Someone has a birthday today...

It's one of my favorite people in real life. Hint: it's not the little one in the picture, although she is one of my favorite people as well! I like him so much that I promised to share my life with him almost exactly three years ago today. He is not feeling all that excited about this birthday because, well, it's the big 3-0.

Yes, it's true. I'm several years older than my wonderful, handsome, smart and creative husband. Drop on over to his blog, please, and wish him a happy birthday.

More birthday fun...

I love stretching out a birthday as long as possible. My birthday was yesterday but James had another activity planned for today. We went kayaking out in the bayou and on into the gulf. Kayaking in the gulf was fun but the swells took some getting used to. Then, rowing all the way back to the launch from the gulf--against the current (on only two pieces of toast!!) was almost more than I could manage. At the very end of the trip, we saw a bald eagle flying overhead. I didn't get any photos of it but it was lovely!

fall party

At least, it's still fall here. We will be having our first really cold weather this week. We went to a party and drank cider and saw kiddos and bobbed for apples (it's really kinda gross, you know), ate chili and roasted marshmallows.

Pictures are of:
1. birthday girl
2. me
3. dirty apples
4. kermit
5. cute elephant I found at goodwill. someone made her and I need that pattern!

Party here

We celebrated James' and Teresa's and John's birthdays last night. It was kind of the long-time-coming house warming party as well. We had about 25 people here. Ian brought an EZTIPI and set it up out back with a chiminea. We also had a fire ring for everyone to hang around as well. I loved it. The dogs were amazingly quiet. Either they were scared or just didn't care about the noise. Kudos to them...

In the swamp

In the swamp
Originally uploaded by bekados.

Wanted to give a little "shout-out" to Daddy on his birthday. I know he will probably never check this...but here it is just in case he does. Some of you guys may check it and want to wish him a happy birthday.

Here is a recipe in honor of his birthday:


Ruby Tuesday's Sonoran Chicken Pasta

Basics-
6oz boneless,skinless chicken breast, grilled and sliced into 1/4 inch slices
10oz penne pasta, cooked
3/4 cup conora cheese sauce
1/3 cup spicy black beans(optional)
1/4 cup diced tomatoes for garnish
1 tsp green onion, sliced (optional)

Place pasta into mixing bowl. Add cheese sauce and toss to coat evenly. Pour into heated bowl. Place chicken on top of pasta then ladle black beans on top. Sprinkle with diced tomatoes and chopped green onions.

Sonoran Cheese Sauce-
Measuring is extremely important!!!
6 tbsp butter or margarine
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1 small clove garlic,minced
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 cup hot water
1 tbsp chicken stock
1 cup half-half
Salt (to taste)
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp hot sauce or more to taste
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
3/4cup shredded parmesan cheese
3/4 cup velveeta cheese (cubed)
3/4 cup prepared salsa (medium hot)
1/2 cup sour cream

Melt butter or margarine in a saucepan and add onion and garlic. Saute until onion is transparent. Stir in flour to make roux and cook for 5mins, stirring often. Mix the hot water, chicken stock and half and half. Add mixture slowly to roux, stirring constantly. Allow to cook 5mins. (sauce should have the consistency of honey). Add salt, sugar, hot cauce, lemon juice, cayenne, and parmesan cheese to sauce. Stir to blend. Do not allow to boil. Add velveeta to sauce and stir until melted. Add salsa and sour cream to sauce and blend. Makes 5 cups.