Easy Cherry Cobbler

This was a college friend, Beth's, Cobbler Recipe. These were quite popular in the 80's.  It was a blessing to reconnect with Beth via our virtual Bible study before she passed away.  Her sister in law, Cynthia, (also a friend) posted this in her honor. I found myself nostalgic earlier in the month and this was just the thing to make for a Sunday family dinner. You can read Cindy's tribute and post here. 

I used apple pie and spice cake. My family wasn't crazy about it- but it WAS ice cream night and it's hard to move them from ice cream. I inadvertently accomplished that task last week when I served Dark Chocolate Mousse with dinner.....everyone was so satisfied they didn't move on to the ice cream portion of the evening.

King Ranch Chicken (Slow Cooker/ Instant Pot)

So many had suggested King Ranch Chicken for our family dinners that I thought of it when I needed something for the church potluck.  I wasn't sure how much warming space the church had, so I made it ahead in the Instant Pot using the slow cooker function, and kept it warming through service.

 I found the recipe at Six Sisters Stuff. Check them out. How have I missed them? They have cookbooks and everything. LOL  This worked well - though the chips on the bottom stuck - I'm sure due to the extended warming time. We were half-way through the potluck when I realized I'd brought something to a potluck which I'd never tasted. The kids assured me it was good and it was gone....so I'm guessing it was - or there weren't many options. ::snort::  I used the 6 qt pot.

Really need to check the photos at Six Sisters Stuff

10 min Prep Time        4 hr Cook Time           Serves: 8

INGREDIENTS:
14 ounces tortilla chips, white or yellow
5 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drain slightly
1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1 (10.75 ounce) cream of mushroom soup
 2 teaspoons minced garlic
 1 onion, diced
2 cups shredded cheese
1 cup chicken broth

DIRECTIONS:
Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.

Spread a layer of tortilla chips in the crock pot to cover the bottom. (It's ok if they are overlapping.)

In a medium sized bowl combine the chicken, diced tomatoes, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, garlic and onion. Stir until combined.

Place half of the chicken mixture on top of the chips.

Then top with half of the cheese.

 Repeat layers.

Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 3 hours.

Serve with extra tortilla chips.

Simplest Dark Chocolate Mousse

Yes  - I ate it with my Japanese dessert spoon

I made this for last Sunday's family dinner. It was a hit. HOWEVER,  we felt the serving size was too big....this is RICH. I found this recipe in "Bread and Wine," by Shauna Niequest. This charming book is worth the purchase. Check it out from the library first if you want to verify my opinion. 

Can you read the recipe here? Maybe not? 

The most challenging part of this recipe was NOT eating the chocolate as it melted....

Just in case it's too hard to cook from the above photo:

INGREDIENTS:
2 C (pint) heavy cream (chilled and divided)
1 1/2 C (12 oz) dark chocolate chips
1/4 C honey

DIRECTIONS:
Stir 3/4 C cream, chocolate and honey over low heat in a saucepan until smooth. Cool for a few minutes.

Beat 3/4 cream to soft peaks.

Fold in chocolate in two batches.

Spoon into serving dishes.

Chill for at least 2 hours - really.

Whisk the remaining 1/2 C to hard peaks. Top dishes. You can top with berries, shaved chocolate etc.

More than Moose

There was certainly more to our day than moose. Of course.

Michael began swallow therapy again. His conclusion, "She's a slave driver."

There is Gideon....we love Bre's shower time. LOL He's such a sweetie at 5 1/2 months. He has a smile and a laugh that brighten the darkest Alaska days.

 I've recently finished reading, "Bread and Wine" by Shauna Niequist. This was a great read. Shauna intersperses stories, tips on hospitality and recipes, in a package that works .... Best yet? Our library had it!  Below is a quote I've been thinking of the past few weeks.

 Letting every time I open my door be an act of love.....for family, friends, strangers, solicitors....an act of love.I used to write quotes in a notebook, my writing is getting painful and bad on some days....so I took a bunch of photos of quotes and recipes I wanted to try.

"Every time you open your door, it's an act of love...." Maybe I'll get someone to make me a vinyl decal for above my door....."Decide every time you open your door, it's an act of love."

I thought about this and smiled as we prepared to welcome our guests this evening. We were happy to have our new pastor and  his family over. I'd not met Lindsey (she's busy with kids on Sunday mornings) or the girls.  Stacia loves to cook with me - and it makes prepping for company a breeze. It's really like mother daughter time and not work at all. It's a blessing. We baked sugar cookies, a veggie pot pie and chicken pot pie....and we made fruit and veggie salads. We used the fancy goblets again. The truth is - I use canning jars for drinking glasses and we are down to 4. I have 19 fancy goblets. ::wink::

The moment finally came for them to arrive - and we discovered one of the gals is afraid of dogs. Poor Yuuki is social and only wanted to welcome her - she ended up in the kennel. Poor CoRielle - her kennel is down by their room.

No - they don't usually have blue faces - though I have heard it's cold up here. 

After dinner Stacia helped the girls to decorate sugar cookies. Nolan helped a bit too. This gave the girls something fun to do and gave the adults time to visit. It was Arielle's great idea. We had planned to have cookies for dessert, but none of us felt like having dessert. We sent some home with the A's, have some for BreZaak and CoRielle.......and the boys are making routine runs around the island which hosts the cookies.  They'll be gone in no time.

It was a great day, capped off by great time with a fun family. 

Moose Came For Breakfast and Stayed For Dinner

Two moose came for breakfast....the poor things had to get down on their knees to find food this time. The trees are bare - to include the brush pile. 

Watching them get up and down is always fun. 

As the sky lightened, I heard an odd noise and scrabbling sound. It was this little guy - a ptarmigan.

 They stayed to snooze....

And then there was lunch....

They spent the afternoon sleeping in the back woods...

and came out for dinner! 

I think these gals have claimed our home as their winter refuge. They aren't bothering anyone and they are fun to watch. We aren't leaving food out or feeding them. We're not interacting with them, other than to take photos and walk by them as we move around our business.

I am going to need a BIG fence around my garden...or an electric fence.

Northern Lights

We've seen white clouds dancing over the mountains, but last night (Monday) was spectacular. My camera wasn't up to the job without a tripod.  Michael got the tripod and got some good shots.

We are so blessed to live right here with front row seats and no street lights to dim the view. They say they'll be even better on Tuesday night. 

The heavens declare the glory of God, 

And the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 

Ps 19:1

My Parents

I've been meaning to write about this day - and I need photos for this blog post - so I'll do a joint post.

Dad was honored for 50 years of ministry with Open Bible Churches on 22 October.  Mom will be 50 years next year, I believe.  They were unable to be at National Conference, and so Gary (Regional Executive Director) presented it to them with Pastor Kirk at their local church.  I'm so thankful to Sherri for taking photos and texting them (though I'd forgotten to turn my volume down and it was distracting to those around me at church. ::snort::)

Gary (left) was my youth pastor. When I graduated, and came "home" from the Philippines before family, I lived with Gary and his dear wife. 

Many may not have known that mom was in a lot of pain this Sunday. The doctors had declared her cancer free a month ago, and assured her she'd injured her back. The pain was growing and she was taking pills.

I posted the following on Facebook last week.

Mom was declared cancer free a month ago. Fast forward to this Monday (30th of Oct)  and she was admitted to the hospital where we were told her breast cancer had metastasized to the spine (or "the lesions are attached to the spine"). She will be having biopsies on Monday. We appreciate your prayers as we wrap our minds and hearts around this, for Mom's pain control, wisdom for her wonderful doctors, and an accurate diagnosis/treatment plan to be put in place next week. Janice Simmons Townsend (Mom approved this message).

 Later last week Mom went back to the hospital and they discovered she has a lung infection. Antibiotics should make her comfortable.

Today, she will be having more tests. We appreciate your prayers during this time.