Tex-Mex Chicken & Rice

A little spice & a little rice in this warm and inviting Tex-Mex dinner. This is a great weeknight meal, as it doesn't take long to make.

Microplane Winner!!!

The winner of the bestest zester ever....Tamara Brown!

Congratulations!!

E-mail me at ConniJSmith@yahoo.com to claim your prize :)

Happy Zesting!!

Changes: A New Blog

I have lots of readers who come here to read about life in Alaska, or Army life, or any of the many things I like to write about.

And then I have people that really only come here for the recipes.

Well...I have launched a new blog...and it's all about the FOOD.
Let me introduce to you...CookingABlueStreak.com




Many of my recipes are already there, and the rest are being added.

Don't worry! MrsMamaHen.com is not going anywhere. I'm just branching out and separating the eclectic from the specifically food-related.

Those of you that follow me on Twitter, probably noticed my name change on there. Rather than being "MrsMamaHen" - I'm "ConnisCooking" - since I'm running the two now.

So if you follow me on Twitter...you can keep following me there. New posts for both blogs will be on that feed.

If you follow me on Facebook, the new facebook page is HERE.

Thanks everyone!!! I'm excited about the new project.

~~~

The newest post on CookingABlueStreak.com?

Whiskey Sliders!

Another Successful Hunt!

Two weeks ago, my husband went on a successful caribou hunt. Meat for the freezer!! Well, today he went out again. This was the phone picture he sent me before he even got home.

Before & After

Yesterday I had to make a quick stop in the store, and as usual, the Alaskan sky was gorgeous.

Before going in the store...


And when I came out...

Homemade Cajun Seasoning

Another simple "homemade" version of the seasoning mixes you buy in the store - made from basic spices you probably already have at home.

Mongolian Beef & Broccoli

Tender steak strips and bright, cheerful broccoli - yum.... And it is quick to make, too!

Brown Sugar & Garlic Chicken

This is a ridiculously easy dish that is perfect as a weeknight meal.

A Zesty Tale - and Give-Away

For a long time, whenever I needed to zest citris, I used my grandmother's grater. I knew there were better ways of doing it, but I just never got around to looking for a zester. The problem with this, was that it zested the citris much too deeply and not very well.

Staple - Vanilla Coffee Syrup

Another basic thing that you can easily make at home, is Vanilla Syrup for your coffee...or your ice cream or whatever you would like to flavor.

Look how beautiful this looks!

Staple - Taco Seasoning

Staples are basic things that you use in your kitchen very often, or basic things that you can make to have on hand for future use. Maybe things that you don't realize that you can easily make yourself.

The first one I am going to show you, is home made taco seasoning. I love making my own taco seasoning, because there are no preservatives or questionable ingredients in it. I don't include salt in mine, because depending on what you are using it in, you may or may not need it. So this can be adjusted to whatever dish you are making.

Winter Fun - Tubing

Yesterday, our family went tubing at the recreational area on Fort Wainwright. This was the first chance we had had to go this winter, and so glad we did!

Last year when we went, it was just me and the boys. This time, Dad was home from Iraq, and Jen was along too.

Jennifer heading up the hill the first time.

Warning

Before I let you look at this post, I must give you a warning.

If you fall under any of the following categories, DO NOT READ THIS POST.

Weak-Stomached
Afraid of the sight of blood
Afraid of the sight of "dead animals"
Have a phobia of butcher shops
Don't know where meat comes from
Think meat comes from a grocery store....

Then don't look at the post.


But if you understand hunting and the process that goes with it, go right ahead and read the post.

You have been warned.

Cheesecake Pastries

I promised those on Facebook and Twitter that there was going to be a double treat today....2 recipes posting. This is my favorite of the day of course....Mmmmm! Cheesecake in a pastry. It is very simple and very delicious, and the variations you can do with this are endless.

Slow-Cooker Curried Chicken

Here's another simple slow-cooker recipe to warm you up on a winter day.

Personal Ham & Cheese Stratas

In our house we enjoy having traditionally "breakfast" dishes for dinner. Last week, I made these for the family.

Aurora Borealis

This is the first time this year that I have ventured out to see "The Lights." Because quite frankly I am not hard core enough to do it at Negative 40.... but 18 degrees is acceptable!

"Self-Portrait"

In the Photo Challenge the other day, the assignment was "Self-Portrait." So I took a little time and took some pictures...

This one was taken with my phone.

A Successful Hunt

This weekend my husband went on a hunt with some of his co-workers. I'm happy to say it was a good weekend. And though I love to hunt, sleeping like this is not my idea of a vacation.

Potato & Bacon Torte

I love, love, love this recipe. A flaky pie crust, creamy potatoes & applewood smoked bacon. What's not to love?

Morning Sun

Slow-Cooker Mexican Lasagna

I love using my slow-cooker, why on earth don't I use it more!?

Here's a simple dinner you might like to give a try soon.

The Carnival of Homeschooling - Changes

Welcome to the 319th Carnival of Homeschooling!

Pizza Muffins

I made these the other night for my kids to have for dinner when hubby and I headed to the ball. I made them in the afternoon, and all they had to do was warm them up, and warm up the pizza sauce for dipping.

Last Night

Slow-Cooker Balsamic Chicken

There's nothing better than slow-cooked, rich chicken over couscous on a cold winter day.

Grown-Up Mac & Cheese

Who didn't love Macaroni & Cheese as a kid? Do we every really outgrow that adoration for it? Well, maybe for that kind that comes out of a box.

We grew up, and so can the Mac & Cheese!

The Yukon Quest

Last night after getting home from the ball and winding down, we set our alarms to make sure we got up and at 'em in time to head on out for the start of the Yukon Quest! Not everyone is familiar with the Yukon Quest, but most have heard of the Iditarod. The Yukon Quest is considered even more grueling than the famous Iditarod.

The Ball

Last night was our Redeployment Ball.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Today while running some last-minute errands before the ball tonight (SHOES!!!) I saw some workers busy carving an ice sculpture.

Homecomings and Farewells

Like I have mentioned in other posts, homecomings bring many events and activities once the Leave and family time is over.

Some of them are fun, some are bittersweet. This would fall under the bittersweet category.

Photo A Day Challenge

The challenge is continuing this month...today's assignment: "Words"

After the Homecoming

After the unit came home from Iraq, we enjoyed lots of family time, as the unit took "Block Leave."

Now that work is getting back into the swing of things, it is time for all of the "after deployment" activities. Today was the third of these particular ones. Awards.

Our troop marching in.

Gorgeous Morning Sky

Yesterday I was heading home form the fabric store (Got the rest of my ball gown supplies!)

I noticed a beautiful glow in the sky, so I made a detour to a nearby park. Alaska gives us such beautiful skies!

My Day in Pictures

Tuesday was a very busy day. Lots of running around.

Waking up.

Nutella-Pecan Oatmeal

This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship....