Small Pleasures

I love sitting here blogging on quiet Saturday mornings. It's one of the things I look forward to on the weekends (although it doesn't always happen). Recently I've discovered a couple of other things I love, and I thought I'd share them with you.

Keep in mind, I'm only giving you my opinion on these things – and as my parents used to say, "Paulette, opinions are like b**t holes: everyone has one, and they all stink." (Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure that was just my mom who said that, whenever I'd bring home an art project I made at school and told her I thought I did a good job on it.)

One of my favorite things to snack on is Wheat Thin crackers and slices of colby-jack cheese. But as I was passing through the cracker aisle at the grocery store the other day, I decided to try something different. And boy, was I glad I did!

I was quite surprised at the flavor these had – not at all what I was expecting! (Actually, I have no idea what I was expecting, but it wasn't…that.) Absolutely DELICIOUS! And I didn't eat them with the cheese… I took one bite and just kept on eating them by themselves.

Another craving of mine are these little things… Breanna got me started on them when she brought home a bag once, and curiosity got the better of me. Boring package… big flavor. LOVE them!

(Actually, I kind of like the package. It might be reflective of the simplicity of the ingredients… almonds, rice syrup, a little salt, and one more thing that I can't remember.) 

Last night I made Mystery Chicken Enchiladas.. this may sound scary, but I actually made up the recipe myself, and since it was a mystery to me as to how they'd turn out, I call them Mystery Chicken Enchiladas. 

They were fantastic, even if I must say so myself!

Here's the recipe, if you'd like to try them… and remember, I don't have an ounce of Latino in me, which means they are nowhere near perfect enchiladas, but I still like them. 🙂 (Do you think Dutch people ever made enchiladas?)

**************************************************************************************

PAULETTE'S MYSTERY CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

(Ingredients are in bold print for quick reference)

3 cooked chicken breasts, shredded and set aside.

Heat a skillet, and saute all of the following:

1/4 c. olive oil
 1 pkg. taco seasoning (I used Ortega)
 1/3 c. chopped onion
 2 Tbs. chopped jalapenos
2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. fresh chopped cilantro

After you've cooked the above ingredients together for a minute or two, add them to the shredded chicken, along with 1/3 c. enchilada sauce from a large can. Mix well with a spoon.

Pour a little enchilada sauce from the can into a 9 x 13 pan.

Melt 2 Tbs. butter in a saucepan.

Fill 5 large tortillas with chicken mixture, and after rolling each one, place them into the 9 x 13 pan. Brush the melted butter on top of enchiladas, and drizzle the remaining enchilada sauce on top.

Top with however much shredded cheese you'd like (I used 2 cups shredded cheddar), and bake in a 425-degree oven for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is slightly golden and bubbly. Serves 3-5.

***************************************************************************************

Another fun thing to love are Barbie movies. Yes, I said Barbie movies! If you've never watched one of these, you're in for a treat. And you don't have to have a little girl to enjoy them! They're for grown-up girls too, provided you're not in the mood for adult drama or reality tv. I find them to be very lighthearted, colorful, beautifully animated, and just plain fun!

Sophie and I have quite a collection of them.

And usually she'll bring one along when she goes to visit her Meems. 🙂 They'll make popcorn and snuggle up under a quilt and watch one, and Sophie will have to answer all of my mom's questions, like, "Do you think Barbie knows how to make soup in a pressure cooker?" or "Do you think Barbie owns a Bernina? They really should make a Bernina Barbie." (Of course, since Barbie can do anything and owns everything, the answer is always "Yes, Meemee," with a heavy sigh.)

Speaking of popcorn, I'd like to say something to my dad: 

Dad, when I was little and you and Mom used to send me to bed, I'd always hear you say to Mom, "Hey. You want some P-O-P?" I always knew that this was a code word for "popcorn," bc shortly after you'd say it, I'd hear Mom shaking up the pan on the stove, popping the corn away. It really annoyed me, especially when I'd come out from my room and say in a small, timid voice, "Can I have some popcorn?" and you and Mom would glare at me for interrupting your viewing of the Lawrence Welk Show.

And then I'd turn away and go back to bed, hungry.

Just thought I'd say that to you after all these years. And I forgive you.

Back to Barbie. Here's what Sophie and I rented the other night to watch… and since we both loved it, I'll have to buy it!

It's so much fun getting excited about things with Sophie. Her whole face lights up and she laughs when she talks. It's one of my very favorite things to love in the whole world.

And that's not just my opinion. Right, Meemee? 😉