My Report of going to the Gleann Abhainn Kingdom Arts and Sciences Faire 2023 - Part 2

      Now that I have recovered a bit from the Faire, here is the rest of the pictures.  There isn't much to say about them since I don't know most the people's name etc.  While there I was inspired by what I saw and now have a couple of more projects in mind.

     With that in mind...Here is some more eye candy.

These next two pictures gave me an idea.  I am having trouble with my Tabard and was wondering how to take care of it.  I think I might try to add something/trim on each side to tie it up.  I also need to try and widen my neck hole.  Sigh.  So much to do.  LOL.

This is part of Merchants row.  They were also holding demonstrations on how to make various things for those who were intereted.

This is Savannah (Zanna).  I'm not sure what her SCA name is but she is into crafts and even before moving to Arkansas, I would send her some things in the mail to help her with getting back into crocheting.  She now helps out part time in a local business who has a lot of yarn.  She does some of the samples and tries out their yarn.  I think that is what she said.  It is nice to put a face to somebody who I've been in contact with for over 3 years.

This is a friend of Dan's.  Dan hadn't attended many Faire's and from everybody's reaction, they missed him.  I think he was a little surprised but pleased.

A little bit of a close up of the Royals throne.

When they came in, the processional went through the arches formed by the guard and their swords (swords - SCA style anyway).

This was one of the gentlemen who was elevated in status.  It was a big thing.  Somebody from all the other orders had to say something on his behalf to the Royals.  Each time somebody talked on his behalf and the King accepted their recommendation he was given another piece of gear. 

This is the picture of what his outfit now looks like.  :)  I am sure that I'm not getting all the words right but you'll get the idea.  

Zanna, getting recognized.  I was still in shock from my trip up to the King and Queen so I didn't hear what for.  I'll have to ask her or somebody else.

NOW....I had another inspiration from visiting.  I'm not sure what inspired me with this, but I have decided to make a Hnefatafl (Viking chess game) game board.

From Wikki: Hnefatafl, also known as The Viking Game, The King's Table or simply Tafl, is one of those two-player games where the opposing sides are not equal in number. The defending side comprises twelve soldiers and a king, who start the game in a cross formation in the center of the board. Their objective is for the king to escape by reaching any of the four corner squares. The attackers comprise 24 soldiers positioned in four groups of 6 around the perimeter of the board. All pieces move like the Rook in chess and pieces are taken by "sandwiching" i.e. moving your piece so that an opponent's piece is trapped horizontally or vertically between two of yours.

Here are some pictures of the board.  I like this design best.

Here is another view of it with the pieces on it.

This one is a variation of the board.  I have to do more research to see what I'll pick to copy from.  

     That is it.  I got caught up with everything and didn't notice my battery draining down so had to stop there.  LOL.  That's ok.  I hope this gave you an idea on what a small event would be like.

     I hope you enjoyed it.  Now, in order to get used to typing my name as now I have to on my Exchequer Reports, etc.

Have a blessed day.

Gudrun of Bromeland, O.O. C.

Mundanely known as Bonni Feltz

   PS and FYI:  Gudrun = my SCA name

           of Bromeland = where she is from.... and Bromeland is my maiden name.  Ancestors came from Norway.  Near Sand, Norway.

            O.O.C. = Order of the Onyx Chalice

My Report of going to the Gleann Abhainn Kingdom Arts and Sciences Faire 2023 - Part 1

 

     As usual, when I go to an event or exciting place, I take a lot of pictures.  This was no exception so I will share them with you in more than one post.  

     Our plans changed at the last minute but I adjusted to it.  It was supposed to be a little bit cool but then the weather said it would be in the mid to upper 80s so Dan decided we wouldn't go to Feat.  That wasn't too bad but that also meant I didn't eat anything until I got back home.  He didn't either so it was fair game and I had a post roast that quickly heated up in the microwave.  But that is the end of the story and not the begin so let me try and not get too distracted. 

     The weather was nice and after some rearranging, I wore my tabard which had the Raven on it and took my fancier dress for court.  Long story short...I didn't wear my fancier dress since it was hot and a velveteen long sleeve dress did not bode well for keeping one's cool.  More on that later.

     So Dan came over and loaded up the car.  I had plenty of bottles of water to drink in the cooler.  Dan had plenty of canned coffee and brought the igloo ice packs he had put in the freezer from the night before.  No rain in sight but plenty of scenery.  I discovered that my phone wasn't charging in his vehicle so I had to ration out my pictures....oh the HORROR of that!  It did work out in the end though.   This picture shows what I got to look at on the drive there.  It took us a little over an hour from my place to get to the site.  It is located near Memphis (the largest city near it) Tennessee.  This event was the Kingdoms Arts and Sciences (A&D) Faire.

     After parking the car and digging out everything we were going to take with us, pulling a wagon filled with necessities like our folding chairs and refreshments, we started the long walked to troll.  That is what they call the booth or tables where you pay your fees and get a flyer on what times things are being held etc.  That is also where you get your program of events.  This picture was taken because I thought it was a great way to show off their groups arms, etc.  It is the back of a small clipboard which was used to explain the rules and you had to sign that you understood etc.  

     Dan, of course, filled out the form for me since I conveniently left my glasses in the car.  So he went back to get them but AFTER filling out the form.  As you can see from this picture, he suffered through standing still long enough for me to get a picture of him in his garb.  Doesn't he look like he is up to something?  He was.

     Unbeknownst to me, he and Shalom had put in a petition to the King and Queen for me to be granted an award.  That award was was to be admitted into the Order of the Onyx Chalice.  They said, in their petition (this is what Dan said anyway) that I had been supporting their group even before I retired and that they considered me one of the founding members since I had supported them and even donated half of the money they needed in order to form the Shire of Ravenshold.  I had totally forgotten that.  Then they said that when their Reeve (the individual in the group who is in charge of the money) suddenly quit and left they didn't have anybody to take over that position so I volunteered.  That impressed them I guess since it isn't a position most people would volunteer for.  Who knew!  So my name was called to come up in front of their majesties.  

    Isn't that what everybody wants?  After being in the same outfit and sweating for 7 hours, you get called up in front of the King and Queen.  At least my tabard that I was wearing looked semi ok from the front and they didn't see how wrinkly it was from sitting down all day.  The next two pictures are of my scroll that I was given and my device.  The linen piece of fabric goes on my belt to show people that I am a member of the Order of the Onyx Chalice.  

     This also bestows upon me the title of Lady.  I think my title should be lady with the wayward hair.  Sigh.   Still it is my first circlet, put on by the King himself.  The Queen leaned in before I left the area in front of them and patted my hand and said I was brave to have taken on the reasonability of Reeve, or Exchequer as they also call the position, when being new to the SCA.  I didn't dare tell her that if I had known ALL of what it would entail, I might not have done it.  Some things are better left unsaid, right?

     When you get called up, you are escorted up to in front of the King, Queen, Prince and Princess.  Then you are to kneel on the cushions in front of them.  

     I didn't have to because they knew it was hard for me to get up and down.  I was about to try and kneel when the King stood up and took my hand and said I didn't have to kneel.  Then he and the Queen stood in front of me and announced my award and handed me the paperwork and the circlet was put on me etc.  They were VERY nice and jovial throughout the entire thing.  Then I turned around.  Dan had been behind me throughout this (although I wasn't aware of it) and there ready to escort me back to my seat.  He looked very proud and smug all at the same time.  Once I got back to my chair he patted my hand (which I won't think it was condescending at all) and said he knew I would get even with him for not telling me ahead of time.  He was also safe in the knowledge that Shalom couldn't make it so I get to give Shalom a bit of a hard time afterwards.  Don't get me wrong.  They both are great friends and as you know, great friends are also fun to tease and give a hard time.  They can handle it.

     Enough of seeing pictures of me and my award.  Let's get on with some of the pictures from the A&S competition.  When you submit something to the competition, you need to also submit detailed documentation about it.  That includes historical documentation also to show that it was done in that period of time.

      I didn't think I would see a submission of plants but there is a Herbal Guild which was well represented.

    

     

     Of course the outfits were also predominantly represented.

          That's it for this post.  I hope you enjoyed the pictures.  I'll have more in the next post. 

Twas the night before the fair...

 That would be the SCA  Arts and Sciences event that is tomorrow.  To take my mind off of it I seemed to have gotten a burst of energy.  For instance, I finished my block for the exchange.

I also managed to finish up this weeks Blackwork stitch.

Here is more of a close up  of the latest blocks.  Now I have to work on some of the border.  I can work on the upper border but won't carry it down on the right hand side until I start to work on the blocks on the bottom.  

Since I am going to a SCA Arts and Sciences fair tomorrow, I wanted to make sure that I got these posted while I could.  If I find anything interesting, I'll try to take pictures and post them next week.  I have a couple of things I wouldn't mind getting but I am low on money since it is so late into the month.  Still I will price some of the braids and ribbon perhaps.  You never know what will be there.  I'll report back probably Sunday or Monday.  

In the meantime...

Have a wonderful weekend.

Crafting bug has hit again...

      I finally found my crafting bug again.  I think he hid under the couch knowing that he would be safe.  So what does that mean?  A lot and at the same time not much.  It means that I actually feel like working on things.  It also means that I get frustrated when things don't go right for me.  LOL.  

     So I have been working on my new block for the exchange. This is the pattern that I chose.  

     I have two leaves left to stitch down and then I'll probably switch to the browns.  I like to work on one color at a time so that I can thread 6 or so needles and have them all ready for me to use.  You'd all laugh at me if you saw my needles.  I have about 10 empty needles on  a pin cushion sitting on the arm of a chair next to my computer table.  Then I have two magnets with threaded needles on the side of the table.  It is a metal table so the magnets stick to it.  One magnet has my black DMC on it for my blackwork and the other one has red and white DMC threaded needles for a Christmas project.  THEN on my table runner which is on my table that  my printer  and computer is sitting on, I have six needles threaded in whatever color I am working on for the block shown above.  Also on my computer table is a mug rug that I have a couple of scissors, some misc. empty needles, and some floss that I will be using soon.  LOL.  As they say, everything is nearby.  Did I mention that when I get tired of working on one project, I put it on top of my hope chest which is on the right side of me.  This way, when I am in the zone, I don't have to move often.

     I found out yesterday that my friend Dan is going to kidnap me and take me to a SCA event which is being held around Memphis, TN.  I can't be too mad at him for not giving me much notice since he is treating me to it.  It is an Arts and Sciences themed event.  There will be an artisans row, merchants, food concessions, fighting demonstrations, games and entertainment.  The downside is that I have nothing to wear.  Well, to be honest, I do have things to wear but they don't fit me very well.  Ummm.  Could it be the fact that I've gained 30 pounds?  Nawwww.  It has to be something else, right?  I have something I could wear if we go to the more formal feast.  It is not the best but I can be satisfied with it.  The every day walking around garb is something I'm not happy with but Dan gave me ideas on how I can change it or fix it so I'll like it better.  That doesn't help me this weekend but I also know once I'm there, I will be too busy looking around at things and won't pay TOO much attention to my attire.  I'll try to take pictures.  

     Now that being said, one of the possible outfits that I *can* fit into needs something done to it.  It is a plaid (not something I normally like to wear) and thin.  There are buttons at the top but then the style or period that the outfit was styled in has open sleeves.  That bugs me so I was looking for some buttons that I could put on each sleeve to help close it up somewhat.  That means......DIGGING OUT THE BUTTON BOX!!!!

     For those of you who haven't seen my button box before, this is it.  If  you look carefully, you'll see around some of the buttons there are some scribbles around the buttons.  They were put on the box by my Niece in Law and her children.  My Niece in Law, Jessica, had taken all my buttons and box home with her to get it organized a bit.  Before she had a chance, her young children (who are now out of school and some are even married), got hold of the box and a pen and had fun decorating it THEIR way.  To cover it up, Jessica glued a lot of the buttons on it.  She apologized but I couldn't be mad at her.  It was too cute and such a clever solution.  Anyway, I wanted to look for buttons for the sleeves.  I found 3 but would have wanted 4 buttons to add to the garment.  THAT led to me emptying everything out and sorting out the buttons.  

     Now that the buttons are more organized, I am happier but still didn't find my 4th button.  I'll make it work somehow.  I could maybe use some of those wooden buttons.  If nothing else I won't wear that dress.  

     A friend asked me what I do with all those buttons.  Good question.  In the upper right corner, you might spot some white snowflake buttons.  Those I used to decorate Nora, my polar bear wall hanging.  Those buttons that are still in the packaging are Tilda Buttons.  When I was in a monthly program that featured Tilda patterns, quite often there was a packet of buttons that matched the project of the month in them.  They are adorable!  Other buttons just came from past and possible future projects.  One of my very first quilting projects was with a pre printed Raggedy Ann and Andy panel.  They were in the middle of the print and it showed a TON of buttons all around them.  I sewed real buttons over the printed buttons.  It took forever but it was fun  to do.  I saved me from figuring out quilting at the time and it was loved.  What more can one ask?

     Remember that table runner I was working on?  It is now all put together and just waiting for me to put on the binding.  I hope to have it all finished by the end of the month.  It is not the best work I've done but since it will be mostly covered up by dishes etc.  I will use it when I have company over and put it on my ironing board which is where I line up my food for a buffet style service.  I make do with what I have.  :)

     This shows all the proposed projects that I was working on.  I am happy to say that some of those have been finished and the rest are ongoing. 

     Well Hermione (with her new hairdo)

is staring at me.  Have you ever tried to stare down an owl?  Good luck with that.  I'd better sign off and get back to stitching.  I hope everybody has a great day.

Wow...so many recipes

      I have been so busy.  My friend Ann has been sending me recipes and has been keeping me so busy I haven't tried any of them out yet.  I'm not complaining though because a lot of them sound really good!

     Here are some that caught my attention:

     I have been gaining weight for the last three weeks but eventually I'll get back on track.  Every time I see a great recipe I want to make it.  LOL.  Not good if you are trying to lose weight.  I now need to lose around 35 pounds.  I'll do it eventually but I'm not in that much of a hurry except for the fact that my SCA clothes aren't fitting me well.  That's for my next post though.  This post is for cooking.

     I did make some new recipes and my taste tester, Dan, liked them both.  One was for a wonton dipping sauce.  He used up the first batch on wontons.  So he is now on a new batch.  Being for wontons, it has a lot of soy sauce in it so I decided to make another sauce I thought he'd like.  I made a honey dill dipping sauce.  He told me he had bought some egg rolls when he went to the store.  He came away with more wontons, pot stickers, AND egg rolls.  He tried the honey dill sauce and loved it.  Here are the recipes I found:

Wonton Dipping Sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tbsp rice vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar instead since it was the number 1 substitute listed for rice vinegar.  White vinegar was the number 2 substitute)

1 teaspoon chili garlic paste or hot mustard.  (I just used regular minced garlic)

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1-2 teaspoons honey

1 scallion, sliced or sliced green onion

1 teaspoon sesame seeds (I left them out since I didn't have any)

- Combine in a bowl and whisk until well blended.

Honey Dill Sauce

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup honey

2 tsp dried dill week (dried dill works better than fresh in this recipe)

1/4 tsp lemon juice (optional)

Instructions:

Measure all ingredients into a medium-sized bowl and stir, scraping down sides, until it is an even color.  (The color will have a green tint to it because of the dill)

Serve immediately or, for best results, cover and put into the fridge for 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.  Store covered in the fridge for up to one week.

I'm asking Dan to heat up the sauce for just a little bit before he uses it since it will be coming out of the fridge and it is honey.  I think a small amount of time in the microwave or on the stove would work best so that you can stir up the sauce and the honey would be more fluid(?)  He hasn't tried it yet but I'll let you know how it goes.  

     Another recipe that I tried was Moroccan Couscous (serves 2).  I have to say that I had mixed feelings on this one.  It didn't have any flavor so I ended up adding salsa to it and a little bit more spices.  So if you make this add some spices.  I'm still not sure why it is called Moroccan.  Let me know if you make it.

Moroccan Couscous for 2

1 tbsp chopped onion

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup dry couscous

3/4 teaspoon olive oil

- Add oil to a pan and heat it over medium heat.  When oil is hot, add onion and cook until soft.  Turn off heat.

- Pour water into a saucepan and place the saucepan over high heat.  When it starts boiling, turn off heat.

- Add onion and couscous and stir.  Cover saucepan and let it rest for 5 minutes.

- Take a fork and fluff couscous and serve.

   

     Another recipe that I tried was Meatloaf in a mug - serves 2.

Meatloaf in a Mug - serves 2

4 Tablespoons 1% low fat milk

4 Tablespoons quick cooking oats

1/2 pound lean ground beef - broken up/crumbles

4 teaspoons low sodium ketchup

2 teaspoon onion powder

- grease 2 microwave safe mugs (12 oz each) with some cooking spray

- place:  oats, ketchup, onion powder, and milk in a bowl and mix well.

- add beef and stir until well combined

- divide mixture into mugs

- place in microwave and cook on high for 3 minutes or until the meat is not pink any more.

- cool for a few minutes and serve.

    I used ground turkey which made it a bit "loose" so I added in a bit more oatmeal.  I will make it next time with beef which I think it will work better.

   That's it for now. I hope everybody has a great day.

Decisions...Decisions...Decisions...

 Sometime I hate having to make decisions.  Up at the top of the list is choosing what color of floss to use.  That is what I spent a lot of the last week doing...matching DMC floss.

The first thing that I had to match DMC floss for was the flowers on a piece of sample upholstery fabric that was sent to me.  After careful consideration, I think  this will be my color palette--more or less.

It has taken me most of the week just to get this little bit of stitching done.  I have ripped out, or frogged as some call it, the stitching 2 out of 3 times.  Still I will stick to these colors and stitches so far.  I was going to work on another section of the flower but I'm on the second round of taking out the stitches.  We'll see how it goes.  :)

In addition to doing that, I am working on my September block for the swap I'm in.

After going through a ton of colors, I think I've settled on these.  

The leaves have already been stitched down.  now it is time for the vase and flowers.  The background on the flower fabric is a very light purple (almost pink) with red flowers.

That's not all of the projects I've picked up and put down this week.  Today was the day when the next block for the Blackwork came out.  I didn't work on it today but I'll work on it in the next day or two.  I have a week before the next section is put out so I know that I can get this block done before then.

I also received Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments magazine today so after I finish posting this I will sit down to relax with some caffeine  and/or water and read a bit.  

Oh, before I forget...I cut out the batting for my blue table runner.  Now I have to figure out what fabric to use as the backing.  Once I get that figured out, I'll have to figure out whether or not if I'll machine quilt it or to do it by hand.  It will just be straight lines so it will be simple quilting.

I also pulled out my hexie storage box and pulled out some hexies that were only partially put together.  Here is a sample of them.  I will need to make more and sooner or later will have to sew them together.

I'm sure I might be missing something else to report but I will catch up next time.  I'll end this post with a cute picture.\

Doesn't that little elephant look so happy?  It was a picture from a little elephant who had been allowed in the swimming pool at one of the zoos for the first time.

So be like the little elephant.  Enjoy life and take pleasure in the simple things in life.

This week's crafting and more...

 What a week!  

       I made progress on my blackwork.  I'm all caught up but tomorrow a new block comes out.  I will be ready for it.  I didn't think that this week's block was hard but I still messed it up a couple of times.  Perhaps I let my guard down (let my brain drift away).  Nothing too bad and you'd have to look pretty closely at it to see here I messed it up.

Here is more of a close up of the new block and side stitching.  I will work more on the border after I start to stitch down the right side blocks.  I have plenty of time.

The blackwork isn't the only thing that I worked on.  I finally got Lilly fused down but it took me more than one try.  

As you can see, I didn't throw away my mistakes.  The dragon on the left, underneath the eagle, was a mistake.  The eagle is also a mistake that I decided to keep.  I believe that I will be working on an island of misfits.  Those two will be used in that.  Not sure who else will join them but I don't have a specific time or person that I am going to send it to so there is plenty of time.

I did have a surprise this week.  My friend Connie, who I used to work with at NIU in Illinois, came down to take me to dinner.  I still can't believe that her and Wes drove all that way in one day but I was sure glad to see them.  It was fun catching up with them.  Have fun on the erst of your vacation Connie and Wes!

I know I'm jumping all around on topics in this post but I know my readers are nice people and will forgive me.  :)  I just remembered that I wanted to share with you what Craftsy says various sizes for baby blankets should be.  I can't say that I agree, or disagree even, with them but I thought I'd share it with you and let you decide.

You all know how much I love dragons so it isn't a surprise that when I see a cute meme featuring a dragon, I'd have to post it.  Ta Da!!!!  Isn't this little dragon so cute?

The last thing that I wanted to share with you is this little reminder to enjoy food and life.  

I hope everybody has a good week and I'll share other updates next week.

What's Bonni Cooking Up This Week

     Most of my leftovers have been used up so now it is time to restock the fridge.  What will I stock it will?  Who knows.  I am thinking to make:

Balsamic Chicken Thighs

Mocha Coffee Steak

Polenta 

     All of these recipes are very easy to make (according to the cookbook I found them in) and I like that they don't have many ingredients.  For instance the Mocha Coffee Steak uses extra virgin olive oil, the steaks, salt and pepper, cocoa powder, and instant coffee powder.  The amount of each varies from 1/2 teaspoon to 2 tablespoon (The olive oil).  Not bad at all.  The Balsamic chicken thighs only has 4 ingredients and the polenta only has 5,  Not bad at all.

     I will also round out the week's cooking with ramen noodles and some leftovers that I put in the freezer.  All in all not too bad.  I don't go to the grocery store until the first week in September but this should last me ok.  

What are you making this week?

Updates on crafting ---

    Wow!  I actually have things to report this time.  LOL.  

    Where to start?  Well I'll start with the Blackwork update.  I am so happy that I can report that I am caught up on all the blocks, even the block that came out today, as well as have one side of the final frame almost done.

    Since I took the pix tonight, the color is a little off.  The fabric is an oatmeal color and the floss is the traditional black (DMC310).  It is not wonky on the fabric but wonky design wall but you get the idea.  The border on the left side is the final border.  As I work on the top, I will fill in the top border but I am taking a break on it for the rest of the week.

    I have the pieces for my block exchange copied onto Heant n Bond. I have the colors picked out for the leaves but not the flowers.  I might wait until I find out who my partner is and then see what colors they like.  In the meantime I can start to stitch the leaves on.  I might pick a color for the flower buds I am still not sure on that.  I can wait for a bit on that.

    I ran across some helpful PDFs from Just Get It Done Quilts the other day.  If I can find the link to them again, I'll share.  They are Quick Block Calculations in a Grid Format.    Here is a sample of the 12" finished chart.

    

           

     I have a couple of other projects in mind.  I just have to find the fabric that I want to use first and then I'll let you know.  I did receive a quilt pattern in the mail the other day and I pulled out some patterns that I liked.  I won't make them exactly like how they were shown but it will be a good start.  One involved a cat pattern (blocked and not appliqued) and some pumpkins on it.  I haven't made a cat pattern in awhile.  This one reminds me of the pattern that Missouri Quilt Company did which I have done before so we'll see if I make it.  I need some that will be for hanging on the wall for in between holidays.  Mostly in August and September.  I have a couple of ones that I received shortly after moving to Arkansas but I would like to have a couple more to switch out.    We'll see.

    That's it for now.  I thought there was another thing I was going to report on but since I can't remember it now, I'll have to tell you next time.  :)

    Everybody have a safe day. 

    HUGS!

End of week update on what's cooking...

 I went to the food pantry and Walmart yesterday and now have a full fridge.  Of course that means I have some prep to do otherwise I won't find anything.  That means that today is a prep day and some cooking for the freezer day.  

First of all, let me talk about what I made this week.  I had too many leftovers in the fridge that I postponed making some of the dishes.  I had planned to make:

Ramen noodles
Rotel Chicken - if I remember to pick up Rotel tomatoes
Sloppy Joe Quesadillas - might be next week though
Taco Bell Meat.

I did made the Ramen noodles but they weren't that  much different then what I normally make.  It was a good reminder to use the sesame oil a bit more when I make ramen.

I remembered to get the ingredients for the Rotel Chicken,  Here are the ingredients for the three recipes.  The Sloppy Joe and the Taco Meat recipes are pretty much self explanatory.  cook up the meat, add spices, etc.  As a side note:  I just use whatever shredded cheese I have on hand no matter what the recipe calls for.  So here are the ingredients needed.

Rotel Chicken:

   4 small chicken breast

   1 teaspoon cumin

   1/2 teaspoon EACH:  chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper

   10 oz Rotel, drained

   1/4 cup heavy cream (I'll use evaporated milk which is a 1 to 1 swap)

   1/3 cup chicken broth

   2 oz. cream cheese

   1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided)

      - Combine the cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a bowl and set aside

      - Heat a 12 inch skillet over medium heat, spray with nonstick spray or add up to 1 tablespoon olive oil.

      - Sear the chicken in the skillet 2-3 minutes on each side until nicely browned, remove from skillet and set aside

      - add the drained can of Rotel, heavy cream, broth, cream cheese and reduce heat to low

      - Stir mixture until cream cheese melts completely and add 12 cup of shredded cheese to the sauce, stir well

      - Add the chicken to the skillet and cover with the remaining cheese

      - Place a lid on the skillet and let simmer over low for 6-8 minutes

Sloppy Joe Quesadillas:

   1 pound ground beef

   1/4  onion diced

   2 teaspoons minced garlic

   1/2 cup ketchup

   2 tablespoons brown sugar

   2 tablespoons yellow mustard

   4 burrito size flour tortillas (10 inch size)

   1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

   1 cup Monterey jack Cheese; and 

Taco Bell Meat:

   1 pound ground beef

   1 tablespoon all purpose flour

   1/2 teaspoon onion powder

   1 teaspoon chili powder

   1 teaspoon paprika

   1/2 teaspoon cumin

   1 teaspoon beef bouillon paste

   2 tablespoons tomato paste

   1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar

   1/2 cup water

 I cooked up the Sloppy Joe mixture and then decided that I would freeze all but one serving of it.  I will finish putting it all together when when I serve it.  That would be the tortilla shell and shredded cheese.  I tasted it and it has a little bite to it which is good.  That would be the yellow mustard in it. 

Next up for cooking today is the Taco Bell Meat.  When I was doing some of my meal prep last night, I took some onions and chopped them up as well as dividing the hamburger and ground turkey meat.  I decided that I would package the meat into a 50-50 mixture.  50% ground meat and 50% ground turkey.  The ground beef will give the ground turkey a little bit more flavor and extend it at the same time.  That's in the freezer now so for both the Sloppy Joe recipe the Taco Bell mixture I will use the mixed ground meat.    

I will wait a few days before I make the Rotel Chicken recipe.  I have all the ingredients now but I need to eat up some leftovers from last week as well as use up some fresh produce that I received from the pantry haul.  Dan bought me a 3 pound bag of chicken breasts so I will be using the chicken from that when I make the Rotel chicken recipe.  It was interesting to look at the chicken breasts in the bag.  One was HUGE (think more like Purdue chicken size chicken breast) and some were small enough that it almost looked like the size of small chicken thighs.  That will work out well for the Rotel Chicken though.  It calls for small chicken breasts.  I'm not sure if I will use as much as what it calls for or use part of that and then part of my bags of chicken again.  It will extend the chicken and better hide the texture of the bagged chicken.