just like Dad

Our kids are SO lucky to have such a great Dad! He talks with them, tickles and wrestles with them, laughs with them, and teaches them so much! I thought it'd be great to document some of how I think each of the kids are like their wonderful Dad.

*Alivia- she is very musically inclined; she loves to perform and be in front of a crowd; she gets anxious sometimes; school comes pretty easy for her. All of these things are "just like Dad".

*Jackson- is a hot sleeper, just like his Dad. He'd be fine with just a sheet on most nights of the year. He loves nature, the outdoors and learning about animals. He likes to snuggle with Mom or Dad.  All of these things are "just like Dad".

*Levi- I am frequently told that Levi looks "just like his Dad" or "he's a mini Josh". He's frequently told he has a large head, just like his dad; we say that's to hold all of his big smart brains. Levi is very musically inclined too- he's always humming or singing and really enjoys practicing, learning and playing the piano. All of these things are "just like Dad".

*All the kids- they all love listening to music with their Dad. They seem to love his taste of music more- so than Mom's taste in music, specifically country. Why is that? Anyway, we're trying to educate them on the classics and the "oldies but goodies" and I'm happy they're getting that education. I love turning on the radio and Levi will say "Hey, that's Hall & Oates!" Love it.

Because we live where my husband grew up, I very frequently have people tell me that "this child" or "that child" of mine looks JUST LIKE HIS/HER Dad! I had one lady tell me that Alivia is the female version of a little Josh, and very regularly I have people tell me Levi is a "Little Josh" and some people say it about Jackson too. How funny!

I think Daddy and I have similar looks and features and some people think we could be related through blood. In actuality I think it all depends who you've been around, because when we go back to MY home people tell me my kids look JUST like ME or this side of MY family or THAT side of my family. Kinda funny.

All in all, I love how I can see different traits and characteristics that they get from their Dad. He's not perfect but he's a good good man, a great father and husband and a man worth emulating and listening too. I chose well. Thank you for being such an amazing kind, loving, and fun Dad. We love you!

{our best bites} cheesy chicken enchiladas

It's funny how taste change and evolve. This is now our new favorite Chicken Enchilada Recipe. It comes from the "Our Best Bites: Savoring the Seasons" cookbook.

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
By: Our Best Bites

This is a favorite warm comfort food for chilly days. Split the batch and place half in an 8x8" pan for dinner and put the other half in a freezer pan for an easy weeknight meal another day.

Ingredients:
4 Tbsp butter
5 Tbsp flour
2 (15 oz) cans chicken broth (or 1 carton = 4 cups)
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/3 cup sour cream
2-3 shakes Tabasco sauce (or similar hot sauce) - optional, at least in my book
Kosher salt, to taste
4 oz cream cheese
1/2-1 (7 oz) can diced green chiles (depending how much spice you want)
3 1/2 cups (about 14 oz) cooked, shredded chicken
4 cups shredded Monterey Jack, or pepper jack cheese, or Mexican cheese, divided
10-15 medium flour tortillas

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*. Lightly spray a 9x13" pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. (Or divide the recipe between 2 8x8" pans.)
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When butter is melted and bubbly, add flour and stir to combine.  Continue cooking, whisking continuously until mixture in light golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.  Slowly add chicken broth, whisking until smooth.  Whisk in garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, coriander, chili powder and pepper. Bring sauce to a simmer and stir until thickened, 3-4 minutes.  Remove from heat and whisk in sour cream and hot sauce. Add salt to taste and set aside.
3. In a seperate mixing bowl, soften cream cheese in microwave until it is easily stirred (30 seconds increments on 10% power; repeat as needed). Add green chiles and 1/2 cup of reserved sauce. Stir to combine and add chicken and 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese (or whatever cheese you're using). 
4. To make the tortillas easier to roll, place between damp paper towels and microwave 15-20 seconds. Place about 1/3-1/2 cup chicken mixture on each tortilla and roll tightly.  Pour 1 cup sauce into the bottom of prepared pan and spread evenly.  Place tortillas snugly in pan. Pour all remaining sauce on top of the tortillas and top with remaining 2 cups cheese.  Bake 30-35 minutes, until hot and bubbly throughout and cheese is melted. 

FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS:

Prepare as directed in a freezer-safe pan.  Cover well with multiple layers of plastic wrap and then foil. Label the foil with baking instructions.
When ready to use, either thaw in refrigerator overnight and bake as directed, or place in oven directly from freezer (remember to remove plastic wrap) and bake, covered, about 1 hour, removing foil for last 10 minutes of baking. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving. 

{our best bites} slow cooker pot roast

I've made this recipe twice already and both times it's been delicious.

This is another delicious recipe found in the "Our Best Bites: 400 calories or less" cookbook.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Makes 12 servings

Ingredients:
1 T steak seasoning (like Montreal Steak Seasoning)
3 1/2 lbs bottom round roast
3 T EVOO
1 packet (1 oz) onion soup mix
1 large sweet onion, sliced
10 cloves garlic, smashed
2 c vegetable broth or beef broth
1/4 c. Red wine vinegar

Directions:

1. Sprinkle steak seasoning over roast and use your hands to rub it into the meat.  In a large skillet, heat online oil over high heat.  When very hot, carefully add the roast and sear 2-3 minutes on each side, until browned.  Place the seared roast in a slow cooker.
2. Sprinkle onion soup mix over roast and cover with sliced onion and garlic (or place the sliced onion and garlic beneath the roast). Add vegetable broth and red wine vinegar.
3. Cook roast on high 4-6 hours or on low 6-8 hours or until the roast shreds easily with a fork.

Daddy's Steak Marinade

We were on the hunt for a steak marinade one weekend and we came across this one. Daddy modified it a bit and it was DELICIOUS! This is a keeper.

Daddy's Steak Marinade
Adapted from "The Best Steak Marinade in Existence"

1/3 c soy sauce
1/2 c. Olive oil
1/3 c. Fresh lemon juice
1/4 c. Worcestershire sauce
2 T. Garlic powder
3 T. Dried basil
1 t. Black pepper

Directions:
1. Mix all together. Pour into ziploc bag with steaks. Let marinade 8 hours or overnight.
2. Grill according to your preference. Leave the steak sauce in the fridge because the sauce is already IN the steak. It's SOOO good!