Being Content

My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.

Paula’s Recipe of the Month: April 2009
Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas

This is a recipe that I got from Tina several years ago.  It’s actually in The Martin Cookbook, for those of you that may have it.  They are one of Wynn’s favorites.  He even requested that I make them for his birthday meal this week.  Enjoy!

Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas

• 3/4 lb. chicken breasts, cubed (I use two)
• 3 slices bacon
• 1 1/2 cups picante sauce, divided
• 1 (16 oz) can black beans, undrained
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
• 12 flour tortillas (7 inch)
• 1 1/2 cups monterey/jack cheese (I use a mexican blended cheese)

Cut chicken into small pieces, saute until done.  Cook bacon until crisp, crumble and set aside.  Add 1/2 cup picante sauce, black beans, bell pepper, cumin and salt to chicken.  Simmer 7 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.  Stir in green onions and crumbled bacon.  Spoon 1/3 cup mixture down center of each tortilla; top with 1 Tbsp. cheese.  Roll up filled tortilla and place seam side down in a lightly greased 9×13 pan.  Repeat until you have 12 enchiladas.  Spoon remaining picante sauce over enchiladas (this is optional:  Wynn and I actually prefer them without the extra picante sauce, because we like the tortillas to get crispy). Bake at 350 for approximately 15 minutes.  Top with remaining cheese; bake an additional 3 minutes.

Paula’s tip:  I always make these in the morning and refrigerate, then pop them in the oven for about 30 minutes.  Just make sure to preheat the cold casserole dish with the oven as it preheats. 

Any way you count it!

1 year

12 months

52 weeks

365 days

8,766 hours

525,600 minutes

31,536,000 seconds

What ever way that you count it – this past year has been a time that we all haved missed Granny. Rather it is when we drive by her apartment building (yes it will always be “HER” apartment) or seeing a cookbook, hearing a song, seeing a hand made item,  finding a card that she sent you – with her hand drawn smiling face with curling hair, or it be the love of family. We have all missed Granny.

I miss our talks – never once did she fail to ask about Pete and Whitney. I visited her gravesite yesterday – as I do so many many times. It was sad to drive up and see the beautiful headstone – with no flowers. I had taken some to put there. To me it is disrepectable to not have flowers there for Granny, maybe that is just my thoughts.

Last night was difficult, home alone, late, dark, Pete was on graveyard – just like he was exact same time last year. I was thinking that just a short year ago Granny was with us. What does this next year hold for each of us.

Granny I know that you know this , but you are one loved little Granny. Hugs to you.

500th Post

Whitney’s daily quote for April 21st was the 500th posting, and it happened to be on the day that Granny has been gone a year.

Life’s Best Prize

Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

Happy Spring!!

Brave Spirit

The miracle, or the power, that elevates the few is to be found in their industry, application, and perseverance under the promptings of a brave, determined spirit.

Having Patience

Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.  Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedy them – every day begin the task anew.

Conquering All Things

Energy and persistence conquer all things.

Happy Birthday

Whitney Lynn- I hope your birthday was lots of fun. I am so lucky to be your Mother