Playing in the rain

Last week a box turtle passed through our yard during a rain storm. My kids spotted it and wanted to go out side to look at it. The mothering side of me immediately kicked in and I said no way! It's raining outside. But after a couple seconds of the kids, with there sad face, staring longingly out the window I said well at least put on your rain boots! With giggles and glee they jumped into there boots and headed out the door. They stayed out longer than I thought they would but it was a warm day and they had lots of fun. Plus I got some good pictures for the scrapbook. It's one of those times I'm glad I gave in.

Portobello and Bean burritos

4-8 burrito or flour tortillas

2 c. cooked beans

2 large tomatoes chopped or 4-5 roma tomatoes chopped

2-3 garlic cloves minced or sliced thinly

8 oz. portobello mushrooms( baby bello's or button would do fine) sliced

3-4 scallions(or any kind of onion you have)

3 T. olive oil

1/4-1/2 t. cumin

sea salt

Toppings optional:

Salsa

Sour cream

Pepper jack or cheddar cheese

1. Saute sliced mushrooms and scallions in 1 T. olive oil until mushrooms are soft. About 5 min. on medium heat. Place in a bowl and set aside.

2. In same skillet heat 2 T. olive oil on medium heat then saute garlic for a few seconds. Add beans to skillet with a pinch of salt. Stir and mash them until they are the consistency you like. I mash mine with the back of my cooking spoon until they look like re-fried beans. You could also use a potato masher.

3. Stir together mashed beans, sauteed mushrooms, and the chopped tomatoes. Divide evenly between 4 large burritos or 8 flour tortillas and make a burrito.

4. Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake burritos in a casserole dish for 20min.(I line my casserole with unbleached parchment for easy clean up but you could just spray pan w/olive oil instead.) Optional: top with some salsa and cheese and bake 5 min. more or until cheese is melted.

Variations:

I have made these with half the beans and added a cup of rice. I have used several kinds of rice but I like a red bean and long grain brown rice combo the best. It's also very good with black beans.

Also, you can use many different spice. This works will with chili powder instead of the cumin or even in conjunction with the cumin. Play around with it and find what you like!

Don't forget different vegetables. You can add almost anything. I have sauteed bell peppers with the mushroom and it tastes great.

Creative Chicks: The Best Refried Beans EVER (according to me!)

Creative Chicks: The Best Refried Beans EVER (according to me!) I love beans and so does the rest of my family but I never thought of canning my own! I think I'll get a pressure cooker and try it!

New Swimsuit

I have found that KWIK SEW patterns are way better than the other brands! So simple and easy to use. I'm going find more of these patterns. This is the second swimsuit I have made. This one turned out so much better than the one I made last year. Made it using straight stitch and zigzaged the seams. I use clear swimsuit elastic for the first time. I was so easy to use. All in all I am happy with this one.

It might even fit her next year too. It's a little big every where but not to big to notice.

Here's some more fabric finds. Not sure what I'll make with it but I liked the colors. The pink plaid fabric is a heavy weight cotton almost feels like canvas. I think it would make a great tote bag.

Bargain Shopping

It only cost me $10.00 to give my kitchen a whole new look! I don't understand why people go to walmart when you can just go to a second hand store! Convenience I guess but I love picking up a bag of things for a few dollars even when I don't know what I'll do with it. Just like the shower curtain. Yup that's what's on my table. Looks good huh! The little perpetual calendar is my favorite. We had a little argument over who would change the numbers every day but we fine got that all worked out. And I couldn't pass up the glass milk jar even if it's not an antique. It has a cute cow on one side. hmmm wonder what I'll find next time.

Where Does Your Food Come From? - by Christina Pirello

Where Does Your Food Come From? - by Christina Pirello

Diet Coke and Women’s Heart Health, a Deadly Combination

Diet Coke and Women’s Heart Health, a Deadly Combination