#22 Pork Roast w/ Green Chiles

Dangerously Good / Everyone picks at it before I can get it back into the crock pot
Super Easy / Takes a little time

  This is one of my all time favorites.  It can be used in enchiladas, burritos, or by itself.  The last time I made it we ate it with white rice and beans.  Side, by side, by side.  Super simple :)

1 pork roast (Shoulder with or without bone.  I just get what's on sale.)
1 onion
4-6 cloves of garlic
1 can of fire roasted green chiles
Salt
Pepper
Cumin
1/2 cup of water
1 can of green enchilada sauce (I like Macayos or Old El Paso)

  Rinse off the roast and set aside.  Rough chop the onion and garlic and put them in the crock pot.  Put the roast in add spices, chiles, and water.  Cook on low all day.  Take the roast out and pull it apart. (This is when I take the extra fat off too.)  Strain the juice from the onion, garlic, and chiles and set the juice aside.  Put the meat back into the crock pot and add back some of the juice and part of the enchilada sauce.  (You can also leave out the enchilada sauce until the second dinner.  (*See note)

*NOTE:  For us this lasts for about two dinners.  So the first I only add a little sauce and then I freeze the meat and the rest of the sauce separate for the second time.  This is when I would reheat and add the rest of the enchilada sauce for enchiladas or burritos.


**For home made Green Salsa:

6 tomatillos

2 jalapenos

Put on a cookie sheet and roast them in the broiler

When they are roasted, add to blender w/
1/2 onion
1/2 lemon (just juice)
2 cloves of garlic
Salt to taste

Out!

Passed out after a long day of bike riding in the driveway. Picnic while Daddy was cleaning his motorcycle and cleaning house.

Ethan's Spring Concert

  He was so excited about this concert.  Jared was able to make it to this one and that made Ethan's day.  Everyday leading up to it, he'd ask Jared "Are you excited? Are you excited?" 
  It was a little weird watching him play since it doesn't seem all that long ago when Jared and I were playing in band.  Yep...we were both band geeks!  Don't tell Jared that though :)
  We are all happy that he finally gave in and decided to play percussion.  He started out wanting to play flute.  Don't get me started on the Why? and the, How.In.The.Hell.Did.He.Come.Up.With.That?  He stuck to his guns for the first few weeks of school and realized that we weren't crazy and he really would like drums.  Now I think he gets it;  and he likes it. 
  Doesn't it suck when your parents know you better than you know you?.....Scary thought!  Shhhh don't tell our parents, because I do think there is an age limit on that. :)


Videos to be uploaded shortly.

#21 Cinnamon Toast French Toast

I'm making this bit of deliciousness tonight!  My mouth is watering already....

Cinnamon Toast French Toast

Ratings to come later :)

My tweaks:

I used egg whites (8), ff half & half instead of whole milk, and whole wheat bread.

Ratings:

Pretty Good / Some of the bread was soggy and others were dry. I'll arrange them differently next time; maybe in quarters that way all the bread gets soaked evenly.  But no one complained!!!

Easy / Takes a little time.

Playing Nice

  I guess this is what I get to look forward to for the next 16 years or so. I love that they are playing nice, but can't wait until they can clean up without my help.

#20 Chicken and Roasted Red Potatoes

Chicken & Roasted Red Potatoes
Pretty Good / Ethan said it was good, Jared said it was gross
Easy - takes a little time / It took about 10 minutes to slice and cook everything, then 30 min to marinate the chicken.  Bake for an hour and then add cheese and bake some more.

  I really thought this was a no brainer, chicken, potatoes, bacon, and cheese.  How can that get screwed up?  Leave it to me and if it can be, it will be.
  I think with this one; if I make it again, I'll separate everything out.  Because for some reason following the directions it was watery, which really grossed Jared out.  So next time I'll cook the bacon and drain most of the oil. Saute the onion then add the potatoes till they are golden brown in the bacon pan.  Then grill the chicken on the George Foreman.  Then put it all in a 13x9 and cover with cheese and broil to melt it.  That way the potatoes will be crispy and maybe no watery mess at the bottom.  It should take about the same amount of time if not less.

Layla 7 - 8 Months

Little Miss Layla :)

  You've grown leaps and bounds these past few months.  You still have your chunky little legs and chubby cheeks.  But you've learned so much.  We've gone from the highchair to the booster seat at the kitchen table, taking 1-2 naps a day in the crib, and being a professional scooter on the floor.
  In the walker you run and chase everything and everyone down.  The first thing you do is check for George's water bowl and make a mad dash to tip it over.  Then if the refrigerator is open you run as fast as you can to get the bottles on the bottom shelf.  BBQ sauce, ranch, mustard...you don't care.  Whatever you can grab out of there you walk around the kitchen with it until you drop it and go back for another.
   We've gone from mashed up baby food to mushy chunks and so far so good.  You've learned how to feed yourself and that is a big hit right now.  Breakfast is still applesauce and baby oatmeal, but we've started people food for lunch and dinner.  You still like to be fed, but really like doing it yourself.  When your done, then it's time to play and make a giant mess for George to clean.
  You aren't the best snuggler right now, you are way to busy and don't want to miss anything.  So no more snuggling you to sleep.  But when we are out, you like to be held.  So it's kind of when you feel like it I guess. 
  You give kisses; the big open mouth slobbery sweet baby kisses that make my heart melt just a little each time.  It's very subtle but oh so sweet.

 Gabrielle was feeding you lunch...carrots.  I think you wore more than you ate.  I love that she is such a good big sister.  (Side note:  I love Gabrielle's open mouth as she is trying to get you to take a bite.  Obviously all little Mamas do that!)

 George was helping you clean up.

 You were waiting so patiently for Ethan and Gabrielle to get their face painted so you could sit with the Easter bunny.

 Ethan was taking a break at the park while he was waiting for a swing to open.  Too bad he wasn't looking at the camera, that could have been a cute one!

 But this one is a cute one with you huge smiling face.

 You love our Mimi.  She doesn't love her tail being pulled, or her fur being pulled out, or her ears being tugged on.  But...oh well.  She has learned to just run and hide from you guys.

 You were so proud of yourself.  After chasing her across the bed you finally got her tail.  That is your "WoooHooo" face.

Sleepy Girl

This what happens when you don't take your afternoon nap. You were sleeping before dinner made it on your plate. Sadly Ethan, your Grandma, and I rushed to snap pictures before you passed out.

Sitting up by myself.....Check

My little big girl is growing up way too fast.  Next is full on crawling, walking, talking, and teeth!

Rating System :)

Ok, I think I've got a decent rating system figured out for us.

Dangerously Good  
Super Good
Pretty Good
and the Eh.... not so good
 **I'll also add in the who liked it, who complained, and who didn't from time to time.

And the ease of making it...

Super Easy
Easy
Takes a little time
Takes a lotta time

  I get in phases of crock pot or no crock pot so at times I will cheat and make crock pot meals on the stove or in the crock pot.  It just depends on what kind of day I'm having and when I want to start cooking.  I realize the crock pot is easier and less time cooking overall, but I like to cook so the extra time on some days gives me something to look forward to.

  Also, I look forward to taking pictures of what I make and posting that along with the recipe.  One of these days....

First Time at the Springs Preserve

  Finally a decent place in Vegas for kids. It's nice and open with a lot of interactive things for both of my kids. After being disappointed with the Children's Museum I was so excited I bought a years membership for the family.
 

My little fashion bug

Not only is it her shoe phone it's her earring. AND it lights up! How cool is that :)