Chicken Fajita Joy

I'm no food blogger, I promise, but I love me some easy, fast meals that will feed the crowd that is my family.  It feels like over the last year I have suddenly acquired two horses that eat their weight at the dinner table.  So, with four eating like adults, I am always searching for good, quick, filling meals.

This one turned out good. It doesn't have a name, because I made it up out of the contents of my refrigerator, so I shall call it Chicken Fajita Joy, because it brings me joy to be done dinner with full, happy children.  I'm blogging it because I want to remember what I did. I don't follow recipes well. Sometimes I see a picture of something on Pinterest, realize I don't have half the ingredients for said goodness in my kitchen, so just wing it. Most nights I forgo the Pinterest step and just make it up from the start. Usually it turns out okay, as long as no baking is involved.

First, I made 3 cups of brown rice.  I always add a few cups of bone broth to my rice for all the nutritious goodness it holds. (I make the bone broth after I cook whole chickens and freeze it in ziplocks for such occasions.)

While the rice was cooking I laid out 4 chicken breasts in a pan.  On top, I sprinkled a liberal amount of my own fajita spice mix. The chicken breasts were frozen, otherwise I would have diced them and mixed them up with the spice. I just diced the chicken after it was cooked in this instance. It turned out just fine.

And, on top of the chicken went sliced peppers and onion, and then some more fajita spice (I like it spicy.)

And, only because I had a tiny amount of leftover cheese in my fridge, I grated and sprinkled that over the mix. We try to avoid dairy as much as we can, but I figured using it up would spare me from irresistible late night grilled cheese sandwich blitzes, so it was worth it.

And then I baked it at 350 degrees for about an hour (actually, until Jared walked through the door and I remembered I had actually put dinner in the oven.)

I cut up the chicken and then served the entire thing on the rice with salsa and sour cream (which in our house is actually just plain yogurt.)  It was super easy, maybe 15 minute actual prep time, and completely delish.

For those who want to know, I make a few spice mixes myself, like the fajita mix, and just leave them in jars. I like to know whats in, or rather, what's not in, my spices.  I put the "recipe" on the lid so that I can always recreate.  Here's the recipe for this fajita mix:

...

Ever feel like you've been hit by a bus, and the bus just kept on driving, and no one even noticed you lying there bleeding on the sidewalk?  Perhaps I'm being a little overly dramatic, but seriously, I'm kind of feeling that way right now.

Let's review the scene:

1. For the past two years we have been slowly crawling, on our hands and knees, over sharp shards of government red tape (yes, it's sharp and shard-like), through the process of public adoption.  And, every time I think there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel, a torrential storm passes through and the light goes out. We are now waiting for the Aboriginal tribes in Alberta to give us the okay to officially adopt our sweet girl - something they are given the right to do for every public adoption in Alberta. It is not until then that the paperwork will go to a judge to be rubber stamped and we will be given the all clear.

2. I had a baby. Baby # 5. He's sweet. He's cuddly. I love him. But, I had a baby. Baby # 5.  I am exhausted, and overwhelmed, and babies take a lot of work. Who knew?  I hate to admit it, but I don't feel I've had any time to really enjoy this sweet boy whom we've been blessed with. Where are the hours I would like to spend squishing his cheeks and reveling in his newborn freshness?

3. I am homeschooling two children this year, one of whom happens to have special needs. Plus, I've decided to align with the Alberta curriculum this year, so that adds a whole level of stress to our homeschool days - and yes, may also be something I decide to scrap before too long.

4. Last week Jared blessed our baby Machen in our church. Normally, a glorious event, it was in fact one of the most stressful days of my recent life.  Pictures?  I didn't take any. Not one. Instead I had to get my house guests (whom I love) and my own 5 children (whom I also love) dressed and ready for 9 am church (I didn't dress the house guests). I also had to have ready the Thanksgiving dinner for the 55 people who attended, before we left for church.  And, guess what? The Turkey was still bleeding when we came home from church.  Bleeding.  But, against all odds, my house was spotless (sort of), and everyone enjoyed themselves. I was kind of in a state of shock the whole day, and am not sure if I've fully recovered 4 days later.

5. Two weeks ago, amid all of the other goings on, I was called to be the Primary president of our ward.  I know the Lord has a grander plan in mind than I can see, and I trust in him implicitly, but seriously?!? Honestly, I feel underqualified, and unfit for the task. But, I also have faith: faith that the Lord will carry me through this, show me what it is he wants me to do, and bless me and my family for doing just that.  Still...

And those are just the actual events. It doesn't take into account the piles of laundry, the constantly rotating boxes of clothes that are cluttering my home continually, the piano and cello practices, the basketball and art lessons, the potty training, breastfeeing, dinner making and so on.  Here I am.  Me.  I'd like to be doing so much more than I am, but feel like despite all there is to do, I'm not really doing all that much in the first place.


Okay, how do I end a blog post like this. This was not a call for sympathy or a cry for help, just an attempt to air it all out, a therapy session in 10 minutes on my blog.  That is all.

Smocked - A Knitting Pattern

I have always loved little smocked dresses: you know, the kinds I wore in the early 80s as a baby.  It wasn't until recently that I realized I could combine my love for the height of 80s baby fashion with knitting.  Thus was born, Smocked.

First off, let's all pretend we don't recognize that sweet baby wearing that beautiful dress. I've only got one baby, after all!

The pattern is written so that you can make it either a dress or a shirt, with simple, perfect smocking across the front, dainty puffed sleeves, yet simple raglan, seamless construction.

Oh, and the button band on the back is off centre, which for some reason I think is oh. so. cute!

Of course I think you all should knit this immediately, but don't take my word for it. Check out the other knitters on Ravelry who have knit it up: 

So, buy it. Buy it now.  Just click on this little button right here to do so >>>>>>>>>>

Family Photos, a year later!

Last September we had family photos taken.  I couldn't share them right away, because the adoption plans were still in the works. But the photos are gorgeous, so I want to share them now, even though these kidlets are a whole year older, and we've added yet another since then.  

 

All of us together:

And, the whole Evans clan. Since this picture, three babies have been added.  It's just a little out of control!

Another Addition

That's right, we've had another! Our sweet little Machen was born 3 weeks ago, and I figure it's time to celebrate.  It's been a tough 3 weeks, and I'm just beginning to feel normal, but managing to enjoy this little bundle nonetheless. I'll be back soon with a birth story, I promise.

FYI: Machen is pronounced Maa-ken. It is also the name of a small village in Wales. The very first Evans in my family line was from Machen, as was my great-great Grandma, Sarah Gibb.  It is a name that honors two great family lines.

Today's the Day

Please Note: I wrote the following blog post, and about 5 more very much like it, over 7 months ago. For some reason, despite the joy we have found in our family, I have had a hard time pushing publish.  There is a level of privacy that I'm worried about breaching, but it's also something that is so intensely personal and raw, that it is hard to share at all.  I've been so inspired by other bloggers as they have shared their experiences through adoption, and I'd like to say that I will share our entire journey, but feel that I have to do so slowly and carefully.  

For some reason I think I should start this post with all the excuses why I am a terrible blogger. I want to tell you how busy this year has been; how stressed I've felt constantly since forever ago; how desperately I want the next
3-6 months6 months to a year to fly by. I want to explain the inefficiencies that Jared and I have witnessed at the hand of the "system" and the frustrations that that has brought on our family, and those it's meant to protect. 

But, despite all that, all I want to do is sing!  I want to praise God!  I want to shout from the roof tops that, as of this morning, this sweet little girl, whom we've loved for so long, is OURS!!!

Meet the newest member of the Wiebe clan.

She is the sweetest, most wonderful, amazing 9-year-old we've ever met, and we are so lucky to have her as part of our family.

Fond Of You - A Knitting Pattern

I hadn't knit my Evy-girl anything since Rhymes With Shawl, and she had been begging me to do so for quite some time, so, for her 9th birthday, I worked this one up for her.

Fond Of You is a pullover, perfect for boys or girls, and sized from 6 months to 12 years. The simple raglan design is classic, while the double seed stitch texture sets it apart from other designs.  Knit one up for all the little people in your life!!!

As always, I'm blown away by the artistry of other knitters. Check out their projects here: 

And, right now, like right this minute, buy your pattern so you can knit one too! >>>>

The Afternoon Knows - A Knitting Pattern

The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected. 

― Robert Frost

Sometimes I dream of having the insight of my older self.  Hopefully it would mean that the worries of today would be so much less worrisome. 

One thing I LOVE about designing knitwear is that when I have a vision for the perfect sweater, I can go with that inspiration and come up with something exactly like I want it.  

I love this one!  I've called it: The Afternoon Knows, and it's another old man sweater to match Grow Old With Me. The double thick collar and the oversized fit make it comfy and cozy, while the worsted weight yarn it's knit with make it a quick and enjoyable knit. 

You have got to go over to Ravelry and check out all the projects of other knitters, because they are so beautiful:

Seriously, knit this one right now! You will love it. To purchase the pattern, all you have to do is click >>>>>>>>>>>> 

Circe - A Knitting Pattern

So, I saw this neon yarn from madelinetosh and couldn't really say no...  Then I had to figure out what to knit with it.  Thus, Circe was born!  Circe was the Greek goddess of magic, and I have no idea why this little number makes me think of magic, but it does. I love it. It's one of the few things that I have made that I am sad to not have a girl of my own to put it on. In fact, I haven't brought myself to give it away yet, as I do so many other girl knits.

 

The color choices are limitless, as you will see by the other projects knit: 

And, with the pattern going from premie to size 12 years, the number of people you can knit this for is endless as well.  So, do it. Buy it. Now. 

Anticipation - A Knitting Pattern

Here's another child's sweater pattern for you.  I knit this one up while I was pregnant with Machen, and I love it.  

Anticipation, a simple, versatile v-neck pullover with two options: rolled or ribbed hems. It is knit entirely in the round from the top down. The sleeves and v-neck are picked up and knit in the round as well.

It's sized for children newborn to 12 years, which makes it perfect for everyone.  You can head on over to Ravelry to see all the details and the projects from other knitters: 

Of course, if you just can't stop yourself, feel free to just buy it now:  

Hawthorne - A Knitting Pattern

Here's a pattern that has been out for quite a while, but I have never posted it here on the ol' blog. I named this one Hawthorne, which was Atticus's name until he was 6 weeks old and we decided we liked Atticus better. Hawthorne is really the most perfect beginner project, as it is knit in garter stitch and there is no shaping or seaming. It couldn't get much simpler than that. It would also be perfect as a last minute baby gift, as it knits up extremely quickly.  You can make it with just three buttons as the top, as I have done, or put them all the way down the off-centered front.

This pattern can be yours!  Just click:  and you will be on your way to knitting a Hawthorne of your own!

You can check out other knitter's projects here: