Chili Con Queso Dip Recipe

Sizzling hot fajitas, chicken enchiladas with ranchero sauce, chili rellenos, frijoles a la charra, chili con queso dip, sopapillas - oh man just the thought of these things make my mouth water.  These were all favorites we used to serve when we had our family restaurant.  I have to admit...there was a time when all I wanted to do was go out to eat.  I have my favorite dishes at all my favorite restaurants and once I got my palate set, nothing would satisfy me until we went and ate what was on my mind.  But now a days, being on a tighter budget has required us to eat at home a LOT more.  And believe it or not, since we have started to eat at home, it is actually where I want to eat.  There is no other place I would rather be (ok, ok, I still have a weak spot for the Outback), especially now that Ronnie is off and he does the clean up! 

So, I thought I would share our restaurant recipe for Chili Con Queso Dip.  Now, I must say, this is all relative.  It is a good basic recipe, but as you make it more and more you will realize that the amounts you use will depend on your veggies.  Sometimes the jalapenos are hot, sometimes they are not.  Not only that, but some people like it hotter than others!  Sometimes onions are strong enough to bring tears to your eyes like a teenager with their first broken heart and sometimes they aren't.  But you will figure out how to adjust for these things as you go along and the more you make it.  Another thing...sadly, this is not a low fat recipe.

So lets get started.  I like to begin by having all my ingredients at hand.

 A note about jalapenos...we normally take the seeds out.  I have found the easiest way to de-seed the jalapeno is by first cutting off the stem...

...then cut along each side...

 ...tada!  Another note: Please be careful with those seeds.  Dont rub your eyes or nose.  You can even wear gloves if you want to be extra safe.

So, now you can add the canola oil, chopped jalapenos and chopped onions to pot and cook about a minute on medium - medium low heat.

Add your chopped tomatoes and cook for another minute or so until the onions are translucent and the tomatoes are soft.  The oil will actually turn a little red from the tomatoes.

Now here's where you may have to play around.  As most of you probably know, the amount of oil and flour you put in will determine the thickness of your dip.  I used 3 tbsp oil and 1 heaping tablespoon flour.  Again, the more you do it the better idea you will have of how much to use.  It should look like a thin paste and stick to your veggies.

Now the tricky part.  Have three cups of water ready.  Add about a cup and a half of water to the mixture, stirring constantly as you do.

Let it simmer and thicken up.  When it does add another half cup of water or so and let it simmer and thicken up a little again. 

Now just add your cubed cheese.  We usually use about 1/3 block of the Kraft American cheese, but again, you can adjust it to taste, pending the strength of the flavor of the onions and jalapenos.

 Now turn your fire down and stir, stir, stir until the cheese melts and thickens.  Add chips and your a hit!

 

BACK TO OLD TIMES

Well here I are again--- refreshed from a good nights sleep---NOT--- read til mid night n woke up at 5:30---thinking about yard work and remembered (CRS) that I left the water on all nite----DUHR.

Back to the "old times"--

Was gonna write about hog killin' time but thought it best to talk about more family first----Mama Fronie's mother and father lived  just a "hoop and a holler away" from the Hale place, it was called the Fagin place it was across the creek and across a road.  Grandma and Grandpa Keenum ---just know that Grandpa Keenum was a farmer also and had a team of mules and a wagon- got a ride one time. Grandma Keenum was a little thing, she had what is now called osteoporosis --called hunch back--back then. Grandpa Keenum died on the porch of that old house. Mama Fronie had 2 brothers--Perry and Earl--- later about them as gonna have to research the old foggy mind.

Daddy Ernie's parents had both passed by the time I came along---there were lots of aunts and uncles, all lived around the area. Uncle Vanie and Aunt Ruby were the ones I was most associated with and they were a lot like my Grandparents--they were farmers and had all the same farm animals and stuff.  They also had a daughter---Sharon---she is a few months older than me. Daddy Ernie and Uncle Vanie worked together farming the land  and helping each other when needed.

More later---can't seem to get it together this  mornin'---ramblin'.

Snoooping Around

One way I love to relax is by checking out other peoples blogs, being nosey and snooping into their lives.  People are all so different and interesting and fun in their own little way.  Anyway, I came across this at Cynnamama's Cafe and had to share it.  Check it out.  And when you are done with that you might wanna check out her blog...I feel sure you will enjoy it!

How do you like to relax? 

House Number Giveaway

I just entered A Design Story’s giveaway and hope to win a Ramsign house number!

Real Estate Ready

When we started this blog we had an agreement to sell our house by owner.  We were both having trouble getting motivated to pack, as if it wasn't going to actually happen and as the saying goes, it aint gonna happen.  Unfortunately, the guy that was going to buy the house ran into some unforeseen circumstances.  Sometimes life just rolls that way.  We here at Casa Causpanic just roll with the punches.  You cant keep a good May/December couple down!  

As for us, well, we had an appointment with a real estate agent set for Monday which made it feel very real.  We were busy packing bees this weekend. 

What a mess!  As time goes on, you will see that we I am a messy person.   I don't put things up as I go along.  I have gotten a lot better, but still have far to go.  I say this only because I don't want you to be surprised one of these days when there is a picture with wadded up paper towels, coffee cups, plates or peach pits in the background.  You have been forewarned. 

Note:  Ronnis is not messy at all.  Especially, now that he has retired.  I can honestly say he is very cleanly OCD, now.

We also took on our first DIY project!!  Very easy, very fun.  We have had this daybed with a trundle bed for several years now.  Lately, it has been feeling a little bit country.  Nothing wrong with that, but we just felt it needed a little face lift.  

You can find advice on how to paint furniture all over the web and in lots of blogs.  We took our cue from Young House Love and started by adding a little texture to the frame with a 100 grit sand block.

 

Then we made sure to wipe off all the dust and sprayed it with a layer of Valspar primer.  Once that dried, about 3 hours (we were actually watching football during that time - the directions say it only has to dry an hour), we spray painted it with the first layer of flat black paint.  We let that dry about an hour and then re-sprayed the areas where we could still see the primer.  It isn't really necessary, but we plan on putting one more coat when we move just to make sure there is an even coat everywhere.  It a small change, but we really like it!

We spent most of the day yesterday preparing for our new realtor's visit.  The rest of the day was spent with her.  We really like her.  She is meticulous about her work.  She took tons of pictures and we filled out all the paper work before she left.  We feel really confident that we will have a good, quick sale!

I don't know why, but we always get the munchies when we watch the Biggest Loser??.  Tonights Casa Causpanic snack was chili con queso dip!!  Yummy.  Look for the recipe tomorrow. 

What do you like to snack on when your are watching your favorite TV shows?  We would love to know.

Thanks for stopping by Casa Causpanic today!  We love it when you visit!!

YUMA TO WEATHERFORD

Mornin its 7:44 this wonderful day----slept n refreshed--here we go---Grandad was a farmer and why they were in Arizona was to work on the big irrigated farms around Yuma--- from what I remember--I DON'T--Oh-- heck names would be needed at this time--- Grandpa was Ernie, Grandmother was Fronie -- so it was Daddy Ernie and Mama Fronie. Can't forget my aunt--Erna Lee--she was about 10 yrs or so  older.Bet you can't guess who she was  named after. We would ride the bus to Yuma and stay a while n then back to Weatherford. From what I remember--- I DON'T----the place they lived---not far from a Historical place--Yuma Prison--a  place that I'm sure all have heard about, either from movies or stories--- chickens and flax fields and the adobe house they lived in and the Indians that would come by begging---sad but true.

 Anyway back to Weatherford and Papa n Mama  Buntin---if memory serves me correctly---IT DON'T-- Papa came home with a tow sack and dumped the ugliest little Collie dawg out on the floor and he hauled butt under a bed and hid---I remember crawling  under the bed after him---I don't--after a few days he was named Ted--and I was the only one that could get close to him. We became constant companions and once again I had me a dog.

Mr. Turpin--a neighbor and friend of Papa's had a little frame house not far---across an open field--100 yds or so from their house--guess we rented it--Dad was wounded on Iwo Jima and spending  time in the hospital in Hawaii---I remember all of this at the tender young age of 2 or so---YEAH RITE---and we were waiting for him to come home. Like I said earlier, don't know when Dad got home but it must have been 1945--or somewhere there bouts. We were finally the family that we were supposed to be. Mama-Daddy me n Ted. Before Dad went off to war he had been going to College--Daniel Baker down in Brownwood--- not sure whether or not he graduated--but when he got home from the service he went to work as coach at a little school east of Weatherford---Aledo--he was coach and bus driver.Back then you didn't have to  have a degree---just the  desire to coach and teach.

  At our little rent house  we had  a barn with chickens and a milk cow---fresh milk--fresh eggs---can't beat it. Not sure whether we had a garden or not but I'm sure Papa Buntin did. Not sure what Papa Buntin did for a livin but seems like whatever it was he walked to work---carried his lunch in a round lunch pail---that also served as a beer container when he headed home---draft beer I guess. I remember all of this like it was yesterday ----YEAH RITE---- I do know that at one time he had farmed and had the usual farm animals---Mama told me of the cold mornings milkin the cows and gettin hit up side the head with a tail. Like lots of familys back then there were a bunch of  kids--- five girls and 2 boys-- more about them later.

Somewhere about this time---Daddy Ernie and Mama Fronie moved back to our neck of the woods. They moved into the Hale Place- to the little community of Dennis -- a big old house with a dog run--fire places--and a giant porch all the way around it. Both Mama Fronie and Daddy Ernie had been raised in this area and it was like  coming home I'm sure.  Daddy Ernie farmed the land --Mama Fronie had chickins runnin everywhere---a big garden always--pigs--cows and a horse ---Bonnie Breeze--and a lil runt terrier named Penny. Erna Lee went to the Dennis School--the same school that Mama and Daddy had gone to. Mama  was valedictorian of her graduating class.

 Dennis consisted of 2 stores a post office and a blacksmith shop.There were probably about 6-8 houses in the town proper. Right on the Brazos River---old one lane bridge--floor or deck made out of wood--suspended across with steel supports and rails--and seemed like about a mile long to young eyes and kinda scarey----swayed when you drove across. The old stores had big doors in the front and I think one had  been a saloon at one time. They both had wooden benches out in front---gossipin---knife swappin---swappin yarns and drinkin cold drinks--dry county.  

 A creek ran behind the house and thats where I was taken by my Dad on my first squirell hunt. Penny was our squirell dog----that lil runt could find them tree rats. We would walk the creek bed waiting for Penny to  put a squirell up a tree--- Daddy would shoot them with a little 22 rifle. Fried squirell --gravey and taters--home made biscuits a good country meal. Dad was a crack shot---he could in my young eyes and memory shoot their eyes out.  Don't waste no meat that a way.  Remember---and I do really remember-- one time we went to visit and Mama Fronie asked Dad to kill her a chicken--she pointed it out n he shot its head off--talk about fresh chicken.

BEGINNINGS

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee--yeah rite--should of been. Word has it from reliable sources-- Mom and Dad-- Dad--Tonnie Wayne--Mom--Robbie Louise--- conceived in the back of a Ford circa 1940 something-- El Paso Tx-- on the way to Yuma Arizona going to see my Grandparents---my dads side.This had to be in January of 1943--cause I was born in September of that year.  From what I remember--I don't-- they had hitched a ride with an old gentleman that was traveling to California and stopped in El Paso to visit some family or business or what ever. Anyway with time  on their hands and being kinda newly weds---no money for a room---what the  heck--things happen that way. Before I was born my Dad shipped out-- good old Marine Corp--Guam --Iwo Jima---Purple Hearts n all. Not sure when he finally came home but during that time we stayed either with my Mom's parents ---Zack and Flora Ada-- in Weatherford Tx or the other Grand Parents in Yuma. Now the memories start or what I was told and still remember.While in Weatherford ---frame house -- Papa and Mama Buntin as we fondly called them-- and my first dog---might have been my Papa's but seemed like mine---little Terrier named Skipper---he was a constant companion--unlike most dogs he was followed everywhere by little old me. Sad to say he was poisoned -- well that's what I remember-yeah rite-Ok be back when my memory refreshes itself -- after all I was born in '43.

Did You Pay Verizon?

Of course I did!!  Maybe...hmmm...maybe not.

I don't know why we do it.  It is so easy for others to separate the important stuff from the non-important stuff at the time it comes in.  Not for us.  I could try to blame it on the fact that we don't have a shredder right now.  Yep, can't just throw it in the trash...it MUST be shredded.  Nope, that isn't the reason for this mess we go through every other week.  It is just being so busy lazy.  There, I said it.  According to Dr. Phil you can't change it if you don't own it.  Whatever, Dr. Phil.  But, in my defense, it really would be easier if we went ahead and got another shredder. I like this one.  Originally, $49.99 down to $24.99 after rebate at Staples.  Not bad.

It took us about 15 minutes to sort through that mess.  It was mostly credit card offers (if they only knew) and sale flyers.  But there was some important stuff that we divided into the categories of ACTION NEEDED, FILE, PAY and PURSE (department store coupons and a coupon for a free birthday adjustment from my favorite chiropractor.  See...there is some good stuff in all that mess).

There really was a time that I had a very good filing system.  Even so, I am kind of hit and miss.  Sometimes I file, sometimes I stack all the stuff to be filed.  But, honestly, I really don't like filing.  I disliked it even when I got paid to do it!  I'm surely not interested in doing it for free.

So, from now on what needs to be paid will be paid right then, what needs to be shredded will be shredded right then and what needs to be filed will be placed in a basket and, hopefully, Ronnie will have mercy on me and file it! 

By the way, I DID pay the Verizon bill.  I knew I had...ok, ok, I was pretty sure (alright already! I had no idea).  Here's hoping you have better luck with your paper piles and wishing you a very happy, blessed day!!

Blog Action Day

"Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking a global discussion and driving collective action." This year's topic is water.  Use this calculator to get an idea of your family's water use.  It gives great ideas on little things we can do to conserve.  Visit http://gift.water.org/ and get a limited edition water bottle and while you are there read about the crisis and about possible solutions. 

Out of Pocket

Another beautiful day.  But today, tomorrow and Friday I will be spending time with the family as my Aunt Mercy has major surgery.  She is quite a lady.  Eighty years old and doesn't even look it. 

So, unless Old Dawg finds a minute or two to make a post there wont be another post until Saturday.  I have read that you can make a mobile post, but...who knows, maybe I can figure it out.  So, we haven't quit, just taking a couple of days to spend with family.

"Y'all come back, now, ya hear?"

Mini Apple Pies

We did a trial run last night and these little pies were so delicious and so easy that we made a triple batch today.  We took a few pictures to try to really demonstrate how easy they are.  These would be great for something different for Thanksgiving day dessert or just a special little surprise for your family.  I imagine you could use any type of pie filling.  We definitely are going to try it. 

First off, here is the link to the recipe for these Mini Pies.  Secondly, we tried two different types of frozen pre made pie shells.  One was a national brand and the other was just a store brand.  We didn't notice much of a difference, though.  So, first we washed and peeled.

Then we diced and added the sugar and cinnamon

 

Then we unrolled the pre-made pie dough, cut it into quarters and placed the quarters in the cup cake holders (the recipe calls for tart tins, but the silicone cup cake holders work just as well).

 

Next, we just spooned in the filling and put the top piece of crust.  Ronnie had the brilliant idea to do the trellis design with the top dough. 

 

Then you just brush them with egg if you choose to and bake for twenty minutes.  Add some vanilla ice cream and you are a hit!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

So try a batch!  I promise, it won't take long!  And speaking of Thanksgiving, what will you serve for dessert?

Monday Morning Review

Happy Monday!  What a great day it is.  I hope everyone out there in Blog land had a fabulous weekend!!  Our weekend was spectacular.  Mainly, because our Grand-daughter (actually Ron's grand-daughter, my grand-daughter in my heart) participated in her FIRST 2010 Miss Teen San Antonio Pageant and was named 3rd runner up in her category.  We are all so proud and it was so much fun to be able be there for the big event.  She is such an incredible young woman. 

 

Our favorite place to stop on the way to San Antonio is Buc-ee's.  It is a convenience store with the best bathrooms.  The individual stalls are tiled in and they are oh so private.  I love it!  Not to mention the fact that they have very witty signs.

This Easiest Mini Pie Recipe caught my eye on At Home with Kim Vallee .  Maybe because I haven't had breakfast yet!  What a great way to use those extra apples and NO crust making!  We will be making those today so I'll let you know how they come out.

Here is a picture of our Fall mantle decorating.  It isn't designer, but it is us.  I love the QVC Flameless Candles.  No flame, so they are safe for children.  They also have a timer, so no remembering to turn them on or off.  That may come in handy now that the days will be getting shorter.  As long as you have batteries (I recommend the rechargeable batteries) you have candlelight!  The Nate Berkus Flameless candles are on sale at HSN.  I haven't surfed around, but there may be some great deals on flameless candles floating around the web. 

Making a framed monogram picture like this one is easy.  Pick your favorite font, surround it with words that describe your family, print and frame.  Easy and inexpensive, especially if you already have a frame on hand.

Oh and to the right of the mantle you can see the Pumpkin Pie Potpourri project I did.  It was easy and really does make the house smell yummy.  I would advise extreme caution when cutting the lid and the holes...those little pumpkins are hard!

Do you have anything special you do to decorate for fall?

Falling for Fall

As I've said before, I Love Fall!  The weather has been so incredible and the web is chock full o inspiration for fall decor.  There was a time I would decorate for every season.  Somewhere along the way I lost the motivation to do it.  But, thanks to Young House Love I decided to look for inspiration for fall decorating. 

Check out what I found at one of my favorite sites, HGTV.com:

 Love this look created by a Rate My Space User.  Sleek and simple,

Like something more rustic?  This one might inspire you:

There are many elements to this photo but my favorite is the stacked pumpkins inspiring the thought to make a "Pumpkin Man".  Those are actually foam pumpkins, so they can be used year after year!

I found this at marthastewart.com and definitely plan on implementing it today.  It's called Pumpkin Pie Potpourri.  You just cut off the top, scrape the inside, carve out vents and then rub cinnamon on or push cloves into the the lid.  Just click on this link for mored detailed how-to information.

Just a few pics and ideas to get your creative juices flowing so you can make the most of and delight in the season.  Enjoy!!

Note:  Photos courtesy of HGTV.com and marthastewart.com

Tea Party

For some reason Ronnie and I go through phases with what we love to eat and drink.  Then, gradually, they just fade away to different things and we forget all about them.  Hopefully, this part of our blog will remind us and you of something we have not had in a while and keep us out of a food and beverage rut!

This morning I woke up with stuffy sinus syndrome so I brewed a nice, warm, aroma rich cup of peppermint and lemon tea.  The warmth and aroma cleared my sinuses right up.  But herbal tea isn't only delicious when it's steaming hot. 

So, this afternoon I threw...

1 small bag peppermint tea

1 small bag lemon tea

1 small bag green tea

into the carafe of our automatic coffee maker.  I ran 4 cups of purified water through and let steep for 30 minutes.  I then diluted it with about 3 cups water and garnished with fresh sliced lemon and poured over ice.  It was, as they say, "Slap your Mama" good! Sometimes we use agave nectar for sweetener, but it is flavorful enough that it can be enjoyed just like it is.  We get crazy and experiment with different combinations of herbal teas and are always pleasantly surprised.

It's a nice refreshing alternative for lunch, a bridal shower or just getting together with a couple of girlfriends over girl talk. 

A Time to Pack

As you may have read in this post or this post, we are moving at the end of this month.  Have we started the packing process?  If you know us, you know the answer to that question.  It just seems so far away.

When I moved from home to attend college I had a twin bed, a hand me down recliner, and clothes.  That was an easy move.  No planning, no moving truck, no movers necessary. We threw the few items I had into my dad's little blue Ford pick-up truck and headed out.  Don't ask me how, but three years later I had accumulated enough "stuff" to fill up a full size Chevy truck bed.  Not only that, but when my dad and my brother, Chris, arrived to load up I still had not finished packing.  I have vivid memories of Chris stewing in anger and frustration as we drove to the U-Haul place at 5 p.m. to get boxes.  That was a long day and night.

Ron and I have moved a few times in our lifetime together.  A few of those moves held a frightening resemblance to my move from my college apartment - only double the stuff!!  When we moved from Ronnie's home town to my home town we worked our poor relatives to the point of exhaustion, dehydration and dis-owning!  My cousin's husband was the youngest of the bunch, so he suffered the most, although the others were not far behind.  But, I am happy to report that with age comes knowledge.  Our last move was "as smooth as Tennessee Whiskey" (oh Lord, did I really use that???)- and I expect the same for this move. 

We have the first step complete...gather your supplies - packing tape and dispenser, wide Sharpie marker, zip lock bags for screws and parts and pieces that must be kept with parent pieces, packing paper, cardboard and plastic boxes from our last move, labels (to differentiate from the last moves labeling and this move) and last but not least, what I call my Moving Journal. 

My Moving Journal is really just a flip top spiral to keep track of things moving related.  It holds information like:

Quotes on Pods (last time it had moving company quotes), new home insurance quotes, etc.

Lists and numbers for connects/disconnects - there have been times I have had to reschedule disconnect/connect day or have had to call and check to see why it is five o'clock and we haven't seen hide nor hair of the DirecTV guy that was supposed to be there at one o'clock.  This eliminates saving it in my phone and deleting later because my journal is always with me.  Seriously,  I sleep with it by my bed in case I wake up remembering something I need to do, hence...

Moving to do lists, and...

Box inventory - basically just a list of numbered/labeled boxes and a list of contents in those boxes.  This saved a lot of search time.  If we needed something that had not been unpacked we just turned to our trusty list.  Not only that, but boxes with lower numbers correspond to less used items and those with higher numbers correspond to the things we use more and packed last. 

I am sure I have forgotten a few things, but will post as I remember.  If anyone is out there visiting our blog and you have some packing tips we would love you to share.  I can say we have learned a lot about moving, but we are definitely don't know everything...yet.