My Weekend in Pictures: A Nice, Fall, 4-Wheeler Ride

This weekend we went on a long 4-wheeler ride with my mother and father-in-law and some friends.  We started at a place called Hardware Ranch and went over to a place called Randolph, and then back again.  It was a long ride, but beautiful, especially with the fall colors pretty much at their peak in a lot of places.  We also stopped in Randolph for lunch before we headed back.  It was a great day...and I took some great pics. It's really hard to capture all of the beauty in a pic.  You kind of have to see it in person to get the full impact, but I tried...

A drive or ride in Utah wouldn't be complete without seeing some wildlife. In this case, some antelope. 

I hope you had a fantastic weekend too!

Favorite-Recipe Friday: My Husband's Salsa Recipe

Why favorite-recipe Friday you ask?  Well, what better time to try a new recipe than on the weekend?!

This Friday I am sharing my husband's homemade salsa recipe.  He got this recipe from his friend, Jose, but he is a lot like me in that he tweaks recipes to make them his own.  Some of these measurements are very approximate because my hubby doesn't care much for measuring ingredients; he just throws them in and hopes for the best... It usually turns out okay though... Seriously though, this is really good salsa!




Blake's Homemade Salsa


Ingredients:

• 8 tomatoes
• 3 jalapeno peppers
• 3 manzano (apple) peppers*
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 onion (preferably sweet)
• 1 cup fresh cilantro (more or less to taste)
• 1 tsp salt (more or less to taste)
• 1 tsp dried oregano (more or less to taste)
• lime juice ( I think he squeezes about half of a lime in)

Directions:

1. Roast the tomatoes and peppers on the grill.
2. Peel the tomatoes.
3. Remove all or most of the seeds from the peppers (depending on how spicy you like it)
4. Put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until well mixed.
5. Pour into a bowl, cover, and store overnight in the fridge for best flavor.
6. Enjoy!

*Manzano (apple) peppers are hard to find unless you have a specialty store nearby.  You can try other peppers like banana peppers, habanero peppers, Anaheim peppers, etc.  Just experiment and find what you like.

I told you that these measurements were very approximate.  You'll want to tweak the ingredients to your liking and just have fun with it. 

Well, there you have it.  I hope you enjoy your salsa and your weekend!

Do you have a favorite recipe that you would like to share?  Well, send it to me and I will feature it on my blog.  Better yet, consider doing a guest post with me.   

Fall Really is My Favorite Time of Year...

I decided to take the advice of The SITS Girls and try to do some of their blogging challenges, so today I'm writing about my favorite memories of fall and why fall is my favorite time of year. 



This picture is actually a puzzle that my husband put together
and glued. It hangs above our fireplace. I love it because it
reminds me of the annual pheasant hunt with my family.

 Some of my fondest memories of fall from when I was young would have to be the annual opening of the pheasant hunt.  In Utah, bird and other wild-game hunting are very popular and my family is full of avid hunters.  Yes, I grew up eating pheasant, duck, goose, rabbit, deer, elk, etc., but that is for another post.  When I was young, the opening Saturday of the pheasant hunt was as big a deal as Christmas in my family.  We would all wake up at the crack of dawn and head out to my Grandma & Grandpa Berchtold's farm.  We usually had quite a few family friends there as well.  My mom would always make her giant cinnamon rolls and my Grandma would make a huge pot of chili.  My aunts would all bring whatever other dish was needed.  Many of us would eat breakfast there (usually included a cinnamon roll) and then the men and some of the women would head out at first light to go hunting on my family's land.  They would be back at lunch, loaded up with pheasants.  Those who didn't hunt would stay and get ready for lunch, play games, help my grandma quilt, etc.  I really need to try to find some old pics of those days.  It wasn't just about the hunt, but also being together as a family and with our good friends.  There was always just something about those fall days on the farm... the crisp air, the vibrant colors of the leaves, the vast corn fields... there was just this special feeling.

Fall is my favorite time of year for many other reasons too.  The crisp, fresh feeling in the air.  The pumpkins sitting on doorsteps, not to mention the pumpkin desserts and flavored coffee! The spicy smells of fall fragrances.  I get to wear my favorite sweatshirts, sweaters, and boots.  Having a fire in the fireplace and cuddling in a cozy blanket.  Knowing the Holidays are on the horizon.  For me, the Holiday season begins as soon as I decorate for Halloween and I decorate for Halloween at the beginning of October (what can I say, I'm a kid at heart).  Then there are the colors! My favorite colors are the yellows, oranges, and reds of the leaves in fall.  And there is nothing quite like the mountains in Utah in the fall when all those colors are on display.  I haven't got out to take pics yet this year, so you really should head on over to my friend, Mj's blog; she just took some fabulous pics of our mountains.  I could go for a drive every weekend and look at our mountains in the fall... It's something that many of us native Utahns take for granted, but it really is beautiful and awe inspiring...

How about you, what is your favorite memory or thing about fall?          

The Change--In Honor of 9/11

This post is dedicated to 9/11.  This is actually a song that was written by Garth Brooks after the Oklahoma City bombing, but I think it is also very fitting to the events of 9/11 as well and I just wanted to share it.  It struck a cord in me then and still does to this day.

THE CHANGE

One hand reaches out and pulls a lost soul from harm

While a thousand more go unspoken for

They say what good have you done

By saving just this one

It's like whispering a prayer

In the fury of the storm

And I hear them saying you'll never change things

And no matter what you do it's still the same thing

But it's not the world that I am changing

I do this so this world will know that

It will not change me

This heart still believes that love and mercy still exist

While all the hatreds rage and so many say

That love is all but pointless in madness such as this

It's like trying to stop a fire

With the moisture from a kiss

As long as one heart still holds on

Then hope is never really gone

I hear them saying you'll never change things

And no matter what you do it's still the same thing

But it's not the world that I am changing

I do this so this world we know

Never changes me

What I do is so

This world will know

That it will not change me

My Weekend in Pictures: Peach Days Edition

When it comes to peaches, the state that usually comes to mind is probably Georgia, so it's a little known fact to the majority of the U.S. that Northern Utah has some fabulous peaches.  People drive from out of state to the small rural communities of Perry and Willard, UT (just a few miles south of where I live in Brigham City) to go to the fruit stands and get peaches.  I've heard of people who make an annual trip from Las Vegas, NV, etc. to come and get peaches.  Mind you, that's approximately an 8 hour drive...Yeah, our peaches are THAT good!

Brigham City is a great town to visit, especially during Peach Days.  Peach Days actually started back in 1904 as a day off from the harvest and a time to celebrate "an abundance of the best peaches in Utah."  This city-wide event is the longest continually celebrated harvest festival in Utah and is reported to be the second oldest in the country.  It has become an honored tradition and very popular event that brings approximately 50,000 spectators over the fun and event-filled weekend...Here are just a few highlights...

Many of us start our morning getting to our favorite parade spot early and enjoying some of the best donuts around.  My family's favorite parade spot is right in Kent's Market parking lot, so we are close to these awesome treats.

Then there's the parade!  It usually has about 100 entries and lasts a couple of hours.

there are firetrucks with their sirens blaring and lights flashing.

There are some pretty cool floats.

There isn't a parade in Utah that would be complete without some cowboys!



And don't forget our small-town school pride and spirit....GO BEES!!

Aside from the parade, there are many other events and festivities going on.

There's the carnival with dutch oven cooking, concerts, many concession stands, and rides (Tate had a blast!).

There's the fabulous car show.  Now, this car show is HUGE!  There is really no way to show in a pic, the enormity of this show.  People come from all over the US to show their beautiful old (and some new) cars.



And, of course, last but certainly not least, while you are here, you just have to try our peaches!!

This really just skims the surface of all the fun that can be had.  Peach Days has a little something for everybody!  It kinda brings out the kid in all of us... 

Favorite-Recipe-Friday: Homemade Pesto

I had been buying the already-made pesto, either in a jar or packet that you mix with oil, and I decided that I really needed to try making my own.  I looked around online and experimented a bit, and this is what I came up with. 






Trin's Homemade Pesto for Pasta (or whatever)

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup fresh -or- 3 tbsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp softened butter
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp pine nuts or sunflower kernels (optional)

Directions:

1. In a food processor or blender, mix basil, salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, olive oil, seeds or nuts, and butter until well blended.
2. Pour mixture into a bowel and slowly fold the Parmesan cheese into it until well mixed.
3. Pour over and stir into your favorite (already prepared) pasta or you can put it on salad, rub it on steak or chicken, or whatever strikes your fancy. I mix mine with penne or rigatoni pasta and serve it up with a steak (pictured) or chicken. The possibilities are endless!
4. Enjoy!

Well, there you have it! So easy!  I hope you enjoy your pesto and pasta or whatever you decide to have it with, and have a great weekend!

Do you have a favorite recipe, well send it to me and I will feature it on my blog.  Better yet, consider doing a guest post with me.

My Teenage View

With school just starting again here recently, it inspired me to look through some of my old school projects and papers that I had saved.  I found a binder that I had made in a creative writing class and it was called "My Teenage View."  In this book, I found a paper that I had written and I just had to share...

FIRST DAY OF HIGH SCHOOL

The alarm goes off; my summer has ended. My heart beats wildly as the realization of what lies ahead grasps a hold of my nerves. The first day of Freshman year!...Aaah!

I shut off my alarm and slowly rise out of my safe bed, hoping maybe this is all a dream and I'll soon wake up and still have at least half the summer left.

I feel a twinge of despair as my shower seems to sluice away the freedom I've had the past three months.

The clock's hands spin around its face as I attempt to give my churning stomach unwanted food. My hands tremble and my knees feel like rubber. My middle feels as though someone has tied me in knots and are still trying to pull me tighter even though I can budge no more.

It's one of the most important days of my life and, of course, my hair is frizzy, limp, and unmanageable while my face has seemed to accumulate polka dots overnight.

Time is going by oh so quickly! I find myself pacing a depression in the living room carpet and my already stubby fingernails are becoming shorter by the second. Then I hear the dreaded words: "Time to go-are you ready?" My mom is heading towards the door, smiling at me. I grab my bag and head nervously out the door and then get in the car. The trip to the immense, blue building was too short. As I enter, my stomach does start to unclench itself, but my nerves still feel as though they are going to climb out of my body. It's almost as though "FRESHMAN" is written on my forehead; I'm getting all these strange stares-oh my! Is it that obvious?! Fortunately I find my locker without much of a problem (that's probably because my boyfriend is standing right by it).

Through the day, my nerves quit dancing. Although I still have trouble keeping myself calm whenever the bell rings, for the thought of entering the neverending hallway, with the hundreds of people pushing, shoving, and stepping on me, is hard to get used to.

The last bell of the day finally rings and I am anxious to get the heck out of this place. I don't feel a complete sense of relief, however, until I'm through the door of my house and sitting peacefully on the living room couch. I have no homework, for all the teachers lectured on class rules, so I spend my evening relaxing, glad that the day is over. Later, I climb exhaustedly back in my bed and am about to fall asleep when...it hits me-I have to go back tomorrow!!!

Oh my goodness, that makes me laugh!  I hope you enjoyed it too.  I liked to write even then, but I definitely had a flare for the dramatic!  That's been quite a few years ago now (my 20-year *ahem* class reunion is coming up next year), but there are days that I still feel like that same nervous,  teenage girl pushing her way through the halls.  I guess now it's just the halls of life...

Unanswered Prayers

It has been way too long since I last blogged.  I got a bit sidetracked and preoccupied with trying to sell our house over the summer (you can read a little about that here).  We hoped and prayed about, and fell in love with a couple of different houses along the way, only to have them be bought by someone else.  We were so sure that selling and moving was what we were supposed to do, but the good Lord had other plans.  At first, it was with a heavy heart and a lot of disappointment that we came to the realization that we weren't moving.  But, as time went on and we did more home-improvement projects, the more okay we were with staying.  As we updated and rearranged, it was kind of like getting a new home without the hassle of moving.  Maybe we didn't need a new house; our current house just needed us to have a new attitude...to see all its possibilities.  As far as it being the house that Blake and his ex-wife bought together... Well, that really doesn't matter.  Any house, unless you build, has a previous owner.  You just do things and add touches that make it your own.  For Blake, there are some not-so-happy memories in this house, but some wonderful ones as well.  And we will continue to make more wonderful memories.  Memories, after all, good and bad, make us who we are... We still might eventually try to sell and move, but it will be under better circumstances and for better reasons...we're in no rush... We definitely learned and realized some things about ourselves in this process and I think that was what was supposed to happen.

     "To get what you want, you first have to appreciate what you already have."

Some exciting things did happen though... After almost 20 years with the same company, Blake got a new job with a different company.  It looks like it will be a great opportunity for him. It will be a great thing for us as a family as Well.  We've had a few financial struggles and this will help a lot.  He still feels a bit like a fish out of water, but I know he'll do an amazing job.  It was time to go to a place where he could spread is wings.  This promotion will also impact the type of house we'll be able to buy if and when the time comes.  Our son, Tate, just started kindergarten too and I would hate to pull him from a new situation, and new friends, just as he's getting used to it.  He's quite shy and rather sensitive, and he is a bit slow to adjust to change. He's starting to really blossom and thrive, and I don't want to jeopardize that unnecessarily.

     "Every little thing is going to be alright."

For a while, it seemed like we were having this never-ending run of bad luck in many things (I won't share details right now).  I think we all go through it; ups & downs and trials & tribulations.  We hang in, learn, and never give up or lose our faith... We also learn to laugh at the confusion. I said in my last post that we had this forward momentum going and I could feel our luck changing. The forward momentum didn't take us where we thought it would, but our luck was definitely changing.  We ended up taking more than one leap of faith.  Things didn't turn out like we planned... They turned out better... Some of God's greatest gifts really are unanswered prayers...

     "Just because something isn't happening for you now, doesn't mean it won't  

       Happen." 

I found this at the bottom of my purse. I got it in a fortune cookie, a couple of months ago, at our favorite Chinese restaurant. I don't normally save my fortunes, but I saved this one for some reason... 

I think this one is going in a safe place somwhere.  It can be a small reminder whenever things are tough or I'm haveing a bad day.

    
     "All things happen for a reason." 

Favorite-Recipe Friday: Chicken Verde Enchiladas

Why Favorite-Recipe Friday, you ask?  Well, what better time to try a new recipe than on the weekend?

I'm not sure where I got this recipe from.  I think it was one of those situations where I took ideas from 2 or 3 recipes and came up with my own concoction, which is something that I do quite often.  Hey, experimenting is the fun of cooking! 






Chicken Verde Enchiladas

Ingredients:

• 1-1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 14 oz chicken stock or broth
• 28 oz (approximately) green chile enchilada sauce
• 1 jar salsa verde
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cilantro
• 1 16 oz can refried beans
• 1 pkg corn or flour tortillas
• 2 cups (approximately) Colby Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded
• Sour cream (if desired)

Directions:

1. In a crock pot, cook chicken in stock or broth for approximately 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low. 
2. Remove chicken from crock pot and shred.
3. Place shredded chicken in a pot and add dry ingredients and about 1 to 1-1/2 cups of the enchilada sauce, mix well.
4. Allow to simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Add refried beans, mix well.
6. Remove from heat.
7. Spoon mixture into tortillas, roll, and place in a greased baking pan or dish.
8. Spoon enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas.
9. Drizzle some salsa verde over the top.
10. Top with the shredded cheese.
11. Cover with foil and place in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for about 25 to 30 minutes.
12. Remove from oven and allow to cool for a couple of minutes.
13. Top with more salsa and sour cream if desired.
14. Enjoy!

Tips:

• You can also add in a small can of green chiles to give it a little more of a kick.
• You can use pork instead of chicken and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
• If you are short on time, you can also cook the chicken in a pot on the stove top. Just pour the stock or broth into the pot with the chicken, cook on high until it comes to a boil, and then reduce heat, cover,  and allow to simmer for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

Well, there you have it!  I hope you enjoy your enchiladas and have a great weekend!

Do you have a recipe that you would like to share?  Well, send it to me and I will feature it on my blog.  Better yet, consider doing a guest post with me.

My Random Thoughts

I think I have mentioned that I have had a lot running through my mind lately and that I have been needing to get back to blogging on a regular basis so that I can process it all.  Well, here's a little peek into some of the random and possibly crazy thoughts that pop into my head on a regular basis...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I need some coffee!

 

      I need to get my butt in my office and start work earlier than I do.

Wow, the year sure is flying by already!

 

      OMG! Speaking of flying by, my birthday is close!

Hmmmm, I should do an extra load of laundry.

 

      I wish our house would hurry and sell...

Moving sucks.

 

      Holy crap! Our anniversary is almost here too!

Did I remember to mail that bill?

 

      I need to start going to bed earlier.

I sure would like to have that house in Honeyville.

 

      Ugh! I'm tired.

Oh shoot (okay, maybe it's a swear word instead), I still need to make that appointment!

 

      Did I remember to close the freezer?

Sometimes I wish there were more hours in the day.

 

      I need a glass of wine!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've said it before, I may need therapy....but I'd settle for a vacation...

  

Favorite-Recipe Friday: Pizza in a Dish

Why Favorite-Recipe Friday, you ask?  Well, what better time to try a new recipe than on the weekend?!

I got this recipe online and I'm not sure where I got it!  Of course, I tweaked it a bit and made it my own, and it has always been a very popular and favorite dish.  Even my son, Tate, loves it and he is extremely picky, so I know that I am definitely on to something when he will eat it and want seconds besides!  This is definitely a twist on the traditional pasta dishes.



Pizza in a Dish

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of elbow macaroni or your favorite pasta (I like penne)
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• 2 (or more) cups spaghetti sauce
• 6-8 oz of sliced pepperoni
• 1 2.25oz can of sliced black olives, drained
• 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. In a medium-sized pot, brown ground beef with onion and garlic.
2. Add sliced pepperoni and olives, and stir.
3. Add spaghetti sauce and stir.
4. Add dry ingredients and stir well, and allow to simmer on low.
5. In the meantime, boil your pasta per package directions.
6. Drain pasta and stir into meat mixture.
7. Add shredded cheese to pasta and meat mixture, and stir until melted in.
8. Remove from heat and serve.
9. Enjoy!

Tips:

• You can also add in any of your other favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, peppers, etc.
• I like Barilla pastas; they cook to a perfect al dente.
• I also like Barilla spaghetti sauces, but Ragu is another favorite of mine.

Well, there you have it!  I hope you enjoy your Pizza in a Dish and have a great weekend!

Do you have a favorite recipe that you would like to share?  Well, send it to me and I will feature it on my blog.  Better yet, consider doing a guest post with me. 

Forward Momentum

It has been awhile since I last blogged.  I have been a bit preoccupied by getting our house ready to put on the market.  I  apologize for this, but it is possible that I will still be hit and miss for awhile, depending on how things go.  We seem to have this forward momentum going!

It's funny how life can be that way sometimes. Things wax and wane and rise and fall.  There are dry spells, slow times, and dark days in our lives and in our luck...



Forward momentum

...And then suddenly things can change and it's as though there's a new lease on life.  You can feel the tide turn and the light shining on you...

Forward momentum

...You suddenly know what you want to do, that it's the right thing to do, and that it's the right time to do it...

Forward momentum

...This has happened so many times throughout my life.  I will decide that I want or need something, or that it is time for a change, and I get focused and determined.  When this happens, there seems to be no stopping me.  Where there is a will, there is a way, especially when you know it is right!  Mine and Blake's relationship started the same way; it was a whirlwind romance and there was no stopping us!...

Forward momentum

...It seems that my husband and I have come to another  one of those times in our lives, a crossroads of sorts.  It's time to make some changes, and it feels right and like the right time...

Forward momentum

...We have gone through some rough patches, one of those dry spells with dark days where our luck didn't seem so great.  But now we can feel things changing...

Forward momentum

...So, now we are taking a another big step and a giant leap of faith together.  So far so good, things seem to be moving along.  We made the decision to sell our house, did our homework, decluttered and organized, talked to a loan officer, talked to a realtor, and got our house on the market, all in a rather short amount of time...

Forward momentum

...Now we are hoping that we can keep the proverbial ball rolling and keep the momentum going.  No matter what though, we will keep the faith that things will work out just the way they are supposed to... 

Forward momentum

...We have definitely already learned from this experience, had positive things come out of it, and grown closer as a couple.  As long as we stick together, there will be no stopping us!

Forward momentum...

We Are Taking a Leap of Faith!

I will probably be missing in action, especially from my blog, for the next little while, as we have decided to truly test our patience and sanity...We have decided to put our house up for sale and are going to try to buy something different.  We really need a house with two bathrooms (It never fails, the son or hubby need to use the bathroom while I'm trying to get ready in the morning), and we would like to move into a more rural or country setting.  I, of course, would like a bigger kitchen and also would not mind a large, possibly jetted, tub in one of the bathrooms (I'm a girl who likes to cook and then later, I like to sip wine while I soak in a hot bath).  Blake, of course, would like a garage and a nice shed or workshop out back (a.k.a. man cave).  And Tate, well he is just worried that we will forget something or leave something important behind; he isn't exactly sold on the idea yet, but I'm sure he'll come around. 

Between looking at houses, both online and in person, and sorting through things that have accumulated in the basement that we have been procrastinating in sorting through (seriously, I'm a bit embarrassed and wondering if I belong on an episode of Hoarders!),  and getting our house ready to put on the market and show....OMG! Lord help me now and give me strength! And wine, lots and lots of wine!! LOL!...Seriously, though, I know it will be a bit stressful, but I also know that it will be worth it.  The house we are in now is not at all a bad house, but it was actually bought by Blake and his first wife, so this will be like a brand new and fresh start for us and something we actually picked out together.

I'm both nervous and excited at the same time.  This has been in the back of our minds for quite a while, and with the interest rates what they are right now and with some of the amazing prices on some really nice homes, it seems like a great time to make this transition...and take a leap of faith... 

Favorite-Recipe Friday: Shredded Beef or Chicken for Tacos, etc.

Why Favorite-Recipe Friday, you ask?  Well, what better time to try a new recipe than on the weekend?!

I got this recipe idea from 50+ Friends Club Cookbook.  The original recipe was actually for beef fajitas, but as per usual, I put my own spin on it.  It works great for shredded chicken as well, and it can be used for tacos, burritos, etc.  Another great thing is that it doesn't require a whole lot of work because you prepare it in your crock pot. 


Shredded Beef or Chicken for Tacos, etc. 




Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 lbs. beef flank steak -or- boneless skinless chicken breast
• 1 onion -or- 1/4 cup dried minced onion
• 1 med. green sweet pepper -or- 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
• 1 tbsp. cilantro
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1 tsp. bottled minced garlic 
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 can (8 oz) Mexican stewed tomatoes
•  2 tsp. lime juice (optional)
• Shredded Colby and Montery Jack cheese (optional)
• Guacamole (optional)
• Sour cream (optional)
• Salsa (optional)
• Flour or corn tortillas -or- taco shells

Directions:

1. Trim fat from steak or chicken.  If using steak, cut it into 6 portions.  Combine steak or chicken with onion, peppers, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, coriander, garlic, and salt in crock pot.  Add undrained Mexican stewed tomatoes. 
2. Cover; cook on low for 8-10 hours. (Or cook on high for 4-5 hours.)
3. Remove steak or chicken from crock pot and shred.  Spoon some of the cooking juices over the shredded meat and add lime juice (if desired), and stir.
4. Spoon mixture into warmed or fried tortillas, or taco shells.
5. Top with cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa, if desired.
6. Enjoy!

Tips:

• To warm tortillas in the oven, set the oven at 350 degrees, wrap tortillas in foil and bake for about 10-15 minutes or until softened. 
• Instead of spooning cooking juices over the meat, you can always just put the meat back into the crock pot after it has been shredded, and then squeeze the lime juice in and stir.  Serve with a slotted spoon.

Well, there you have it!  I hope you enjoy your tacos, burritos, or whatever you decide to make, and have a great weekend!

Do you have a favorite recipe that you would like to share?  Well, send it to me and I will feature it on my blog.  Better yet, consider doing a guest post with me.   

A Little Dose of Humor: Men!

Because sometimes we all need a little humor in our lives, and just a little can go a long way...

...Yup! I'm the daughter of one, the wife of one, and the mother of one, and this about covers it!  I'm sorry guys; I just couldn't resist! {insert devious grin and mischievous laugh here}

A Little Dose of Inspiration: Friends

I have found this, time and time again, to be so very true!  What is even more amazing is that some of my most valuable, best, and amazing friends have been met online, on Twitter and in the blogging community.  I know without a doubt that these relationships are real and lasting.  They and their friendships mean more than words can ever express...  

Favorite-Recipe Friday: Semi-Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Why Favorite-Recipe Friday, you ask?  Well, what better time to try a new recipe than on the weekend?

I can't remember where I got the idea for this spaghetti sauce recipe.  I'm thinking it was out of a cookbook from the 30 Meals in One Day plan.  As usual, I tweaked it a bit and made it my own.  It's pretty easy and it has always been a hit.

 

Semi-Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients:
•2 extra large (4 lb) jars of Ragú® Traditional Pasta Sauce
•1 lb lean ground beef
•1 lb Italian sausage
•1 cup chopped onion -or- 1/4 cup dried minced onion
•2 tsp minced garlic
•1/4 cup sugar
•1-1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning

Directions:
1. Brown ground beef and sausage with onion and garlic.
2. Add spaghetti sauce, sugar, and Italian seasoning.
3. Allow to simmer for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. In the meantime, boil up your favorite pasta according to directions on package.
5. Remove sauce from heat and spoon desired amount over your pasta.
6. Enjoy!

Tips:
•This makes a very large batch of sauce, which is great because it freezes beautifully; just divide the leftover sauce into freezer-safe containers.
•You can try spicy Italian sausage if you like your sauce to be spicy.
•Barilla® pastas are my favorite; they cook to a perfect al dente.
•This sauce is also great for lasagna, manicotti, stuffed shells, etc.

Well, there you have it.  I hope you enjoy your spaghetti (or whichever pasta you choose) and have a great weekend!

Do you have a favorite recipe that you would like to share? Well, send it to me and I will feature it on my blog.  Better yet, consider doing a guest post with me.

A Few of My Favorite Things: Coffee Lover's Edition

Okay, you knew this one was coming! I am a total coffee lover and addict, so it is only natural that I share my favorite coffee makers, brands, flavors, creamers, etc.  I've turned into a bit of a coffee snob, as I've realized that not all coffee products are created equal.  And it's like I have said before, coffee isn't just a beverage; it's an experience.  These things make my coffee experience great:

Keurig:   If you’re a coffee lover, you have probably heard of and quite possibly may own a Keurig Brewer and some K-Cups.  These are such awesome brewers, and there are quite a variety of them now too, so most people can find one that suits them.  There are also many, many K-Cup varieties to choose from as well.  So, between the Keurig brewer of your choice and the K-Cup flavor of your choice, you have a perfect individual cup brewed every time.

Mr. Coffee:  This has always been my auto-drip brewer of choice for my regular ground coffee.  There is a huge variety of these brewers too.  I have a small 4-cup brewer that I use in the morning, which is perfect where I'm the only coffee drinker in the house (I can hear the collective gasp among my fellow coffee lovers).  I also got the new Mr. Coffee/Keurig brewer after I wore out my original Keurig, and it works like a champ.

Bodum French Coffee Press:   They say that coffee brewed in a French press is the best.  I gotta say, it really is pretty wonderful.  Coffee brewed in a French press is a bit more rich and flavorful because the natural oils are retained that can often be left in the filter when brewed the auto-drip way.  Whole beans that are coarsely ground just before brewing make for the best coffee prepared in a French press.  

GE One-Touch Coffee Grinder:   I don't actually buy whole beans and use a grinder that often, but when I do, this is the one that I use.  It has different settings according to the grind that you want, and it does a great job.

Green Mountain Coffee:   I am a huge fan of this coffee company.  They are my go-to place for K-Cups.  You can become a member of their Café Express and get discounts on coffee and accessories, including Keurig brewers, and you have coffee shipped to your house on a recurring schedule and in a quantity of your choice.  They have fabulous flavors in both K-Cups, and ground and whole-bean coffees, including their awesome seasonal blends.  You can also find other popular roasters on this site; Caribou Coffee, Tully's, Timothy's, Newman's Own, among others.  You will also find your favorite tea and hot chocolate in K-Cups, not to mention the iced tea and iced coffee varieties.  It really is a fabulous place for any coffee addict!

New England Coffee:   Okay, this company knows how to do flavored coffee!  It is so rich, smooth, and decadent without a trace of bitterness.  I have never seen quite a variety of flavors.  They also have seasonal flavors, but instead of one seasonal flavor at a time, there are four or more; seriously, how does Bananas Foster, Cinnamon Sticky Bun, or Brownie Toffee Crunch sound?!  Another great thing about this coffee is that you can get it in a custom ground that suits your brewer.  This place is definitely a coffee lover's dream!

Coffee Mate:   This has always been my creamer of choice.  They have both regular creamer and powdered, though I prefer regular, and a great variety of flavors, seasonal and otherwise.  I love their new Café Collection and Natural Bliss flavors!

Maxwell House International Café:   I have been drinking these for years.  They really are a yummy, creamy treat.  Sometimes, instead of hot water, I will mix this with regular coffee; super rich!

Well, there you have it.  These are my favorite coffee products.

How about you, what are your favorite coffee products?  I always like trying new stuff!

Disclaimer:  I was in no way compensated for sharing my views or links of these products, and these opinions are my own.