Recipe Monday

I have been wanting to start my own cooking blog, but with three kids I really have no free time to work on one. I decided that I would post a recipe here every monday. It will be a great way for me to keep track of our favorite recipes or new recipes that we have tried.

The first recipe I am going to post is Crockpot Beef Tamale Pie. After we were married I asked Curbris what he wanted me to cook one night and he said tamale pie. His dad made it growing up and it was his favorite. I had never even heard of tamale pie, so I began the search for a good recipe that would compare to his dad's. After trying a few recipes I came across this one and it became a favorite at our house. It doesn't quite compare to his dad's, but it is a close second. The best thing about this recipe is that it is done in the crockpot, so you can start it in the morning and it is done by dinner time.

I found this recipe at busycook.about.com.

Crockpot Beef Tamale Pie

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours

Ingredients:
•1 lb. lean ground beef
•1 onion, chopped
•2 cloves garlic, minced
•15 oz. can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
•10 oz. can enchilada sauce
•6 oz. pkg. corn muffin mix
•1/3 cup milk
•2 Tbsp. oil
•1 egg
•1 cup shredded Colby cheese
•4 oz. can chopped green chilies, undrained
•1/2 cup sour cream
•1/2 cup salsa
•1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

In nonstick skillet, cook ground beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is cooked. Drain thoroughly and stir in drained kidney beans and enchilada sauce. Pour into 4-5 quart crockpot.
In large bowl, mix together corn muffin mix, milk, oil and egg just until combined. Then add cheese and chilies, including chili liquid. Spoon over beef in crockpot.
Cover crockpot and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until a toothpick inserted in the corn bread mixture comes out clean. In small bowl combine sour cream, salsa, and cilantro; serve with pie.
4 servings

1 Month

It is hard to believe that Xanyae is already a month today. He is a very good baby and sleeps really well at night. He fits perfectly into our family and we all love him very much. Here are some pictures I took of him today.

Xanyae's 1st Bath

Today I gave Xanyae his first official bath. He actually really liked it and didn't cry at all. He did give me a golden shower while I was washing his body. I guess I will have to start getting use to that.

Happy Birthday Uncle Jack!!!

Today is my brother Jack's 19th birthday, so we headed over to my parents house to have BBQ and cake. It was nothing real special, but this is our last time we get to celebrate his birthday with him until he returns from his mission. Happy Birthday Jack!!!


I made Jack a strawberry cake with strawberry cream in the middle and whip cream frosting.

Singing Happy Birthday.

Jack blowing out his candles.

Sadie helping Jack blow out his candles.

Xanyae's Blessing

Today Xanyae received his baby blessing. It was great to have so much family there. Curbris gave him a wonderful blessing.

My Aunt Ella made the outfit Xanyae was blessed in for her oldest son Bradon and he is now 28. This outfit has been passed down to all my cousin and now my son got to wear it.

Sunbeam

Today is the first Sunday of the year and Karma is officially a Sunbeam. It is hard to believe that she is already in primary. I teach the CTR5 class, so I get to be with her during sharing time. Today she got to participate during singing time and she loved helping. I look forward to watching her grow in primary.



My little girl is growing up so fast.

New Years

New Year's Eve we spent at my Aunt and Uncle's house. We ate lots of food and played games until it was time for the New Year countdown. The girls really enjoyed going outside and popping the poppers and banging on pots and pans.

Xanyae ready to go to his 1st New Year's Eve Party.

Karma popping some poppers with grandma.

Sadie banging on some pots and pans.

Raelleene hogging the sparkling cider.

Xanyae and daddy.

Karma banging on some pots and pans.

New Years day my grandparents had rented a room at the trailer park for a little party. We ate lots of food again, visited with family, and watched bowl games. After that we went over to my parents house and hanged out for a while.

This is the dessert I brought to the New Years party. These are snickerdoodle blondies and they were really good. I had never tried the recipe before, but it was really easy and I will be making these again.

These are my grandparents with all their great-grandchildren.

All my cousins that were at the party.