When I eat beans, I sit in my own little cloud...

So, we had some good Mexi food on Cinco de Mayo. I'm not sure why I celebrate it; just an excuse to eat more Mexican food, I guess. But I found these wicked good recipes for refried beans (Kyle's fave) and chicken tostadas with avocado salsa. SOOOOO good! I thought I'd share.

Refried beans:
2 lbs. dried pinto beans
3 garlic cloves, chopped
3 beef boullion cubes (I used chicken flavor and it still tasted good)
1 T. salt
2 c. grated cheese
1/2 c. mild Taco Bell sauce (grab some from the restaurant, or they sell it in a jar at the store)

Soak beans overnight. Rinse and put in large crockpot. Cover with water and add garlic, boullion, and salt. Cook on high 6 hrs or until soft enough to mash. Drain off water about 2 inches below beans. Mix 1/2 beans with electric mixer and other half in blender until very smooth. Combine both with large spoon and add cheese and sauce.

Chicken Tostadas:
2 T. vegetable oil
2 lb. chicken tenders
1 clove minced garlic
1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles, drained
1/2 c. sour cream

In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken tenders and cook for about 10 min or until cooked through. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds. Add green chiles and sour cream; stir well. Cook over low heat until hot.
Fry up some small tortillas and top with shredded lettuce, chicken cheese, tomatoes, and avocado salsa.

Avocado salsa:
3 T. oil (this was a bit much for me, you might want to tone it down)
2 T. lime or lemon juice
1/2 t. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and chopped
1 tomato, chopped

Combine all ingredients and stir. Cover and refrigerate for at least and hour.

dang turd buckets!

I just need to vent for a second. My car got broken into. The stereo got stolen, along with an emergency car kit from the trunk. I'm baffled! Why on earth would anyone break into a 20 year old car to steal a 7 year old CD player and some jumper cables? Little turds. I hope they rot.

Venting finished. Good day.

My Cute Tiny Boy

I know, I know. It's been a while. Sorry! But here are some cute pics that I had taken for Kyle's first birthday.

Happy Day for Me!

I got an iPod! I have been wanting one for a really long time, and we got more back from our tax return than we thought we would, so I decided to splurge and get one. YAY! The only problem is that I don't completely know what I am doing with it. I do have iTunes on my computer with most of my music on it, so I was able to get my faves onto the iPod. What I don't know is the finer points of using it, downloading songs, podcasts, etc.

Now, I know a lot of you have iPods, and I need some tips. Anyone have advice for me? Ooh, and can I charge it on a computer that doesn't have iTunes?

Thanks in advance!

Recipe for Lars

As per Laura's tag, I am putting one of our favorite recipes up for all to enjoy! Kyle loves this one, too, but mostly because it has beans in it, and he LOVES beans.

QUICK MEXICAN DINNER

1 lb. ground beef or turkey
1 envelope of Spanish rice mix
1 can of Ranch Beans (appetite pleasin'!)

While browning the meat, cook the rice according to directions. When the meat is browned and drained, add the cooked rice to it and add the beans (undrained). Heat through.
Use this like taco filling in taco shells or tortillas, and top with cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and whatever else you like. It makes a ton, and is really good left over for taco salads!

My little sinister boy

Yesterday I was playing with Kyle and taking pictures, and after I transferred them to the computer, I noticed that he was making this little devilish face a lot. I thought it was funny, and hopefully you do too!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KYLE!

I know I'm a week late, but Kyle's 1st birthday was on February 6th. I can't believe he's so big already! We had a fun little party for him that evening with both sets of grandparents and some of his aunts and uncles and cousins. He had a little glum face the whole time. The only time he smiled was when we were singing "Happy Birthday" to him (he loves being sung to!).

He is so funny and growing up so fast. I know it sounds so cliche, but I really can't imagine my life without him. LOVE YOU, KYLE!