Mom's Chicken Enchiladas

We love these! This is my mom's recipe, with a few minor changes. All of us kids LOVE them. When we're all home, she has to make like four 9x13 pans of them! They disappear quickly, such was the case last night. I put chicken in the crockpot for Corin's salsa chicken, but just didn't have a taste for it last night. I've been craving Mexican, like every night lately (I think it's because all the good restaurants have closed down :() Anyway, I decided last minute to whip these up before Sonlight.

Mom's Chicken Enchiladas

2Tbsp Butter
2Tbsp Flour
Salt, pepper, red pepper, and paprika to taste
2/3 cup milk
2 TBSP Salsa
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
1 cup cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
4 flour tortillas
Additional salsa and cheese

I always double this recipe for Trenton & I.

Melt butter in sauce pan over medium heat. Add flour to make a thick paste. Stir in salt, pepper, red pepper, and paprika to taste. I add alot of paprika and usually use chili powder instead of red pepper. That's because I'm a sissy and can't take a lot of red pepper. If Trenton were to make these, he'd throw in some green chiles at this point. Stir in milk. Stir until sauce thickens. I'm the world's worst gravy maker, probably because I'm so impatient, so I never do this part right. I just keep adding milk and flour until I have a pan full of thick sauce. Stir in salsa. I add more than 2 TBSP, because I like the flavor the salsa gives it! I probably use about a 1/4 of a cup. Stir in the 1/2 cup shredded cheddar. Stir until it all melts together. Add cooked chicken. If you plan ahead, or like me change your mind about what your chicken is going to be for supper, then you could put the chicken in the crockpot during the day and just make your husband shred it for you while you're cooking the sauce! I put three chicken breasts, a pack of taco seasoning, and about 1 cup of salsa in the crockpot on low all day. It was perfect. This was enough for a double batch of enchiladas with a little left over. Stir the chicken into the sauce. Spoon down the center of each enchilada, roll up and place seam side down in a baking pan. Once all the enchiladas are in the pan, cover it with Saran Wrap, and put it in the microwave for 3-4 minutes. Remove wrap and spread top of enchiladas with additional salsa. Microwave for one minute. Then sprinkle with additional cheese. Microwave until cheese melts. Enjoy!

I add sour cream and extra salsa to mine. Trenton thought black olives would be a good topper. The point of this is, it's quick and easy and goes in the microwave. All in all, if your chicken is cooked, it's about 20-25 from start to table. Once you've made it once, you'll realize just how simple it is. If there are leftovers, they're even better reheated!

Countdown

I meant to post this yesterday, but forgot!

ONLY.......13 days until BUNCO!!!!! Yea!

25 things...

So everyone has been doing this on Facebook. I check facebook, but don't write on it that much...so I thought I'd do mine on here. Bear with me...these may be a little out there. And yes, I'm going to tag people...so if you did it on Facebook, you can just copy it to here if you want.

Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.

1. I truly believe that my husband is my soulmate. The paths that we were on before we started dating intertwined so many times in so many ways, that I believe it was God's way of leading us to each other. I love him in ways I never thought I could love someone. Making him happy and letting him know how much he is loved is what I wake up thinking about each day.

2. I hate socks. I cannot stand to have socks on. I take them off first thing and I can't stand if Trenton has his socks on and puts his feet on me. They absolutely repulse me.

3. I have a double Bachelor's degree in Special Education K-12 and one in Elementary Ed. 1-6 and my Master's in Reading, but I thought about being an accountant and almost didn't go into education at all.

4. On that note, I'm obsessed with numbers. I randomly add numbers when I see them and try to figure out different patterns. I can memorize phone numbers, birthdays, etc easily. I love to balance my checkbook to the penny and LOVED keeping the books at the feed store and balancing them. However, for the life of me, I cannot remember my husband's social security number. I do however remember the exact date of our first kiss, when he told me he loved me, etc.

5. I miss my dad every day of my life. I wish my husband could have met him and that he would have been there to see my wedding and watch my future babies be born. I don't think I will ever stop grieving for him. Even though I was only 13, I hate that Kayla was only 5 when he died and doesn't have as many memories as I do.

6. I worry everyday that I'm not good at my job. I have panic attacks that I'm going to forget to do something or disappoint someone.

7. I love brussel sprouts. I eat them with vinegar and would eat them every day if possible. I hate olives and will never try them again.

8. My middle name is Jenice. So is my mom's, except my grandma misspelled it and it's Janice.

9. My dad was 19 1/2 years older than my mom. This is how my mom is 50 and my two half brothers are almost 52 and 50. I have 6 siblings and their ages range from 17-51. I love that about my family. I have 4 nieces, 2 nephews, and 2 great nephews with one more on the way. 4 out of 6 nieces and nephews are older than me.

10. Trenton & I's grandparents are buried in the Lancaster cemetary right beside each other, which I think is very odd. I did not know this when we got together until my grandma's funeral.

11. As much as I miss my dad, I thank God everyday for bringing David, my step-dad into our lives. He is a great man.

12. I went to a 3 room school house until 6th grade. I loved it and would send my kids to one if they were still around.

13. I think about our baby every hour of every day. I want to be a mom so badly and spend a lot of sleepless nights thinking about it. I know it will happen in God's time, but sometimes, I fear it never will. I will never get over losing our child.I think my husband is absolutely the greatest man in the world and cannot imagine not being able to make him a father. We have been trying since the month we got married...15 months is a long time when you're waiting for something so much.

14. I am an inconsistent cleaner. Some weeks, every dish will be washed, every stitch of clothing put away and the house will be clutter free. Other weeks though (like this week) it's a disaster.

15. I'm addicted to candles and wallflowers. This drives my husband crazy. I burn candles consistently.

16. In college, I worked as a dispatcher for the police station and loved it. I usually worked from 4pm-midnight or 8pm-4am. I think this is the reason I can hold it so long when waiting to go to the bathroom and also why I have trouble sleeping at night.

17. I played the clarinet and bari saxophone in highschool. I was in concert band and jazz band. I miss having a small shread of musical talent.

18. I do not like to choose where we eat when we go out. This also causes me to have nervousness b/c Trenton wants a decision, like NOW! I'm fine with wherever, as long as I don't have to pick. I've tried to explain this to my husband, but he insists on me choosing and it bothers me alot. In general, I'm pretty indecisive.

19. I used to show pigs in 4-H and FFA. I've slept in the show barn, been trampled by a pig (it basically climbed my body to jump over the fence...OUCH!), and taken my pigs for walks to build muscle. I do not miss this, but I do miss hanging out with other kids in 4-H and FFA.

20. Trenton & I's first date was in the rain at a Schuyler vs. Knox County football game. After the game, we went mudding in his truck. I have never had so much fun in my life and knew that night we would be together forever.

21. I love to go hunting with Trenton, but am not sure I will ever actually shoot anything. I get all excited when he does, and love the thrill of the hunt.But, I am very tender hearted. I say a prayer for every animal we kill. I have even cried before after killing a spider because after I squished it b/c I felt guilty because it wasn't really doing anything wrong.

22. One of my best friends from high school was killed in a car wreck my freshman year of college. We went to prom together both junior and senior year. We weren't speaking at the time he died and I regret it every day of my life. I think about him a lot and wonder what the future would have held for us if he was still here. I think we'd still be close and I feel like it left a hole in my heart. I think I avoided relationships for a long time b/c of this.

23. I hate to be cold. It makes me grouchy and irritable. I am cold ALL the time, but try not to be grouchy. This makes hunting in the cold particularly difficult for my husband, because as much as I love it, I whine a lot about freezing to death. This is partially due to my thyroid not doing what it should. Right now, I have a space heater pointed directly at my feet to keep my legs warm.

24. I love basketball. I played until my sophomore year in HS when we moved to Kirksville. I love to watch HS and college basketball, but can't stand the NBA.

25. I want to have like 6 kids. I know this may not happen b/c I'm 25 going on 26 and don't want to have kids until I'm 40. This makes me sad.

OK..I'm tagging Bree, Andrea, Corin, Jenn, Jamie, Cindy, Amee, and whoever else wants to do this!

Easy, Peasy, Egg, Ham, & Cheesy!

Here is a quick breakfast idea that I don't know why I didn't think to share sooner. We had these for breakfast this morning and I snapped some pics! I like these because they're so much more filling and have more substance that you're typical pop-tart or bowl of cereal. They pack a punch of protein, but are quick and simple. Pop them in the oven while you're getting in the shower, getting the kids dressed, or in my case, feeding the dogs! And.....cleanup is a breeze! I haven't tried these in my silicone muffin cups yet...but need to. I've even put them on a napkin and taken them in the car.

Egg Cups

*Ham, bacon, Canadian bacon, etc...as many pieces as you like
*Eggs, 1 for each cup you fix
*Cheese, can be shredded or slices

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray your muffin tin with cooking spray. Lay your ham, bacon, whatever in the bottom and let it come up the sides.


Sprinkle in cheese or lay in your cheese slices.


Crack an egg in each cup.


Sprinkle with a little more cheese and a dash of salt and pepper.


Place in oven for 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven and pop out. Enjoy!


Told you it was easy! We used a pre-cooked canadian bacon roll this morning so my little slices didn't come up the sides. On Trenton's I used shredded pepperjack and sharp cheddar on mine. Anything will work...trust me. If you like egg mcmuffins, but don't have time for all that...this is a pretty quick substitute!

Grace Like Rain

So today is one of THOSE days! Instead of being frustrated with the busy week, cruddy weigh-in (despite not touching a single goody at the Super Bowl party) and a mound of paperwork...I am going to focus on a few good things on this Manic Monday...

#1) My husband- he's extrememly patient, caring, and hard working. He's my best friend and my rock when times are tough.

#2) My God. He always listens, cares, loves, and always always always wants what is best for me.

#3) Great friends. We are truly blessed to have such good friends that would help out at a moment's notice if asked.

#4) Good jobs. In the tough economic times, we're lucky to both have stable and dependable income.

#5) Not sure why it's so far on the list, but FAMILY. We are lucky to live so close to all our family and have them involved in our life.

#6) We have a nice house, plenty of food in the pantry/freezer, and warm beds at night.

#7) A strong marriage. I feel that Trenton & I have a bond together that is rare. We truly find joy in moments spent together and can work through almost anything.

#8) Microwaves & Crockpots- without them, I'd never get supper cooked and on the table.

#9) Makeup- without it, I'd scare the kids at school

#10) Our church. We've found a home away from home at church and I'm excited about slowly becoming more and more involved all the time.