Outside my window...it is already dark.  I actually kind of like it.  It feels, I don't know, cozy.

I am thinking... that today has gone pretty well.  Got alot accomplished, have been consistent and gentle in my parenting.

I am thankful for..... my hardworking husband who makes this life possible for me.  He's at a meeting and won't be home until late.

I am wearing... black yoga pants, yellow tank top and orange t-shirt.

I am remembering...... a busy but exciting weekend.

I am creating...a new homemaking binder to help get some better systems in place so I can do a better job keeping my home!

I am going...nowhere at all tonight and isn't it lovely?

I am reading...my Beth Moore study (Esther) and The Pillars of the Earth.

I am hoping...Kate doesn't have as much trouble sleeping tonight.

On my mind...The things on my daily to-do list that haven't been completed yet.

Noticing that...the leftover fish from dinner needs to be put away.

Pondering these words... "Control is the enemy of intimacy"

From the kitchen...Tilapia with cracker crumb topping, chicken rice, cucumbers.

Around the house...need to finish cleaning the kitchen and folding the laundry.

One of my favorite things: a fresh cup of coffee in the morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week: going to see "New Moon" on Friday and going to lunch and shopping with my SIL on Saturday. Can't wait.

Listening to....the boys playing Ben 10.  "I'm not a boy, I'm a girl..."  Huh?

I have my moments, but for the most part, I love what I do.  I love being home with my children: caring for their daily needs, reading to them, playing with them, tucking them in at night.  I also really enjoy taking care of our home...making it an oasis for my family.  I love to cook, don't mind grocery shopping (especially if there are no small children involved), actually quite enjoy laundry and don't mind most of the chores that go with my job decsription. (Though I really don't like to clean the bathroom and for some reason hate to vacuum).

One of the things that really gets me going is feeling RESOURCEFUL.  I typically plan what I'm going to make for dinner by at least the previous day, but if I don't, I enjoy the challenge of going to my well-stocked pantry and putting something together last-minute.  It's pretty rare for me to ask Andy to pick up a pizza or for us to go out because I don't know what to cook.  (though we did have pizza last week because the chicken didn't thaw in time.

I have a number of go-to recipes that I almost always have ingredients on hand for.  My Taco Casserole is one of them.  I love it because it calls for stale tortilla chips, so when a bag starts to go stale, I don't throw it waway...I just set it aside for this.  Tonight I used the ends of 4 bags of stale tortilla chips (so proud of myself!  :)

Recipe:

In a large skillet, brown one pound ground beef with diced onion (about one medium...or however much you prefer).  When meat is cooked through, drain pan and add 1/3 cup salsa and 1/3 cup mayo (if you skip mayo, double salsa).

In a casserole dish or 9 x 13 pan, place a layer of crushed tortilla chips.  Top with 1/3 of the meat mixture and a couple handfuls of shredded cheese.  Repeat layers 2 more tiime.  Cover and bake in a 350 degree oven til warmed through and cheese is melted.  Serve with all your favorite taco toppings.

The thing I love most about this recipe is the versatility.  I usually add canned corn and black beans to the meat mixture to bulk the dish up and increase nutritional value.  This week I had 2 ears of leftover corn on the cob, so I sliced the kernels off and added those.  You can also add olives, green peppers, diced tomatoes...anything your heart desires! In the summer I often mince up a couple of kale leaves from our CSA share and cook them with the meat.  The kids never even notice and I've added one of the healthiest veggies in the world to their meal!

This recipe makes an appearance at least 1-2 times a month in our house and no one ever complains.