Mexican Casserole

Mexican Casserole 

This is one of our favorite meals. Today Mr.C. Was busy babysitting his two grand boys while I was at work. He decided to try making it in the crockpot.  It turned out so very good.  What I am asking myself is why we hadn’t done it in the crockpot before today.  

 

My co~worker Malia gave me skin care products to use.  I had never heard of this brand before today.  Of course I googled them and the prices of each item.  Her soon to be In Laws buys pallets of stuff from Amazon.  They gave her a box of beauty products and she was kind enough to share with me. 

 

I enjoy new beauty products  and can’t wait to try them.  Do you have a favorite beauty line you use regularly?  If so what brand do you recommend?   Lately I am using Jordan Essentials.  I had bought the kit to try to sell the products but found that really wasn’t my cup of tea. I really don’t want to put effort into a side hustle at this point of my life. 

Grocery shopping day

It’s that time of the month.  Road trip to Norman Oklahoma to buy groceries from Crest grocery store. I like the store.  The layout is good and the store is clean and well lighted. 

My budget is $500.00.  Although I do try to stay around $400.00 for this trip. Then that leaves me $100 to pick up items thru the rest of the month.  

We also eat out quite a bit thru the month as well.  

My BFF Cherrie went with me thankfully.  She is a big help at the grocery store.  Usually before we go buy groceries we do shop at other stores.  I am so close to having all Christmas bought.  So today we went to TJ Max, Burlingtons, Michael’s and Target.  

For lunch we tried Bad daddy’s Burgers.  I had the cheeseburger with coleslaw.  It had great flavor and was so good.  We sat at the bar so we could get served at a faster pace.  Unfortunately the wait time for a table was around 25 minutes.  The bartender was quite friendly.  

I almost forgot to take a picture of my food. Just felt like you would want to see my smash burger. 

So many different bottles of alcohol.  So I haven’t been to bars in many years. So had to take this photo just so I can have memories of today. 

On our way home we treat ourselves to Starbucks.  During the holidays our favorite is peppermint mocha latte.  I am grateful for my friendship with Cherrie.  

Happy Thanksgiving

So what happens when your original Thanksgiving plans fall apart?  You plan a menu for two.  Then place a grocery order to pick up after work on Wednesday.  So since it’s only going to be Mr. C.and I we went with simple.   We had ham, mashed potatoes, candied yams, green beans, corn, stuffing, gravy and pumpkin cheesecake pie.  We had our lunch at noon.  It was very good.  

Although I missed the family being with us. Our house was quiet and almost too peaceful for my liking especially on a holiday.  Family dynamics are different for everyone.  I could have went to several different places but wanted to spend today with my spouse.  

Later this evening we will be going over to Brody and Savannah’s to visit and see grandchildren.  Also Trevor, Mellissa and Kyndall will stop by before heading out of state.  So will get to visit with some of our children and grandchildren today.  Then I will be going to Blake’s and Jessica’s Saturday for Thanksgiving.  At some point I plan on getting with Michelle to see kids this weekend as well. 

I hope that no matter how you celebrated Thanksgiving it was the best day.  Be sure and count all your blessings. 

“ Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year because it reminds us to give thanks and count our blessings. Suddenly, so many things become so little when we realize how blessed and lucky we are.”

Joyce Giraud 

Going outside my comfort zone

This is me Halloween day.  Our department dressed in camouflage (hunting for saves).  I workin the the retention department.  We are always trying to get our daily goals.  Anyways I have been working on myself.  As you can see in this picture I was embracing my gray hair. In the long run it was just washing out my complexion.   So tonight after work I am going to get hair cut and colored.  I had sent Stacey a picture of a hairstyle and color so she had idea of what I wanted. 

In my career I went outside my comfort zone and applied for the position of workforce coordinator.  Lots of pro and cons on that particular position.  I am very aware of what this position will be more challenging and maybe more stressful.  I do believe I can handle it.  If I don’t get the position I will still be proud that I tried.  It took me quite a bit of time to fill out the application.  For whatever reason change has always been hard for me.  I have no ideal when they will start interviewing for the position.  In my mind I think it will be early 2025. 

 

Hattie’s 2nd birthday

Happy birthday to Hattie.  She wanted the petting zoo as her theme.  DT Ranch had several small animals they were adorable.  We all enjoyed petting them. 

Miranda McClennon Curtis did amazing on the barn door. Hattie kept looking behind it for more animals. Her momma kept telling her nothing was behind it, Hattie didn’t believe her.😂

Some of her gifts. They ended up taking them outside.

Absolutely love the play area they have set up for kids.  Jessica even bought the inflatable bounce house to keep for kids. 

Here is Hattie living her best life ever.

Brooks is in the white shirt. 

Brooks loving on the miniature horse. It was my favorite animal.

Me, Hattie and John. Hattie has her granddad wrapped around her finger.  Love how her eyes light up when she sees her granddad.  It’s so magical. 

Her birthday was wonderful and I really enjoyed time spent with family and friends.

 

Thanksgiving thoughts

As Thanksgiving 2024 nears, I can’t help but feel gratitude for all I have.  So many blessings that came my way this year.  Thanksgiving is a holiday to reflect and be thankful for all blessings small and large. I know I am going to take the opportunity to express gratitude and love for all we have.

Thanksgiving is a time that we come together with friends and family to celebrate.  It’s about gratitude and appreciation. Thanksgiving is the special day of the year for us to honor and show gratitude for family, friends, and all we are blessed with each and every day. 

One of our favorite things to do on Thanksgiving is sharing memories, looking at photos and saying prayers for our loved ones here as well as ones that have passed. We have no guarantees in this life from one year to the next.  As we sit around the table with our loved ones we don’t know what may happen this coming year.  We may not have the same people with us next year. I sure don’t want missed opportunities, lost conversations or photo opportunities to pass me by.  As I get older time with family, friends are so important to me. 

This year I know I am going to laugh a little harder, listen more actively and take as many photos as I can. I am going to embrace this Thanksgiving holiday with all I have.  Am looking to make new memories during this holiday season.

 

Happy Halloween

This Halloween is different with Kyndall and parents are in a different state.  But was great full that they sent me pictures of them enjoying their Halloween.  Kyndall was a pretty pirate. 

My heart is full that Trevor is able to be with Mellissa and Kyndall.  Am proud of their growing family. We should have baby boy January 2025. 

Lane is cat boy, Landon is gekko, Kennedy is a princess.  Kennedy is daughter of our daughter’s best friend.  

Grandpa and our grandsons.  We were so glad they came over to get their treats tonight.   

Hope everyone had a safe Halloween.  Enjoy all the sweet treats received from trick or treating. 

“Don’t have a cup of coffee this Halloween. Have a cauldron of coffee instead.”

 

Beginning new Christmas DIY project

When my nephew Dylan brought me these wooden boxes from his workplace, a liquor distribution warehouse, I was touched by his thoughtfulness. The boxes are sturdy and well crafted, made from thick wood that exudes durability. The wine logo on the sides as a touch of sophistication. Earlier, I had asked Dylan for six boxes. I am going to use one box for each of our children.  Then I needed one box for the engine. 

My first instinct was to paint them in festive colors, but I decided to preserve their original state by using wrap paper instead. I have chosen red, green, gold and silver, wrapping paper for the boxes, and I’m still deciding on the design for the engine. I may go for black wrapping paper to give it a sleek look. as I explore more ideals, I am excited to see how this DIY Christmas train will come together. So far, I have wrapped one box, and I am confident that with Tom, it will be a holiday decoration that will be cherished for years to come. 

 

Ground beef stew for dinner

We got up early today to put our beef stew in slow cooker. Didn’t take us long to brown the hamburger meat and dice the potatoes.  We added diced onions, tomato sauce, can corn, carrots, green beans and rotel. Don’t forget the salt and pepper to taste. 

Mr. C had to babysit the grandsons today while I was at work.  So this seemed like an easy meal for us to have tonight.  I really enjoy dumping ingredients and letting it cook during the day.  

We ended up having to put it on stove to get the potatoes done.  Our slow cooker on low didn’t get the potatoes done.  We cooked it for another 15 minutes then it was good to go. 

Do you have any favorite recipes you’d like to share with me? I am always looking for different recipes to try.  Some are hit and miss.  Talk to you soon! 

 

Fall decorated cubicle on budget

It’s time to decorate my work cubicle at the call center. I liked how my colleague decorated her desk with a plaid fall backdrop.  It really made her decor pop and I knew that was what I needed on my desk as well.  Of course I didn’t go with the very same backdrop but one that was more brighter.  Then I bought these flags and hung them up as well. The pumpkin garland was a big hit also. 

So these items was all from Dollar General.  

Fall tablecloth $1.00

Garland was $5.00

Flags was $1.00 x2

I plan on keeping up till after Thanksgiving.  Then will need to figure out Christmas decorations for my cubicle.  Not everyone decorates their cubicles but I really enjoy the personalized look I give my desk area.  Am glad our company does let us decorate as long as it’s in good taste. 

 

Jonathan 30 birthday

We had a surprise birthday party for Jonathan at Pizza Hut in Chickasha Okla.  Elizabeth and Charles did a great job on decorating.  Jonathan and Alisha is really into golf these days. The birthday cake was perfect.

The birthday party was very small and intimate. Elizabeth and Charles, Mr.C. And I, Brody, Savannah, Lane and Landon, Alisha and Jonathan.

We had an enjoyable evening visiting with everyone. 

Here’s me and my funny man all matching. 

Lane wearing his woody hat.  He is a firecracker for sure. When he heard us singing Happy Birthday he ran right over to the cake.  He had been wanting the cake all evening. 

 

Year journal

I bought this blank mixed media journal for my ramblings starting today till I get it filled in with whatever comes to my mind.  I hope to doddle, write entries, glue in family pictures, do some art journaling. Just document from today going forward. 

So you may be wondering why I decided to get this journal in place.  Let me say that I seen my friend Moira post about her completed personal journal that she has been working on this past year.  I have not ever committed to a year long journal.  So I didn’t want to wait till first of 2025 to start on it, so here we go.  

The cover really drew my eye.  It will go into my work bag so if I have time I can work on it at work if I have time. I am truly excited to start this journal. 

I really enjoy pasting in magazine pictures.  So hope to find some cool articles as well.  Although I also know I will be placing recipes in my book as well.  As many of you know I enjoy trying new recipes to me.  That be said They need to be fairly easy.  I have never been one who wanted to be domesticated but yet here I am.  Am learning that cooking/baking doesn’t have to be complicated to be good. 

Anyways I am super ready to start filling in the blank pages with all kinds of randomness. Hopefully I will keep you updated with my journal. 

Have a beautiful day and be well. 

 

Cowboy cornbread recipe

These are my ingredients I used.

Browned my hamburger meat with my chopped onions, with salt and pepper.

Folded rest into cornbread mix. Poured into a 9x13 casserole dish.  

Completed casserole.  It was very yummy!

Ingredients 

Two packages of cornbread mix. (I used Jiffy brand)

1.5 pounds of ground beef

One can rotel undrained 

One can whole kernel corn Drained

One can ranch style beans with jalapeños undrained

1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese (I Used fiesta blend)

One chopped onion

One package of taco seasoning

Directions

Mix cornbread, according to package directions, then set aside

Preheat oven to 425

Brown ground beef with chopped onion, drain off the fat

Add taco seasoning, rotel, Ranch style beans, Corn. Simmer for five minutes. Stir in the cheese.

Stir the mixture into the corn bread mixture then pour into a non-by 13 greased casserole dish.

Bake approximately 25 to 30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Can top with more cheese, Sour cream, Salsa or whatever you desire.