chai, how are you?

I love chai lattes from Starbucks, however, at a few bucks a pop, I decided to check out what the grocery store had to offer. I found this product by TAZO! I believe it was only $3.46. It's REALLY good and so easy to make...one part milk to one part chai. I'm happy about the ingredients too, no extra additives or preservatives! Yay!

This is the perfect hot drink for a rainy day! This would definately be a great drink for Fall with the cinnamony and ginger undertones.

Yum! So smooth and mild! Give it a try! It always makes me feel so GOOD!

My Favorite Mexican Rice Dish

For 55 cents, you can turn boring rice into delicious, yummy, rice! First, you need to go to Aldi's and buy a can of their diced tomatoes and green chilies. I cannot believe how flavorful it is!!..and for only 55 cents!! how can you beat that!!

For the rice, I used one bag of Uncle Ben's "boil in the bag" brown rice. After the rice cooks, add a few tablespoons of the tomatoes and chilis, a little of the juice from the can, a few dashes garlic powder, a nice dose of salt and some fresh chopped cilantro. Give it a taste and you will be in 7th heaven! (what and where is 7th heaven, I cannot tell you...but this rice has taken me there!)

I created this concoction the other day while planning a Mexican dinner. I almost bought a box of Spanish rice, until I read the list of ingredients on the box! It was a mile long! no thank you! When I spotted the cans of tomatoes and chilis I thought to myself, I can make this myself!! Later, when I tasted the tomatoes and chilis straight out of the can , it was a little on the spicy side, but absolutely DELICIOUS!! But don't worry...once you add it to the rice, it evens out the heat very nicely. Anyways, I could have eaten the entire batch of rice, and wished I had made more. If you have a hungry family that likes a little spice and loves Mexican food, you will probably want to boil up 2 or 3 bags. The one can of tomatoes and chilis is plenty for three bags. I made another batch of rice the next day and found there to still be enough to make yet another batch. As far as the cilantro goes, I am lucky enough to have some in my freezer from last year's garden. If you have to buy some, a batch of fresh cilantro only costs about 70 cents. (wash, pat dry, use what you need and freeze the rest in a Ziploc bag for future use.)

Mother's Day

Wow! I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up this morning! The kids, along with Stan's help, brought me Mother's Day breakfast in bed. Everything was so delicious...eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles with whipped cream and maple syrup, a donut, coffee and orange juice. HOLY COW! Can you believe it, I ate it all!! I was really impressed! Thank you sooo much guys!!

I don't have a picture of the food that the kids brought me, but here is the loverly tray they used to bring me breakfast. I even said to them "Oh my gosh! Did you take a picture! It's so beautiful!" Anyhow, I wasn't about to ask them to run and get my camera! They put up with enough photo taking as it is!!

Easton made this sweet little sentiment in school. I LOVE the projects they do in school! Easton told me that for the letter "O", he had written "opposite of stupid". Hilarious! But...the teacher said "hmmmm, no." He told me "well, you are the opposite of stupid! You're smart!" Thanks Easton!

Here's the card Everest gave me. When you open it, there is a little recording inside that says:

click arrow to hear recording

Easton gave me a pretty little flower pot

with some pretty little flowers

tucked inside a cute little white lunch bag. This was also made at school.

Everest gave me a new pair of sunglasses

for my trip to Florida next weekend.

My son Easton

My son Everest

It was a good Mother's Day!

Rubik's Cube...you've been OWNED!!

The Rubik's Cube....a lonely unsolved puzzle collectiong dust on my son's shelf! Glancing over at the cube I said, "ya know Everest, you can get on YouTube and find a tutorial on how to solve that thing. They will show you step by step what to do." In an instant, he jumped up, grabbed the Rubik's Cube and headed downstairs to the computer. Ok....he'll be entertained for the next 10 hours!

Deep concentration, and grunts of frustration!

Lots of trial and error!

Including, but not limited to, the HURLING of the cube...and the STOMPING off up the stairs to his bedroom!

YES!! HE DID IT!!
TOTAL SATISFACTION AND PRIDE!!

SUPA STAHHH!!

That's what I'm talkin' bout!

The End!

Asparagus Frittata

OK....so everyone I talk to always freaks out about how much they love asparagus! and I am thinking..."I don't get it." I've had it a few times, but was never really that impressed. I have been told that IF it is prepared correctly...and IF the asparagus stalks are nice and thin...I would LOVE it! Ok...I will believe anyone with a convincing face! I will give asparagus another try.

One day, while leafing through Hobby Farm Home magazine, I found an article called "Help! The Hens Are Laying" (meaning...lots of eggs and what's a girl to do!) Alongside the article was a recipe for Asparagus Frittata. Scanning the recipe, I was very intrigued, so I decided to give it a whirl! I am so glad I did! Not only have I gained a new appreciation for asparagus, but I was also FORCED to buy a cast iron skillet to make this recipe. (I have been putting off buying one forever!) Have a look!! Maybe you will be inspired to drag out your Mamma's old cast iron skillet and whip up this great meal! Don't forget, frittatas aren't just for breakfast! They make a wonderful dinner!!

Just so you have an idea of what we're talking about, here is a picture of the finished product cut into wedges served up with some crisp bacon.

Definition of a frittata: an egg based dish, similar to an omelette or quiche.


Let's Get Started!

Ok, first thing...prep the asparagus! Wash your asparagus and hold each spear at the bottom with one hand. With your other hand, hold the tip of the spear and gently bend the top of the asparagus down until it snaps. Discard the bottoms, this is the tough part of the spear.

Now that we got that out of the way...

Start by chopping 1 "bunch" asparagus, 1 small onion, and 2 cups fresh spinach. Measure out 1/2 cup cottage cheese and 1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese and set aside.

Beat 5 eggs in a bowl and set aside.

Preheat oven broiler.
Next, heat 2 Tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil in an oven proof frying pan. Here's where the cast iron skillet comes into play! But, any OVEN PROOF skillet will work.
Add onions to pan and cook over medium heat until softened.

Next add asparagus and saute until tender approx. 5-8 minutues.

Add spinach to pan and toss until wilted.

Add cottage cheese and mix well.

Next, sprinkle the mixture with HALF of the swiss cheese.

Pour the beaten eggs into the pan. Season nicely with salt and pepper.

Cook mixture over medium-low heat WITHOUT STIRRING until eggs are almost set. Eggs will still be runny in the center. Remove from heat and sprinkle with remaining swiss cheese.

Place in broiler to finish cooking. Cook approx. 3 to 5 minutes.

Keep a close eye when cooking in the broiler. If possible, set broiler on low temp.

Eggs will be completely cooked, and frittata will be light golden when done.

Allow to cool a few minutes and cut into wedges. Serve warm.

Mmmmmm!!! Yummy!!! This even tastes great leftover!!!