What's Cookin' Wednesday: Easy Chicken & Cheese Enchiladas

Num Num Num.  That is all I have to say to introduce this recipe.  This is probably one of my favorite meals to cook.  It is easy, can be altered if needed {just wait and see what I mean} and delish.

We had leftovers, and I have had this for lunch for the past two days.  I don't usually "do" leftovers, so that must tell you something, right?

So I pulled the original recipe from a magazine, back in the day.  It is a Campbell's recipe, so yes "cream of something" soup is part of the recipe.  But Netherlands friends, don't fret, I have adapted it for life here in the land of no convenience.  I kid, I kid.  Well, just a little.

And for those of you in the U.S. now thinking to yourselves, "they don't have cream of anything?", all I have been able to find readily available is cream of mushroom soup.   And it has huge mushroom chunks in it.  Just sayin'.    On our trip to Scotland in May I did scope out the soup situation, and we are in luck.  I don't think it was Campbell's, but they do have some more "cream of ___" soups.  Whew.

Alright, I am done babbling now.  Since I have a few versions of this recipe this is going to be a long recipe post. :-)

Click here for a clean version of the original Campbell's recipe, because I am going to show you how we changed it up below in the U.S. AND in the Netherlands.

Campbell's professionally food styled photo of the recipe.  Num, right? 

What do you need? 

IN THE U.S.:

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)

1/2 cup sour cream

1 cup Pace® Picante Sauce Enchilada Sauce

2 teaspoons  1/2 teaspoon chili powder

2 cups chopped cooked chicken

1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

6 flour tortillas (6-inch), warmed

1 small tomato, chopped (about 1/2 cup) (OPTIONAL)

1 green onion, sliced (about 2 tablespoons) (OPTIONAL)

So, the notes on this recipe... We don't do whole tomatoes (or even sliced) in our home.  We have peeps with issues with tomatos, so that is why we use the enchilada sauce and make the tomato (for garnish) optional.  And we are NOT major spicy fans. So, that would by why I have cut the chili powder down to a fourth of the original amount.  Feel free to include more if you like the spicy stuff. 

IN THE NETHERLANDS: 

1 can Unox Kerrie cremesoup

1/2 cup sour cream

1/8 tsp. chili powder

2 cups chopped cooked chicken

1/2 cup shredded cheese (of your choice, we use the Goudse Belegen, 48+)

6 flour tortillas (6"), warmed

1 small tomato, chopped (about 1/2 cup) (OPTIONAL)

1 green onion, sliced (about 2 tablespoons) (OPTIONAL)

Do you see the tiny sour cream containers that we get here?  

And sometime when you see me in person, ask me about the time I could barely reach the sour cream.  Yeah, not a pretty moment. 


Notes for everyone:  Feel free to add more cheese.  Always. To every recipe.  Especially this one.  And no, I am not saying that because I used to work in the marketing department for a company that sells cheese.  I just love cheese. 


Alright, so what do you do?  
I am not going to change this for each country.  You all are smart cookies, you will know what applies to you.  And if you don't feel free to contact me with questions.  I won't laugh.  Trust me.  I almost posted a question on how to tell if an avocado is ripe on Facebook today.  


You can stop laughing now. 

• Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Stir the soup, sour cream, picante sauce and chili powder in a medium bowl.
• Stir 1 cup soup mixture, chicken and cheese in a large bowl.
• Divide the chicken mixture among the tortillas. Roll up the tortillas and place seam-side down in an 11 x 7 x 2-inch baking dish. Pour the remaining soup mixture over the filled tortillas. Cover the baking dish.
• Bake for 40 minutes or until the enchiladas are hot and bubbling. Top with the tomato and onion (if desired).

Please refer to photo at beginning of post.  Trust me, this is fabulous.  But I am still working on my food photography. 


So, can anyone tell me how to tell when an avocado is ripe? 


Make sure to check out the other nummy recipes at Life as We Know it with Two Twinkies & a Tator Tot. 

Sweet, but a little longer

Last week, I linked up with Sweet Shot Tuesday over at Life with My Three Boybarbians.  It was a short & sweet sweet & short post.  I just shared a few photos.  But this time, well, it isn't going to be quite as short.

Remember how I said I took about 400 photos on Saturday?  Saturday was a totally random, normal, weekend day in the life of the J's. We hung around the house and headed to the park in the afternoon. Those are the best kind of days.  Living in the moment and enjoying our kids at the age that they are.

Plus, we had the park all to ourselves.

Not to worry, I am not going to share all 400.  I actually deleted so many (blurry, etc.) that I am down to 232.

Not going to share 232 photos either.

Love these 3.  So much.   

 I tried to have daddy hide so I could get a photo of the

little J's by themselves.  That didn't work...sorry Grandma.  

J#4 is sitting all the time now.   And I almost got a smile.  She has been teething, so it is a rarity to 

get her in a photo with a smile.  She is making me work for it.  :-) 

Favorite photo of the day.  Giddy-up, Daddy!

This boy is NOT a hand holder, but lately he has been doing it a bit on his own.  

When we are crossing the street? Fights it just about every time.  Figures. 

Hold on Dad, I gotta take a call. 

Oooh, I think I have spotted the elusive smile!

Copy-cat. 

Teeter-Totter!

J#4 watching the guys play.  If only she wouldn't EAT the sand if we put her down there to play.

And her usual m.o. these days.  Pouty lips. 

What up red cheek boy? 

Priceless. 

Like sands through the... well, its not an hourglass.  But these ARE the days of our lives. 

Linking up with:

Want to be inspired by some photography?  Go check out some of the other links.  Some good stuff there. 

Couch to 5K? Yup, I started it.

I just ran for the very first time in my life.

Yes, you read right.  I have never run, before tonight, in my life.  Except, perhaps out of necessity to catch a...   Well, guess I probably never have.

Okay, maybe to catch J#3.  But that was probably more like a saunter.

"Didn't you do 'the mile' back in junior high and high school", you ask?  Nope.  I got out of it {which I thought was a good thing at the time} because of a heart condition I was born with.

So why start now?  First, my 'defective part' was replaced about seven years ago.   I figure after having two children my heart should be strong enough to run about three and a half miles.  And since moving to the Netherlands I have lost a bunch of weight.  So, I am probably in the best shape I have been in well...in the last seven years.

And, of course, #38 on my bucket list is to participate in an organized sport event, such as a 5K.  Which, I am going to do on Thanksgiving, in Minneapolis. So my partner in crime {a friend from high school and now-thanks to Facebook} and I are training and hope to be ready to go in November.

So...wish me luck?   Oh, and any tips on running or awesome music for my running playlist would be much appreciated.

And now...I am going to go fall over.

Sunday Funday Favorites #4

Evidently I like to change my blog design about as much as like to change around furniture.  Which is a lot.   Hopefully you can bear with me until I find "the one".  I think this one might be it...but we will have to wait and see.

Can I tell you a secret?

Well, it isn't very juicy, but I'll tell you anyway.

Yesterday I took 400 photos (before deleting out the really bad ones).  400!  We weren't even touring anything.  Just hanging out at home and a trip to the park.  Obsessed much?  Yes, I believe I am.

I'm sure some of the photos will be showing up here and there over the next few weeks.

But for now, it is my Sunday tradition.  Sunday Funday Favorites!  And I have a whole bunch for you this week.  I was bookmarking favorites all week long.

Favorite Blog posts: 
Kelle Hampton is in the list of my "top 5 blogs" to read anytime she has a post. She is so incredibly inspiring and in love with her job as a mom.  Here are a few of her post this week that struck a chord with me:
Unplugged, Plugged: Hallmark
Favorite Day

Are you as ready for fall as I am?  The candles, warm clothes, and scents of pumpkin and spice?  If you're not, check out this post from Between You & Me, and you'll be ready for fall in minutes.

Have you ever heard of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library?  Awesome concept, but not available to me.  Essentially, you can register your child and they will get a free book each month until their fifth birthday, delivered right to your house.  You should definitely check this post out to find out more about it and if it is available in you community.


Favorite Etsy Finds: 

Isn't this distressed wood sign brilliant?  This shop, called Show Me a Sign, has several other great signs to choose from, including some Christmas items (just in case you are getting in the mood for that...which I know a few of you likely are).

My other secret (well, maybe it isn't such a secret) obsession is with office supplies.  Notebooks (like the one above), pens, folders, you name it, I could go mad shopping and buying these.  I have tried to put myself on an "office supply diet", if you will, so for now I will just be pining after these awesome notebooks, calendars and other awesome stuff at redstarINK's Etsy store. 

Favorite pins: 

Source: liferearranged.com via Jenny on Pinterest

This woman made her dining room a playroom. Awesome, because the kids are sort of "in the center" of everything, but have their own room.  And then she used a dresser for toy storage.  That is a great way to keep all of the small items up off the floor when they aren't being used.  

And this next idea.  Brilliant.  Revolutionary (okay, maybe not that drastic, but it is very cool): 

Source: ohdeedoh.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Have an old crib?  You probably can't hand it down, because it has a drop-side, and those are a big no-no now.  What do you do?  Make it a desk.  Love, LOVE, LOVE this idea. 

Favorite Photos: 

 every two year old needs a cordless phone (with no battery) for a walk to the park, right? 

no caption needed

Five Minute Friday: Rest

Whew. Friday. Who's with me on that?

Alright...linking up again this week to The Gypsy Mama's Five Minute Friday.

# # #

Rest. I look forward to getting some rest.

Being mama to a two year old and six seven month old can be a bit tiring. Especially when J#1 is traveling for work so I am on my own.

Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining...just stating a fact.

Because it is all worth it. The messy rooms. The messy faces. The laundry, the dishes...you know the drill.

To see my adorable children smiling up at me from the crib or bathtub? Priceless.

In a few years, when they are both more independent, maybe there will be more rest?  Or maybe we will have to wait eighteen years or so.  Whatever.  Either way, I will be enjoying the moment.

Enjoying her toothless, gummy grin while I still can {a tooth breaking thru as we speak!}.

Enjoying his babble that I can't always understand for now. Because he isn't quite at the "why" phase, lucky me.

Enjoying their cute brother-sister time, which of course he is pretty much "leading" right now. But that is the way it supposed to be.

Rest comes at nap time. Rest comes at bed time. Thank God for sleep, right?

Thank God for these two little blessings that keep me awake. That help make it easier for me to rest.

What would tire me out, if it wasn't for them? What would help me fall asleep dreaming of a bright future, if it wasn't for them?

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Click over here to check out what other ladies have to day about rest.




P.S.  Photos were added after the five minutes.  Just wanted to make sure you knew.

Inspiration Workshop: Vintage

Alright friends, you get TWO posts today!!

Do you want to know why?   Well, I am going to tell you anyways...

I WON one of the giveaways from Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop last week.  So that has inspired me to take part in it again!

Remember, she makes these great ruffled accessories, handmade in Minneapolis?  I won one of the medium zippered pouches.  Yippee!!  I picked out this one.

So this week, the prompt is VINTAGE.


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When I think vintage I think "older & awesome".  If it isn't awesome, well...then, it would just be old.

So my mind wanders.  Hmm, it seems to do that a lot these days.

But today when I think vintage I think of one of my oldest and best friends (as in have known the longest, not old as in age--but I am sure you already figured that out) and decorating with vintage items.

Yup.  I told you...my mind wanders.

So first up, the friend.  Hopefully she doesn't mind a few photos on here.

she loves my kids.  

she goes to chick flicks with me. 

she shops with me. 

she comes to all of my going away parties {or fake going away parties...a story for another day}

taken from my facebook page, so bad quality, small photo.  :-(

We've known each other since way back in high school youth group.  {If you ask me it's been longer, but we won't go there.}   Post college and pre-marriage we were roomies for a year.  She is J#3's Godmother.  And one of those friends I know will always be there when I need her.   What more could I ask for???  Love ya Colleen!

Hmm, how do I transition to decorating?  Come on...I wrote television news copy in college, I should be able to do this.  

Huh. Well, here we go.  Maybe with that last sentence I just made a transition. Yes?  

No? 

Oh well...for fear of this becoming the longest blog ever, I am just going to jump right in:

I've always thought of myself as more of a modernist, streamlined girl when it comes to decorating. Except when I am living somewhere for only a year (like our current place),  where it becomes a lot more about function (and what can be found at Ikea) than design, but I digress.   

Lately though, I have been falling for (and getting inspired by) things like this buffet from Victory Road's house tour: 

Source: victoryrd.blogspot.com via Jenny on Pinterest

and this awesome vintage camera display: 

Source: flipflopsandapplesauce.com via Jenny on Pinterest

or having a laundry cart to hold games or blankets: 

Source: thepleatedpoppy.com via Jenny on Pinterest

I am not lying either.  All three of those were on my pinterest "decodecodeco" board before I even knew this week's prompt was vintage.    Once we settle in at a place in Scotland, I have to imagine the vintage vibe will fit in just perfectly.  

Ah, inspiration, dreaming (of how to decorate) and friends.   Perfect trifecta for a Thursday.  

# # #

Check out the link-up at Gussy Sews for what's inspiring a whole bunch of other lovely ladies. 

Xpat Blog Hop: Engels alsjeblieft

This Thursday I am linking up with Windmill Farms for her Xpat Blog Hop.  Here is this week's prompt:
Write about what you have found to be the hardest about adjusting to your new country and culture.  What tips would you give fellow expats who may be struggling or those who are thinking of moving to your country?


This is an easy one.

No, not the pizza.  Although, I have yet to find pizza as good as I can find in Minnesota here in the Netherlands.


It is the language.


Signs.  Receipts.


Instruction Manuals.

Packaging.

(Including the instructions.)

Materials from the consultatie-bureau.


All in a language I barely understand.


And it is all my fault.


J#1's company provides support for language training, and Rosetta Stone DVDs are NOT hard to come by.  But once we found out there was a good possibility we were moving to Scotland, I figured "why learn now?"


Big mistake. Big. Huge.  {What movie?  Anyone?}


Six months later, we are still here.   Even though we are moving within the next few months, I am wishing I would have done something to learn more of the language.


So that would be my advice.  Do whatever you can, as soon as you can, to learn the language.


Even if you can find a way to communicate with people via your native language, on top of the homesickness, learning your way around and meeting new people, knowing the first language of the country you are moving to would be a HUGE benefit.


The positive part about living in the Netherlands is that about 90% of the population knows some (if not A LOT) of English.  I have also heard that even if you DO learn the language and try to speak Dutch with the locals here, as soon as they realize your accent, etc. they will switch to English.


I have gotten by.


Thanks to Google Translate and Google Chrome (which automatically translates web pages in Dutch).


And thanks to the very nice Eindhoven native that shared my room in the hospital after giving birth to J#4.  Without her I would have likely gotten tea instead of coffee or milk instead of water.


The other bonus to living in the Netherlands?  From what I have heard it is the only (non-English speaking) European country that uses Dutch subtitles on television shows and movies.  All other countries (such as Germany, France and Italy) dub over English speaking television shows and movies, so we would be outta luck in that department.


But for reals, people.  I got an Ikea catalog today.

Imagine my excitement... until I remembered it was all in Dutch.

But luckily pictures and numbers are easy to understand.


To check out what other expats think is the hardest thing about moving to their new country please visit:








P.S. If anyone in the U.S. happens to still have their Ikea catalog sitting around, I would LOVE to have you send it to me.  {We have a FL mailing address, so it would be cheap!}.  I think it would be fun to compare prices and items featured.  See how different (if at all) they are.  Actually, anyone from other countries as well...I am curious to see how much the catalogs are changed depending on the country they are mailed to.  Dank je wel.