Sticker Shock (And a Taco Salad Recipe)

So I went to Walmart today to pick up a few ingredients I needed to make this yummy taco salad meat sauce that I'm getting ready to share, and I had a big surprise.

I needed foil, and the big box that I would normally get, are you ready?  $7.67...  Are you serious?  What is tin foil made of anyway!?  Derek said we must carry weapons grade foil at our Walmart.  Guess so....

But I digress!

Here is the Taco Salad Recipe:

2 large cans of Ranch Style Beans
(I bought a number 10 can of beans.  Once again, sticker shock.  Last time I bought those beans, they were just over a dollar a can.  This time they were closer to two.  So I decided I'd get a number ten can, pay just over four dollars and have double the beans.  I froze the rest.  Once again, I'm sidetracked...)
1 can Rotel, I use mild
1/1/2 pounds ground beef, browned.  For this recipe,  I just cover the meat with water, add garlic powder, salt and one medium onion chopped.  Then let it simmer away for about an hour.   You could just brown the meat, but it is really tasty this way.  I just add in the whole pot of beef/water after it's cooked.
One packet of Ranch Dressing
Two cloves of garlic, minced

Combine all of these ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low for about four hours.

This stuff is awesome.  We usually use it for taco salad.  Have it over lettuce with cheese, sour cream, green onion, corn chips, avocado.  Just delicious!

Back again...

Well, so much for that blogging twice a week goal.  (Or was it three times?)  I've been in a little funk lately.  Just so much going on in life, that it felt like one more thing to do to blog.  Plus, who wants to hear from a big grouch?  I think that I'm getting over it now....  so hopefully the creative juices will start flowing again and my family will give me more stories to write about that will help them to know that I actually enjoy being their mother.  (You know, so if that's in doubt as they get older, they can read the proof!)

Jules is playing basketball and Tyler is their coach.  It is very fun to watch.  Tyler made up a cheer they do before every game that ends with a coyote howl. (That's the name of their team.) The kids on her team think it's the coolest.  Sadly, they've lost every game.  I hope that they can come up with at least one win before the season is over!

My Bella timer just went off.  I've got to take care of her.  Ever since she had pneumonia, she will spike a fever every once in a while that lasts a day or so.  This is one of those days, and she is calling me.  Good to be back!

Rare Find

So I saw something in the Walmart parking lot today that was so beautiful and rare in my little world, it actually brought tears to my eyes. 

I saw a little couple, probably in their late eighties, slowly walking together to their car holding hands.

It was awesome.  And I really shed a few tears.  I'm used to seeing "snow birds" but they are busy and young, especiallly compared to this little sweet couple that I saw.

I called Derek and told him that's what I want for us, to grow very old together and be in love. He said "yes, that will be us, holding hands in the Coolidge Walmart parking lot when we're old."  Hmmm... didn't think of it that way.  The COOLIDGE Walmart?!  Not quite what I have in mind but if we're still here then, when we are VERY old....

As long as we're holding hands and walking together I guess that will be okay,