Seriously...

What is it with people falling down? Nearly breakin' their necks???

I wouldn't think twice when it comes to helping someone out.

Today, when I drove the husband to a friend's house to watch some testerone-filled football game, I wanted to wait make sure that someone is (isn't) home before driving away...I was watching this woman walk with a cane, very carefully.

She slipped. Ouch.

So I parked the van and jumped out, not thinking about my own safety...walked on the snow and noticed the sidewalk was completely iced-over. So I ran over to the woman and asked her if she was okay (yes) and can I help her? (oh thank you) and I took her bags. She didn't want to lean on my shoulder or anything so I just kinda held her bags and told her best thing to do is walk on the snow-covered yard. So we did.

For very long minutes. She doesn't seem old. She seems to be in my age range. And she's talking in a very soft voice (me: uh-huh, be careful there...want me help you step across?) and finally made it to her door.

Deep breath and a louder, "thank you".

I told her it was no problem. And to have a wonderful day.

I think her bottom will be sore for a while.

Whereas, one of my dearest friend ....if I read her email right, she loaded her shopping cart too full, and hurt her back, THEN she slipped. So her bottom/hip is sore too.

And she's not even 50!

Guess it's a day of feeling...so ancient or something.

Just last Sunday, a friend of mine stepped into something she thought was smushy ice, but it was actually...black ice and she broke her ankle! (yes, the Pastor mentioned it today...cautioned us to take care).

I'm comforting myself with a bowl of ice-cream for dinner. Yeah. Very comforting.

Just helped my son wrap a gift for a party they weren't able to have last month...due to the snow storm of the year (the one that I got sick, and bravely drove off to find out the university was CLOSED!).

Now we're just chillin' out. I know I'll get cold after eating my bowl of ice cream.

But it was a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling when I was able to help someone out.

I made a great casserole for our Deaf Ministry's potluck today.

One elderly deaf woman loved it so much (when I apologized for the spiciness of the green chilis) she gave me pad of paper and wanted me to write the recipe down! Oh wow!

So, my memory did pretty good....(thank you, Jesus!).

Quick Chicken Tortilla Bake (or something like that)

2 cans Cream of Chicken soup
1 can (10.5 oz) of diced tomatos with chili peppers
10-12 tortillas (can be flour or corn)
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
shredded cheese (mexican seasoned or cheddar)

Prepare the cream of chicken soup with the diced tomatos/chili peppers...mix together. I like to pour the chopped chicken into the mixture as well.

Shred or cut up the tortillas into bite sized pieces.

Put a layer of tortilla pieces on bottom of casserole dish.

Pour half of the mixture over the tortilla pieces.

Another layer of tortilla pieces on top of the mixture.

Pour rest of mixture.

Top off with remaining tortilla pieces. Wrap foil tightly to cover the dish, put into preheated oven at 350 degrees. Bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly.

Remove foil, sprinkle cheese atop. Bake for few more minutes until completely melted.

Enjoy. I like to serve with sour cream or salsa.

Who ate all the food?

Well, I made this awesome recipe for dinner. My family LOVES it. I only had ONE serving. One helping.

After another successful Deaf Cafe meeting on the VideoPhone, I went into the kitchen to put away leftovers, etc.

Where's the dish?

I checked the oven.

I checked the fridge.

Then I peek into the sink, and hiding under a huge cutting board is an empty dish.

I checked the fridge to see if someone put away leftovers in those disposable gladware.

Nope.

Grrr. WHO ATE ALL THE FOOD????

I slaved over that for 15 minutes and it cooked for 40 minutes, and I got ONE serving. The boys had 2 helpings and Ashley got a little bit for herself.

This is supposed to be 8-10 servings!

PIGS! I stomped over to the boys (that's my husband and my son)...next time you want more, ASK THE COOK FIRST!

I did expect it to go fast, and I did expect to have another helping. Who would have thought the boys would be such pigs?

OINK!

Anyway, I do know it's one of their favorites and here's the recipe:

Quick Chicken Tortilla Bake

prep time: 15 min. Bake:45 minutes

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

2 10.5 oz cans cream of chicken soup
1 10-oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
12 6 or 7 inch corn tortillas (I like flour best), cut into thin bite size strips
3 cups cubed cooked chicken (I usually just boil or crockpot a couple big chicken breasts)
1 cup shredded cheese with mexican-style seasoning (4 oz)

1. In a medium bowl combine soup and undrained tomatoes. Set aside. Sprinkle one-third of the tortilla strips over the bottom of an ungreased 3-quart rectangular baking dish. Layer half of the chicken over tortilla strips; spoon half of the soup mixture on top. Repeat layers. Top with remaining tortilla strips.

2. Bake, covered, for about 40 minutes or until bubbly around edges and center is hot. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted.

Makes 8 servings.

Well, I usually shred the chicken and mix it with the soup mixture. That way it cuts down on my time. I shred instead of cut up. It still tastes good. You can add sour cream on top when you want a little something or add more salsa for more spice. My family really adores this.

YUM. This is from my favorite cookbook, Better Homes and Garden's 500 Five Ingredient Recipes.

That cookbook was given to me as a wedding gift...

Well, there goes my "leftover lunch" for tomorrow. Darn.

Maybe I'll grill some tuna 'wiches. Hm....