Smoked Chicken Burritos, Summer Vacations and Menu Plan

This week, we took a trip to Safari West.  What an experience!  We're already planing to go back next year!  Dinner was amazing, and we took a Safari Adventure tour.  The animals (zebras, giraffes, buffalo and many more) were so close we could almost touch them.  My little man was so excited, especially when we got to sit on the top of the army truck.  We got home last night and we were all exhausted.  Sleeping in tents with animals all around is not a restful experience, but it was worth it for a night.

Next week, I'm heading off for a few days to visit a dear friend and her family in Seattle.  I'm looking forward to it, but I'm leaving my husband behind for 3 nights AND I have a classroom that still isn't finished and ready for the new batch of kids inevitably coming through the door in 2 weeks.  My wonderful husband and I are probably going to spend a couple days together trying to get it in order.

Smoked Chicken Burritos:

Marinade:

1 tsp. liquid smoke

juice of one lime

1 tsp hot sauce (I used cholula)

1 tsp. cumin

salt and pepper to taste

Prepare marinade and marinade for 30 minutes or overnight

For Burritos:

Salsa, store bought or homemade

Corn of on cob, cooked or 1/2 cup frozen corn

1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

tortillas

Remove chicken from marinade and grill or bake until golden brown and juices run clear.  Allow to rest 5-10 minutes.  While chicken cools, place a small pan on the stove and heat 1/2 tsp canola oil.  Add pumpkin seeds and cook, turning often, until lightly browned.  Remove from pan so they don't continue to cook. 

Layer tortillas with chicken, cheese, salsa, corn and pumpkin seeds.

Since I'm leaving for a few days, I'm planning to whip up a couple dishes that my husband can just throw in the oven when he comes home from work.  There's a big joke in our house that my husband can cook, but no one wants to eat what he cooks.

So, here's what I'll be making on Sunday so the older boys will have food to eat:

Monday: Crockpot London Broil
Tuesday: Spicy Pepper and Pepper Pasta
Wednesday: leftovers
Thursday: Arugula and avocado pasta
Friday: Pizza and movie night
Saturday: BBQ, probably burgers

{virtual} coffee

Good morning!

Please come in and have a cup of french press.  I stopped yesterday and picked up some fresh roasted beans at our local coffee shop downtown.  I'm having mine with frothy vanilla milk.  How would you like yours?  Yesterday, I also made some delicious homemade granola and homemade english muffins.  

Before we start talking about our week, I need to apologize.  Last week, I was not very gracious or social.  I don't think I stopped by anyone's for a cup, and I feel guilty.  It was one heck of a week last week.  I was an emotional mess and exhausted after work every day.  I will be better this week, I promise!  I chose this cup today for me.  Its time for me to snap out of it!  Last week was tough, but I need to move on!  

As we settle in on the couch, with the sun streaming in the window, you will probably notice the kid shows on in the background.  Yes, my little guy, who I brag about never getting sick, is sick again.  On Saturday morning, while I was running errands and getting ready to go meet him at his baseball game (he was at dad's house last weekend), I got a text from his stepmother that he had a 102.3 fever.  My heart broke, shattered.  He just can't catch a break this year.  He ended up getting sick to his stomach 3 times.  We've been home together yesterday and today.  His appetite isn't really back, and his fever comes and goes.  I just want to wave a magic wand and make it all better.

Next, I'd tell you that my friend is home from Europe!  I drove up there on Saturday afternoon and spent a much-needed afternoon shopping and talking with her.  Its so nice to have her home!  We live about 45 minutes apart, but just knowing she's there in her house, and I can txt her or call her makes things look brighter.  I love being able to share with each other over the years.  

I think I'd also mention that we have Spring Break coming up in a week and a half.  My son will be with his dad for the week, but my husband will be home!  We're planning to spend the beginning of the week cleaning out our scary garage.  I hope we get it done so we can take some day trips.  I'd really like to go down to Carmel and maybe spend a day wine tasting.  Maybe we'll get to San Francisco to the museum. We've been together almost 5 years and have always talked about it.  I hope this year, we can make it!

What is going on in your life?  Is everyone healthy?  I'm so glad you stopped by for a cup of coffee.  I hope to see you next week!  For another cup or 2, visit Lucky 13.

We're back!

We were away on a family vacation for the last 5 days.  We had a blast, but it was so good to be home last night and sleep in our own beds.  I'm tired of eating out and ready to cook for my family!  Tonight, we'll have homemade pizza.  Tomorrow is my husband's birthday, so I'm making his favorite, chicken cordon bleu.

Our vacation started with a drive to San Diego.  We stopped in Santa Barbara for some lunch and a visit to the ocean.  My little man got to spend some time playing in the sand.

                                              

We got to the hotel late.  We stayed on Coronado Island in a beautiful hotel.

On Monday, we played in the pool and just hung out in the sunshine.  It was nice to just kick back and see my husband and my son play together in the pool!

We went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park on Wednesday.  I went there about 25 years ago, and it has changed so much!  I love the wide open spaces for the animals to roam.  We saw 2 baby animals just born that day!  The hilight of the day was seeing my son feed the lorakeets!  He had a blast and spent his money so he could buy the food and do it again before we left!  What an experience!

On Thursday, we went to Disneyland!  What a blast.  We rode rides and played and had a blast spending time together.  After all the time in the park, my little guy went to Ridemakerz and he got to build a car.  Its kind of Build A Bear for cars.  He enjoyed that part of the trip the best, I think.  Its definitely going to be a go-to place for birthdays and Christmas!  I wish we had the store closer!

It was a wonderful week together.  Now time to get back to reality!  The laundry needs to be done and I have a fridge that needs to be cleaned out!