My recipes for the Mexican fiesta

I took my guacamole and some chicken mole. Christa liked both and she is the Mexican expert in our crowd. So I will share the recipes.

Chicken Mole

2 T vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 T cocoa
1/2 t each ground cinnamon and red pepper flakes
1/4 t each ground cloves and ground black pepper
1 c smooth almond butter
1 c canned crushed tomatoes
2 c chicken broth
1/4 t salt
1 slice soft white bread, cut into small pieces
1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 in chunks

In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, combine the oil, onion, garlic, cocoa powder, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, cloves and black pepper.  Saute for 5 minutes.
Add the almond butter and mix until it melts into the other ingredients.  Add the tomatoes, broth, salt and bread, and bring to a simmer.  Add the chicken and return to a simmer.
Cover the pot and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Apparently I don't have the guacamole recipe on this computer. When it warms up I will go to my desktop in the basement and add it then!

Mexican fiesta Christmas

Very different celebration this year. We had Mexican food, palm trees, tacky Mexican souvenirs for gifts, margaritas were the drink of choice. A really nice change of pace!

Kokanee hike September 2010

Here are the photos that were taken that lovely day.

Gerrard Spawning Channel

This post includes a slide show of all of the photos that were taken that day - click on the photo to the right of the screen and all the photos will appear, then at the upper left corner is the slideshow button.

Photo taken by stranger of all of us

 

The February Blahs

The hospital foundation is raising funds for a CT scanner for our hospital. It will be in our department so this year when we had our usual open house for all the hospital staff we asked for a donation to the scanner fund. So we decorated in the theme of the day with the entrance to the open house area being fashioned after the gantry of a CT scanner.

Emily at gymnastics

Jimmy had another birthday

He is now 55. He keeps trying to catch up to me but will likely always be five years behind. He is starting to look a lot more like Dad!

My Olympic Experience

Karen's 2010 Olympics

And then came Christmas

Spiffy new bathroom

I had a devil of a time finding a mahogany colored bathmat to go with the mahogany colored towels I had my heart set on. As you can see, the bathmat ended up being boring beige. I painted the walls pale blue and the vanity top is also pale blue.

Outdoor Eating area at work - obviously not lunch time!

This is a lovely shot of the mountain ash tree in the back yard. At this time of year you can see the lake - you pretty much have to know that it is just a bit above the middle of the photo.
After being sick for most of October into November I guess I fell off the blog wagon but shall try to climb back on now!

Bathroom renovation - while I was in Boston

I can't believe that I didn't take any before shots! Too busy getting ready for the trip and the construction. Just imagine the 70's green bathtub and sink!