Salad Recipe exchange...

This is something one of my friends started on her blogs. If anyone wants to join in that would be great. Just post your favorite recipe for a saladon your blog and make sure to leave a comment on mine so I know you've put one up. I thought all of you that are away from Utah and those who aren't would love to have this recipe...Cafe Rio Pork Salad. It takes some time to make everything but it is so worth it...I love to make it when we are having guests over!!

Café Rio Salad
Build your salad using the following ingredients in the order given.
You can use disposable pie or cake pans to make these salads.
1. Large Flour TortillasUse homemade or buy the uncooked ones and cook them on a griddle. Sprinkle some cheddar cheese on top and cook until the cheese is melted. Place the cheesy tortillas in a cake pan.
2. Spanish Rice (Recipe below) (or cook a packaged Spanish Rice Mix)
3. Black Beans (Recipe below)
4. Meat of your choiceI, shredded chicken (recipe below) or shredded pork (recipe below)
5. Romaine LettuceWash thoroughly, and cut into large squares.
6. Pico de Gallo (Recipe below) (or buy some)
7. Guacamole (Recipe below) (or buy some)
8. Lime Wedges
9. Grated Cotija cheese
10. Cilantro sprigs
11. Crispy Tortilla Strips-Just cut some corn Tortillas in thin strips and quickly fry until crisp. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with a little bit of salt.
12. Creamy Tomatillo Dressing (Recipe below)

Suggested recipes:Cilantro Lime Rice
3 c water
3 c rice
3 chicken bouillon cubes
1 tsp salt
¼ cup lime juice
1/2 small onion
2 cloves garlic
1/2 bunch cilantro, remove large stems
1 small can green chiles
Place water, rice, bouillon, and salt in pot. Bring to boil. Place lime juice, onion, garlic, cilantro and green chilies in a blender and puree. Stir into rice. Simmer, covered, for about 25 minutes.
Black Beans
1 can black beans, rinsed
2 Tbl finely mined onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp ground cumin
1 cup tomato juice
3 Tbl chopped Fresh Cilantro
1 tsp salt
Fry onion, garlic and cumin in a small amount of olive oil. Add beans, tomato juice, cilantro and salt and heat through.

Cafe Rio Chicken
3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp chili powder
2 cloved minced garlic
Cook for about 4 hours in a crock pot. Shred chicken with a fork.
Cafe Rio Pork BarbacoaPork Roast: Put it in a crock pot with a little water and cook until very tender (about 8 hours on low). Shred pork and add:
1 can enchilada sauce
2 cloves minced garlic
1 small can diced green chilies
1 can Coke (not diet coke)
1 cup brown sugar
salt to taste
Cook for one more hour.

Pico de Gallo
4 ripe Tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped white onion
1 jalapeno, minced (remove the seeds and veins if you don’t like a lot of heat)
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
lime juice, to taste
salt, to taste
Mix everything together.

Guacamole
2-3 ripe Avocados
1-2 Tbl lime juice
1/2 tomato, finely chopped
2 Tbl finely chopped
onionsalt, to taste (or use garlic salt)
Mash avocado and lime juice with a fork. Fold in the tomato, onion, and salt.

Creamy Tomatillo Dressing
1 package Ranch Buttermilk Dressing
mix1/3 cup buttermilk1 cup Mayonnaise (I use half mayo and half sour cream)
3 fresh tomatillos
1 cup fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Just put everything in a blender and puree.Refrigerate for a couple of hours and if you need to, adjust the thickness by adding more buttermilk to thin it out, or sour cream to make it thicker.

First Steps

For the past week or so Dora has been standing up on her own and clapping for herself because she knows that makes her really big and then last night for the first time, she took three steps!! She was like so shocked and proud of herself and I couldn't have been more proud either...it was so cute. I almost started to cry because that for sure makes her big. Dan was at Young Mens so I texted him the big news...he was excited too and sad he missed but I'm sure she'll do it again.

Some of my other favorite things she's doing right now are:
1. We have to pray like 30 times a day because she loves to fold her arms and then throw her arms up in the air for "amen." It is really cute...
2. She loves to say "uh oh" and throws just about everything on the floor possible during dinner so she can say a million times.
3. She loves to go up and down the stairs and is pulling herself up to everything.
4. She's trying to figure out how to work a spoon and fork. She tries so hard and eats so cute.
5. Whenever she looks at her new puppy book, she says "bubba" for buddy the dog, and then whoofwhoofwhoof.. it's really really cute.
6. She loves to look surprised and puts her hands up, like "what is that mom" every time we hear a strange or different sound...

alright, I could go on but won't bore you anymore. all in all being a mom to this little darling girl is the best thing ever. She just melts my heart and I love her so much...

Birthday Party

We had a pretty good party for Adora last Sunday. I say only pretty good, because the presents we had ordered online for her weren't there and my parents got stuck by all the crazy accidents in both Parley's and Provo Canyons. They tried so hard to get here and I felt really bad because they spent the majority of the day sitting in the car, wondering when the roads were going to open up. Kuddos to them for trying though. So we ended up having Carrie, Aaron and kids, Amy, John and Grandpa Jack there. We had good food and Adora loved being the center of attention. I made a birthday cake just for her and she was so confused that I was actually going to just let her dig in and eat it. It took her a while to get going but I couldn't get her to move for about 45 minutes and she just worked on it. She was so funny... she got some fun books from her cousins and a darling outfit from the soon-to-be new Grandma Powers. It was a great day. I just can't believe how big she is getting. Happy Birthday Noodle we love you.

JULIE

OK.. Julie, I really want to hang out with you when you are in town but I can't view your blog so I can say hi back...so if you read this please add me to your blog alright...I really would love to see you and catch up... or email me kelsiekay04@hotmail.com !!

Adora's big day

Today is a big day in our house. Adora is one year old. We can't believe that much time has gone by. She is such a sweet and loving little girl. While she was a surprise to us, we would never trade her for anything in the world. She is doing so many fun things now and is learning more and more every day.
Just in the past week she as learned to go down the stairs (thanks Dan for teaching her that one), get off the couch by herself and how to throw a royal fit to get what she wants. She is standing up by herself, but a little hesitant to walk, I really think by next week she'll be all over the place. She gives me the best hugs and kisses after naps and in the mornings. It's like she just wants to crawl inside of me--for about 30 seconds and then she's off exploring. She loves to throw things on the ground and say "uh oh" but the cutest part about it is she makes the funniest, most expressive face. Like she is so shocked every time. She puts her hands up in the air all the time, like when some one comes to the door or if she can hear Buddy but not see him. Every time music comes on she dances and moves her little hands up in the air (hard to believe with me as her mother). I think her favorite song right now is the theme song to "The Golden Girls" as this is what we watch first thing in the morning as she's being fed. I know that it's about time to stop nursing her, but I can't bring myself to do it. I have loved that bond with her, but I know it'll be a good thing. I keep hoping she'll ween herself and then I won't have to do it but we'll see.
Dorie has four teeth and two more coming. They are so darling. She has the most mischievous looks and she is so curious about everything. She loves to be read to and look at pictures. Her favorite book right now is my scout book for some reason, she'd sleep with it if I let her. Well as a bragging mother, I could go on for pages but I won't. I can't believe how my life has changed in the last year..Dora I love you forever.

P.S. my cousin took these pictures...aren't they to die for

farewell...

I found out a few weeks ago that one of my dearest childhood friends had taken his own life. I have thought about him constantly for the past few weeks and just wanted to say a few words about him. Marshall was a beautiful person with so much to offer life. He was so smart and such a good friend. He was called to bare more trials in his life than almost anyone I have ever met. Watching Marshall deal with these things forever changed my life. I think my ability for compassion and to truly love others came from him. I don't think I am a judgemental person, you can come as you are when you're with me. I learned this from him...he was always different then everyone else. I remember getting in fights in Jr. High defending him from those who didn't understand. I could say so much about him, but most importantly just that I love him.

In thinking about his death I feel peace. I know he is in a better place, with a much better perspective on his life and his relationship with the Savior. I know he can now know how much he was loved in this life. I know that his soul is precious in the sight of our Heavenly Father and that he was received with open arms. I wish him well in his spirits journey and pray that he will find the understanding he searched for in this life but could not find.

I love you Marshall and will never forget you.