What a great Memorial Day weekend! The weather was perfect, we accomplished lots of yard work (spending the majority of Saturday and Sunday) and still had tons of fun! Sunday afternoon we had a nice visit with Grammy Maxwell, Uncle Keith and Aunt Nancy. We BBQ'd and they even got to meet Rudy for the first time. On Monday we headed over to Nana and Papa Rich's house for a BBQ/pool party. It was a lot of fun! The girls got to swim with most of their cousins for the first time this season. We also had a birthday cake for Elise (couple of days early). Happy 6th birthday Lisi. You are a cutie!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tasty Tuesday
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeds and stem removed, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons chile powder (more or less to taste)
2 teaspoons cumin (more or less to taste)
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (4-ounce) can green chiles, drained
1 (16 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (4 ounce) can sliced ripe olives, drained
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
1/3 cup water
1-pound of prepared cornbread mix (such as Jiffy or Bob's Red Mill).Whatever is needed according to cornbread mix instructions to make the cornbread batter (water, egg, oil, milk)
Method
1 Preheat oven to 375°F.
2 Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium high. Add the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the ground beef has browned on all sides. Remove from heat. Drain excess fat if necessary (if you are using lean beef, there shouldn't be excess). Add salt, chile powder, and cumin.
3 Mix in tomatoes, chiles, corn, olives, and water. Adjust seasoning. Add more chile powder and cumin if desired. Rub a little olive oil over the insides of a 9x12-inch casserole dish (or use a nonstick cooking spray). Spoon filling into the casserole dish.
4 In a large bowl, prepare the cornbread batter according to the directions on the package. Pour the cornbread batter over the top of the filling in the casserole.
5 Bake for 30 minutes, until the top is browned. Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over cornbread and place back in oven until melted (10 minutes).
Serves 6-8.
*The changes I made:
increased the salt to 1 teaspoon
increased the cumin and chili powder to about 2 tablespoons (I think it would have been bland otherwise)
added a teaspoon of cayenne pepper (we like heat!)
added a can of black beans, drained and rinsed
served with a tablespoon of sour cream
ALSO, I only bought one box of cornbread mix (8 oz), you'll need two to follow the recipe (didn't seem to matter).
It was very good and the kids even enjoyed it! And the girls happened to be wearing their dresses from Spain today that Nana Marie bought. Seemed to fit in with the theme of the meal!
Posted by Jemmmma at 9:45 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Through the Eyes of a Child
Ah FIVE posts in one day...can you handle it?
Anyway, just wanted to post something Hillary said to me today. On our car ride home we pass by a cemetary. Because she is only three years old, we've never really discussed the significance of a cemetary. So we're stopped in traffic and she says to me, "Mom, look it's a field of God." It could purely be coincidence that she chose those words or I may be overthinking it, but I don't think so. That's pretty deep for a three year old. Hillary, you are one smart cookie!
Posted by Jemmmma at 10:37 PM 8 comments
School Days
This one makes me laugh...Hillary is in the background posing!
Ah, it's not just a Coughlin thang anymore...
Who is that strange hooded child?
Oh, it's just Mallory! HA she truly marches to the beat of her own drum!
Posted by Jemmmma at 10:37 PM 6 comments
The Carter's Reception
Me, crouching down because Jenn is so short - or I am too tall!
Auntie Mary babysat the girls overnight so Jay and I could enjoy ourselves at the wedding. They had lots of fun!
Always striking a pose!
Posted by Jemmmma at 10:37 PM 3 comments
More Birthday Shout Outs!
Posted by Jemmmma at 10:37 PM 0 comments
Mother's Day 2008
The photo above is cousin Kelsey holding the latest addition to the Rich Family Tree, Reese Violet. She is a cutie and I only wish I had a better picture to post - where you can actually see her face! I think she looks just like her big brother, Rex. She is a very lucky little girl (a peanut really) to have such a protective big brother. Rex, I knew you would be caring and attentive! Keep up the good work!
Posted by Jemmmma at 10:37 PM 2 comments
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Enjoying Spring
Thanks to Nana Marie we've discovered a cool park about ten minutes from us. There are so many things to do at this park, I can't imagine them getting sick of it anytime soon. It is a lot of fun! Natalie seems to be notably absent from the pictures but the truth is she is still very cautious of the swings, slides and pretty much any structure that slopes. I have to prod her to leave my side. Yesterday was the first time she willingly went on a swing. I'm sure by the end of summer she'll be a pro! Thank God for this warm weather.
Notice Hillary stepping on Rudy's leash as he's about to split...
maybe the next Cesar Millan?
Posted by Jemmmma at 12:11 AM 5 comments
Birthdays, Birthdays Everywhere
Posted by Jemmmma at 12:11 AM 1 comments
I suppose a "Happy Birthday" is due to little miss Mall, even if it is almost an entire month late!
Happy 2nd birthday to the only little girl who keeps me on my toes and can win anyone over with her beautiful, smiling eyes.
We love you dolly!
Posted by Jemmmma at 12:11 AM 4 comments