Favourite Thing- Family

Another week has come and gone! After a 10 hour work day, I'm happy to be home! We have our Dinner Auction for work tomorrow night and we are pretty much good to go. A co-worker and I just have to finish the centre pieces tomorrow and we're done. After that it's just a matter of the evening playing out. Hopefully everyone has a great time!

On to this weeks favourite thing:

Family

I am so lucky and blessed to have the family that I do- this includes my extended family. They are all so loving, encouraging and supportive of me. I really, really, really do appreciate all that they do- for me, for one another and even for those who are not a part of our family. 

It's during the tough times, that you realize how amazing family is, how important they are to have around. 

On a personal note, to my Aunt Mary: I have always admired and respected you. I feel you are one of the most elegant, caring and giving people there is. You have done everything in life with such dignity and grace. No matter what you had going on, you were always able and willing to give to the community. Your recent volunteer award (from the Province of Ontario) recognize 30 years of volunteer service with one organization speaks volumes. I'm so happy and proud of your recognition and achievement and I know that this was just one of many organizations you volunteered your time with.  I had emulated you and gave freely of my time to organizations. I found I has spread myself too thin, took on more than I could handle and was just done... How did you do it?!?!? And as a wife, mother and grandmother, you had less time and more responsibilities. You amaze me!

I also want you to know, I appreciate your kindness and welcoming spirit when I first moved to town. I appreciate you reaching out to me, inviting me to dinner and make sure I felt and knew I was part of the family and always welcome at the house. When I moved here, what you don't know, was that I burnt out. I needed to be alone, I needed to do things for me, I needed to unwind and figure out who I truly am. And, I wasn't in a place to be social and I wasn't in a place, I felt, where I was good company. This is the REAL reason I kept my distance. No other reason. I had gone from doing too much to doing nothing. I guess you could say, in a way, I felt unworthy to be in your presence.

I have so many fond and cherished memories of time spent with you over the years, specifically at the cottage. My favourite memories were the ordinary cottage days- reading on the beach, family dinner at the cottage and a bonfire afterwards. It was the simpleness of these times spent with family that mean the most to me. It was always so important to you that I knew my cousins and that they knew me...It's because of you, that I have such close relationships with your children and grandchildren. You always said that not only were we all family, but we should all be friends too. 

Thank you for all you have done for me. Thank you for all that you have taught me. Thank you for being an amazing woman, role model and inspiration. But most importantly, thank you for being my aunt, my Aunt Mary.

Make With Me- Creamy Green Chili Enchiladas

Creamy Green Chili Enchiladas

Ingredients:

• 1 to 1 1/2 pounds ground round beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 pound Velveeta cheese, cubed
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 large can of evaporated milk
• 1 small can of chopped green chilies
• 1 cup sharp cheese, shredded
• 1 pack of tortillas

To Make:

• Brown the ground round and chopped onion
• Drain off fat
• Sauce: Simmer cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, evaporated milk, green chilies and 1/2 of the cubed Velveeta cheese in a saucepan until cheese melts
• Add remaining cubes of Velveeta to ground round and onion mixture
• Add shredded sharp cheese to above
• Soften tortillas as directed on package
• Roll ground round/cheese mixture in tortillas to form enchiladas
• Line enchiladas  up in a 9x13 pan
• Pour sauce on top and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes
• Enjoy!

Notes:

1. Another recipe from one of Rhonda's friends: Suzanne Coffman from Brownwood Texas.
2. I had never heard of ground round before and had to look it up. It is a term used for the leanest ground beef.
3. Any kind of ground meat (ie pork, chicken, etc) or vegetarian option (ie meatless ground round) can be used in place of ground round. 
4. I actually don't eat ground meat, so I have used a vegetarian substitute and I have used small chunks of chicken breast.
5. Sharp cheese, while best, can be replaced with whatever kind of cheese you like/have around the house. 
6. Both flour and corn tortillas can be used. 
7. Suzanne noted to serve with Spanish rice or refried beans.

Book, Song, Body

BOOK-I am a fan of Sophie Kinsella and the Shopaholic series, so I of course have read:

This is the latest book in the series, which came out about 2 years ago. Like all books in the series, it centres around Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) and is a fun, funny read. While not the best book in the series and following a similar formula as previous books in the series (Becky shops, spends too much, finds herself in a crazy situation that she needs help getting out of, web of lies, etc) still an enjoyable read.

The book has a number of storylines; financial crisis, dealing with an out of control 2 year old, planning a party, shopping (obviously), Minnie and Elinor getting to know each other. Some better than others. Even though I did enjoy the book, there isn't much to say about it...it's not that the book was predictable...it was just standard shopaholic fair. If you've read any of the previous books, you'll know what I mean.

Like I said, I'm a Sophie Kinsella fan, so I liked the book. If you're not interested in the Shopaholic series, didn't like any of Kinsella's other books or don't like chic lit, give the book a pass. Great book to read at the beach or poolside, to pass sometime or to escape reality for a bit.

SONG-One of my all time favourite songs...perfect to sing and dance along to:

Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar

BODY-We have all been in a situation where we've needed to lose a little bit of weight, especially right before an event. I came across this 7 day diet, which I tried this past week.

I wasn't sure if this was going to work, but I found myself down 10 pounds this morning. This is surprising because I didn't follow the diet exactly- I had fast food one night, a ham & cheese sandwich for lunch one day and ate some chocolate.

I'm not sure if the weight will stay off or if this is a 'quick fix'. If nothing else, it's a good cleanse and a way to eat a bit healthier (if you're like me and don't follow it to a T). As an added bonus, the site has some great information (like the grocery list).

Hey! It's Ok

Idea taken from Amber at Airing My Dirty Laundry One Sock At A Time


To be preparing a Last Will & Testament (Sorority Style) for my last staff meeting. My boss has yet to tell the staff that May 18 is my last day, and I hope she brings it up during the staff meeting. I figure my Last Will & Testament will be something fun and a way to keep things lighthearted.

To be amazed that I am less than 50 views from reaching 1000 views on this blog! When I started this, I had no idea so many people would stop by!

That I'm sad Desperate Housewives is coming to an end. I know there are a handful of episodes left...but there's a huge storyline going on right now, and I'm curious to see how it's all going to play out. I love this show and I will be sad when it's over.

That I accidentally put my cell phone through the wash last week. I threw my phone my bad when a friend came over, forgot it was there, took the sheets off my bed and put them in the wash. I went to go text a friend...couldn't find my phone...and freaked out. I was able to stop the wash and take it out, but my phone was toast. I went about 18 hours without my cell phone and I freaked out. Like was crying and having anxiety attacks freaking out. Still freak out when I think about what I did and the fact that I lost 200 contacts.

That it took me 10 years to ruin a phone because of my actions. The phone that went threw the wash was my third phone and I've had it for 4 or 5 years. I usually have to replace a phone because the screen died. When I told my dad what I did, he said "I knew I couldn't trust you with a cell phone."

To have FINALLY made the switch to a smartphone. I had to replace my phone and the store didn't have any flip phones (or red phones for that matter). Because I never had any desire to have a smartphone, I wasn't sure if I wanted a Blackberry, iPhone or Android. I ended up with a Blackberry because it's what my dad and brother have (sister has an iPhone), I'm told Blackberry is aimed more at business people and it has a keyboard. I hope I made the right choice.