2010 April — A Southern Fairytale

Happy Birthday, Daddy.

9:35 AM ByRachelFiled UnderBirthdays, Grandpa

Happy First Day of the Last Year of This Decade of Your Life.

(that’s about right, sounds exactly like something you’d say)

I baked a German Chocolate Cake last night. I wish that we lived closer so that I could have surprised you with it.

I can’t.

So, I took a picture of it, ate a piece and today I dropped it off at the elementary school and told them to enjoy it in honor of your birthday. (They’re very happy today was your birthday)

What to say to you on your birthday?

I hope today is wonderful, I hope y’all throw some steaks on the barbie and that they’re perfectly medium rare, I hope the potatoes are crisp and tender. I hope that the boys come over and that you’re surrounded by love and family and laughter and hugs, those things that you worked so hard to teach us are the most important aspects of life.

Thank you for always standing beside me.

Thank you for holding me just tightly enough that your presence was always known but, not stifling.

Thank you for allowing me to fall and to fail.

Thank you for always picking me up afterward and helping me to find the right path.

Thank you for being an amazing Father and Man, one to whom every other boy and man was measured against.

Thank you for standing with me and loving me and laughing with me on the day you passed me over to the man who did measure up.

I have learned and continue to learn so much from you.

About life and parenting, about saying I’m sorry and not being afraid to show my children that I’m not perfect.

I have grown and learned the most from you, not from your perfections, but your imperfections. I hope I am able to teach my children in the same way.

Thank you for helping me to realize that life shouldn’t be taken too seriously, or I’ll never make it through in one piece.

You have helped me to see the importance of friendship, independence, laughter, love and knowledge.

You taught me to stand on my own two feet, but also to know that it is just as important to know how to ask for help and lean on others when it is necessary.

You were, and still are, the best father any little girl could ever wish for and now, the most amazing Grandpa.

Happy Birthday, Daddy.

We love you so much.

Rachel, Nathan, Princess and Monkey

P.S.

I had a plan.

The kids were going to sing Happy Birthday to you and I was going to videotape it and put it on here and it was going to be messy and adorable.

I can’t find my video camera, anywhere. *sigh*

24 Comments

For Piper of Love

11:33 PM ByRachelFiled UnderEverything Else, Family, Videos

I We have a friend. A woman whose fiery hair is a mere hint of the fire that lies within her heart.

The passion and strength of her love for her friends and family is awe inspiring.

The sound of her laughter draws people in.

The smile on her lips enchants you and the wicked twinkle in her eyes intrigues.

This special, beautiful woman has recently been devastated

What follows is a collaboration of love from across the country the world. A compilation of love from friends far and near.

A reminder for Piper, that she is loved. She is THE Piper of Love

Piper, you inspire us and we want to remind you that YOU are LOVED in return.

If you are posting the video on your blog, are in the video or have written a post of love for our girl, Piper of Love, please leave your name and url in the linky. This linky will update on multiple sites and spread the love for Piper even further.

I am so blessed to among this amazing group, thank you!!

TaggedFamily, friends, Piper 26 Comments

Migas

8:50 AM ByRachelFiled UnderBreakfast, Mouthwatering Monday

[donotprint] Migas might be my most favorite egg breakfast dish ever. Eggs, jalapenos, salsa, cheese, chips… my mouth starts watering just thinking about them.

I like my migas with a lot of chips!!! You may want to use 1/2 the chips, it’s up to you.

These migas are super easy to make, delicious and the spice level is completely adjustable for your tolerance. I like mine with some ay yi yi yi!!!

complete recipe to follow pictures

Migas

Eggs, Cheese, Salsa, Butter, Onion, Jalapenos, Corn Tortilla Chips

Melt your butter in your medium skillet over medium heat

Toss in chopped jalapenos and onions and sautee until the onions begin to soften and the smell has you wanting to scoop them up with a chip and devour

While the onions and jalapenos are cooking mix your eggs, cheese and salsa together in a bowl or large measuring cup; when the onions and jalapenos are ready, slowly pour the egg mixture all around the pan to cover

allow the eggs to firm up a bit and then using a wooden spoon or spatula gently move them around to distribute the eggs. This is the time you’re going to top the eggs with the broken corn tortilla chips Like I said, I like a LOT of tortilla chips in my Migas

Gently, using your spoon/spatula/spoonula, incorporate the eggs and the chips together and let it cook until the eggs reach the firmness that you desire!

Spoon into a dish and top with a dash more salsa and even some cilantro if you like it!

Now, for the printable easier to read recipe

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[print_link]

Recipe: Migas

Summary: Delicious Hearty Eggs with jalapenos, cheese, onions, salsa and corn tortilla chips

Ingredients

5 eggs
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
1/3 C chopped jalapenos (I use nacho sliced and then chop them, so much easier. You CAN use fresh, they’re awesome but, this recipe is about the easy)
1 C (roughly a good handful) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 Tbsp butter
1/4 C salsa (plus additional for topping)
salt and pepper, to taste
handful of corn tortilla chips, broken

Instructions

dice the onions and jalapenos and grate the cheese
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat and then add in the onions and jalapenos.
While the onions and jalapenos cook; crack the eggs and whisk them together with the salsa and cheese.
When the jalapenos and onions have reached the point where they’re soft and fragrant and you want to scoop them up with a chip and devour them…
Pour in the eggs and make sure you get all the cheese and salsa in, too.
Let the egg mixture firm up a bit and then top with your broken chips, softly and gently use a spoon to push the mixture around to make sure that everything gets cooked. 7. Serve topped with a bit more salsa. You can garnish with more jalapenos, cilantro and even fresh diced tomatoes.

Variations

* you could use fresh onions, jalapenos, tomatoes and cilantro instead of salsa. * Just saute all of those together and then add in the eggs. * You can use corn tortillas instead of corn tortilla chips, I just prefer corn tortilla chips

I can’t wait to see what y’all have been cooking! Thank you so much for sharing your recipes with me!

Please use your recipe URL for the linky. Make sure you link back here in your post! Leave a comment on here after linking up and then go visit others who have linked up.

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