I really should make one sometime soon, now that I can use the oven again.

I've been working on mexican stews. Trying to learn more about the meats and the various salsas that you cook them in.

We have had pork and beef this week and have leftovers of both, so I think I will make soft tacos.

We are returning to civilization this afternoon and I'm about out of food, so it's just in time.

although mac and cheese is gnawing at my brain a bit.

I am saving it for the time when I need it the most, lol.

Do you use epazote in your tortilla soup? I don't remember ever seeing it in the US, but it is definitely the thing that gives it it's distinctive taste.

it was a bit of a half-assed soup just using what i had on hand (chicken, a can of rotel, a can of green chiles, onion and garlic). i could probably find it in one of the little mexican shops in town.

i have a few boxes of the blue stuff, but i'm thinking homemade tonight.

But it imparts a flavor into foods which is really distinctive and delicious.

I have rarely had a homemade mac and cheese I liked more that Velveeta and shells.

and maybe a tiny bit of smoked pork. Pulled a bag of field peas out of the freezer.

The last of the broccoli.

Our four year old granddaughter is our guest for the evening while her parents wrap presents. She's a wonderful little girl with a very limited range of what she will eat. Hoping she grows out of it eventually; we and her parents know the worst thing is to make a big fuss about it.

I never made a deal out of food with my kids. They ate what I fixed or didn't eat or eventually fixed what they wanted. Now they are wonderfully adventurous and open eaters. They eat everything.

Enjoy your evening with your grand daughter. Four is a most perfect age.

There was a girl like that in my extended family. Oh lordy. What she wanted, basically, was foods that would turn into sugar in the body. Pizza crust -- she would scrape the sauce and toppings off. White bread only, with cream cheese and sliced cucumbers. Pasta with just butter. Baked potatoes with sour cream and no skin. It was a trial. Then we learned about sugar addiction and the seratonin aspect of the addiction -- addicted to the high. Now she eats most everything. So yes, they do grow out of it.

Today I had kindergartner and second grader over for cooky making. It was hilarious. Took me a good hour to clean up after the commotion. The border collie did his part at cleaning up the candy decorations that fell on the floor.

Turned out great. Caramelized the onions, sautéed the mushrooms, and cooked the ham in a pan to concentrate the flavor. Topped it with provolone, oregano, and sesame seeds.