Pride comes before.. a broken oven- Baked Frito Pie & Blender Beans

I have quite a track record for good intentions gone horribly wrong. Mixed with a chronic lack of patience and my tendency to assume I don't need to follow anyone elses' instructions (can you say pride?), the results can be catastrophic. 

The most recent example of this- while trying to clean the cooked-on gunk out of the bottom of my mom's oven the other day so she could cook her famous oven-roasted candied pecans without filling the house with the smell of burnt grease and goodness-knows what else, I somehow managed to destroy both the top and bottom cooking chambers completely.. just in time for Christmas. Epic fail.  

Turns out I don't know everything. Sorry Scarlet O'Mamma.. and thank you for loving me in spite of myself. You're the best :)


But prior to its demise this old oven had a few shining moments, the latest being an Oven-Baked Frito Pie. I found the recipe here, and adapted it a bit to fit my kitchen (my adaptions are in italics).

I grew up on the traditional chili-and-cheese-smothered-mass-of-corn-chips version of Frito Pie with no complaints, but after tasting the more sophisticated version (if you can actually say that about a recipe that's main ingredient is manufactured by Frito-Lay), I'm definitely not going back. It's super creamy and oh-so-easy.. if you have a functioning oven, that is.

Oven-Baked Frito Pie

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef
1 can (16 oz) chili beans
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I eyeballed this amount and probably used a bit more than a cup)
3 1/2 cups corn chips (also eyeballed and used more than 3 1/2 cups to adequately cover the chili mixture)
1 1/4 cup sour cream (I needed the full 16oz. but the amount used depends on how creamy you'd like it)

First brown and drain the ground beef in a large pan. I used a 85% lean mixture, but next time I'd pick an even leaner variety, because too much of the meat's bulk was cooked off.

While the beef is browning I covered the base of a 9x13in. pan with Fritos (be sure to use the Originals, not the "Scoops").

 

Next stir the chili beans, tomato sauce, taco seasoning mix and 1/4 c. of cheese into the pan with the browned and drained beef.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Now remove from the oven and spread enough sour cream, Fritos, and cheese over the top of the casserole dish to cover it. I had to use more of both ingredients than the recipe called for in order to do this.

Return to the oven and cook for 5 more minutes, and it's ready to serve!

Now eat up, and don't stop until this is all that remains:

So good!

(Recipe from Sweet Treats and More)


1 lb. ground beef
1 can (16 oz) chili beans
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 1/2 cups corn chips (Frito's)
1 1/4 cup sour cream

Directions:

Cook ground beef until meat is browned; drain. Stir in beans, tomato sauce, taco seasoning mix and 1/4 c. of cheese. Sprinkle 1 cup corn chips in bottom of 8x8 baking dish or 9x13 dish. Cover with chili. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Spread sour cream over chili. Top with remaining corn chips and cheese. Bake 4-5 minutes longer.

Makes 6 to 8 servings






I guess this technically could have been a meal all in it's own, but that morning I'd thrown some pinto beans in the crock pot as an experiment and decided to get really crafty with them at this point. I roughly followed the directions here, where Kalyn of Kalyn's Kitchen tested whether soaking the beans before putting them in the crock pot really made that much of a difference (spoiler alert- it doesn't). And since we've already determined patience isn't my strong suit, the non-soaking method worked perfectly. I should have pre-seasoned the beans and water they in before they cooked because seasoning them post-crock pot didn't quite suffice.

To begin,I placed  two cups of dried pintos in the crock pot with enough water to cover all of the beans and cooked on high for about 8 hours. When the beans were done, I drained them, reserving the liquid, and placed about half a cup at a time in the blender pulsing them on the "mash" setting, adding the reserved water as needed to keep them from sticking to the blades. Periodically I'd add dashes of salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste, but again, I feel like the flavor would have been much better if the seasoning had been done prior to cooking the beans.

The ingredients

 

After the mashing was over, I added some cheese and stuck them in the oven for about 5 minutes. Looking good!

This process yielded ultra-smooth and rich "refried" beans, but it wasn't without a little extra work. It was a hassle to do them only one half-cup at a time, and it was tricky to guess the perfect ratio of beans and water. Plus, transferring the beans from the crock pot to the blender, then to a serving dish added more mess to clean up. But if you're more concerned with the appearance of the finished product than the ease of preparation, this is a great way to ensure restaurant-style beans without the sore arms that come from mashing the beans by hand.

Like I said earlier, I really deal with some pride issues. I hate asking for help or admitting I'm wrong, to God or to anyone else. Whether it's asking for driving directions or help with statistics homework, I'd much rather spend two extra hours figuring it out on my own than take two minutes to get some much-needed assistance. Not a biblical approach to life by a long shot. Proverbs, and the whole Bible for that matter, is chock full of warnings to those who refuse to accept correction, advice, and counsel. I mean, Proverbs 15:10 says that those who hate correction will die. Whoa.. that's a scary one 

So why is it so hard to do? Probably because it's absolutely necessary in order to live a full life in Christ, and those things take sacrifice. Jesus Christ Himself took direction and advice from His Father, so what makes me think I'm immune?

But yet, I still refuse to read directions and end up breaking ovens. It's insane.

So when I look at the things I've done, both big and small, out of an "I-know-better-than-you-Lord" attitude, my heart aches.. badly. Pride really does come before destruction & disgrace (Proverbs 16:18 and 11:2) , and it shows me truly how far I am from where I want and need to be. If I want to be used by God to do the things He has for me to do, I can't refuse to do follow His lead. It doesn't work that way.

And I can't fix this one on my own

It's at this point that I start to see how much I don't have figured out, and how much I need my Jesus' direction. The pride begins to melt away and I can't pretend I've got all the answers any more. The song "Busted Heart" by For King and Country says exactly what my heart is feeling right now in it's beginning lines-

"Winter has come back again
Feels like the season won't end
My faith is dying tonight
And I won't try to pretend
I've got it all figured out
I don't have any doubts
I've got a busted heart
I need You now"

But in the midst of the shame and confusion, this truth emerges, with all the hope I need in order to continue pressing on-

 "Hold on to me until it comes to an end
Soon this season will end
I'll surrender tonight
You meet me right where I am"

He meets me right where I am, and He'll take me to the places I'm not yet. And this, my friends, is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

The best things in life are free- Paint Chip coasters, cards, & Christmas decor

Let me just say that I'm a sucker for anything free.


Turn me loose in Sam's on a Saturday morning and those sample booths will have me fed for the week.

Once I got a bottle of Ojon (shampoo specially formulized for African-Americans to combat nappy roots) just because I recieved a coupon in the mail (and used it).

And don't get me started on the "free" section of Craigslist. I don't care if I'll never use a mini-Vuvuzela.. if they're giving it away, I'll take it.


So when I discovered the art of crafting with paint chips, i was hooked. Not only are they uuber cute and colorful, by gosh, they're free. Yes and amen.

Fast forward a few months, and I'm pretty sure I'm on the watch list of Wal-mart's paint department. Decorations, cards, gifts.. It's gotten a little out of hand. That SBoM was making fun of me for this obsession the other day, so do you know what he's getting for Christmas? That's right, paint chips (I'm only half kidding.. be on the lookout for that post sometime soon). One of my bigger undertakings is a gift for one the most amazing families I've ever known who I babysat for in Searcy. That one will be a post in itself as well, but here's a sneak peak:

 Stay tuned!









My latest P.C. project was an upcylce of some old drink coasters. I was inspired by this but I needed to use what I had laying around, so the finished product looked more like this:

Here's my version:

Paint Chip Coasters


I had some beat-up, drink-stained Christmas coasters stuffed into a box of decorations from last year that needed a new life, so they became my base. But you could use any sturdy cardstock, cardboard, or cork.

These were made out of thin cardboard.

The supply list wasn't extensive, either. Just some Modge Podge, a glue stick, the coaster bases, and whatever combination of paint chips your little heart desires. My personal fave are the ones only available at Wal Mart because they're long, have great colors, and come in about bajillion and three varieties.

First, slather your coaster base in a generous amount of glue from the glue stick. Be sure to get every little nook and cranny.



I went for the "less is more" look.



Easy as 1-2-3



Next, trim up the edges to match the coaster base.

Then apply a thick, even coat of Modge Podge on the top and sides.

Be sure to get the sides really well so that the paint chips adhere completely.

Repeat as many times as you have coasters and let them dry completely until no stickiness is left.

And you're done!

Now all that's left is to put them to work. My favorite way to do that is with a concoction I made up on a whim recently called a Strawberry Wine Spritzer. Mix your favorite sweet wine with some strawberry flavored carbonated water and half a "to-go" packet of strawberry flavored Crystal Light. Yum!

But the craze doesn't end there. These guys are so perfect for Christmas cards and tags like these:








And a lot of them have Holiday-themed names that add extra flair:



"Polar Bear" and "Sugar Plum"




"Happy Holiday"





"Jolly Holly" and "Christmas Red"



"Warm Gingerbread", "Cinnamon Stick", and "Cinnamon Spice"

And they make great quick, colorful ornaments/wreaths/etc.

You may see me at an addicts anonymous meeting soon, but for now I'm perfectly happy with this little obsession... as is my wallet. You can't get much better than free.


Speaking of free..

There's been a lot on my heart and mind lately, and so much of it makes me think, why in the world would the Lord still forgive me for all of this? I have done so much to hurt His heart (for real, y'all.. it's been a mess), and I still don't have it all together in the least.


Last night when I was talking whining to God, the Holy Spirit hit me hard with the fact that if  I spent half  the time in the Word as I do on Pinterest my life would look a lot different.

Ouch.

But the Truth isn't always comfortable or easy to hear.. And I know that that Truth brings no condemnation. So as the lies flood in about how awful I am and how far from grace I must be falling, the word free begins to grown in meaning, because in Chirst I have recieved so much for free:

Free grace

Free love

Free forgiveness

Free acceptance

Free-dom from condemnation

Free

Free

Free

I am free. Wow. I don't know what that does for you, but my heart can't get enough of that. Jimmy Needham sings many songs addressing this blessed fact, one being "Forgiven & Loved." Part of the chorus is,

"When He died He died to rectify my hopeless situation,

And His blood commands my guilt to flee.

So on calvary I stand, empty pockets, open hands,

Because there is no condemnation for me."

And at the very end he just repeats,

"Child you're forgiven and loved."

Wow. Gets me every time. Enjoy :)




 
 
 

His handiwork

Oh man, y'all.. I've got some news. Are you sitting down? Because for insurance purposes, I highly recommend it.

I've started another blog.

Yes you heard correctly, & don't bother thanking me for making all of your Christmas wishes come true. I figured that the one thing this world needed most was more uuber-frequent blog entries written by this infinitely wise, mind-blowingly successful, and ultra experienced chick. Did I mention that I'm dabbling in the high-fashion modeling industry and performing my first brain surgery tomorrow, too?

Jokes. You can stop laughing and pick yourself up off the floor now.

But for real.. before you click on the little red "x" in the top right-hand corner of this page, humor me and read on for a little while.

I started this little dandy a few months ago when I wanted to make the announcement that I was moving to the wonderfully southern state of Georgia early next year. My intentions were to give little updates every now and then to let my faithful few know what God was up to in this crazy life of mine. So far, the entry count is 3 in the same number of months. Go me!

But since then, I've done a little blog hopping, spent a few (wasted an ungodly number of) hours on the best website ever invented (Pinterest. duh), and had a number of heart-to-hearts with the Lord, all of which have led me here.

All of you fellow Pinterest enthusiasts know how terribly/wonderfully addicting it can be to peruse the boards of friends and strangers, eagerly re-pinning their great ideas, delicious recipes, and cute crafts, thinking to yourself, "One of these days I'll log on to Pinterest and cook every last recipe, make every single craft, and simplify my life with all these great ideas."

But life keeps coming, you continue to spend more time pinning than actually doing anything productive, and the glue gun, crock pot, and pile of yardsale junk you bought last weekend to "upcycle" stay in their cluttered cabinets.

If only there was a central location to find a bunch of good organizational ideas to take care of my cabinet problems..

I digress

Or if you're even more like me, you can't even imagine ever being creative enough to attempt any of these glorious ideas. You've been told (by other people, yourself, the devil, etc.) that you'll never be able to cook a decent meal or complete a successful DIY project. You're a failure at most of the things you undertake anyway, so even though your heart longs to try the ideas you've dutifully been pinning for months, there really is no point in wasting your time. Keep dreaming.

But with Christmas swiftly approaching as well as my first opportunity to live on my own (hence having to cook for myself and decorate all by my lonesome), I decided to branch out juuuuusst a little and start attempting to build the skills I believed were absent in me so long. Every endeavor was prefaced with much self-deprication, begun with absolutely no self-confidence, and completed with varying degrees of success. Most of the time my fears were confirmed- I failed. Big surprise.

Enter the aforementioned heart-to-hearts with my precious, patient, ever-loving Lord and Savior.

What I couldn't figure out is why, despite my pathetic track record, I still had a longing in my heart to do all of these things. I even kept amassing junk and art supplies, all the while thinking, you fool.. you're never going to use any of this. Once a failure, always a failure. But one night as I was looking through my craft box, mentally picturing what could possibly become of these odds and ends and immediately shooting down every attempt at creativity, I realized something very basic, yet at that moment meant a change of pace for me. Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do," while Genesis 1:27 says, "So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." If I'm handiwork made in the image of the Creator and Master craftsman of this world and everything in it. that means that my very nature is to be creative. And if I'm created in the image of His perfect and good Son Jesus, then I've been enabled to make stuff that is good.. even GREAT! Furthermore, by insulting my ability to create anything of value I'm really insulting the Holy Spirit inside me that lives in me.

Whoa.. mind = blown

So I began creating with that mindset. And dang, did things change. Not everything, not all at once, but change was a'comin. And since it wasn't from me, I want to share it with you. Because nothing of mine is worth blogging about, for "I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature" (Romans 7:18), but when He's in the drivers seat, it might be worth a second glance.

Insert blog #2. Since I started "She Can Laugh at the Days to Come" to be more of a way to update the fam and special friends on what Jesus is up to in my life lately, I decided to make a separate place to try my hand at tutorials, recipes, crafts, and the like. I'll explain how I came up with the name (if you even care) later, because quite frankly, 3am is wayyyy past my bedtime. Most of what's on here won't be original and I will definitely be linking honor to where it's due for sure, and every now and then there may be a Kelly n' Jesus original thrown in there. A girl can dream, right? :)

So there you have it. I promise most of the entries on here are meant to be short, easy-to-read, and to the point. And I'm 100% honest when I say that suggestions, comments, and even criticism are not just welcomed- They're encouraged. I definitely don't have all the answers and for sure don't always know the most effective way to do things, so enlighten me, would ya? I'd appreciate it!

And true to form, I've got to leave y'all with what's singing to my heart tonight, "Lift Me Up" by The Afters. Listen close to the lyrics.. I promise you'll hear Jesus speaking to you, too. Enjoy :)






Until next time,