A WONDERFUL MOTHER'S DAY!!

A wonderful day - a great wake up with perfect gifts from Travis and Michelle -- he picked gifts that were so me and so did Michelle, then a delicious lunch at Outback with all of my family -- a trip to Atwoods (yes - my idea -- I wanted a new umburella for the deck) - and a past week of good things too!! On Tuesday I had the second lumbar epidural and now I feel so good - able to keep going and get lots done - a New Woman!! On Wednesday - we had a very wonderful class where we blessed a young lady - much more mature than her 14 years and showed her what love really looks like. About 50 ladies joined to gather to bless her and support her! God had to have looked down and been pleased. Then on Thursday Alice and I attended a strip center's open house at Broadway and 8th Street. We found many fabulous finds but my favorites were at Rubicon Two - a beautiful store that makes you appreciate nature and all of the things God has given us. A beautiful bird bath came home with me! Then there was Larry Lott Interiors who had a Cinci de Mayo fiesta going on and everything in his store is wonderful. Then another very favorite was The Kitchen Drawer. The nicest people and the most fantastic kitchen finds! I bought some napkins and few other things but then went back on Saturday and did some more damage to my checking account. If you ever need a gift for yourself or someone that loves their kitchen or cooking - this is the place to go!! They are so nice - they put my blogspot on their website!!! I found perfect napkins for my Southwest kitchen, fabulous teas towels, and the most Southwest awesome tray that I could not resist. Now I just have to figure out what to change so I can use it!!!!
All of this and I have been cooking some too! I am trying to re-perfect my bread making -- so I made up my Sour Dough Starter, patiently let it do it's thing and then the last two weekends - I've made the bread. This weekend - it was perhaps the best I have ever made. I have the recipe typed out at work and will send it home tomorrow and post it - it is easy and just takes a little patience and anticipation of a most wonderful bread! If you have the Tyler Junior League cookbook, COOKING THROUGH ROSE COLORED GLASSES" - the recipe is there -- I do it exactly! Can you believe that? I really do!!

I have decided to post some of the recipes that I originally posted on my blog - because if I have one complaint about the blog setup -- it is hard to get all the way back to find some of my very favorite recipes -- I have tried it! So here is one that is a favorite every time I cook it and it is so easy -- you will see - I don't always cook something complicated! THIS is not an original - I got it from a friend of my friend in Ruidoso and she got it from a caterer at a party she attended!

TAQUITO CASSEROLE

1- 20 PIECE BOX FROZEN CHICKEN TAQUITOS
2 CUPS GRATED CHEESE - YOUR CHOICE - SHARP CHEDDAR OR 4 MEXICAN CHEESE (MY FAVORITE)
1 CAN HATCH* GREEN ENCHILADA SAUCE
1 CAN DICED GREEN CHILES

Place chicken taquitos in 9 X 13 casserole dish and cover with 1-1/2 cup cheese. Pour Green Enchilada Chile Sauce over the taquitos, place green chiles over the sauce and sprinkle the remaining cheese over it. Bake about 25 minutes at 350 degrees until nice and bubbly!!

*I like the Hatch brand over Old El Paso because it is a bigger can and you need extra moisture!!

I promise if you make this - you will make it again! It taste like wonderful chicken enchiladas!!! Try it -- you will like it.

Have you been to Fresh lately? Really fun -- and one of the things we bought was Irish Oatmeal which features Steel Cut Oats. I really like them but Travis says they have a taste he doesn't like -- so tonight I cut the recipe in half and cooked some -- the quick way -- brought 2 cups water to a rolling boil, pour in 1/2 cup oats, bring back to a quick boil and then cover and refrigerate until morning. Then you cook it for about 9 to 12 minutes. Maybe Travis will finish cooking them for me. If he or Michelle doesn't want any -I can have them for 3 or 4 days!

Here is something that my cousin wrote and sent to me and I think it is appropriate to post tonight - at the end of Mother's Day. Enjoy - take to heart and don't forget - "DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!"

Enriched By Memory
Deuteronomy 8:2
“You shall remember all the way the Lord thy God has led thee.”

Remember that old song we use to sing, “Precious memories how they linger, how they ever they flood my soul.” Do you remember some years ago on TV Bob Hope closed his show?
“Thanks for the memories.”

I am speaking today at a Senior Care Center to a group of my favorite people, seniors! They live on Yesterdays. You know, remember when?

Our lives come, from time to time, to crossroads of defining importance; those critical intersections along the way, which face us with choices for new directions in our thinking, and in our living. At such moments we need to briefly pause, for we have not passed this way before.

Before we move onward we must reflect back upon where we have been; remembering all the way that the Lord our God has led us. For in His leading are the lessons that will hold true all the days of our lives. As we think upon what He has taught us, shown us, done for us and with us-our lives become enriched by memory, and mindful of love that never fails.

With this, we then step across the boundary into anther season, filled with faith and courage. We are also renewed in spirit and adventure, discovering afresh that the way in is also the way on. As He led us, He will still lead us. As He loved us, so He will still love us. And as He has been faithful, so faithful shall he ever be.

The happiest people are those who live their lives enriched by the memory of God’s handiwork throughout their days. Why not pause right now and recall to mind the many undeniable moments throughout your life when the Lord blessed you, loved you, healed you, helped you, saved you, used you-and the list goes on, and on, and on, and on, and on…….

Bob Garsee

Good night!!! JC