Big bugs, babies, and yummy treats!!

So, a couple of weeks ago, Kyle noticed Kiko playing with something and says "hey, what's Kiko got?" I look across the room and notice that even from a distance it looks kind of big and I say to myself, "Please let it be some scrap fabric that she found and not a bug!" We go over to investigate and this is what we find.... *Not for the faint of heart!!*










The thing was as big as my thumb!!!!! Jacquelyn informed me that it is a Jerusalem Beetle. Apparently they like to burrow in sand and such. We live on a second floor apartment, I want to know how the heck it got in!!! I promptly went around and closed every window, checked every door and possible entry way to make sure there wasn't a hole where more could get in! blech!!! I hate big bugs!!!



This is Amelia, I nanny her and her brother 4 mornings a week. They are cute!! no picture of Ethan yet. I swear, I started this job at the wrong time.... She is teething and he is potty training... I am sending my kids away to be potty trained!! :0)




I made pumpkin scones for snacks for our growth group tonight. They are tasty!!! I am having to restrain myself from eating them all before we go! If you want to try them, they are really simple. Here's the recipe....

Pumpkin Scones
2 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
1/3 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup pumpkin (if canned, be sure there are no spices or sugar added)
1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix together flour, sugar, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Cut butter into small pieces and cut into flour. Mixture should look like coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl mix together the pumpkin, buttermilk and vanilla. Add to flour mixture and mix until the dough comes together (don't over-mix).

Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead gently 3-4 times, and then shape/pat dough into a circle about 1 1/2 inches thick. Slice in half, and then cut each half into 3 equal pie-shaped wedges. Brush with egg glaze (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp milk), and sprinkle with Turbinado sugar.

Bake on a cookie sheet for @ 375° for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Makes 6 scones.

Optional: Add white chocolate chips and/or chopped pecans.

They are a little bland, I think I will double the spices next time....

Happy munching!! These would go great with coffee or tea, or even a glass of milk!

someday...

I shall visit this place because I find it entertaining. Also I just want to go to the east coast someday.

Any other fun named places you think I should try?

I think I would also like to visit all the 'foreign" places in the USA, ie. Paris, TX

Yes, I think I would like to do that... :0)

we not so sure.....

things I have learned....

When making a quilt, make sure and check that all your squares are identical in size before you sew the strips together, because otherwise, when you go to connect the strips they won't match and you will get really frustrated when you realize you have to take the whole thing apart and recut all the squares.

*cries, just a little*

live and learn?

yummy dinner!

One of Kyle and my favorite dinners is something that I have dubbed "Mexican Stir-fry" I recently took it to a friend's house for dinner, we get together once a week and watch a TV show with him (it started with "The 4400" and now we are following the current season of "Hero's" since the 4400 season is over...) and he really enjoyed it too, so I thought all you bloggy friends might as well. Now that I have finally closed the horrible run on sentence, I will give you the recipe.

1 large yellow onion- cut up into smallish strips
10 soft taco sized tortilla's - cut into thumb sized strips (apprx.)
Chicken. I usually use rotisserie chicken that you can buy at the store and use about 3/4 of the meat. I like it because it is already flavored and cooked and shreds really easy. Sorry I don't know how to convert it to something more usable....
1 small can of Enchilada sauce.
Lots of Olive Oil

Take the cut up onion and saute it in olive oil until it is nice and soft and sweet, near to carmelization.

Add the chicken and cook until it is heated through. (medium Heat)

Add the tortilla strips and stir in well with the onions and chicken. Add olive oil as needed to help stop sticking. The tortilla's tend to soak up a lot of the oil, so you may need to add a bunch.

When the tortilla's are heated through, add the Enchilada sauce and stir to mix in. Let sit and heat through, stirring occasionally.

Dish up on a plate with a dollop of sour cream and avocado slices or guacamole. Kyle likes to add Tapatillo on top too, I think the flavor is fine as is... experiment!

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!