Taco Twist Bake Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes

Taco Twist Bake Recipe Taste of Home Recipes

My first 5K!

The ReadyTalk Race for Charities 5K (RRC) is brought to you by ReadyTalk, Colorado’s premier Audio and Web Conferencing provider.

Who: Serious Runners, Casual Walkers, Families and Four-Legged Friends
What: ReadyTalk’s 2nd Annual 5K benefitting Denver’s own Work Options for Women and Young Philanthropists Foundation
Where: City Park, Denver
When: Saturday, August 7, 2010Race Start: 9:30 am
Events: 5k run (runners only)2K walk with four-legged friends

http://www.readytalk.com/community/race-for-charities.php

Chicken

Chicken

Southwestern Cheese Panini

Southwestern Cheese Panini

Turkey & Tomato Panini

Turkey & Tomato Panini

Tijuana Torta

This looks amazing!
Tijuana Torta

It's been a while...

I continue to struggle with a focus for this blog...so I will now continue with some random updates. :)

1. Sunday Funnies:  I was making dinner this past Sunday and minding my own business when I happened to glance out the kitchen window.  I actually did a true double take before blurting out: "Ed, we've got cows in the driveway!".  I was actually rather impressed with myself in the few moments that followed.  I ran out the door, threw my hands up (you know, to make myself big as if they were bears), and ran after the two cows and six calves as they made there way back down the driveway. I proceeded to hollar "get", "get out of here", and "go on" and they leisurly made their way back.  Ed, on the otherhand was a bit more calm.  He made a phone call to the local farmer to find out if they were his cows-they were.  At this point, I realized shooing them back into the country road probably wasn't necessary...HOWEVER, they weren't going to get near my garden.  By the time I saw the beasts, they had made their way up the driveway and were closing in on our vehicles.   One right turn and a few more yards and they could have began quite the feast.  Regardless, they did some damage to the grass Ed is trying to grow out on the side of our driveway. 
2. The Wednesday Letters:

This is one of the very few Fiction books that I truly enjoyed.  I typically go for True Crime/Serial Killer type books, but this book somehow drew me in.  Ten pages into the book and I was moved to tears.  I was thrilled when I got close to the end of the book and my hand slid across the back cover to find a letter to read at the end.  I recommend this book to men and women and also plan to write Wednesday letters to my the man I marry, someday.

3.  THE Garden:  I've spent the majority of the past month or so working on the garden.  Here's what I've learned so far this year...

• 
  
  I am not capable of starting plants from seeds.
• 
  
  correction-I can start them, but they won't make it once they are planted outside
• 
  
  exception-I can start corn from seed outdoors, but even my weird neighbor back home was able to accomplish that in the city
• 
  
  Nebraska weather is NOT the same as Wisconsin weather...
• 
  
  Nebraska gets a lot more severe weather.  This includes, tornados, hail, and severe winds-none of which is good for the garden.
• 
  
  I would love to someday live a sustainable lifestyle: aka, I secretively want to be a farmer.
• 
  
  I'm in denial about my grapes.  I planted them in May and have yet to see any sign of life.  I keep telling Ed they are "dormant".
• 
  
  It can rain for three days straight, but the wind out here dries that all out quick
• 
  
  I am very grateful for the owl that lives in the cistern next to my garden.
• 
  
  Weeds grow faster than vegetables
• 
  
  Freshly dug dirt is the perfect litter box
• 
  
  I need a gate for the entrance to the garden
• 
  
  The pumpkins Ed planted last year reseeded or has he likes to say "volunteered" (this also happened to be right where I was hoping to plant more tomatoes...I kinda wish I had pretended they were weeds and pulled them instead of telling him.)
• 
  
  Burpee shipped me some plants that arrived wilted beyond repair and refunded my money no questions asked-very happy with their customer service
• 
  
  Something ate my hostas
• 
  
  I need to learn to can.

4. Turkeys:  Nebraska residents can purchase three turkey tags over the counter.  I purchased and shot all three.  Two Tom's and one Jake...the third one I called in and shot while hunting completely on my own-that includes staying in a cabin alone.  That by itself was an accomplishment for me.

2010

1 Drake Mallard

4 Snow Geese

1 Skunk

3 Turkeys

1 Rainbow trout

What I miss...

• The sound of waves crashing along the shore of Lake Michigan

• Rollerblading at LakeShore Park
• Summerfest
• Kopps

• Leaves
• All the windows and sunlight in my old house

• Lying on the hardwood floor next to my fireplace
• Ordering in Chinese food
• Grilling out in the driveway

• Listening to planes fly over and shake the house
• Girls Greys Anatomy night
• Sand volleyball at Jerseys

• .But most of all....my friends...

SPRING!

It was in the mid 60's yesterday in Dalton, Nebraska!  I took advantage of the weather and did a little bit of weeding...ok, a lot.  I cleaned up the flower bed in front of the house and filled up FIVE barrels full of weeds and rose bush trimmings.  It was amazing at how quickly that cleaned up the front of the house.  There is a ton more to do, but I figure if I take it day by day it won't be so overwhelming.

Being a former Wisconsinite, I am rather unfamiliar with tumbleweed.  I had the impression those things only existed in Arizona. Well, I am quickly learning that Nebraska is overrun by them.  They are somewhat amusing to watch roll down a dirt road.  However, when they pile up in your garden, along your fence line, next to an open trailer, etc. it gets rather annoying.  I can't wait to watch them burn in our burn barrel.  Um, just so you know, our burn "barrel" is actually similar to the picture below (but about three times the size)...

Have I mentioned how much I love where I live?

Tonight we are expecting a snow storm that could give us anywhere from 1-9 inches (the weathermen here are as bad as Wisconsin), so it's going to be a while before I get to start planting anything.  I am going to continue to dream though.  I have so many seeds to start and plenty of tools (thanks to Ed's mom!) but am patiently waiting for April before starting anything.  Last year, I started too early and ended up having to repot a bunch of plants and it turned out to be much too much work.  So I'm trying to have patience...which is NOT one of my strong suits.

While doing a little outdoor spring cleaning, I noticed another horror.  Ed confirmed that we have moles making cute little piles of dirt next to the house.  First of all, the moles are not cute! 

Thank God I have yet to see one in the yard.  I keep hoping Callie or one of the cats will take one out, but no luck so far.  We have two mounds so far that look like this:

We only have the two so far but I'm expecting the nicer weather to be cause for the lil guy to invite his buddies over.  So, if anyone has tips on how to get rid of these things, please let me know...

Laundry/Mudroom/Workout Room/Pet Storage/etc.

I am considering redoing our "laundry" room.  Unfortunately, while putting some thought into this, I realized this room serves several purposes:

• Laundry Room
• Mud Room
• Pet area
• food storage
• feeding area
• litter box
• Freezer location
• Possible fitness room (the treadmill is currently stored here)
• I would also LOVE to use this room as a sewing room-I'm such a dreamer!

Overall, the room is somewhat of a catchall room (aka "junk" room). 

I recently went shopping in Loveland, CO and became inspired while visiting the back room of a story called Cozy Cottage.  The room had a cream color and then some distressed looking furniture.  I realized a few things.  Number 1-I love that color for a laundry room.  Number 2-I would like a table for folding clothes in that room. Number 3-There is no way I could afford to buy the table they had displayed.

SO, I am starting small and hoping to get the room painted soon.  Once painted, I am planning to put up a witty quote.  I am looking at Wall Words Website to find something cute to put up there.  I've used this company before to put the following quote up in my bedroom:  "Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away."  I highly recommend this company (I don't get any sort of kickback for this.)  They are based in the US, female owned, and offer great customer service and the best product!  Unfortunately, I've experienced what companies who attempt to immitate wall words product actually deliver.

Anyhow, I would really appreciate any inspiration ideas for that room.  Here's what I've found so far...

I love the Laundry sign on the shelf.

I'm considering leaving in a cabinet that we have in that room and covering the lower half with a curtain.  Of course, I'd need to sew that and don't have a place for my machine quite yet.

I am hoping that with a fresh paint job and some more inspiration, I may actually start enjoying doing the laundry! 

Saag Paneer

Madhur Jaffrey Indian Cooking

Just looking at this photo makes my mouth water.  Ed needs to go out of town for the weekend, so I'm seriously considering driving to Denver, CO with the sole intention of getting Indian food for dinner. 

I love Nebraska, but I miss Milwaukee restaurants.  I would cook some of these dishes, but Ed isn't very adventurous in that department and it's a lot of work for just me.   Hmmm, road trip!

Oh and for those of you who don't know what this dish is....it's basically heaven.  The cheese looks like tofu (it's not tofu-it's so much better) but is so delicious.  The spinach is in a savory creamy sauce that once again is making me water.  Denver, I'll see you Saturday!

Go here for the recipe if you'd like to try it at home:
Saag Paneer Recipe

One lucky Skunk

Ed purchased a skunk trap. Callie continues to have an odor that limits the amount of attention I can give her. I just can only handle the skunk smell for so long.  I thought about spending some money on odor eliminator kits, but I am hoping in a week or two the scent will subside. 

*Tomato juice does NOT get the smell out

Skunk Recipe

Poor Callie was sprayed by a skunk this weekend. The #*($& got her right in the face! Today she had a shower...here's the recipe:

Step 1:

Rinse with 2 cans v8 juice

Step 2:

Wash with-

1 bottle peroxide

1/2 box baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 oz. doggie shampoo

Step 3:

Rinse with the juice from 1/2 a lemon

After she got out of the shower and I blew her dry, I realized the majority of the smell was still right between her eyes (you could even see the oil still on her fur). I shampooed that a bit more and followed up with some more v8 juice. I wish I could say she smells great, but for now at least my eyes aren't watering from the smell and we have our girl back in the house.

Ed

I stumbled upon this picture and it made me think of Ed. I thank God for bringing him into my life. He has become my best friend whom I admire and trust completely. The more I learn about him the greater my love for him becomes. I never knew how great a relationship could be until I moved to Nebraska. I couldn't be more blessed.
I pray that we live to take a similar photo some day.

My first REAL workout!

This is awesome! I signed up for a "smart card" to track my workouts. That includes access to a room without a bunch of meatheads working out. Here's what it is:
Express Workout
"Short on time but want a quick workout? Combine your cardiovascular and strength workout into a 30 minute workout with the new YMCA Express Circuit. This newly remodeled room is equipped with 10 stations of technogym strength machines and Schwinn Air Dynes for cardio. Thirty seconds per station will give 'Y' members a great workout. 'Y' members must be circuit room members and at least 12 years old to use express circuit."
I still need to adjust weights and the seat heights, etc so it takes me more than 30 minutes, but I did it today! I also did a 20 minute cardio warmup, 10 minutes more of cardio post the express circuit and some stretching.
I feel great! :) Now if I could just get this diet part down...

Orientation

Today is my orientation at the Y. I can't wait to get started!
Just found out Ed will be out of town on my birthday weekend (unavoidable trip), but I'm looking at the positive side. Not having him home will help motivate me to go to the gym and workout a bit to occupy my time. I wonder if I could get a few personal training sessions. Lord knows I could use some assistance with the machines...
Tomorrow is cleaning day! I'm hoping to get some yardwork done too this weekend. I'd really like to get some seeds started for the garden, but I have so many that I should probably organize what I have first. PLUS, I need to find a place to grow them where the cats won't be able to "play/attack" them.

YMCA

I did my first "workout" last night at the Y. I only was there for 30 minutes, but I figure it's better than nothing. I plan to go again tonight. I feel better already just knowing that I'm doing something! I'll be 35 in 8 days...time to get my life on track.
No more excuses...

Official Member

I am officially a member of the Scotts Bluff YMCA. I'm hoping to start my first workout tomorrow morning at 5am. We'll see though since that means I'd need to leave the house by 3:45am! Maybe I'll shoot for 6am. Enough with the excuses though...I'm getting in shape before summer creeps up.

Sigh...It's Gym Time

I don't like to work out
I love to cook and the eat what I make.

Unfortunately, that doesn't help me when I try to fit into new clothes.  So, today is the day. I'm joining a gym. I'm debating between the YMCA and a Bootcamp.  Anyone have a personal preference on which is better?

These are my options:
Scottsbluff YMCA
or
Ultimate Body Transformers Fitness (This would be the bootcamp)

Oh and one more thing...this is the look I'm going for:

The Girls Go Under

This morning I packed up Turtle and Maize (actually Ed packed them up) into my car and headed towards my work.  We drove together for an hour and fifteen minutes while they sang along with the radio.  We arrived at the Animal Health Center at 8am.  They are both getting spayed and their vaccinations today.  Perfect timing since we found a male cat hiding in the garage last night. 

I'll post an update soon about how the girls did...