mom's famous chicken enchiladas

Here's the recipe some of you have asked for! This is definitely #1 on my list of go-to recipes. That list may or may not have more than one thing on it. Anyway, it is quick & easy to throw together, everyone loves it, and it freezes well. This is my updated version of my mom's old school recipe. Serve with salad, corn, chips & guacamole, and Dr. Pepper. Definitely Dr. Pepper. This makes 6-8 enchiladas, serving 3 to 4 people.

Ingredients:
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
1 T ground cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
2 cans of green enchilada sauce
1 pack of shredded mexican blend cheese
1 can diced green chilies
handful of cilantro, chopped
6-8 flour tortillas

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish.
For the filling:
1. Shred all the meat off the rotisserie chicken into a large bowl.
2. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, cumin and garlic powder.
3. Add the green chilies (with the juice), chopped cilantro, a few handfuls of cheese, 1/2-1 can of enchilada sauce. Stir to combine.
--There's really no way to mess it up. Just add however much of the ingredients looks good to you. You can also add diced onion, jalapeno, corn- throw in whatever sounds good!
To assemble:
Fill a flour tortilla with the chicken mixture, roll up and place seam side down in your baking dish. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas, placing them with the sides touching - squish 'em in any which way you can. Pour green enchilada sauce on top, then sprinkle with the rest of the cheese - be generous!
Bake for about 30 minutes or until bubbly.
(If freezing, wrap tightly in foil and store in freezer uncooked. To bake, let thaw in fridge overnight and bake as directed, or bake frozen and just increase the cooking time to an hour.)

car seat

with ivy's first birthday approaching, i've been looking back at pictures from the past year and came across these, and just couldn't believe how much a baby (my baby!) could grow in just a matter of months. shouldn't it take years for this to happen??

august 2009 (2 days)

april 2010 (8 months)

i spy...

heaven help us.

potato soup

Here's what I do...
--Saute 1 package of center cut bacon in a large soup pot.
--Remove bacon and reserve for later, and discard most of the grease from the pot.
--Add 2 T butter. When melted, add 2 T flour and whisk together.
--Whisk in 4 cups of chicken stock and 2 cups of whole milk over med-high heat.
--Add salt, pepper and a can of diced green chilies.
--Prepare 2 bags of steam-n-mash russet potatoes. Add in some milk as needed to help mash.
--Add potatoes to soup pot and whisk together. Cook over medium heat until hot. Season again with salt and pepper as needed. Serves 6.

Top with shredded cheddar cheese, chives, reserved bacon and sourdough croutons.

For the croutons:
--Slice 4 pieces of sourdough bread into small squares.
--Melt a little butter in a saute pan over high heat.
--Add the bread and toss around until golden. Season with a little salt.
{If it's good enough for two pregnant women, it's good enough for you!}

a letter

hi dad,

i hope you're having fun at folly. i know it's only been a day, but we already miss you.

but don't feel too sorry for us- we're at aunt gen's doing girl things.

like cooking...

and cleaning...

and wishing you were here.

see ya soon.

love,

ivy

cupcakes

for me...

blueberries for her.

but she doesn't seem to mind.

{sorry no recipe. these were whipped up from grandma's head. aren't we special!}

4th of july

our happy, hot dog-eatin, rainy weekend in pictures:

my first polaroid

my family's piano

7/1/10

10:03 am

a package arrived for me in the mail today.

it's a new camera. and it's sooooooo cool.

stay tuned... for more credit card-sized photos than you ever asked for.

the end.

back in beaumont...

for a couple of weeks. actually, the last couple of weeks we'll ever be here in my family's home. my parents have gone and bought themselves a place in houston. so they've gone and sold our house (our house!) too. they've even gone and started moving things out like couches, chairs, books and bowls. (i couldn't find anything to serve ivy's banana in this morning! what a silly thing to have to worry about at grandma's house.)

there are so many memories wrapped up in this dear house: she has helped a family of six turn into a family of twelve in a matter of three short years, has put up with the likes of one ancient dog and two evil cats, has graciously opened her doors for two spectacular weddings, countless birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, and the most glorious christmas parties this side of heaven! it's a sad farewell to a lovely place, but i'm grateful our schedule this summer has put us right here to enjoy these last few weeks with my family... one rainy day at a time. hellooo humidity!

{our shadow bend abode december 2008. photos by gentry kanneganti}

chocolate chip bundt cake

{image: southern living may 2010}

a perfect thing to make (and eat every last crumb of) with your friends.

recipe: here

YUM.

post edit: (for aunt heather!) i spray my bundt pan with baking pam spray-instead of flouring it- and it slips out very easily. :)

folly guests round 2

Welcome back Emily, Lacy, Sydney and Katherine! A chatty, kettle-chips & sweet tea, late night, beach walking, meal-making weekend is in order. Glad you're here!
*********

Post Edit: I found this picture on my camera, and realized that the sum of it's components equals a perfect morning in the life of chaiss mcconnell:

1. sweet friends doing dishes

2. but not any dishes... dishes used for PANCAKES and BACON

3. another sweet friend holding my baby

4. cheerful husband

5. beautiful day at the beach

what more could a girl ask for?

a letter

dear nana,
thanks for letting me stay at your beach house.
i love it here.
see you soon.

love,
ivy