What to Do With Those Easter Leftovers

Ham, one of our choice meats for Easter dinner, is one of the most versatile meats to use in leftovers.  Not only does it make wonderful ham sandwiches, but it can be cubed and frozen for future dishes including scalloped potatoes, casseroles, ham and cheese omlets and, of course,  cool spring dinners. 

Recently, I made an old fashioned pot of ham and beans with a unique twist.  My inspiration was the desire to use my new cast iron, enamel clad pot that I have oogled for the longest time and received for Christmas from my in-laws. 

There is nothing quite like a good ole' heavy pot of ham and beans simmering on the stove, or if you are lucky enough to have a wood burning stove, all day.  Add to this recipe a wonderful cornbread (our favorite recipe, www.theonlinerecipebox.com/eggless-cornbread/--  I add to a smokin' hot cast iron pan with a few bacon drippings in the bottom, then stick in the oven) and some sort of veggie and you have the makings of a great, old fashioned and easy meal!  Enjoy!

Chipotle Pinto Beans (from Simply in Season Cookbook, pg 305)

1 pound dried pinto beans
Soak overnight, Drain.  Add fresh water to cover beans.  Cover and bring to a boil.  Simmer, covered, 10 min.  (I used piquinto beans which are small and skipped the soak overnight step.)

2 cup tomatoes (or 1 can stewed toms)
1 cup chopped onion
1 T. garlic chopped
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1 whole chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (do not taste supper hot)
1 ham bone

Add all to beans and bring to a boil.  Remove pepper and reserve. Lower heat and simmer until beans are tender, stirring frequently and adding water if necessary to prevent scorching. 

Notes:  I tried the tiniest bit of the adobo sauce since it was a  new product to me.  I about died of heat and gulped several glasses of cold milk to cut the searing pain.  Cooking time for me was about 3-4 hours and much of the water cooked out leaving a nice thick "broth".  Yum!

Taylor's First Communion

This night, when Jesus gave his mandate (hence the term Maundy Thursday) to love one another, my little girl also had a very special happening.  As she says, "Just like Jesus, I am eating the bread and the wine because He loves me and forgives me." 

 

It seems like just yesterday, this poised 7 year old young lady was in my arms! 

 

A very proud Mom and Dad

 

 What a crew--from 7 to 18--all proclaiming their love and trust in Jesus.  

May we all take time this night to discern what it truly means to love our neighbor.  

Is it action?  Is it words?  Is it emotion?  

Congratulations, Taylor Bug!

Soaking up the Sunshine

It's 70+degrees here in Tucson where I am visiting my friend Molly.  It's always fun to fly south in the winter--which has quickly become an annual tradition.  I ask for $ for the flight in lieu of birthday gifts, and then quickly trad that in to Allegiant Airlines for a flight to Mesa.

This year's trip is a little later than in years past, but the desert is still blooming, the sun is shining and warm (though not too warm, and the big city offers lots to do. Just this morning we drive to  a nearby Farmer's Market where we discovered all kind of desert gifts.

One table was filled with baby cacti in tiny pots.  Another was overflowing with homemade tortillas (too bad I'm gluten free for another few weeks) and corn chips.  Mesquite flour was the object of attention at yet another table.  Although we didn't purchase many things, I was incredibly thankful for a few small red, ripe homegrown tomatoes.

I was also amazed by the high price of free range eggs at the market.  I sell my beautiful multicolored eggs to the local healthfood store for $2.50.  Here in the big city, folks were getting $4.50.  Hmmmmm....maybe there are more chickens in MT.

After the Farmer's Market, it was off to the thrift store and them home to a quick munch of salad and chips and salsa (yummmm, from Trader Joe's.)

Just the beginning of a rejuvenating trip to AZ!

Missoula Children's Theater Week

Last week was one of the most anticipated and dreaded weeks in the school year.  Our small community is blessed to be a part of the Missoula Children's Theater circuit.  This drama group travels throughout all 50 states and somewhere close to 65 countries selecting students to put together a musical while honing their acting and singing skills.  While this might seem fairly unremarkable, what is completely REMARKABLE is that they do this in 1 WEEK.  Yes, the kids tryout on Monday afternoon, dress rehearsal is Saturday morning, and the two performances are Saturday afternoon. 

Yes, its a crazy week.  Especially when BOTH kids make it and they have completely opposite rehearsal schedules.  To make it even crazier, Daniel snagged a main part this year as 

Gil, the cute boy next door.  This year's play was the Little Mermaid, and of course, all of the other main parts were played by girls.  Gil, aka a very bashful Daniel, was the object of three mermaids attraction and affection.  But Gil only had eyes for Celia, played by Shay Stern.  Of course, as all good stories go, Celia had no idea Gil even existed.  But after much ado with the Prince, Gil won her heart with a beautiful solo sung by,  yep, you guessed it....

my brave 10 year old! 

Here he is with his entourage

Taylor, had one of the cutest parts I've seen in a long time.  She, along with 20 of her freinds, were sea horses.  So cute!

And here is the entire group of sea horses!

Overall it was a great week.  The kids worked hard to memorize their lines, moves and songs.  Afterwards, they were ready to CRASH!

Taylor's 7th Birthday Spa Party

Making Homemade Bath Salt....Lavender or peppermint?

Soaking Feet is a must before lotion and toe nail polish!

Next Step....smell good lotion

Even Dad pitched in!

Opening presents is  a must

Spa Beauty's

No nail was left unpainted....even Jason's.  there is just something wrong about this!

Grandma was on hair duty

Cupcake decorating

A little brotherly love

Happy 7th Birthday, Taylor-Bug! 

Gettin' Mean at the Ball

This was Taylor's first year playing softball.  We tried T-ball a few years ago, but she couldnt get into it and just stood there and cried.  So, we waited a few yesrs before encouraging her to try it again.

While she wasn't the stand out player of the year, she did learn a few inportant skills:

1.  It's fun to play in the outfield.  Most hits are to the pitcher, so there is plenty of time to play in the dirt.

2.  Cheering your teammates on is quite fun...especially if the cheer ends will a loud, giggly "Whoo" and a flip of the hair.

3.  A bigger glove, gives you a bigger space for catching the ball....but using your other hand to "trap" the ball is still important.

4.  Here in Montana, its important to wear hoody sweatshirts under your jersey to stay warm.

5.  Games are cancelled in the rain.

6.  Concession hotdogs make good dinners for away games.

7.  Its much more fun to play when you have a large cheering section!

8.  Hail quickly cancels a game.

9.  Visors are just as fun to wear aroudn your neck as they are on your head.

10.  Hitting is optional, but once you do it...its addicting!  In order to get her to hit the ball we would encourage her to GET MEAN.  GET MAD AT THE BALL!  And finally she did!

Here's she is at her last game (and the one where she finally hit the ball!)

Finally, we can call her "Slugger."

the sky was heavy for that last softball game, but the view was amazing...until the hail stopped us in our tracks!

Rain, Rain Go Away

“Welcome to Seattle!”  “Rain, rain, go away…”  “Will it ever stop?”  The questions, comments and frustrations have echoed through our state and community for over a week.  Most outdoor activity has come to a halt and rain boots and slickers are selling off the racks.  Local weather forecasters promise that by the time you read this article the sky will be sunny and the temperatures in the high 60’s to low 70’s.  Let’s hope they’re correct.

As flooding continues in much of our state, there will be ample opportunities to support our fellow Montanans.  Just take a quick walk around town and you will find someone talking about the flood of ’64.  The memories, while devastating, always end with stories of neighbors helping each other out through that tough time.    Similar opportunities to aid those in need this year will spring up and create new stories to share with the next generation. 

Closer to home and much less dire, these days of rain have caused normally manicured yards to more closely resemble that of vacant lots devoid of even the least bit of care.  Side roads are flooded and rural driveways are thick with muddy gumbo. 

The constant drizzle has forced my over-grown potted vegetables to remain nestled against the house gingerly protected from the driving wind and wetness. And, of course, the white linoleum in the kitchen has been a constant shade of mud boot gray.    

The kids have enjoyed puddle hopping in parking lots and testing the depth protection of their latest rain boots. While I feel for the teachers who have to entertain during indoor recess and reschedule outdoor field trips, these cloudy days sure make us appreciate even a few hours of sunshine.   

And, while too much rain can certainly damage infrastructure and ruin one’s plans for abundant crops, there is always a silver lining behind those ominous clouds.  Winter wheat is well on its way swaying in thick green waves.  The well soaked earth makes for messy, yet thorough and efficient, weeding..  The cold weather veggies will have record growth once the sunshine returns and maybe, just maybe, the effects of a long drought will be quelled.   

People joke about our Montana weather, but in truth, it’s no joke.  We never know what will be coming our way. All we can do is accept it and learn from it.  I have certainly learned that Seattle will never be on my relocation list.  I have also learned that constantly mopping up muddy floors is not my highest priority. 

As English writer, John Ruskin puts it, “Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”  Now that’s a Montana perspective.