Hatch Chile Time

The Hatch Chile Festival is going on at Central Market this month. This is technically the last week but I wanted to post some yummy recipes I've discovered using these delicious little guys! You might find yourself rushing to CM to pick up everything hatch chile (hatch chile pork, hatch chile cheese, hatch chile crab cakes, and the best...hatch chile ICE CREAM. They come in mild and hot (I'm all about the hot) but both are delicious.

Hatch Chile Verde Macaroni and Cheese

1 pound elbow macaroni

2 Tbsp butter

3/4 cup chicken broth

8 each tomatillos, husked and chopped

6 each Hatch chiles, mild or hot, seeded, stemmed, chopped

1 each med white onion, chopped

2 each garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup cilantro leaves, loosely packed

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

1.5 cup half and half

2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, grated

1 cup White Cheddar cheese, shredded

4 ounces cream cheese, cubed

2 cups chicken breast, cooked and shredded

3/4 cup tortilla chips, crushed

2 Tbsp butter, melted

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, grated Cook pasta until al dente. Butter 12" cast iron skillet or a casserole dish. Heat broth with tomatillos and Hatch peppers, cook for 10 minutes. Transfer to food processor, add onion, garlic,cilantro and salt. Heat oil in saucepan, add tomatillo mixture, cook and stir over med-low heat for 6 minutes. Stir in half-and-half and cheeses, toss with pasta and chicken and place in iron skillet. Mix last 4 ingredients for topping and spread over pasta mixture. Place skillet under broiler for 15 minutes until golden brown. YUM-O! And it was even better today as leftovers. I'm doing Hatch Chile Chicken tomorrow. Gotta get it in while I can. Can't wait for CM's next month's theme...Brewtopia: Beer, Brewmasters, and Beyond. Happy hatching everyone! Chile still in tact Scraped and seeded Ready to be chopped Voila!

Happy Birthday B-O-B!

My stepdad Bob (or loving referred to as B-O-B) turned 80 on Wednesday. What did he do for his 80th birthday you ask? He swam 80 LAPS! He is the healthiest, most disciplined person I know. In honor of his birthday, I'd like to share some other things that I love about My Bob.

He is patient and kind. When my parents married, I was in the 6th grade and was stubborn as all get-out. (Luckily, I've out grown that part of my life...ok that's up for debate). I had the hardest time understanding my math homework and Bob, who had already raised 5 children, took the time and patience for hours each night to help me. I'd get so frustrated with him, math, life, anything around me but he never gave up. Thanks Bob! He is also loving and generous. Bob loves my brother and me like we were his own kids. He is a big part of who I am today. Bob has given me so much to be thankful for. In a funny way, Austin is so much like Bob. Maybe that is part of why I married him. Bob and Austin will sit for hours working on a project or just doodling around. It is very neat to see how they truly appreciate and enjoy each other's company. They have very similar thinking processes. Great minds think I like I guess. :) I am thankful to have such great people in my life especially a wonderful guy like Bob Foley. Thanks for all you do for me Bob! I love you.

Birthday dinner at Pappas Bros.

What Would You Do-o-o for a....Silly Band?

Woo hoo, I survived the first week of school! To those who are not teachers, it doesn't seem like a big accomplishment, however, making sure 150- 14 year olds learn at least something on a daily basis and don't kill others in the process is a big task. I have to say that I really love my students this year. They are "full of personality" (a sweet teacher way of saying they are out of control) but I really have enjoyed getting to know them this week. Out of the 150 students I have, there is ONE that will probably be the death of me this year, maybe by early September. M, T, W, TH were all the same stories...out of control, disrespectful, didn't pay attention, never did his work, until Friday, the day of the SILLY BANDS! Every time he did his work and didn't say something mean about the kid next to him, he got a silly band. HA! It is amazing how a kid's attitude will change when you bargain with these goofy bracelets. Check them out for yourself at www.sillybandz.com. They are all the rage and perfect for getting kids to do their work. (Bribery is a perfectly legit teaching strategy!) Just wanted to enlighten you all about these bracelets. They are a powerful tool. A student gave me this one on Tuesday. I laughed because as I was unraveling it I asked what it was and she said an alligator but when I opened it is was clearly a dinosaur. I laughed so hard! See my SB.

Justin Bieber Silly Bandz: $1

Ironman and Spiderman Silly Bandz: $3

Getting a kid to do what you want: PRICELESS

Hope everyone had a great week. Enjoy your weekend and this cooler weather.

-Paige

New Beginnings

Couldn't think of a better way to kick off the last day of summer/beginning to a new school year by starting a BLOG! This has been on my to-do list for some time and I've finally found enough time (in between all my baking, Bachelor watching, Campbell loving, book reading, laying out, zumba-ing, and many other summer activities!)

The summer started with Austin taking his LSAT and he did amazing! So proud of him and all the hard work he put into studying last winter/spring. Now we are looking at schools and all the cool cities we might have to move to. I'd be sad to leave Irving but we'd welcome a 3 year change if the opportunity arises. Way to go Austin!

A week later, two of my favorite people moved back to Texas, Jared and Stacey Chambers. Stacey and I have been the best of friends since Baylor and I'm so glad they are back in TX. They are temporarily living with her parents which is right down the road...yea! We've had the most fun stirring up trouble in the metroplex. Our summer has consisted of working out, laying out, watching the Bachelorette and now on to the Bachelor Pad, belly dancing lessons, happy hour dates, shopping, cooking, Rock Band, and any crazy Groupon that is offered. Hey, it's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it. Welcome back Chambers!

July was a wonderful month! First the birth of my beautiful niece, Campbell Virginia. Courtney is such a sweet mother and Campbell is such a gentle baby. It is crazy how much she is starting to look and act like Evan. (Campbell is a very serious baby and thinks a lot, like her daddy.) Isn't she a doll?!?!

Then, Austin and I were off to Jamaica for some R&R. We stayed at the beautiful Iberostar Resort in MoBay. We didn't consider ourselves an "all-inclusive" kind of couple but I think we might of convinced ourselves otherwise. We were spoiled rotten with beautiful views and drinks galore! What a fun vacation!

August is here and that means DZ is a callin'. Can't wait to meet my new students tomorrow! I already miss my crazy kids from last year.

Off to get my lunch ready and clothes ironed for my first day back.

Here's to a wonderful summer and a great fall!