Enchildadas

Every woman should have a recipe that is a no-fail.  It can be easy or hard but always delicious. 

It is the one you pull out for company.  My family loves pretty much any form of rice, beans & cheese.  This recipe is easily doubled for a crowd pleaser. 

They freeze well for later use if you decide to make a BIG batch.  Enjoy!

Enchiladas

Sauce

4 Tbsp butter

5 Tbsp-1/2 cup chili powder

1/3 cup flour

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp oregano

2 C chicken broth

1 (8oz) tomato sauce

Melt butter in pan.  In separate bowl, mix dry ingredients.  In another bowl or measuring cup, mix broth & tomato sauce.  Slowly add to butter & mix as you go.  Stir constantly and it will be come crumbly.  Very slowly, add broth mix and you will have a thick, tasty sauce.  You can pour this in a slow cooker or use it right away.

Tortillas

10-12 wheat tortillas

2 cans refried beans

2-3 cups shredded cheese

We do the tortilla part of this in an assembly line.   Lay out all the tortillas.  Heat beans in microwave & then place about 2-3 T beans on tortilla.  Smooth out over whole tortilla & sprinkle with cheese.  Roll tortilla up & place in a 9x13 baker.  Repeat for each tortilla & then top with sauce, more cheese & sliced olives if desired.

Serve with shredded lettuce, sour cream & brown rice.

Saving Money on School Books

I have found in the past few days that when all you can do is sit then you start to think. . .

then you start making PLANS

for when you WILL be able to get up and do stuff.

Right now about all I can do is homeschool basics(math, science, English, spelling).   So I am planning to chug through quite a bit of our lessons(and maybe catch up a bit from our time off) in the next 3 weeks. 

January & February are always FULL of school – because we cannot be outside much.  I take that back we are inside because I don’t like the cold we just don’t go outside much.  We get more school done when Mommy isn’t distracted by the nice weather out the window.

Today I am planning our History for the next few weeks.  This is a bit more complicated by the fact that I am not sure when I will be able to drive again(arg) and make it to the library.  So I need to get some books on hold for errand boy dear hubby to pick up on his lunch hours.  He is sweet that way.  

Saving money on school books

We save a  TON of money by utilizing our nearby libraries.  Our local(15 minutes away) library is pretty good but doesn’t always carry biographies that we want or older books.  So we make a trip to our state capital’s city library(30 minutes away) to get books from that more conservative(yeah!) library.   This keeps me from blowing my curriculum budget on just books.  That way we can have science projects and math books too—although some would rather just buy books. 

I admit it I am raising bookworms.  Hmmmm I wonder where they got that trait from(wink).

So they like that the majority of our History lessons involve a book.  Not a text book but a fiction book that masterfully weaves the history in to a story. 

Love the sound of that? 

Well starting next week I will be posting our plans for reading for the next week—and a write up about the books we are reading.  Mostly about History but not always.  This is an effort keep me honest & accountable.  We often get lost in books & don’t keep on track.  I need the push of posting it here. 

I am hoping to host a link up about making plans—my first—not just about books either.  Advice on that is sure welcome!

But for this week . . .what are you making lists and planning for in the next few weeks coming up?

For more Money Saving Monday tips to to Family Friendly Frugality

Cuddled up

My normal posts are about homeschooling, DIY projects, my kids & daily life.  I am feeling like I am more focused on me here lately but I guess  that is normal when you have surgery.  For now recover IS daily life.

I am amazed at how much effort it takes to heal.  My heart goes out to people who have major surgery.  Mine was just out patient and it has seriously knocked me flat for the last five days. 

This morning(and last night) I was a bit down that I couldn’t go to church.  I knew it would be too much.  Hoping around on crutches from the bathroom to the living room is sometimes too much.  The pain in my shoulders, back & hip just drains what little energy I have out & back to the recliner I go.  So this morning we got the 3 oldest kids out the door but Steve, Joshua & I stayed home.  Joshua & Steve have a cold and I think Steve didn’t want to leave me here alone. 

I appreciated that. 

It also let me tackle the whole taking a shower situation.  That was interesting let me tell you.  Thank you Cindy for finding me a shower bench!!!!

I am getting good at balancing on one leg in pretty much any situation.  Tires out my muscles pretty quickly though.  I have a couple of stools around(bathroom & kitchen) to perch on so I don’t have to stand while I brush my teeth or help in the kitchen. 

I got to make oatmeal this morning.  Seems pretty silly to be happy about that but I was thrilled to get to help with something. 

However after all that activity I am cuddled back in my recliner for the afternoon with a couple of blankets & my computer.  The fun machine that pumps ice water in to a pad that rests across my hip makes me cold so between the blanket & the heat from my computer I am not too cold. 

If you know me I don’t like to be cold. 

I think I need to find my slippers though.  And maybe take a nap.

Delurking Day!

Hey all you lurkers out there!

That means YOU!  I love to hear what people think of my blog but I know most days you are busy busy busy!  Today is delurking day so I am calling all of you to comment so I know you are out there. 

I am going to make it FUN for you. 

I am stuck at home recuperating so I have some time on my hands.  Reading books, working on crafts & watching movies are going to be my sanity savers for the next few weeks.

So . . . .

tell me your favorite book or movie.  The one you read/watch over and over again!  Remember this is a family friendly blog so make sure your comments are okay for little people to read.  Thanks!

Join in the fun & tell me some thing fun about you and if you like/dislike Day to Day Adventures!

I will start  . . . .

I love anything written by Lori Wick but my favorite book by her is Pretense.  I have probably read it 10 times or more.  Anyone like her too?

Playing games & being Lazy!

It’s over.  Surgery is done.  Tuesday was a haze.  Drugs work well on me & I don’t really have a memory of real pain.  I know there was some because Steve told me I was NOT a happy camper coming out of La La Land.

But we made it home and I haven’t budged since then.

The most amazing thing(why I am amazed I don’t know) is that I don’t have much pain.  Sure my arms hurt from the crutches & my good leg is sore from being the weight bearing leg.  I’ve had so many people praying for me and my recovery that I know God is answering our prayers!

But considering the doctor tacked down a piece of torn cartilage & shaved off some bone that was causing the tear I should have some pain.  But I just don’t.  As my “nurses”—Steve & Michael have helped me they were really scared of hurting my leg.  It just hasn’t been a problem.

I wasn’t sure about laying down flat so I slept in the recliner for the first two nights.  But last night I got to hop down the hallway to my bedroom and lay down on my bed.  It was heavenly and I didn’t move all night.  Best night of sleep I’ve had in a while.

Joshua has been keeping me company this morning & we’ve been playing Blink.  I love lazy days of playing games.  I love not being in constant nagging pain.  I love my family & the great way they are taking care of me. 

For other Finer Things check out Amy’s Finer Things