The Good, The Bad and The Ugly....

Sorry I have not posted for quite sometime but...there has been a lot of crappy stuff going on I just really did not feel like it....but hopefully now things are starting to turn around. So this might turn into a really long post....so here goes. After only being at Linley's for two weeks, John already knew that he did not like it there. There was a lot of stuff he saw going on that he did not agree with....so he now has a new job (that's "The Good") good in that it is a lot better paying than Linley's...the bad is that he has to travel to Missoula everyday (so that is reason #1 that we will be moving in the next couple of months). He is working for another trucking company doing local work hauling rocky mountain doubles (a 53 ft trailer and a "pup" trailer that is 28 ft). He hauls wood chips and sawdust. He is training this week. He rides along with other drivers so they can show him where to go into these mills.....because if you don't go into the right entrace, you are pretty much screwed....you can't back up, you can't turn around and you can't uncouple from you trailer. Not too sure how long the training period will be. He has to be in Missoula by 3:30 am.......and on that note...that brings me to "The Bad" (not the only bad....there has been many in the last couple of weeks). Remember that I also work graveyards.....So at night neither one of us are here. So I guess Daisy (she even looks guilty in this pic) suffers from separation anxiety (reason # 2 that we are moving). She doesn't chew or destroy things...she howls....all night long apparently. So we are now looking for a house to rent...without any close neighbors. So in the meantime...we have decided to buy another car (Hence probably "The Ugly") so when John leaves from work he will just drop her off at my work and she will have to stay in the car until I get off work. Sound cruel? She did it to herself.....we really have no other choice other than to spend money a doggie sitter (if we can find one). It will only be on Tues, Wed and Thur night for 5 hours. Other "Bad" stuff....our washer broke and had to call repair man.....I got a job where my cousin Peg works (why bad you ask)....the day before I was to start training....the computer crashed and we had to run out and buy a new one (ouch!). I finished my training only to do the very last step and come to find out that their message system does not support Windows Vista. The question was asked in my "interview" what type of operating system I had....and back then I had Windows XP, so nothing was ever mentioned.....you can't find a computer(on short notice) that operates on anything but Vista.....so I no longer "work" there. Well, I think that pretty much sums up our last few weeks...

Awesome Slow Cooker Pot Roast

INGREDIENTS
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
1 1/4 cups water
5 1/2 pounds pot roast

DIRECTIONS
In a slow cooker, mix cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix and water. Place pot roast in slow cooker and coat with soup mixture.
Cook on High setting for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low setting for 8 to 9 hours

REVIEW:

This was really good and simple too! What I liked about it was that it made its own gravy! I added 2 small cans of mushroom pieces to it....next time I think I would possibly consider adding 2 packages of onion soup mix for a stronger flavor and also possibly flouring the roast and then giving it a quick frying to help to thicken the gravy. We had to add flour at the end of cooking to aid in thickening. We would make this again.

More pics....take a look!

Well we finally got around to getting pictures taken of our house....or rather the sun was finally out to let John take pictures of the outside....we took some before, but it was very cloudy and they did not turn out very well. We also have pictures up of our first floor....haven't gotten around to the second floor yet. Besides, it's not quite as well put together as the downstairs. Our garage is the one in the middle and the middle three windows are our three bedrooms. The mountains in the background are the Bitterroots.

So on my normal working schedule today was my Friday. I have Sundays and Mondays off. After working 11p-7a, I walked directly to Church (St Francis of Assisi pictured below). It is only about 2 blocks from the detention center and it is really convenient that we have a 7:30a mass. I had a little bit of trouble staying awake during the homily...but other than that I wasn't too bad. Came home from church and went directly to bed! Slept until about 11:30a and then Daisy, John and myself went exploring on foot. We finally found our way to the Bitterroot River. It is only about 5 minute walk (if that) until you are able to walk along it banks. Daisy really enjoyed it and it will be especially nice when we have that 1 warm day during the summer(ha,ha). We didn't see too much wildlife...just one bald eagle. We did drive to Kiwanis Park ( about 1/2 mile from our house).... SUPPOSEDLY it is home to Bruce the Moose (we did not see him)! I guess a moose just wandered into the park and decided to make that his home. Now, I'm not sure if they were just pulling John's leg or what.....but he said they seemed serious because they were talking about "antler hunting". I guess certain places will pay good money for the shed of Elk and Moose. I suppose deer as well.

Easy Enchilada Casserole

INGREDIENTS:
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cooked
8 ounces sour cream
1/2 cup chopped green onions
3 cups salsa
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
12 (8 inch) flour tortillas

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a medium bowl combine the soup, chicken, sour cream and green onions. Mix together. In another small bowl combine the salsa and green chile peppers and mix.

In a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish layer as follows: 4 flour tortillas (cover the bottom of the dish), 1/2 of the chicken mixture, 1/2 of the salsa mixture, 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese. Repeat layers. Add another layer of 4 tortillas and top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese. Cover and bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted on top. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.

Since I usually can't leave any recipes alone, the changes I made: I baked my chicken breast and when I did, I spiced them with chili powder, onion flake, garlic and pepper. (I did use 6 chicken breast and doubled the soup and sour cream). I omitted the green chilies (we don't care for them) and to the soup/chicken mixture I added 1 can each of corn and black beans. Since I used more chicken and soup, I used a bigger pan. I also scored the tortillas before I placed them in the pan to make it easier to cut when I took it out of the oven. I also used healthy request soup and light sour cream to make it a little bit healthier. I also did not have any aluminum foil, so I did not cover it at all during the baking. The top turned out extra crispy, so next time I make it I probably will uncover about half way thru cooking.

Review:

This is a very good dish, but I don't necessarily know if I would serve it to company. It looks nice in the pan, but it kinda tends to ooze everywhere once it is dished up. I think we will definately be making this one again. It is really easy to throw together!

Not too much going on.....

Well there has not been too much exciting going on here lately. Today we get our first paycheck in a long long long time (John's)! YEAH! Tonight I start my regular work schedule. I go in at 11pm tonight and my days off will be Sunday and Monday....so for this week, I work for two days and then I have two days off.

We live in the "Banana Belt" as the locals refer to it. Well after the last 6+ inches of snow fell in the last snow storm...everyone said how uncommon it was to have this much snow......well yesterday, the forcast was calling for 2-3 inches (if I recall correctly) but just like last time, we went to bed Wednesday night and not a snowflake was falling. When we got up it was snowing and about an inch or two was on the ground. John shoveled the driveway......I went out about 2pm and shoveled and then John went back out about 6pm and shoveled again. According to the paper today we got about 9 inches...and more is on the way. I guess the snow must follow us at least that's what Nan says (John's mom)!

I decided that since I love to cook and try new recipes, I thought it would be a good idea to share them with you.....so at least once or twice a month I will share the recipe with you all. I will attempt to post a picture and then the recipe and then our review of it. I will post whether or not it turns out or not! Well gotta run, dinner is in the oven....so check back later for the new recipe and our review.