Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Have I ever mentioned my lack of grace?

No, I didn't break anything. I will, however, tell you that being short is not a plus in some circumstances. 

I was at work, busting out a Halloween display (my absolute least favorite display that I have to do since Halloween isn't my gig), I decided to stand on a not-a-step-ladder and since it wasn't heavy enough in the middle to hold my sheer girth, I punched through the middle, fell back, my feet were stuck in this thing that was now like a trash can, I finally got my feet loose, but couldn't get my balance and kept stumbling backwards until I bounced into a shelving unit and had tripped over an August sale bin-- all the while this is sounding like a herd of elephants to my coworker downstairs.  Julia, one who generally rolls with things and doesn't bother to check, opens the door and says, "Amy, are you okay?" 

"The good news is that I didn't break any merchandise and I do believe that I didn't even chip my wrist, though I do believe that I will have a heck of a bruise, though." 

"You need to not rush and push!" 

She's right.  I was trying to speed through the very end of a display and ended up leaving a mess for them to clean up upstairs and downstairs. 

More good news is that the blasted Halloween display is up.  I struggle with it because I just don't like scary, creepy Halloween and I work extra hard on it since I don't want it to reflect my general dislike.  The display is pretty decent, if I do say so myself!

Smiles in my day:
-  I didn't break a bone! 
-  K- is actually starting to feel better from her virus.  (Not strep, thank you God!)  The doctor said that she was on the backside and was pulling out of it.  Tonight is the first time in a week that she has expressed interest in playing outside or doing anything other than laying in bed and sleeping.  That is not my child.  She would come straight home, put her pajamas on and go straight to bed.  Eek!
-  I tagged butterflies at work with some of my coworkers and they thought it was the neatest thing!
-  The computer is briefly cooperating.  After the neighbor goes on vacation and returns, he and his computer geek friends are going to take our computer and give it some computer geek love.  I'm hoping that they can resuscitate the box.  We are trying hard to save money for a truck for Hubs and I would really love to have the savings continue to accumulate for that.  They are pretty good with saving the unsaveable, so I trust their judgment.  Have I mentioned that they work for free?  :)  Being that they are all single men, I'll cook them a good dinner and all will be well. 

Have a great night!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Recipe alert! Mexican lasagna

First off, I haven't forgotten about you.  My computer has been ailing more than usual and frankly, sometimes it isn't worth the intense fight just to get it to boot up.  With that said, since you've heard from me last, I've had  10 hour (in some form or another) PTA meeting, a Garden Fair at school for the kids, a butterfly hike to my house where we taught 20 people how to tag butterflies all the while our child was in the house quarantined to her bedroom because of a virus that had given her a fever that we didn't want to share.  Oh, and PMS.  Let us kick that in just for giggles, eh?

But here is your recipe.  I found it delightful even after it was frozen.  Yum.  I ate most of it!

Mexican Lasagna (that isn't what they call it, but I made a copy and can't see the title)

Makes 4 servings
Prep time:  15 minutes
Cook time:  17 minutes
From:  Fitness Magazine

1 15-ounce can pinto beans (though I used kidney since that's what I had.) 
1 1/2 cups chopped roasted tomatoes (I used those fire roasted from a can.)
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 1/2 cups shredded poached chicken
1/2 cup scallions (I always use less)
1 T chili powder *
1 T ground cumin *
1/4 t salt *
8 6-inch corn tortillas, each cut into 6 wedges (I used wheat.)
1 cup shreadded Monterey jack (I used rice cheddar instead.)
1 small beefsteak tomato (I used cherry tomatoes from the yard.)
    *  I used taco seasoning instead.

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Coat an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with cooking spray.  (I used two loaf pans so that K- and I would be able to have two dishes out of it, since it isn't something that Hubs can eat.
2.  Combine pinto (kidney) beans and their liquid, tomatoes, corn, chicken, scallions and seasonings in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until mixture is bubbling and corn is completely thawed. (I actually cooked it for an hour. I wasn't in a rush so I thought I would let it cook for a while and get happy.)
3.  Layer about a third of the tortilla wedges, half bean mixture and a third of the cheese in a prepared baking dish. Repeat this until done. I ended up making another layer. Top with remaining cheese, bake until cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through. Let it cool slightly before serving; garnish with diced tomatoes.

Yummy!

Yes, the computer decided to have a convulsion and I had to finish the post on the Kindle.