Bo and Dorlene Ferguson

Bo and Dorlene
(Mike, Sonya and Sheryl)

More Than A Tradition - Dorlene's Enchildas

As promised each week I will be featuring a recipe. This week's recipe is a family recipe. To say it has been in our family for more than 40+ years is a safe statement to make. This recipe first appeared on my menu when I was a mere young bride.
One of my favorite of Steve's uncles was Bo Ferguson. He and his wife, Dorlene, just barely ten years our senior, took me in and lovingly showed me the ropes to being a member of the Ferguson family. Bo was ever the kidder and loved to joke around. He was also a betting man when it came to food. Right after I first met Bo, he challenged this LOUISIANA girl that he could out eat her in shrimp. Well, let me just say that Bo Ferguson met his match and then some. He learned there were certain things that a Louisiana girl could out do him. There were many good times and plenty of joyful moments shared between Bo and Dorlene and their family and Steve and me. One of the first things Dorlene taught me to make was her enchiladas.
Dorlene's enchiladas were a thing of beauty - not only to look at but to taste. Bo would even eat them cold (not my way of eating them. He definitely had me beat there). We spent our first New Year's with Bo and Dorlene and their family and that tradition lasted until Bo passed away.
There is something to be said about a tradition - but this was more than that. It was a time we all looked forward to sharing. Christmas was almost anti-climatic compared to spending time in Vicksburg with Bo and Dorlene.
I guess that is why time is my kitchen has always been a special place to me...especially when family is around. I try to make it memorable (short of fire in the kitchen or some other calamity like that). Each moment spent with family in our kitchen continues to be holy. There is much to be said about family in the kitchen.
Each time I know that our children, grandchildren, and other family and friends are planning on a visit, I ask the same question: "What would you like for me to prepare for you?" And, sometimes a special dish is requested and sometimes it isn't. Just spending time in the kitchen is enough because we know it is going to be fun.
With our grandchildren, I've tried to institute a new tradition. That is each time they come, we cook something in Nani's kitchen. Such was the time when our Louisiana grandchildren came and we tested a "Molten Lava Cake." It was so much fun wearing the goggles, aprons, and pretending to be in a test kitchen trying out a potential recipe. Then there was the time we tested "Brownie Covered Oreos." Or the time we made reindeer cookies out of M & M's and sugar cookies. What fun we had!
So has it been with each family that visited - a different recipe - and best of all, a fun time had by all. You see a tradition has to be more than just a tradition in order for it to last. It has to have a heart to it. It needs to speak of joy, fun, fellowship and most of all love. The memories shared in making a tradition count is timeless. The "Do you remember when...." followed by laughter is what makes a tradition timeless. It lives on in the hearts of those that share it. With all that said, may you resolve to make your time with your family and friends more than a tradition...make it a life-memory that just thinking about it will bring a smile for years to come. Here goes - Dorlene's Enchiladas Recipe.
Thanks, Dorlene, for helping me make this our family tradition. Your legend still lives on...

Dorlene's Enchiladas

For every dozen enchiladas, you will need the following:

1 lb. ground beef (we use lean 96/4)

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 small can chopped ripe olives

2 slices Velveeta Cheese

1 can Wolf Brand Chili without beans (this is the best brand)

1/4 cup finely chopped onions

1 dozen corn tortillas (or flour) - I make flour for the girls and corn for the boys (Yes, I do!)

1 package of Mexican Shredded Cheese

Brown ground beef with fresh chopped onions adding salt and pepper to taste. Drain off any liquid. To a skillet, add drained ground beef with onions, ripe olives and Velveeta Cheese . Mix in skillet until cheese is melted and then set aside.

In a saucepan, add chili with 1/2 can of water. If not enough water, add a little more until the chili is just barely runny.
Warm tortillas either in a microwave between moistened paper towels or on a griddle. Dip individual tortillas into chili and then place in an oblong baking dish that has been sprayed with PAM. Spoon meat mixture onto tortilla and then roll, placing tortilla seam side down in baking dish. Repeat process until baking dish is full.

Top enchiladas with remaining chili. Sprinkle cheese over the chili. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted and enchiladas are bubbling. You can make ahead, cover and freeze! Great leftovers!!

Little did we know at the time this picture was taken that Bo would leave us in a little over 6 years. He fought the good fight and won and waits for us at the best of all places - the Lord's table.

It may seem like just a simple recipe to you, but to us who share it and enjoy it, it is a tradition...it is family...it is love.

"I thought you gone. You were no

more...but then I remembered your smile...

and there you were...right where I could find you...in my heart!"

(Left to right) Bo, Sandy and Steve

Taco Bean Soup

Winter is finally here!!! It is a breezy 41 degrees. It is suppose to be in the high 20's tonight and tomorrow in the high 30's. For a girl who is used to 70+ weather, this is a great time to pull out the soup recipes, bundle up with a great book or finish those indoor projects that have waited for such a time as this!

Thought I would share one of our family favorites. It is a hearty soup and very filling. This is also better the day after you prepare it and also freezes nicely. We serve it with either cornbread muffins or tortilla chips (Tia Rosa). To dress it up you can add a dallop of sour cream, sliced guacamole and by all means do add the grated cheedar cheese! Here you go! Enjoy!!!

Saute' and brown: 2 lbs ground beef (I used 96/4 lean ground beef) and 2 medium onions (chopped)

Once the meat is no longer pink and the onions are clear, drain and add to your stew pot. To the meat mixture add the following items - juice and all! (That means don't drain the juice from any of the canned items.) Add: 1 can Mexican stewed tomatoes (if you want a snappy taste - add 2 cans Rotel tomatoes); 1 can chopped green chilies (mild); 1 can Ranch Style Beans; 1 can whole kernel corn; 1 can garbanzo beans, 1 can hominy (white or yello); 1 can black-eyed peas; 1 package taco seasoning.

Simmer over a low heat for about an hour to allow flavors to blend. Stir occasionally to make sure the mixture does not stick. You can serve this immediately or refrigerate and microwave individual bowls the next day. Always a hit! Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!

Finding the Center

I feel like I am looking at a mixer on high and wondering when and how I will jump in? The lives of those around me are in chaos...some are hurting, some are in conflict, some are angry with God for their circumstances, some are struggling with depression and oppression. Where do I jump in, Lord?
As I type these words I see in my mind the swirl of emotions mixing in the lives of others and myself. Somehow I have fallen into this mix. My heart is hurting, and I'm angry...You are here...but how do I find the center where you are?
This mornnig like each morning and each evening I have a ritual that is a life-saving. Due to a rare inheirted blood disorder, each morning and evening begins and ends with an injection. This injection is designed to right the wrong in my blood cells. Without these injections, blood clots form and...well, it isn't good.
Years ago I was told by my doctor that the oral medication I had been taking was no longer effective. It would be necessary to change from the medication to the daily injections. I truly thought my world had ended. The thought of purposely inflicting something similar to a "bee sting" pain into my abdomen twice a day was not my idea of a good alterative to the oral medication. But, there were no other options. This was what would save my life and keep me present in the lives of those that mean the world to me.
One morning totally distaught with the pain, I cried out to God, "Please give me a reason to do this! I do not want to spend the rest of my life feeling like this." In the quiet of my heart where God resides, I heard God clearly say, "Name your shots." "Now, this is an interesting and intriguing concept, Lord," I said, "But I really don't understand what you are asking me to do."
Then God laid out his plan: I was to name my injections. That meant that each time as I did an injection, I was to remember in prayer someone(s) by name(s). "I love this idea," I told God excitedly. Being the ever planner, I grabbed my calendar, sat in my prayer closet and asked God to help me know who to pray for during these times. Before I left my prayer closet that day, four months of names for my injections were written on my calendar. Sometimes I wrote notes to those on their "Shot day." Sometimes I called and said, "Today is your shot. Do you have a prayer request?" And sometimes I emailed them to tell them what I heard in my prayer time during their shot!
You know it is a good thing when people get excited and join in a plan. Such was the case in naming my shots. What began as (in my estimation) an impossible time became incredible moments with God as I poured out from my heart to His the names to His care.
This morning I am asking God to still my storm so that I can find the center-where He is. I know that God never leaves nor does He abandon us in our storms. So, today, I look to the helm of my ship and ask Jesus to stand up and speak to the gale winds and crashing waves, "Peace be still!" Then the peace comes...I have found the center and my heart is still.
The second ritual is that before I turn off my bedside lamp at night, I read from my "Grandmother's Bible." Without a doubt, with no exceptions, no matter what kind of day I have experienced God meets me in His Word! In this Bible there are prayers for the grandmother to pray over her grandchildren. I read the prayer aloud including two little ones who are not my "birth" grandchildren, but are in my heart as such. Leaving those precious souls in the arms of Jesus, I am free to close my eyes and rest in peace knowing that all I hold dear has been left to His safekeeping.
This thought just occurred to me. The enemy of our souls wants us to be dizzy...it is his desire to keep us distracted, confused, hurting, tossed about in crashing waves drowning out our thoughts so that we are fearful. His desire is to upset our hearts, make us anxious, angry and isolated.
But!!!! The Prince of Peace is just the opposite! Finding the center is where Jesus is! Zephaniah 3:17 reminds me that Jesus is the source of saftey, peace and joy. It says, "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you are the center of my life. Thank you for rescuing me from the storm, quieting my heart and for the melody of love that you sing over me.

Waiting on God is Sometimes Like Feeding Ducks

Why is it that the most thought-provoking idea comes as you lie back on your pillow to go to bed at night? It was after midnight and the house was quiet as I tiptoed into our bedroom and slipped into the waiting covers. My eyes closed and then it happened - that thought that wouldn't stop! It was as though my mind had a screen (like a full-screen monitor) and the words were flashing at me, "Waiting on God is sometimes like feeding ducks." My eyes rolled in annoyance as I thought, "Nooooooo! I need to go to sleep!" But the words kept flashing on the screen in my mind. I must admit I was a bit cranky when I asked the Lord, "What is it, Lord, that you are trying to tell me" From past experience, I knew that getting out of bed meant that I would easily be up into the wee hours of the morning writing. I also knew that I had a full day awaiting me and I really needed to get some sleep. The Lord reminded me of our system, so I quickly got up, jotted the main thought on a tablet I keep in our dressing area. Climbing back into bed I prayed, "God, PLEASE help me remember this thought AND for now allow my body and mind to rest."

God is so gracious! Sleep came, morning came, and the thought came - again, "Waiting on God is sometimes like feeding ducks." In pondering the statement this morning, my mind quickly went to this past weekend. Our grandchildren and their family were here for a visit and a trip to the playground area was promised at some point in the day. The promise soon realized, we arrrived at the playground area with great anticipation. Our grandgirls saw the ducks that were in the pond area behind the playground. Bread was retrieved from our house (thank you, Saba) and the feeding of the ducks began in earnest. There were two kinds of ducks floating on the pond. There was the Aflack family (pictured above) and then there were these motley looking ducks (see picture to the left). The nicest thing that one might possibly say of these ducks is that they were NOT handsome! In fact, they were really kind of scary looking.

While the ducks were well-trained as to the feeding ritual, we were not. In a matter of minutes our grandgirls were quickly overcome by the persistent and sometimes pushy ducks! At one point one of our grandgirls literally threw her slice of bread on the ground and ran in the opposite direction! Once ALL the bread was expended, the feeding ritual quickly ended and the ducks returned to the water and not to bother us again. Somehow the ducks instinctively knew the feeding time was over.

How is waiting on God sometimes like feeding the ducks? We come waiting on God not really knowing wait to expect. Anticipation high as to what God will do, we anxiously await His movement. Then, our worries, anxieties and fears come to be fed. The distraction of feeding these persistent "ducks" soon captures our attention and we find ourselves quickly overwhelmed. The waiting on God time has become a time of fear and fleeing from His presence. We allow the ducks to keep us from being still and waiting on God and sometimes we miss His movement in our circumstances.

So this morning, I asked God to help me be like a tree planted by the water. I long to be still, drink in all the nutriments that God's everlasting water offers. I want to bask in His presence and not be distracted by the ducks (fears, worries, anxieties or the "what ifs"). Lord, please help me to be still and rest in You! Lord, please allow Your Word to soak into my heart, fill my spirit with your peace and joy as I wait for You.

"He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV)

My 2011 Mission Statement

I will try to do my prayer walking faithfully. (See past blog). I will try to read the "Prayer of Release" daily (it is taped to the outside one of my kitchen cabinets. This is because I am pretty sure that I have allowed something back into my worry zone in the past 24 hours. I will try to make our home an oasis. That means clutter-free to the best of my ability with God's help...it will take that, I promise! I will try to be more hospitable to those who need a respite (that includes me and my family). And finally, I will try to honor God by sharing with others the abundance of blessings that He pours out daily (that includes talents He has given me such as culinary, music, art and laughing...a lot). The key words for 2011 are faithfully...daily...clutter-free...with God's help...respite...honor...sharing.

Listening Ears

What a hoot! I love a 5 year's perspective! One of my grandgirls is pictured here. She and her family came to spend a couple of days with us after Christmas.

As in our tradition of motor vehicle records, Nani's car is the car to ride in when you are going places. Aside from the DVD, etc. conversation is important.

Such was the case on this day! EK asked if she could ride back to Nani's house in Nani's car. Her older sister wanted to ride with her parents because she had just spent over 3 hours in the car with her younger sibling. An older sibling truly needed her space!!!

EK and my conversation began with the usual Christmas conversation - how are you, did you have a good Christmas, etc. EK answered sadly, "Yes, I did have a good Christmas and no, I didn't get everything I wanted." To that, my ears perked up and I quizzed as to what present was missing from her list?

She said that she had ALWAYS wanted a Pillow Pet. Now mind you, I didn't even know what a Pillow Pet was until November of this year. However, this is something EK wanted - badly!!!! In fact, according to EK, she was even given the opportunity to earn a Pillow Pet. Now I am not talking about an average Pillow Pet. I am referring to a white unicorn with a pink horn or a blue dolphin Pillow Pet. Yes, they do make all kinds...apparently...

"Well, EK, what happened? Did you earn it?" I asked. She shook her head, "No, Nani, I didn't earn it, " she replied - now very, very sad. "What happened that you didn't earn your Pillow Pet, EK?" I asked. She began, "Well, Nani, I just couldn't keep me LISTENING EARS on. They kept going off and on...off and on. So, I didn't get to earn one." (Now lip is stuck out and face very, very sad.)

I have to say that it took all my restraint and strength not to swerve off the road from laughing so hard. Trying to mourn with EK over this loss, I replied, "Well, EK, you know, Nani has that same problem." She looked up with a smile and said, "Nani, how is it that you don't have your listening ears on?" "Well, EK," I answered, "sometimes Nani chooses not to listen. You know, EK, maybe you and I need to work on that." So, we agreed we would do just that!

Have to say when her mom snapped this picture, EK had had her listening ears on the whole time. We had just completed a test recipe in her Nani's Test Kitchen of Brownie Covered Oreos. Not only was EK a tremendous help with mixing the ingredients, she was more than willing to help clean up the utensils - licking them clean!

And, in case you were worried about the "missing" Pillow Pet - thankfully it was wrapped along with some ladybug slippers and awaiting EK when she arrived at her Nani and Saba's house.

Love the time with all my grandchildren. Wish there was a way to bottle the memories so that I could pull them out on rainy days - oh, wait, there is...my heart!