Whats New

So...big changes... I no longer live in a duplex!!! YAY!!! The hubby and I bought a house in a wonderfully quiet neighborhood...another YAY!!! Also, I've decided that since I don't have much really to say I would start to add recipes that I'm trying to this blog...so here it goes...

Beef and Bean Taco Casserole
from the Pillsbury Budget Ground Beef Cookbook

Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Bake Time: 20 to 30 Minutes
Makes 5 Servings

1lb Ground Beef
1 can (16 oz) Refried Beans
1 16 oz Jar Salsa
1 package Taco Seasoning
2 1/2 cups Tortilla Chips, coarsely broken
1/2 medium Green Bell Pepper, chopped
4 medium Green Onion, sliced
2 medium Tomato, chopped
1 cup shredded Cheddar or Taco Flavored Cheese
1/4 cup Black Olives, sliced
1 cup shredded Lettuce

Heat oven to 350. In a 12-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat until cooked; drain. Stir in the refried beans, salsa, and taco seasoning. Reduce heat to medium. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. In ungreased 2-quart casserole, place 2 cups of the broken tortilla chips. Top evenly with beef mixture. Sprinkle with the bell pepper, onions, 1 cup of the tomato, the cheese and olives. Bake uncovered 20 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted. Top baked casserole with lettuce, remaining 1/2 cup tomato and remaining 1/2 cup tortilla chips.

I made this in 2 square glass pyrex baking pans and it turned out really good!!

Oh The Joys of A Duplex

Yep...thats right I live in a Duplex and ive yet to find anything joyous about it. My family and I have lived in this particular place for just over a year and I am growing increasingly impatient with my slightly less than wonderful neighbor. A few months ago my neighbors teenage daughter acquired an adorable Golden Retriever puppy. The kids (those being my neighbors 3 children and her daycare kids) oh...did I forget to mention that she runs an in home daycare..??? Anyway...the kids were out every day in the beginning to play with this dog...well its quite apparent that the novelty of this puppy has worn off. This poor dog (she has grown quite a bit) now spends countless hours day and night tied up outside on a chain BARKING and BARKING and BARKING some more. First it was tied to the front of her house from about 6 am on...which coincidentally is directly below my bedroom window..and yes I like to sleep until at least 7. However...as I am typing this she has moved this poor dog to the back of her house...which is directly out my patio door from my living room and its been barking non stop for over an hour now.

I feel utterly trapped in this house. I have to keep my blinds closed because I too have dogs and if they catch a glimpse of her dogs (oh yeah..she has 2 dogs)..barking they will in turn bark as well. I try to be responsible and keep my dogs #1 inside and #2 QUIET to the best of my ability but I feel as though she does not respect me enough to have the same courtesy for my family.

Perhaps I am a pushover or maybe I do not want to rock the boat so to speak because I have only complained to the landlord once. I have been close to calling the police a few times, but I really dont want to start a feud of any sort so I try to ignore it. I have prayed for god to grant me patience in this situation...and now I ask that anyone who reads this can do the same for me.

Of Little Words

Normally Im a person of very little words... Im not a blogger...not a writer... not someone who posts things on the internet for the world to see. Today however I felt compelled to write something. I follow a blog called http://our-journey-to-parenthood.blogspot.com/ the woman who writes this blog is going through an adoption of a newborn baby...and the birthmother has second thoughts. Its heartbreaking to read her blog and go from excitement to tears in a few posts. Adrienne is a wonderful person and many people across the world including myself are praying for Adrienne and her family as well as the birthmother. I pray that God's will be done in that situation.