What's for Dinner? Turkey Enchilada Casserole

Mondays are usually Mexican food night around here, and this is what's on the menu for dinner tonight.

Turkey Enchilada Casserole
(Adapted for my family from a Sunset recipe)

Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 T. minced garlic
1 T. dried oregano
1 T. taco seasoning
1 29 ounce can red enchilada sauce
12 corn tortillas (6 inch diameter)
2 cups fat free shredded cheese
1 green onion, chopped

Brown the ground turkey in a frying pan with the garlic, onion, and bell pepper. Add the beans, oregano, taco seasoning and 1 cup of the enchilada sauce. Dip 3 of the tortillas in the remaining enchilada sauce and then arrange in the bottom of a casserole dish (cut to fit as needed). Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the cheese over the tortillas. Layer one third of the turkey-bean mixture over the cheese and tortillas. Repeat these layers two more times. Top with another layer of tortillas dipped in the enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake for 30 minutes at 350. Garnish with chopped green onion.

Scripture of the Day: Alma 46:10

An Arnold Friberg Study Session

I just stumbled on a fun scripture study idea using the Arnold Friberg display at this website. Just a reminder, Friberg is the painter well known to the LDS community for his work Prayer at Valley Forge (see above picture) and his series of Book of Mormon paintings with muscular Nephites. The site has a "book" with Friberg's series of Book of Mormon paintings accompanied by the scriptural text for the story that each painting is drawn from. You could gather around the computer and read one of the scripture stories while looking at the painting. Since there are about 6 of them this would take care of nearly a week's worth scripture study sessions. Or you could go through the whole series of stories and paintings for a family home evening about the Book of Mormon. And while reading and looking at the paintings there is lovely hymn/Primary song piano music in the background.

Or, if you have a paperback copy of the Book of Mormon with Friberg's paintings in it, you can use this blog entry to learn how to teach what the basic plot of the Book of Mormon is by using the pictures. (Scroll down to the 6/16/08 entry.) This is a good basic introduction you can use for your children, as well as for missionary purposes.

You may also want to take the time when on this site to vote to get the current display of Friberg's works to come to your area. Right now the display is in Bountiful, Utah. But I would love to have it come here!

Scripture of the Day: D&C 38:22

The Irvine's Independence Day

The Irvines had a fun and busy Fourth of July! The kids and I got up early (Steve slept in) and went to a neighborhood pancake breakfast where the kids paraded up and down the street on their bikes and scooters that they had decorated for the special day. I took a picture of each of my cuties before we headed off to the fun:
They loved decorating their scooters/bike so much! In fact, Kitty drew up her plan the Monday before the Fourth and then revamped it several times during the week in anticipation of being able to put it all together. I love seeing her creativity!

Above is a picture of Kitty and two of her friends in line for pancakes after the parade. Even though it was early in the morning, it was still quite warm. Sweetie Peach got very flushed after riding her bike up and down the street four times. But after I sat her down in the shade and got some cold water into her she was fine. It was nice to be able to visit with friends and neighbors to help celebrate the day.
After the parade and pancake fun we headed home and went swimming in the new pool in our backyard. My husband would be appalled that I am posting this picture, so please don't mention it to him!

Afterward got ready to go to the movies. Who can survive the Fourth of July without going to the movies?!? We went and saw Kit Kittredge: An American Girl {an appropriate title for the day, right?}. It was a really cute movie and even educational in an historical kinda way. The kids had lots of questions about hobos vs. homeless people after it was over, so the conversation on the way home was definitely on the serious side. Still, there were lots of funny parts to the movie and we give it a thumbs up.

After having steak for dinner and rootbeer floats for dessert {YUM!}, we climbed up on our roof to watch the fireworks. I have to admit the view did not turn out all that great, but we were able to see some and the weather was quite cool up there considering how hot the day had been. After the show we could see seemed to end we got down and watched a few more fireworks on the television. But by then it was nearly 10 pm and it was definitely time for bed.
I hope you all had a wonderful, family filled Fourth of July! God bless America!

Scripture of the Day: Alma 61:15

Year of Miracles #11

This week's miracle is certainly not one to razzle-dazzle you. I was hoping it might be since it is the fourth of July and razzle-dazzle is kind of the theme for the day. Instead it is kind of a string of coincidences, more like a sparkler than firecracker kind of miracle. Or maybe one of those worm glow thingies. But here we go anyway...

I had been trying to think of an inexpensive treat idea for my three visiting teaching ladies. It is way too hot to bake here, so I was trying hard to rule out anything involving the oven. But it was looking like cupcakes until I stopped by Michael's to get bike decorating supplies for a neighborhood parade. While perusing in the dollar section {totally my favorite section there} I noticed that they had these cute round tins in a great shade of blue. I bought three thinking I could maybe put some candy in them. After Michael's we headed to my good friend Heather's house for a swim. I showed her my find and she said she just happened to have some cute red and white star mints that I was welcome to have {thanks so much Heather!}. Later I typed up some red stars with one of my new favorite freedom scriptures and taped it to the top of each tin. After dinner I decided to go deliver the tins. I walked outside just in time to deliver one to one of my VT ladies who was driving by at the time. I was really glad to catch her as she is normally very busy {works two jobs and has an active social life} and was leaving for the evening. I caught another one of my sisters at home too and had a nice, quick chat with her.

And there it is... Bang! Pop! Sparkle! {smell of acrid smoke}

Happy Independence Day!

Scripture of the Day: Alma 48:11

Two New Great LDS Blog Sites

I found this fun new blog this morning to get good ideas for Family Home Evening, especially for families with younger kids. Loved the recent ideas posted on it about making temples from play dough or learning about the story of Lehi leaving Jerusalem by holding FHE in the family tent. Lots of creative, great ways to make FHE memorable!
Another great blog is Feast Upon the Word, which gives lots of lesson planning helps for LDS teachers. There are also tons of great scripture study helps, thought provoking study tips, and links to other terrific resources. Need to put together your lesson for Sunday? This site is a great help!

Scripture of the Day: 2 Nephi 3:5

Great Quote

Read this this morning and it really spoke to me. It puts a lot in the right perspective!

"Some of our struggles involve making decisions, while others are a result of the decisions we have made. Some of our struggles result from choices others make that affect our lives. We cannot always control everything that happens to us in this life, but we can control how we respond. Many struggles come as problems and pressures that sometimes cause pain. Others come as temptations, trials, and tribulations."

--L. Lionel Kendrick, "Strength During Struggles", Ensign, Oct 2001, 24

New Month, New Theme

The new theme for the month of July is freedom and liberty. I have created a flag-like poster without the stars. Each day a star with a scripture about freedom is added to the poster. The kids take turns placing the stars on it. Of course there are only 31 days in July, so there will only be 31 stars instead of 50. But the kids seem to like the idea anyway! I took a picture of the poster, but it turned out lousy--so I will use a clip art flag for the sidebar instead. Here's the picture. Scripture of the Day: Alma 43:49-50