Soft Black Bean Tostadas

We love tostadas… but boy are they messy.   I make my own version (also posted on this site) but I’m always looking for others.   (I’m also looking for a great fish taco recipe…. so send one this way!) I received this recipe from Cooking Light the other day.  The tortilla gets crispy on [...]

Granite City

A few weeks ago we went to Fort Wayne, Indiana to visit some family.  Our new (and very cute) nephew was born so we wanted to meet him.  While we were there, we all met for lunch at a restaurant called Granite City.  I was told that we had to try these waffle fries with [...]

A busy day!

I wonder why I’m tired, but then I remember what I did today.  I got up and started my umpteenth load of laundry.  I showered and then my son and I walked to church (about a mile in the stroller) and back.  Then we hopped in the car and went to the grocery store.  I [...]

Cast Iron Burgers

I’ve been in need of a burger, so when I saw this recipe (and that it was a “quick & easy” one) I rushed to make it.  I put it together on a weeknight and it was completely doable.  My husband loved it as well.  For my son, I simply put cheese and ketchup on [...]

Four Seasons Enchiladas

Ok, ignore the spill on the side of the dish… and look at the ooey gooey cheese and tons of veggies.  I received this recipe from my friend Christine back in 2003.  I made it for my parents one weekend I went home to visit, and they loved it.  It’s been a great go-to recipe, [...]

Viva Italiano!

Ok, I admit, I didn’t take a picture of this.  And just wait, I took a picture of Sunday night’s meal (which I will blog later) and it is super-messy-looking!  Ah yes, you can’t have perfection here! So on Saturday night we had some friends over and their kids.  I wanted to make some things [...]

Mongolian Beef

Yesterday I really missed working from home.  I left work at 5:07 pm and got to the YMCA around 6:20… just in time for my son and husband to be all pruny from being in the pool so long waiting for Mom to come join them at Family Swim.  I was in tears. We did [...]

Tomato Bisque

The other day a colleague asked how I fit it all in … like sleep, for instance.  Well, last night after my son went to bed at 8:00 pm, I crashed on the couch about 30 minutes later.  So, that answers how I fit sleep in… I apparently cannot often stay awake past 8:30 pm.  [...]

The 2010 Air & Water Show

As always, the Air & Water Show in Chicago was a hit. It is truly my favorite event of the summer.  Every year our friend heads out to stake out our claim to arguably the best spot on Chicago’s lakefront around 5:30 in the morning.  The rest of us lazy folk head there hours later, [...]

Mac ‘n Cheese

Ah comfort food.  There’s nothing like mac ‘n cheese.  My parents used to make it simply with a brick of Velveeta and milk (which, by the way, I still love).  I was looking for a healthier option and this is my new favorite.  I did make a few modifications, which I’ve noted below. My son [...]