enchies!

So, losing pregnancy weight? Not my favourite thing. Especially the second time around. UGH. Things seem to be extra flappy, floppy and bumpy. (And don't even get me started on the hair loss! Holy guacamole.) The few things I've found to "work," and I use that term loosely:

1. Not eating after 7:00 p.m. (Though I continue to drink water--since I am nursing.)
2. Limiting my beverages to coffee, water, La Croix and an occasional small glass of wine. I've cut out my beloved Cokes. I still miss them.
3. Cooking at home versus eating out. Simply from a sodium standpoint. My body just feels swollen after take-out.

So, on that note, I wanted to share one of my family's favourite dinners: Gluten-Free Chicken Enchiladas. This is a personal recipe of mine that I'm quite proud of! ELC even made these over Memorial Day weekend for one of my brothers and his wife. I was honored! Of course, you could choose to use "gluten-full" tortillas, but I honestly love the Rudi's brand of GF tortillas and use them even when I know Little Leighton won't be eating them. These can have a bit of a spicy kick, so use discretion if little ones will be enjoying these, too.

I hope you'll try these soon!

TLC's GF Chicken Enchains

2 to 3 Chicken Breasts--chopped 
(I usually roast mine ahead of time in the oven--375 degrees for 30-35 minutes--with generous amounts of EVOO, salt and pepper.)
8 oz. container of Sour Cream (Don't use light--and I prefer the Daisy brand!)
2 jars of GF Salsa Verde (I the Frontera brand.)
1 small block of Monterrey Jack Cheese--grated
1 package (8 total) of Rudi's Tortillas (They can be found in the gluten-free freezer-section of your local grocery store, hopefully.)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Grease a 9x13 pan with Coconut Pam.

Mix chopped chicken, sour cream, about 1/2 of a jar of salsa and roughly a 1/3 of the block of  grated cheese. Spoon mixture evenly into the 8 Rudi's tortillas. (I always place tortillas seam-side down so they stay put--they may "crack" a bit. Have no fear! Smush them all together closely!) Top with the remaining grated cheese and a full jar of salsa. (You'll have about a 1/2 jar left. Pour it into a bowl and dip some chips into it! I am currently loving the Late July brand  chips and recently found them at Target.)

Bake for 20ish minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly! 

nine squares...

Here was our day (yesterday) summed up in nine little squares:

Gluten-free Lucky Charms. Outfit change. Visit to the doctor. Magazine reading. Conference calls. Snuggles. Giggles. Baby cheeks!

This doesn't include:

Watching Zootopia. Crafting. Starbucks. Post Office run. Laundry. Making dinner. And someone refusing to nap. I'll let you decide who participated in what! LOL. As our favourite Fancy Nancy says at the end of one of her books: "I'm pooped!"

Little Leighton is currently in a phase of wanting to change outfits all. day. long. Yesterday, it was only two outfits. The day before? FOUR. This might do me in. ELC told her she should probably consider runway modeling for a career.

This is such a precious and BUSY season of my life. ELC's post, "Texan Idle," really spoke to me. Although too many of my days feel quite long, I know the years will suddenly become far too short. I am determined to slow down and, as she advises, "Stop and smell the roses!" Our Sweet Baby Elle is THREE months old now. I want to cry. Time can be hard on a Mama's Heart.

Happy Friday Eve, Friends! Let's all promise to savor this weekend and soak up every last bit of sunshine and summer that we can.

...tumbles...

So this week I have two more of my four laser treatments on my fractured toe. I do feel it’s better. Whether or not the laser is responsible—or it was just going to heal on its own—I don’t know. I’ll have an x-ray tomorrow and see the doctor.

This toe situation has made me very aware of my age. My aging issues. I’ve shared in the past that I don’t care about wrinkles. I don’t care about grey hair. I’m not fond of my turkey neck. Thank goodness there are button-up shirts and scarves for that—when I can’t stand looking at it another second. I view the condition of my body—and soul—and spirit—and heart—as a reward for still being here on Earth.

This toe has made me a teensy bit more worried, however, about osteoporosis. I’m there. I’m at the line on the chart. In fact—that was last August. I could be over the line—at this point. I don’t want a broken hip. Or any other broken bone.

The nineteen stairs I climb to Little Leighton’s (aka LL aka Biscuit) playroom and TLC’s guest room (aka Grammy’s Room—winky wink!) are a challenge I face at least ten times a day (sometimes it’s twenty!) each visit to TLC’s casa. Biscuit fell down those stairs—right in front of me—a few weeks back. It was a nightmare. I could nothing to help her. She fell down ten of them. As she’d roll over, she’d look at me with the most frightened eyes I never want to see again. (I’ve always wondered if I could scream in a scary/terrifying situation. I haven’t had that urge in at least 40 years. I can. I did. So did TLC—who watched the incident happen and was helpless, too. Biscuit, thank You Lord God, was okay. But I still see her tumbling and I cringe and shiver at the memory.) H.O.R.R.I.B.L.E. Before we can blink, Baby Elle will learn to walk and navigate the stairs. I’ll need major meds.

Not only do I have TLC’s casa to survive. There’s our cute little Hunter, The Cat. One can watch him like a hawk yet he still ends up between your two feet as you walk outside. We needed to name him Houdini. He’s fast and amazing. There’s also Buddy. The Dog. Who is the color of our wood floor and easy to trip over at night—when lights are off.

But the biggest issue I have? My own clumsiness. I’ve been an accident-waiting-to-happen my entire life. MY. ENTIRE. LIFE.

This Wednesday, and every day, my first goal is to not break any more bones. Period.

I hope you're having a Charming Camel Day, Sweet Friends—Wherever in the World you are!

The Gift of Courage...

Lord, Jesus, what You said to Your disciples on the night before your crucifixion is the promise I want to claim for this day of my journey though difficult times: “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” I hear You whisper in my soul, “Take courage! It’s yours!” The imperative is bracing and stirring.

I know I can take hold of the gift of courage, because You have taken a hold of me. “Fear not, I am with you!” are Your courage-inducing words. Fear in these nerve-stretching days drives me to prayer. Courage displaces caution and reserve. I know that nothing can happen that will not bring me closer to You. What You give or withhold always is for my growth. My honest prayers are not an escape from reality and responsibility, but an encounter with them.

Thank You for courage that is based on convictions I cannot deny. You give me courage to act when I know what love demands. You energize my will to put into action costly obedience to You. Courage moves me from panic to Your perspective on things, and then to peace. Give me heightened awareness of what needs to be done, humble attentiveness to Your way to get it done, and honest accountability to You for faithful follow-through. Courage is the greatest virtue You give me because it makes possible all the rest. You will give the power to overcome rather than be overwhelmed. Thank You, Lord!

(John 16:33 NASB.)

In Your Son Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen.

(From Praying Through the Tough Times, by Lloyd John Ogilvie.)

I hope each of you has a Wonderful Week—Wherever in the World You Are!

Hugs…