Number Two is 20!

This fall was a little busy but we always make time for dinner, even if it’s a little late.    

Happy 20th Birthday Reagan! 

And just for fun we had Emma and Joe practice cutting cake. They did just fine, I think they can get married. 

The tradition (balloons on the floor) continues!!

Coach Walker and his Husker soccer team were on the east coast over the weekend of Regs’ 20th birthday so I made a quick little trip to Lincoln to decorate her house. 

White Chili

I have to tell you about our amazing dinner tonight. A few months ago the girls' school had a chili tasting event.  That night I tasted some fantastic White Chili and have been wanting to get the recipe since then but have not done it.  Finally tonight I went to AllRecipes.com and found this one.  As with all things I tweeked it just a little but this has become a family favorite after just one meal. Click HERE for an easy, yummy dinner.

Here are a few of my alterations:
1. I used part of a whole cooked chicken, not just the breasts
2. I did not use the cayenne pepper because our family is whimpy
3. I used 3 cans of beans because that is all I had and did not have time to soak dried beans.
4. I added about half a brick of cream cheese before adding the beans
5. I had some parmesean and mozz cheese instead of Monterey Jack.
6. I also smashed some of the beans so the soup would be thicker.

Next time I will try it without the cream cheese.  No need to add the dairy or calories.

Happy Eating~

Teacher Gifts

Using yesterday's recipe for Reese Peanut Butter Bars, I created a tasty little valentine's gift for the girls' teachers.  Turns out, I had so much that I gave it to the janitors, our chiropractor and staff, grandparents and several neighbors.  This snack is super yummy and just as easy to make.  Funny how you make something so easy and people think you are some kind of Betty Crocker.  :)  Even though it's full of sugar this snack is better for you homemade than store bought.  I used organic ingrediants and cut the sugar in half.  Still it was so rich you could eat only one piece. (Chris said he had 5 today.)

Do you know Quinoa?  Are you a fan?  We love quinoa but only because we "doctor" it up.  Quinoa (keen*wa) can be used when ever you would serve rice or pasta.  It is a healthy alternative and delicious.

Using my rice cooker....
1 1/3 cups quinoa
2 cups broth (I used homemade chicken broth to avoid MSG and other yucky stuff in store bought)
I'm not sure how long I cooked it, probably around 35 minutes

In a skillet I lightly sauteed onion, red bell pepper and zuchini. I added garlic, salt, pepper and sweet basil. Do not over cook, veggies should not be mushy. I did mushrooms in a seperate pan so the girls wouldn't complain.

I added all the ingrediants together plus about a cup of leftover black beans

Add a fresh veggie salad and you've got a healthy happy meal.  The girls all loved it.

Love Is In The Air

Happy Valentines Day!

Valentine's Day is a little bitter sweet for me, mostly because I often have unattainable expectations of my amazing husband.  The good thing is that I am fully aware of those expectations.  Poor guy, huh?  So as I prepare for the holiday that says "I love you" with cards and gifts I am trying to figure out what to do for the guy who does not celebrate the holiday.  Remember from previous posts, one of my love languages is gifts so I just have to give Chris something.  Lucky for me, one of Chris' love languages is eating.  (I made that up.)  Since he has a love affair not only with his wife but with peanut butter the girls and I are making these yummy Reese's Peanut Butter Bars for daddy. The recipe is from OurBestBites.com which I found on a new friend's blog, Brandi.


No Bake Reese's Peanut Butter Bars
1 1/2 C graham cracker crumbs
1 lb (3 1/2 C) powdered sugar
1 1/2 C creamy peanut butter
1 C (2 sticks) real butter, melted
1 12oz bag chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark, you pick!)
2 tsp shortening (or use more peanut butter)


In a large mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar and peanut butter and butter and beat until combined. Press into a parchment (or waxed paper or foil) lined 9x13 pan.

Place chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring after each one, until melted and smooth. Pour chocolate over peanut butter mixture and spread out evenly. Place pan in the fridge just until chocolate is set and then cut into bars. Tip: If the bars chill until the chocolate is too hard to easily cut, use a sharp knife and score the cuts first, then gently cut through. Can be stored in the fridge or at room temp. They will stay firmer if stored in the fridge.



There are other signs of love in our home and I'm not sure how I feel about it.  Why do kids have to grow up?  There was a day not too long ago that they all had chubby cheeks and nothing brought them more joy than their toys and hugs from mommy and daddy.  *sigh* 

However, the greatest love affair known to man is the one God so generously shares with each of us.  Why can we accept the love of a human who is flawed in so many ways but struggle to accept the free, no strings attached love of the creator who is perfect in every way?  My prayer for you tonight is that if you don't already know that love seek it out or comment on my blog and we can have a private conversation.  You are as precious as gold.

Blessings to each and every one of you visiting my blog today. 
Melanie