Nachos

 I cook quite a bit, but living an hour from town, it's kind of a necessity if you want to eat. And I like to cook, but sometimes I need a break. I love a good sandwich, but we hardly ever eat them. On occasion, we love a good Reuben, or a Philly Cheese Steak, or a BLT, but for the most part, I cook. We eat our big meal at noon and then DH will eat something small at night.

However, a few years back I was visiting our girl and she made these nachos one night and they became an instant favorite for a treat at night once in a while or as part of a Mexican dinner when we have friends or family over. It really is a meal all by itself though. And if we eat it with an avocado, it's healthier. 😂

They are too good not to share.

Nachos

Tortilla Chips

Freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese

Hot breakfast sausage, cooked

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

Tbsp of diced red onion

Pickled jalapenos

*Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper. Top with tortilla chips. Sprinkle liberally with freshly grated cheese. It just melts better than the pre-grated cheese. Sprinkle with sausage and black beans. Add red onion, pickled jalapenos, and cover with more grated cheese. Pop into a pre-heated oven (250) for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and dig in!

Jumping into June

 Our son has been out the last 2 days, helping DH build fence

They're making good progress

And that means I've had a special helper in the kitchen 

She was so intent on helping, but was not about to relinquish that cookie. 😂

We introduced her to the new barn kittens

That are settling in nicely

We collected special rocks 

for the 'soup' she makes every time she visits

She's also my library buddy

Having them closer has been such a blessing

 and we're both really good at wearing each other out. 😉

 

I managed to recharge overnight and sneak in some sewing time

And progress is being made on my Land of Enchantment project

On the Bookshelf

 I am a voracious reader. We are a family of avid readers. I always have one audio book, one physical book, and one Kindle book going. 

I read a variety of books. I love memoir, biography, historical fiction and non- fiction and mystery / thriller (no gore please), and literary fiction. I'm not a big fan of fantasy (but loved The Ten Thousand Doors of January) or Science Fiction (but loved Project Hail Mary).

A few of my recent (the last 5 or 6 years) favorites off the top of my head are Cold Sassy Tree, Ordinary Grace, Whistling Past the Graveyard, Half Broke Horses, The Nightingale, The Lake House, and The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery.

A few years ago, I read The Dry, by Jane Harper and loved it. I love Harper's writing and that along with a good story that transported me to Australia made for a great reading experience.

So I popped into the library the other day and checked out The Lost Man - also by Jane Harper - and read it in two days - another great read for me.

Yesterday I started The Survivors...another promising page turner. I probably ought to listen to these via Audible just for the Australian accent, but if I can get them from the library then I save an Audible credit for something else. If the writing's really good I often prefer a hard copy of the book so that I can savor the carefully crafted words. Other times, like with Project Hail Mary, the audio version brings the story to life for me. I don't think I would have enjoyed that one in book form.

Okay, DH is off helping friends brand today and I've got a deck and a good book calling my name. 😉

Under the Needle: May

Zip. Zip. Blink. Blink. And just like that, another month is behind us, but between daily life projects and activities, I snuck in a few stitches.

DH made a quick trip to visit his brother for a few days this last week and I thought I might get a lot done then, but I ran errands in town on Tuesday, the kids came for a visit on Wednesday (because they thought I might get lonely 😉), and then I got a call that the baby kittens we'd been waiting for were ready to be picked up so another trip to town took place on Thursday, and then DH came home on Friday so not a lot of sewing happened.

But earlier this month I cut out and pieced everything for the I Spy quilt I am making for our grandson.

I also started a new project that's been sitting in a bin for a long time. 

I cut up 10 shirts for a future quilt

And I made myself a new apron

 I finished 2 quilts this month - my Love You S'more camping quilt 

And my Criss-Cross Baskets 

So I feel like I made a bit of progress this month. I've tried to stay focused, but I was tempted by a few new ideas and projects and I enjoyed veering off course for a bit which means my sewing room is a huge mess so I need to take a bit of time to put things back in order before embarking on more projects.