Make Your Own | Taco Seasoning

Mexican cuisine is a favorite at hour house. I would venture to say that we eat it 3 or 4 times a month. I like the fact that it's easy, versatile and can be made as a beef, chicken or vegearian dish not to mention the fact that I know it will be eaten without complaint.

Given the amount of taco seasoning we can go through in a months time, I find it easier to make it in bulk than to purchase the seasoning envelopes of it at the grocery store. I haven't calculated the cost but I bet it's cheaper to make my own. Making my own also allows me to know exactly what's in it.

Here's my mix (adapted from The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook):

3 T. chili powder

1 T. salt

1 T. garlic powder

1 1/2 tsp. black pepper

3/4 tsp. ground red pepper

1/2 tsp. cumin

Mix together and store in an airtight container up to 1 month.

To use for tacos, add 2 to 3 tsp. of seasoning to browned ground beef and 3/4 c. water. Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Also works well for seasoning chili.

Egg-cellent

Eating local is all the rage and granted, I'm all for it but it isn't always easy. This weekend I discovered a supplier that will make it possible for me to have fresh eggs delivered weekly.

I'll be purchasing a dozen eggs each week from a local teenage boy. He delivered my first dozen tonight. $1/dozen including delivery. Eating local and supporting a young entrepreneur.

Don't Tell Me You're Bored. I'll Give You Something To Do.

This post originally appeared in June 2008 and in my opinion, is worthy of a repeat. I plan to be using the book mentioned here again as a point of reference this summer.

Have you used that line on your kids before? I know I have. And I'm sure it's been out of frustration. The kids are bored. Nothing to do. Hardly ever the case with moms though, right? "A mother's work is never done." Tell me you're bored and I'll give you a dust rag or a mop.

Several years ago, while visiting the in-laws, I found this book laying on the dresser in the guest room. Coincidence? Were they trying to tell Lawman and me something? Doesn't matter. It caught my attention. So much so that I asked them if I could take it with me when I left. They obliged. (Although I'm sure what they were thinking was "SCORE!")

Turns out that I've used this book as a point of reference time and time again ever since. And, most often in the summer as it seems that's when it's easier for me to FOCUS on the tasks at hand.

As a freshman in college, I remember a specific encounter with another gal in the laundry room. It was early in the semester, maybe 2 weeks since the start of classes, and many of us had ventured to the laundry room to put in a load or two. This particular gal I am remembering, had apparently never had to do her own laundry. She hadn't the slightest idea where to start. She asked me for help. I'm sure I gave her a wide-eyed look like, "What? You're kidding, right?" Well, being the good samaritan that I am, I showed her how to sort, start the washer, etc. Within 10 minutes she had her undies in the washer and gave a sigh of relief.

Shame on her mama for allowing that to happen! What had she been doing for 18 years with that girl at home? Didn't she ever have chores to do?

Sadly, that's the way of life for many young people all across America and the world today. They are catered to in their own homes and never taught a single life-skill. How in the world can we, as parents, expect our children to be productive citizens of society if they can't even boil water or do a load of laundry?

Are you still with me? Back to the book.

This book is about teaching skills to our children. Yes, skills. Simple skills. It indicates that by the time a child is 11 they should be able to perform many household tasks on their own. Did you catch that? BY AGE 11.

Since finding this book about 6 years ago I've referred to the list of age appropriate skills at least a million times. And I did so again just last week. I even asked our youngest daughter, who will turn 12 in another week, to read what skills she should be able to do. After she read them I asked her if she thought she could successfully complete everything that was listed. She thought there were some things that she probably needed practice on so we made our goals for the summer. Here's what she will be working on.


Cooking from a recipe;

Laundry and;

Sewing on a button.


It's no wonder she needs practice with sewing on a button. She doesn't see her mother do that very often!


Since that episode in the dormitory laundry room years ago, I vowed that I wouldn't allow my children to be in that predicament. The cooking and laundry will be easy skills to work on as those things happen on a daily basis at our house. As for the sewing on of a button....well, we'll see about that.

The Summer Bucket List

It is officially summer at our house. There are always many activities that we'd like to do during the summer months but it seems that before we know it, it's time to get ready for back-to-school and we haven't crossed very many activities off the list.

I suggested to the girls that we make a list. A summer bucket list -- all the things we want to do before summer is over. They were all for it.

Sunday evening I got out the supplies and Madison took the initiative to make the list for us. Alison and I gave her ideas but she put them on paper.

Now our list is hanging in the kitchen as a daily reminder to take time each week to do at least one activity. Some activities are very simple and don't require any supplies or expense. I'm not promising that we'll cross everything off but we've already done the camping (of course, the girls said our trip this weekend didn't really count as it was done pre-list) and we've got tickets to the Royals baseball game next weekend. That will be 2 down and 20 to go.

Do you have a summer bucket list? What's on yours? I'd love to hear your plans.

Packin' Up & Checkin' Out

Holiday weekend fast approaching. Much preparation to be done for the first camping trip of the season. I'm packin' up & checkin' out. See you after the break.

Occupational Hazard

Some folks are lucky. They have work days that feel like play days.

To most boys, big or little, it looks like fun.




Black eye doesn't mean a fist fight. Green paint doesn't have anything to do with Shrek. Muddy boots and pants equates to running through mud puddles.

For Lawman, it's an occupational hazard. A play day too. For me, it means laundry.

Satisfied

Some days, things just go right. Yesterday I had a very busy schedule and all day I was dreading spending my evening at a meeting. Shame on me. Things worked out fine and I got much done before AND after my meeting.

~ Start laundry ~ Go to Work ~ Stain Deck (Lawman, thank you!) ~ Banking ~ Work in yard ~ Prep for Meeting ~ Piano Lesson ~ Go to Meeting ~ More laundry ~ Pay Bills ~ Balance Checkbook ~ File Paperwork ~ Read in Bed ~

You'll notice that family isn't included in my list. Turns out I was without them as Lawman had training and the girls went to the last high school baseball game. Hence the reason for making the most of my time.

Yes, we do make a difference.

It's the time of year when many young people are moving on to that next phase of life. For some it is college, others choose to serve in the armed forces, some enter the work force while others have yet to decide what their next move will be.

We've had the opportunity this weekend to share in celebrations with several young people and their families. I've enjoyed reflecting on our relationships with these kids and their families and how we've connected.

Some connections were made years ago. Some just a few months ago.

Throughout the weekend we saw many of the same faces over and over again. I've shared here before that we live in a small community so we know a large percentage of the population. This weekend it was obvious that we are a tight-knit community and that yes, we do make a difference in the lives of our young people. All the more reason to be more aware of the decisions I make, the words I say, and the actions I take because people are watching.

Welcome to the Big Top. Catnip served here.

I learned something about our cat last night. He apparently thinks our home is the Big Top. And, he's the star of the show. His specialty is acrobatics.

Here's how I came to know this.

This weekend, Lawman and I made a trip to the local greenhouse. While there I purchased flowers and herbs to plant in pots for our front porch and our deck. I love the smell of peppermint and spearmint (they're also good in tea) so I bought one of each. Next to them was catnip.

You know where this is going, right?

In my moment of kindness (weakness is more like it ), I suggested we buy catnip to put in with the spearmint and peppermint and see if our cat liked it.

The pots have been on the deck since Saturday but he only discovered it last night.

It's like a drug. Did you know that? I swear my cat is a druggie. A circus druggie. Living in my big top.

As soon as he got one whiff of that plant, (or was it taste?), he was hooked. He did back flips. Somersalts. He contorted his body just to get closer to it. He nearly laid in my pot. It was so funny that I hollered at the rest of the family to come watch this.

Next year I'm going to do an entire pot of just catnip. Cat will be stoned all summer.

Kitchen Help

Lawman and I have known for some time that we needed new kitchen help. The old help just wasn't getting the job done anymore. During the past 5 or 6 months, we've done a lot of shopping, asking questions and research.

We finally agreed on the new help and she arrived today. She arrived before I got home from work and as luck would have it, the kitchen was a mess when I walked in. But I knew it would be worth it.

I'm of the opinion that new appliances constitute a major purchase. Not something I can just go buy on a whim. And, since we knew for some time that this purchase was going to be unavoidable, we planned for it. That translates to paid for in cash.

The dirty dishes were promptly loaded into the new help upon the departure of the installation dude.

I then read the instruction manual, sat on the floor and admired this new help.

Trust me when I say that she's going to get a workout in this house.

Run, Madison, Run

This spring we spent at least a day a week at the track. As spectators.

It's been a rule in our house that during jr. high, the girls must participate in at least two school sponsored sports.

Madison had it in her head that this rule wouldn't apply to her. Did she think that since it'd been 2 years since her sister was in jr. high that we had forgotten this rule? Much to her regret, we remembered. She signed up for track.

I think she was surprised how much she enjoyed it. I know. During enrollment she indicated that she plans to participate in volleyball and track next year.

I think one of our responsibilities as parents it to encourage our kids to try new things, even if it means pushing them outside of their comfort zone. If I don't encourage her to expand her horizons, who will?

A Cabinet Full of Flavor

Recently I went through all of my spices and checked the expiration date. Yes, they do have one. I was surprised to find that I had more than a few that were well past their prime.

I purchased a few new replacements and wondered if there would be an easier way to be aware of their expiration dates.

I found my answer. My sharpie marker. I labeled the lid with the month and year that I purchased the spice. This should be easy to track.

What's in your spice cabinet?

Seasonal Foods | Strawberries

I try to serve seasonal foods when possible. Currently fresh strawberries are an easy item to add to the shopping list.

Here's an easy and tasty salad using this spring fruit, courtesy of my friend, Sarah.

In a blender combine 1/3 c. sugar, 2T seasame seed, 1 1/2 tsp. chopped onion, 1 T poppy seed, 1/4 tsp. paprika, 1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 c. canola oil, and 1/4 c. cider vinegar. It will be thick; add a little more vinegar or oil if needed.

Toss with 1 lb. fresh spinach, 1 pt. fresh strawberries (halved) and 1/2 c. slivered almonds.

Simple. Seasonal. Delicious.

Sewing 101

We're not living in the 80's anymore. How do I know? Well, the class that you take in school to learn how to sew, cook, balance a checkbook and all things domestic is no longer called Home Economics. It's now FACS -- Family and Consumer Science. I think that change occurred about the same time Secretaries became Administrative Assistants, Housewives became Domestic Engineers, all things had to have a fancy name.



I took Home Ec. I had to sew a skirt and blouse. That I never wore mind you unless you count the 'fashion show' we had to do at school. There was nothing fashionable about my outfit either. Probably why I'm not a fashion designer.



In today's FACS class you get to sew something that you'll use. Like a drawstring tote bag.







How cute is that? And usable!



I think I may need to check the local ads for a used sewing machine. Makes me want to get busy and stitch. Or maybe I should just let my daughter make one for me.

Menu Plan Monday

I fell off the menu wagon a few weeks ago but I'm back on it as of today. Life sure is a whole lot easier if I take the time to come up with a menu, make a grocery list and then go shop. There's something about having all the ingredients on hand and knowing what I'm going to cook when I get home that I find a lot of comfort in.

May is a very busy month for us due to it being the last month of school, plenty of high school and college graduations plus their parties to attend, and swim team starts the last week. I've got lots of extra activities and meetings on the calendar so I'm not sure how much time I'll have to commit to this here blog. When life gets busy and something has to give, it's usually the blog that lands at the bottom of the list.

Rather than posting my menu for one week, I'm going to provide a list of the meals that I have ingredients on hand for.

Polenta with smoked sausage and roasted peppers;

Rice & Bean Tostadas;

Taco Salad;

MooShu Style Pork, Rice, Cream Cheese Wontons;

Spicy Baked Tilapia and Oven Fries;

Asian Style Noodles with Chicken and vegetables (thin style spaghetti cooked with julienned veggies and I'll add cooked chicken to it. The sauce will be made with peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic and asian style chili sauce.);

Pork Taco Wraps;

Salmon Cucumber Sandwiches;

Chicken & Broccoli Lo Mein

Grilled Burgers with the works;

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus on Pitas, Fresh Veggies;

Parmesan Baked Chicken, Spinach & Strawberry Salad

Every Monday you can find hundreds of menu ideas at Organizing Junkie.

Music Strikes a Chord

Today was band day for the jr. high. Since a jr. high girl lives in our house and plays the clarinet, you know where I spent a portion of my day.

Typically, it is something I don't look forward to.

Today I was pleasantly surprised at what I heard at their performance.

The music moved me. Nearly to tears.

Yes, I kid you not.

Their first number was a rendition of a childhood hymn ~ Jesus Loves Me.

I couldn't believe the reaction I had to their music. It was lovely.

I've been known to have damp eyes during our worship services while we are singing. I don't know what it is about the words of certain songs that chokes me up so. My girls don't understand it. Nor do I always. I do know it's about my relationship with Him. Something that I can't always put into words. A more accurate statement might be that my words don't begin to do justice.

As I was listening to today's music, it reminded me of a poem I read yesterday. I leave you with a portion of that poem. If you'd like to read the poem in it's entirety, go here.

Why is it that music

At its most beautiful

Opens a wound in us

An ache a desolation

Deep as a homesickness

For some far-off

And half-forgotten country