Baked Nachos

I am always on the search for a recipe that is:
1) Easy
2) My whole family will eat

I don't ask for much.

Luckily, this recipe fit both of my criteria. Both the girls cleaned their plates. I found the recipe here, and adapted it slightly to more our tastes.

Baked Nachos 

 Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 gloves garlic, minced
• 1 package taco seasoning
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup flour
  
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup milk
• if possible, 2 ears of fresh corn, cooked (we grilled them), and then remove kernels from the ear. If not possible, 1 can of corn
• 1 15 oz. can black beans
• crushed tortilla chips
• 1 cup Mexican shredded cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown beef and onions in large pan. Drain meat, add water and 2 tablespoons taco seasoning until thickened. Set aside.
2. In large pot, melt butter. Add flour and stir until combined. Add taco seasoning, beef broth, and milk slowly, whisking while combining with the flour mixture. Cook roux for 5-7 minutes over medium heat until thickened.
3. Add beans, meat, and corn to roux. Stir to combine. Pour into 11x17 baking dish (or use a 9x13 if you want a thicker result). Top with tortilla chips and cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted.

Garnish with whatever you like! We added green onion, sour cream, tomatoes, and black olives. Next time, I'm going to add some sauteed green bell pepper and avocado.

 

Five on Friday: Birthday Week!

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My birthday was Tuesday, and we have had fun celebrating all week! Here's a glimpse into what we've been up to:

__one__ On Tuesday, Daniel took off work and spent what he claims was all day making me a strawberry cake. It was delicious (recipe here). We also grilled steaks, corn, and had my favorite twice baked potato casserole. After dinner, he cleaned up and I went and did a little birthday shopping and got myself a few new things at Loft. Overall, it was a great day! He also got me a mani/pedi gift certificate I will be using this weekend.

__two__ We've officially lost our minds and have booked our very first family Disney vacation for next February. I am curious to see how this trip will go with a 4 year old and 2.5 year old, but I can't wait to see the Disney magic through my little girls' eyes. Does anyone have any suggestions for traveling to Disney with kids that young? Any favorite restaurants? Last time I went (back in 2011), we didn't do the dining plan, so I'm curious what everyone recommends!

The girls don't know, and I'm honestly thinking of keeping it a surprise until we go. They really have no expectations of what Disney World even is, so I just can't wait for Caroline to see Cinderella's castle for the first time!


__three__ On a whim, I bought the girls a bubble machine. This thing is AMAZING. The girls laughed and ran through bubbles for probably 30 minutes straight.

__four__ This past weekend, we went to visit Daddy at work (Belk), and the cosmetic girls did not disappoint! The babes love getting their faces made to be bunnies, kitty cats....really any type of animal.

__five__ I am planning an Elmo/Sesame Street party for Emmie's 2nd birthday in August. There are quite a few things I want to pick up from Party City, but I am contemplating making her cake. Keep in mind I'm not a terrific baker, but I found this cake mold and my friend says she will help do the piping for the icing......dare I risk it or should I just head to Publix like I normally do?

                                 

Happy weekend, everyone! 

Five on Friday: 4th of July Fun!

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We had such a great holiday weekend as a family. Daniel was off by some miracle Saturday, Sunday, AND Tuesday, which was rare and awesome! We soaked up the time together and filled as much fun as possible in those 3 days.

__one__ Saturday, my work was sponsoring a local 4th of July Fireworks celebration. I got there about 4 p.m. to help set up, and Daniel brought the girls around 5:30. As soon as he set foot at the park, it started POURING rain. After the girls waited it out about thirty minutes in the wagon, the rain stopped, and they went crazy jumping in puddles. They even made it in the online version of The Tennessean newspaper!

Daniel ended up taking Emmie home before the fireworks started, and my big girl hung with me until TEN O'CLOCK! She did awesome and didn't even fall asleep on the 30 min. car ride home. She was such a trooper.


__two__ Sunday, we headed to a pool party/BBQ at one of our good friends' homes. It was all a group of friends from high school, and many of us have kids now and it was so fun to see the kids playing and swimming together.

Puddle Jumpers//Pool Float

__three__ On the actual 4th, we headed to another dear friends' home who have a 5 year old son, and let the kids swim and play t-ball (found here) while we enjoyed some food and drinks. The kids had another great night, and we topped off our 4th of July celebrations with an obscene amount of fireworks. Both the girls loved them, and we got home about 9:30 that night, greeted by terrified pups that could NOT handle all the commotion outside.

__four__ Before our big celebration Tuesday night, we took the girls to Jump Street to play. Emmie HATED it...like cried and cried big sobbing tears as soon as you set her down on the trampolines. Since she was so miserable, I scooped her up and took her a few doors down to a place called Bargain Hunt. I'd never been before and WOW. I spent about $28 on everything you see below....including a pair of shorts for Daniel, 2 Minnie beach towels, pajamas for Caroline, a dress and leggings for Caroline, a kite, and and a Frozen sticker toy. The clothes for Caroline were all the Cat & Jack brand that Target sells - which I love! I plan on going back again when I have more time to browse.

__five__ Monday, I took the day off and sent the kiddos to daycare and Daniel went to work. It was amazing how much I accomplished in eight uninterrupted hours around the house. I cleaned out both the girls closets, shampooed carpets, dusted the entire house, deep cleaned bathrooms, etc. I've started using Mr. Clean magic erasers to clean our bathtubs/showers with Scrubbing Bubbles - it is a game changer. So easy to clean and gets all the soapscum off easily!!