Mis Amigos - Los Gringos (my friends)

These are Klugs (my gringo friends). I have known them for almost 10 years. Erin and I have worked together for just as long, and well wero loco (crazy white boy) is part of her package. There's also a little werito (little white boy), but he's not in this picture. We have get-togethers with the Klugs often...either at their house, our house, or go off on some sort of adventure. A couple of months ago we went to a Mexican seafood restaurant in their neighborhood. Talk about culture shock. Not by them, but by all the Mexicanos in the place when they saw us walk in. :0) It was actually pretty funny...and the weros thought so also...that's how they roll, you know. Anyhow, as you can see I get easily distracted. Where was I? Oh yes, I was telling you about the weros...Wero is also my handy-man. I compensate him with Mexican food. :-) Erin is one of my very best friends, and I am so thankful to God for putting her and the Klugs in our lives. You'll be reading a lot more about them in the near future.

The weros love chile colorado. Sunday evening I had them over for

dinner. Along with the chile colorado I served beans and rice. Erin brought yummy mint brownies (from the Cooking Light magazine) for dessert.

Chile Colorado Con Carne (Red Chile w/meat)

One of my favorite dishes growing up was my mom's Chile Colorado. It was the best! And now I get to make it for my family and friends. First I will share with you how to make the red chile sauce which you can use for a multitude of things (chile colorado, enchiladas, tamales, etc, etc). Then I will describe how to make the chile colorado con carne (w/the meat).

Red Chile Sauce

Dry red chile pods (you can use mild, medium or hot...depends on your preference...I like HOT)
Fresh Garlic
Salt

De-vein chile pods and wash with warm water
Put in container, and fill with hot water
Bring to a boil until chile pods are soft and turn a lighter red color
Remove a few at a time along with liquid into blender
Add garlic and salt
Puree
Strain sauce into large container

Meat

Pork shoulder or pork butt
Olive oil
Marjoram flakes
Salt

Cut into small cubed pieces and saute in warm olive oil on low heat. Saute until all pieces cooked thoroughly. The meat will release it's own juices. Add marjoram flakes (maybe a teaspoon or so) and salt. Continue cooking until liquids dry up.

Once meat is cooked and juices have dried up, add chile sauce. You can add as much as you'd like depending on the consistency you prefer. Let it simmer on low heat for at least 20-30 min.

Sunday Home Group

Today we had our Sunday Home Group after church. Our home group is made up of several of us families, mainly with teenagers, and we get together at least twice a month. We have a potluck, eat and fellowship, and then have some sort of activity with the teens. It can be either fun, learning, serving, or any other type of activity. The idea is provide an atmosphere for our children to learn and grow from each other. It is also an opportunity for us parents to be a support system to each other especially this day when there is some much bombarding our children.


This is Mike and Anita our hosts for home group. They are way cool, always willing to open up their home to us, and always there when we need a helping hand.


There's Mrs Fox digging into the Salsa...mmmm....

Pastor Michael and Lori having some salsa...see why I make it for these guys...gotta love it!!!

Our boys...texting away!!!

Fresh Salsa

My friends all enjoy my salsa very much. I haven't had a recipe I use per se, I pretty much wing it. Many of them have asked me for my recipe, so I came up with the recipe listed below.

Ingredients:
1 jalapeño (fresh)
1 whole tomato – diced (can use 8 oz can of diced tomatoes instead)
¼ small small onion
¼ cup fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic
1 lemon - squeezed
½ tsp salt
1 dash cumin (not necessary, only if you’d like)
Instructions:(if you like more of any of the above, feel free to add them) 1. Cook jalapeño in water (until turns light green) 2. Chop jalapeño, tomatoes, cilantro, onion, garlic, and tomatoes in food processor (to desired consistency- may add water) 3. Combine all ingredients in bowl 4. Squeeze lemon or lime5. Add salt and cumin (to taste)

Let me know how it works for you.

Squaw Peak

This Friday we hiked at Squaw Peak for the third time. We have been hiking a trail called the Freedom Trail. It is essentially the circumference of Squaw Peak, and does include about 1/3 of the Squaw Peak Summit trail. My hiking buddy suggested that once we get to the area that connects with the Summit Trail we should hike up all the way to the top of Squaw Peak. I was not very willing to do this. By that time, we had already hiked over 3.5 miles, and I was somewhat tired. But of course he was trying to encourage me. He said, "you'll feel so proud once you're up there." I quickly responded, "I already feel proud, I don't need to feel any prouder." Yes, I know, I sounded a bit grumpy. That's exactly what he said. Actually he said I was being grouchy. Can you believe that? The nerve!!! Well, guess what? I did it. And this is what it looks like from the top. And he was right. I did feel proud! :0)

Another one from up top.

That's him way up there!

And there I am!! Feeling proud...very, very proud!!!

South Mountain

We've hiked South Mountain twice so far, and it's been quite interesting to say the least. The first time we hiked it, 2 weeks ago, our plan was to hike Mormon Loop, which is a balloon shaped trail that begins at around 24th St & Baseline. Notice how I said "intended". Well, we were not aware that there was also a Mormon Trail which connects to Mormon Loop and also the National Trail. As a result, we ended up hiking all of the Mormon Trail and Mormon Loop and part of the National Trail. (We made a few wrong turns on the way!!) So this increased our hiking distance to twice of what we originally intended. Thankfully, as some point (maybe a mile or so) while on the National Trail heading west, I mentioned to my hiking buddy that I thought we were going the wrong way. We debated a bit and eventually turned back. Thankfully, it was a smart move. So what should have been maybe a 1.5 - 2 hr hike turned into a 3.5 hr hike. Yikes...I know...I know. Now one thing you have to understand is that he is the guy with the book, so I trust that he's got these trails memorized by the time we get to the trail head. BIG mistake. But gullible as I can be, I let him lead (he sounds so convincing when he says "now we have to turn left", etc). I should have learned this from a conference we both attended years ago in Kansas City. We were going to Jacks Stack (bbq place) for dinner. It is about 3 blocks away from the hotel. Not bad, I thought. And my buddy said he knew where it was located. Ok, we set off to Jacks Stack. Well, about 6-7 blocks later, we get there. He took us through the scenic route!!! But anyhow, without digressing too much, I was pretty tired by the end of that hike. So, we went back the following week, and did almost the same trail, but started at a different trail head, and hiked the trail from the opposite direction...much easier that time. All in all, great hikes, and the area is beautiful. We had to pass through a few very cool places. And of course, also admired our precious city with its pollution. Gosh, really is an eye opener to what we breath in daily! Ughh!!!




This is the famous Fat Man's Pass. Whew, thankfully, I could still make it through!!!

Hiking 101 (for us that is)

My buddy and I have recently taken up hiking. He's got this great book: 60 hikes within 60 miles, or something like that. Anyhow, we are determined to do all 60 hikes. Well, maybe not all 60, but at least 30. Well, that may even be a stretch, since we're fairly new at this. So, I'll just update you weekly, and let you know how it's going. Seeing as how each new trail we try, brings a new sense of adventure. First we have to familiarize ourselves with the trail, so we usually have to hike it at least 2-3 times to do that. Then familiarize ourselves with the additional trails we encounter, seeing as how we end up getting lost, hmmm I mean not lost, but maybe just a bit turned around. Whew...good thing we carry plenty of water with us! Anyhow, point I'm trying to make here, is that at this rate, it may take us a while to get through a number of those hikes. But bear with me, I will keep you posted on the progress. :-) Oh, and by the way, this is my hiking buddy, Grover.