- 2 Tbsp sour cream
- 12-16 oz shredded co-jack cheese (divided)

- 2 Tbsp lime juice

- 1/4 tsp cumin

- 1/4 tsp cilantro (2 Tbsp if its fresh)

- Kosher salt (to taste...1/2 tsp?)
- 1 pkg flour tortillas

- 1 10 oz can enchilada sauce
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Optional

- 1 can black beans (washed & drained)
- green chilies (small can)
- sauteed veggies
- cayenne pepper (to taste)

Directions
1. Boil chicken & cut into small pieces
2. Prepare Spanish rice (package directions)
3. Combine chicken, rice, cream cheese, shredded cheese, sour cream, cumin, cilantro, lime juice, & salt, in large bowl.
4. Fill tortillas with mixture and place into 9 x 13 pan
5. Pour enchilada sauce & whipping cream over tortillas
6. Sprinkle cheese on top
8. Bake at 350 loosely covered for 35 minutes. If bubbly, then uncover & bake an additional 10 minutes. If they come from the fridge, increase cooking time by 10-15 minutes

So here is the step by step part of the post.....

Prepare Chicken
This can easily be done the day before

I usually end up chopping the chicken small so it cooks faster.

Don't forget it's done as soon as it's white. Don't overcook!

Drain
I run a little cold water over it so I can handle it


Chop or Shred
Chop chicken (I think chopping is easier than shredding)
Store in Ziploc bag until ready for use

Prepare Rice & Mix Other Ingredients
Knorr Spanish Rice according to package directions.
Don't get Mexican Rice....there is a big difference!

I usually prepare the rice the microwave because I'm lazy.
Plus, it's one less pan to wash.
The hot rice will melt the cheeses.

Stuff Tortillas

-Note: I have forgotten the shredded cheese &/or sour cream & it tasted fine.
-Mix rice, chicken, cream cheese, shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, cumin, salt & lime juice.
-This is what mine looks like before it goes in the tortillas.

-I usually have about 8 enchiladas for a 9 x 13 pan.

-You can easily stretch it out to 10 tortillas.

Ready for Refrigerator or Final Steps
-If you make these a day ahead, then cover & refrigerate in this state.

Final Step

-I used a 10 oz can of enchilada sauce.

-I usually use 1 pkg (8 oz) of shredded Mexican blend cheese...but 8 oz blocks were on sale for $1.50 this week....so I shredded my own.

Cover Surface with Enchilada Sauce
-Random Note: I always break the surface on opposite sides with my can opener to make it easy to pour....as opposed to opening the entire can & ladling it over the tortillas.

-Be sure to get edges

Whipping Cream & Shredded Cheese

-I used about 1/2 of this container...maybe a little more than 1/2.
-This is what mine looks like before the final cheese layer.

Cover with Foil & Into the Oven
-Loosely with aluminum foil b/c the cheese will stick!
-Unless you have non-stick foil...which is awesome.
-350 degrees for about 35-40 minutes.
-Check to see if it's bubbling...then take off foil & bake an extra 10 minutes.
-If they just came from the fridge, then increase baking time another 10-15 minutes.

Enjoy!
-Let it "rest" at least 5 minutes.

-Garnish with sour cream, salsa, guacamole....whatever fancies your palette.

Best served with Tortilla Chips....this entire bag was $1 @ Aldi!
We had ours with avocado/black bean salsa....so delicious.