Back in the saddle with taco salad

made some promise about posting more recipes a couple of weeks ago... faint, weak promises, I know. Then this past week I was reflecting on my love of taco salads... and today I made myself a heavenly salad for lunch. I realized then that I've never posted my version here. Must be rectified!

It's a pretty loose definition of a recipe, I'll give you that. But hopefully it will inspire you to whip up something along these lines and you'll fall in love with the salad 'o taco the way I have.

I even thought today that I could take on a Morgan Spurlock-type challenge (he's the Super Size Me dude) and eat nothing but taco salad and variations on taco salad for a month... but then I worried I might indeed get sick of it, so I'll just continue to partake as the cravings strike!

Taco salad for one
Greens: rip up a couple of cups of lettuce leaves
Tomatoes: I cut up about a half-cup of grape tomatoes, yum
Avocado: cube either a half or a whole avocado, depending on your mood
Cheese: a liberal handful of shredded cheddar or jack
Beans: warm up a cup of beans in the microwave--pinto, black, kidney... I love them all
Cilantro: roughly chop a handful of washed leaves
Salsa: optional, depending on your mood, and how wet you like your salad
Sour cream: a generous dallop!

In a large bowl (so you can mix it all up) put all the ingredients except the beans, salsa and sour cream; toss and mix gently. Take the beans, once warmed, and pour over the mixture; again, mix gently, adding salsa and sour cream as desired. Turn the salad out onto a plate and enjoy!

There are many variations possible: add some black bean and corn salad, rather than just beans... add olives if you enjoy that with Mexican cuisine... green onions would be a nice zippy addition, as would other onions, if you're not scared of the bite... get creative, go wild, have fun! Yum.

Friday night grateful moment

onight really may be a Friday night grateful moment... I am sleepy already, and it's only 7:30... this puppy is hoping for a long, restful night of sleep. All this rain has put me into a mossy, soggy coma. Am I complaining? Maybe... And here I'm supposed to be grateful... hmm...

OK, I'm grateful. Yes, I am. For...

Seth's safely back on this side of the state from his problem-solving competition. His team placed well, and he seemed (from the monosyllabic texts I received, for which I am still grateful) to have a good time. We'll get the full-meal-deal report when he's home home on Monday...

Husband and I had a little afternoon getaway today to TriCities: dinner out at PF Chang's, supplies restocked in our Costco tradition (doggies will be happy to get their treats tomorrow!) and poked around a couple of other shops. I won't talk about the rain all the way over and all the way back, and the whole time we were there, I'll just be thankful that we're home safely and had a good time together.

I'm grateful for my family, that they are safe and well, each in their respective corners of the world.

I'm grateful for friendship, the joy of sharing and understanding, knowing and being known. I am blessed to have good friends, many/most who have known me for a long time. They've seen me through, oh, a lot. And the newer ones who know me in this current life, mostly... well, they're pretty precious too. 

I'm grateful for health. I do feel fortunate that my family is well, I am well, most of our loved ones are well; and the ones that aren't quite as well as we'd like are in our thoughts and prayers, daily.

I'm grateful for color. The green all around us right now is spectacular. A little sunshine would help in the viewing, is all I have to say about that. But I am grateful for the green! I also joined pinterest awhile back and am starting to get into the site a bit more... it's such a new-to-me concept, but I'm figuring it out. If you're a pinterest person, let me know and I'd love to "follow" you. I started a board called Rainbow Love (duh!) which already has some color love on it... find me!

I'm grateful that stitches can be ripped out. As needed. And this week I've ripped out a bit...

I'm grateful for warm toes. I made the mistake of going sockless today, and about half way through our TriCities trip, my feet turned to little blocks of ice. Handily, I had bought some socks earlier in the afternoon, so I popped them on (so what that they didn't match my shoes or pants, right?!). I am now home, with even warmer sock on!

I'm grateful for words. Always. Here's my latest quote find: Give up to grace. The ocean takes care of each wave till it gets to shore. - Rumi

I'm thankful for cuteness. Even (or especially?) in these times of work-work-work-go-go-go for so many of us, it's amazing how a little animal can just bring a smile to your face! I found a site that will overwhelm you with cuteness, and shared it on Facebook today. I had to share it here too. CuteRoulette. This little bunny is just the start... I dare you to watch just one.



I'm thankful for chocolate. I don't know where my sweet tooth has come back from, but it's back, with a vengeance! Just in time for Easter treats. How handy for me... how sad for the Easter stash... I might have to go out for replenishments for the Easter baskets or it will be a sad day for the nieces...

I'm thankful for the weekend. For a little time of rest (well, maybe a lot of rest, if I get my way!) and praise, for a pause to reflect and be thankful, for some great downtime (chat/plan/more chat) with husband, and for prayer:
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I hope your weekend brings good things to your doorstep, and may there be sunshine too!

Thursday 13: Truly random

t's one of those kinds of weeks. Not for any particular reason, I'm feeling scattered and quite random. So, this post will reflect that. Enjoy!

1. I'm making bread. Well, I'm doing that "no work bread," so I hardly feel like I'm making anything. I am watching yeast and water and flour ferment, and this afternoon I will shape it and bake it. This will make husband very happy.

2. I love the rain and I hate the rain. Apparently that is possible.

3. I have been drinking Starbucks instant (Via) coffee lately. (Don't tell anyone. I guess that makes me a coffee plebeian?) I am able to have just one cup in the morning to get me going, and feel like I don't waste coffee as much... or drink as much... And, it's cheaper than going to Starbucks for a latte, so there.

4. The cherry trees are blooming. This makes me very happy. I am hoping there isn't some big freeze this week to kill the blooms/fruit off.

5. Today is trash day. The garbage can is out there waiting for the pick-up truck to come around. Don't get me started on that guy. I was hauling it out there a few weeks ago and I wasn't RIGHT THERE WAITING, but maybe about 20 steps away (long driveway) and he DROVE RIGHT ON BY. Wouldn't even look at me. Steamed, was I.

6. Seth is at his Future Problem Solvers of America field trip over on the other side of the state for a few days. I refer to this as the Tour of Mountain Dew and Practical Jokes, since that's pretty much all I ever hear about the trip when he's back (this is his third year). I appreciate that he has this opportunity, but... let's just say laser-like problem-solving focus is not something he specializes in when he's parent-less and jacked up on the Dew. Ah well, the folly of youth...

7. I could eat a variation on a taco salad almost every day of the week. It's not that I love each of the flavors so much on their own; it's all in the combination of them. Yum.

8. I am not quite sure where my crowd aversion has come from (in my old age!). Maybe it's always been there, but I finally acknowledge it now? But it's a rare crowd I need or want to hang out in--this includes concerts, sports events, those kinds of crowds... especially where there is noise involved. Wow, don't I sound like the fragile old lady? I thought of this when my mom posted about seeing the Mona Lisa this week on her Paris trip, but needing to get out of the room to breathe after a bit. Oh yeah, that would drive me batty.

9. I actually thought to myself (while grocery shopping and buying pureed tomatoes in big cans...) that I will give canning another run this summer... you know, tomatoes and such from the garden. I don't know why I'm actually putting it "out there," saying it out loud, since I don't want anyone to hold me to it. But... we'll see.

10. iTunes drives me crazy. In some ways, it works fine, but I swear there is music I've purchased that I can't find, and whenever you have to transfer it to a new computer, there are duplicates that end up coming in. It's just a pain. (Yes, I know you told me this years ago, brother. I know.) I blame Steve Jobs. Personally. On the other hand, my iPad makes me excessively pleased with Mr. Jobs. So go figure.

11. Do you like that syringe as the "I" up above? I got my blood drawn this week and my TSH checked (all's well there, Ma, so don't worry!), and my Vitamin D levels too. I was able to almost double my Vitamin D levels, from 37 to 66 in six months, taking 4000IUs daily. So that's a good thing and I will continue to pop those Vit D supplements. I keep hearing so much about how good Vitamin D is for your immunity, as well as other health factors.

12. I am working on another applique project (actually two!); this time it's something I conceived. As I stitch, undo and re-stitch, it feels like I'm taking the long way around to accomplish something. Oh, the learning process... I will show it off, at the appropriate time!

13. Here's a quote I saw recently for the first time: "Our life is an apprenticeship to the truth that around every circle another can be drawn; that there is no end in nature, but every end is a beginning, and under every deep a lower deep opens." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson. Love that Emerson!

Hope your day is a great one!

To play along with Thursday 13, or to see other participants, go here.

Daybook musings...

or today:

Outside my window... sunshine, and that is marvelous. And lots of green. Green grass, green shoots in the pasture, green hills beyond...

I am thinking... that the week should be longer and wishing for better weather to be forecast for the whole week. I have a feeling I'm going to lose my outdoor time to wind and rain...

I am thankful for... so many things. But specifically today I am thankful to be married to my best friend. That's a good thing.

From the kitchen... yesterday was a soup day (rain), but today I'm thinking it should be a little more leaning toward spring... stirfry? How do I make a stirfry spring-ish? I will ponder... maybe asparagus?

I am wearing... Tan khakis and a cream corduroy shirt... can we say Eddie Bauer? And no socks. Not sure if we're quite to no-sock weather, but I'm stepping out. But still, no open-toed shoes. My hairdresser did my hair yesterday wearing flip flops--brrrrr!

I am creating... a new blog banner. Stay tuned! Oh, and a bunch of bunnies and duckies and other little stuffed things for Easter. (You'd think I had a house of toddlers, the way I've taken to the stuffed animals...)

I am going... to study the fruit of the spirit this morning with a bunch of lovely ladies. Can't wait to hear what Beth Moore has to say to ME. It always feels like she's talking. Right. At. Me. Ha. Scary and comforting, all at once.

I am reading... a new-to-me book on C.S. Lewis that I picked up at our favorite discount bookstore on the Oregon Coast. I am a big C.S. Lewis fan. I am also a huge discount book fan!

On my mind... pondering future plans. Near future and far future. Both are exciting to think about, but my brain works better on near future... luckily, husband's brain works quite well on the far future, so we're a good team on these discussions.

Around the house... I am measuring for new blinds in a few rooms. This is very happy news. We are going to go room by room so it doesn't get overwhelming... there are a few rooms where the blinds have been not working properly since we first moved in, so those will come first...

One of my favorite things... is sunshine. Have I mentioned that before? Perhaps.

A few plans for the rest of the week... hoping to fit in a little gardening if the wind and rain stay away, a few meetings relating to nonprofit work and work-work, and a visit from a friend and her kids as well as a lovely ladies lunch. Oh boy. That's a good week!

A photo to share...

 OK, so the bunny needs work. He looks a little like a zombie mouse...

To participate in the Daybook concept, go here. And have a great Tuesday, whatever you're up to! What are you up to? Tell me!

Friday night grateful moment

ell, I must pull myself away from my crocheting long enough to make my list, right? Of course!

This week has been entirely lovely. Just the fact that it is spring break, Seth is with us, and we're away, that makes it a great week, with much to be grateful for.

I am grateful that we got some sunshine. We arrived to rain, wind, hail, the usual Oregon Coast gamut. But we ended on two days of pure bliss. It was a bit breezy when I was out on the beach today, but yesterday was peaceful and calm, cool, sure, but quite lovely. And as I've said before, everything's better with sunshine!

I'm grateful that my body can still move when I need it to. I haven't been the most active possum this winter, and did not "condition" myself appropriately for two-hour tennis matches with the boy. He, on the other hand, has been playing every day after school for a few weeks now, and was able to run me ragged around the court... whew. I feel muscles where I'd forgotten I had them! But I'm grateful I didn't pull anything or hurt myself... I need to remember I'm not quite 20 anymore... obviously time for some trotting around the countryside in my five-finger shoe things.

I'm grateful for sweet husband, who picked me up some chocolate cupcakes yesterday (remember, I've been wanting cake?), and took us on a beach driving exploration this afternoon. I really wanted to enjoy the sunshine on this last afternoon here, and there's this lovely drivable beach nearby... I really enjoyed just watching the ocean and the little sandpipers... peaceful.

I'm grateful for crochet patterns, free, online! I got a bee in my bonnet that yes, this afternoon would be the time to learn how to crochet an egg--not just an egg banner, but an actual stuffed egg--and with a little sleuthing, found a fun pattern and have been playing around. God bless the internet.

I finished my initial black borders around my granny squares, to see how many more I need to make... the verdict is "a few." So I'll be getting on that once my egg (and bunny) obsession runs its course...

I'm grateful for nature, for being surrounded by such beauty throughout the Pacific Northwest. Here are a few images captured on ramblings and explorations during low tide this week...

Creepy (yet beautiful), don't you think, these mollusky things growing out of the mussels on the rocks? Seth and I were watching a science fiction movie this week, just prior to going out for our walk, and so we had active imaginations about what could come out of the rocks and pounce on us... I know, step away from the bad science fiction!

This little inlet is usually full of crashing waves. I love low tide.

I like the pattern the falling water makes on the sand below.

These exposed roots caught my eye. What a strong tree to withstand the coastal winds!

 More falling water...

While I'm grateful for our time away, I am also grateful to be going home, go figure, and get back into home routines, spring planting and yard work (yes, I think I'm really ready; I was worried that feeling would never arrive!), and all the active and sunny activities of spring. 

I'm grateful for my family, for my adventurous parents and their traveling ways. They've been good examples for me over the years--in many ways--and they are both off on adventures the next couple of weeks. Travel safe, Ma and Pa!

Blessings to you, wherever your weekend takes you!

Thursday 13: Projects for Easter consideration...

aster is a little later this year, but that's OK with me... lots of time to get ready. The nieces (and their parents) are coming, so that gives me incentive to get off my tush and get a little spring rolling on in... as I've been pondering the decorating/basket/menu, a few tidbits have popped up to share:

1. Yarn-wrapped eggs. Aren't these just so beautiful?

2. Fabric carrots. Clever! Might even fool a bunny or two.

3. Crocheted flowers--I saw these put into a garland, just lovely. And totally up my alley!

4. Crocheted egg garland.  Also well within my crochet obsession, though I might be a bit reluctant to put a ton of effort into something I haul out once a year... on the other hand, it doesn't really look like a lot of work. Hmmm...

5. Faux milk glass. A fun DIY--not necessarily Easter per se, but very springy, and lots of applications! I think I'll definitely do this one day, if not for Easter...

6. Peeps. Well, peeps on white-chocolate-covered-marshmallow-Rice Krispie treats. Oh yeah. Can you feel the sugar high?

7. Easter cake. Doesn't this just look like something I'd love? I was just saying today, "I'm in the mood for cake," like I expected someone to walk in with one. (That didn't happen.)

8. Fabric eggs. I love these! And I especially love that they're not absolutely "Easter" in color. I've never been especially pastel, but will tolerate it as needed for baby showers and springy events...

9. Wrapped wreath. So pretty and simple.

10. Another wreath option, a paper wreath. Probably wouldn't want to hang this one on the front door, especially given the spring we've been having!

11. Two ideas with eggshells from Martha Stewart: votives and centerpieces.

12. Bunny marshmallows, also from Martha. I also found a clever chocolate-covered marshmallow egg how-to that I might try out this year.

13. Spring chick cake pops. So cute!

So which ones should I do, absolutely? Let me know, even if you're not a niece! (But nieces get two votes, for sure!)

For more Thursday 13s, go here.

So how about that food blogging?

f you've been paying any attention, food--in general, and recipes specifically--has lately taken a back seat on this blog. Not just a back seat, but one of those third-row-backward-facing seats that the little kids like to wave from on family vacations. Yes, way back there. As Brian Regan says, those kids are on a whole different vacation from the rest of the family riding up front.

But I digress. I digress a lot. And that's the problem, of late. Well, not so much a problem, but more of an explanation. Obviously I'm cooking. Obviously we're eating. And sometimes it's even interesting. (A lot of the time it's fair to middlin' on the interest spectrum, honestly.) But the space between cooking-eating-taking a picture-blogging has seemed vast... like slogging through mud.

Part of that vast mud slogging distance is my little obsession with the crafty side of life--if I'm not in my applique infatuation haze, I'm crocheting or calligraphying or thinking about it or researching it online. My food feeds get a breeze through, an occasional "star" to come back and look at later, and there they sit.

Another factor is the between-seasons menu blahs... I'm tired of soups and stews and winter eating (yet that's still what the weather seems to call for and what the grocery store still has to offer for ingredients) and while I'm ready for all things fresh and green and spring-like, the locally available ingredients are taking a minute or two to show up...

Sigh.

But at least I'm finally acknowledging my slacker-ness, right? That's the first step. The second step, for me, is to get my inspiration back on track... spend some time looking at new recipes, new menu ideas, new ingredients, and get my cooking mojo back. I found a recipe book yesterday that lit a little fire in me--Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson. It is that just-right combination of interesting and creative healthy recipes and beautiful photographs that gets me going. (In my humble opinion, if you're not willing to have photographs in your cookbook, don't bother publishing.) I have already pegged a number of recipes to try in the next few weeks, and am looking forward to playing around with:
* Chickpea wraps
* Kale salad
* White beans and cabbage (a salad)
* Little quinoa patties (I have been wanting to experiment with quinoa)
* Oatcakes (looks like a good breakfast alternative)

101 Cookbooks was involved in previewing the cookbook, and offers a six-recipe sampler on their site, so that is worth checking out if you're not sure if you want the cookbook (you do, really you do!).

I admit, looking at that recipe list, it looks a little healthy. Lest you think I have completely left my sweet-and-fat tooth behind, I was also most happy to see this beautiful cheesecake recipe yesterday:

Doesn't that just scream SPRING?!

Stay tuned, Sweet Tea and Sunshine will return to it's roots of "a little food, a little gratitude." Gratitude is great and all that, but a girl's gotta eat, right?!

Ten Word Tuesday: Vacation bliss

Spirited political discussions, oatmeal breakfast and coffee by the fire.

Friday night grateful moment

o much sunshine today helped this list practically write itself. As I think I said umpteen times today, sunshine makes EVERYTHING better, doesn't it? (75 degrees doesn't hurt either!)

But in particular, sunshine has made THESE things better:

Seth is home for spring break, and I'm grateful for that. Give a little, get a little, they say, and I'm glad to be in the "get a little" portion of our time with him.

The fields and surrounding areas are getting green, and beautiful. I'm grateful to live in such a beautiful valley.

I got a surprise package in the mail today, from my friend Janet over at Fond of Snape. What a dear. It was a piece by Rachel Olsen Awes, and the one I would have picked had I won Rachel's giveaway. Just a lovely thought, and I'm grateful to them both--Rachel for her gift of art and words, and Janet for her thoughtfulness.

This poem found its way into my email inbox today, and it spoke to me (and the rest of the eager-for-summer people I know, I'm sure). I'm grateful for writers and their words.

Long Winter
So much I've forgotten
the grass

the birds
the close insects

the shoot—the drip—
the spray of the sprinkler

freckles—strawberries—
the heat of the Sun

the impossible
humidity

the flush of your face
so much

the high noon
the high grass

the patio ice cubes
the barbeque

the buzz of them—
the insects

the weeds—the dear
weeds—that grow

like alien life forms—
all Dr. Suessy and odd—

here we go again—
we are turning around

again—this will all
happen over again—

and again—it will—
-Tim Nolan

I'm grateful for colorful ideas and inspiration, like this amazing applique project at dutch comfort.

What the final quilt will look like. Wow.

And these plates I found at Target from one of my favorite illustrators at The Wheatfield, Katie Daisy. Love her stuff!

I am grateful for seasonal marshmallows. I know, how strange of me. But, it's true. I saw a giant bag of giant bunny marshmallows today and HAD to get them; I say "for the boys," but really... I am very into these bunnies. They are scrumptious.

Had lunch out with husband today at Panda Express. I've never been there before, not anywhere. It has been generally considered a good thing that we now have one in our little burg... sure, I guess. It was fine. OK. Nothing special. But my fortune? Read below. I'll take a helping of that, thank you very much. I'm grateful for little serendipitous moments.

I'm grateful for time together with my little family. Can you tell I'm thrilled that it's spring break? Have I mentioned it yet? Do I seem a bit excited? Ha.

And grateful for my husband and our solo time too. Our evening chats while I'm stitching away, our morning chats as he heads out the door... we're good chatters, for sure!

And so grateful for my friends--a day trip to TriCities with some fabulous finds along the way, a lovely lunch with another dear friend, and all the happy texts and chats that make my weeks hum along. (Insert humming noises here.)

Not sure what I'm grateful for here, but I have to mention that I'm thrilled that Richard Blaise won Top Chef All Stars. He was my No. 1 pick from the get-go, and while I got pretty Antonia-cheering there toward the end, I must say that I was tickled pink to hear his name called (even though I was watching a day later and already knew he'd won). His nervous energy and self-doubt--while I am dearly glad I don't have to live with it--gives him a distinct edge, I believe, and I just think he's top-notch. Luckily, so did the judges. There you go: I'm grateful the judges agreed with me (they rarely do!).

I'm grateful for the chirping birds, the longer twilight, the peace and quiet of our abode... and the weekend. Blessings to you as you embark on your own weekend adventure, whatever it brings your way.

Wordless Wednesday