Black Bean Sunny Side Nachos

Martha Stewart's got nothin' on my paper plate, 20 year old silverware presentation ...

This has become a Sunday night dinner regular ... everyone likes it and gobbles it up.

Layer chips with sunny side up egg, seasoned black beans, salsa, fresh tomatoes, cheese and sour cream. For my kids that don't like the "runny egg" I smash the yolk and slightly scramble or I tell them to be thankful and eat what I give them. It depends on how long of a Sunday afternoon it has been ...

I can cook 14 eggs all at once like this which is a HUGE time saver making this an easy Sunday meal.

Black Bean Chili

On Saturday I dumped 16 cups of dried, rinsed Black Beans into my roaster and covered with water to cook all day. This produced approximately 48 cups of cooked Black Beans. Half I will freeze in 2 cups baggies for recipes and 1/2 I cooked into Black Bean Chili for lunches ... 28 cups of Black Bean Chili specifically. Mike could eat chili every day for lunch and I like it on baked potatoes.

I'd post a recipe but I just added tomatoes, tomato sauce, onions, garlic and spices to the beans ... there ya go ... chili. One small step closer to being prepared for the chaos we call "Fall".

Plans for our summer break ...

The Principal at the Stephens Academy in Stephensville declared that the 2010/2011 School Year is officially over today. I surprised the kids with the announcement and took them out to breakfast. I decided on Saturday that, just like in public schools, the last week of school is painful, drudgery and a waste of time. Plus I have a perpetual, pounding headache.

My dear, sweet Mary is in Colorado this week to help Aunt Joanie while Uncle John is out-of-town. She is thrilled to be "home" and we are all filled with jealousy. While she is gone I am making plans for the fall that includes a bunch of freezer cooking, curriculum evaluating, cleaning, organizing and planning. I'll post the lists and plans once I get them together. Some of the rambling thoughts presently are:

Black Bean Chili, Meatballs, Biscuits, Enchiladas, Muffins, Quiche ... a whole family American geography study, Texas field trips, Heard Museum science projects ... fall gardening while living on the face of the sun (ie: Texas), where we could glean so I am able to can again cheaply ...

Until my head stops pounding these may remain rambling thoughts ...

In the fall we will be part of a home school coop on Mondays. This allows my older kids to take more difficult high school classes taught by a parent who is gifted at teaching said classes while I get to teach two classes that I enjoy ... Exploring Creation with Astronomy and Amazing Animals. A win/win cost effective solution for the whole family BUT I have to plan.

Because you asked ...

... a few people have asked for details of our recent miscarriage. I guess it's like wanting to hear about someones labor story and because I am loved ... not a great story really but here you go.

We found out we were expecting in May. Thrilled beyond belief. Eli was the icing on our cake of a family and this baby was just like sprinkles on the icing. We decided to keep it a secret until 12 weeks to be safe since I've had 4 miscarriages over the years. At 8 weeks I saw my doctor and saw a tiny heart beat and was really encouraged. At 9 weeks I met with the high risk doctor and he again showed me a tiny heart beat and was really encouraging about the pregnancy in general. At 12 weeks I drove to my appointment and being the incurable optimist was giddy thinking, "after this I can tell the world our wonderful news." I went in and Dr. Weisse couldn't hear a heartbeat so we went in for a sonogram in his other room. We could all see the tiny baby in perfect form but after several minutes of searching from all angles still no heart beat. Dr. Weisse sent me over to the hospital for a high level ultrasound but I knew. I called Mike who was in a very important meeting and left a message. I called Mary. At the hospital I signed in trying not to cry and waited while the play by play of an awful murder trial ran on the tv in the waiting room. I snuck behind a pillar and cried. What kind of idiots have that playing in a hospital waiting room. The ultrasound tech was impersonal and rude. She wouldn't allow me to see the screen, didn't speak to me and since there was no doctor available sent me away with nothing. I knew. Sinking, sickening disappointment. I drove home, my kids all hugged me and loved me. Mike was due home the next day so Lizzy slept next to me that night and woke me up at 1:3o a.m. to say, "Mama, I am so sorry for you and I really wanted a baby sister." So, so sad. I figured the baby had just recently died so I'd have several days to absorb the news before I miscarried. I've miscarried the other babies at home and preferred the sanctity of this rather than having a D&C at the hospital. The next day I drove to get Mike from the airport and began feeling intense pain. I told Mike we should go straight home. For 4 hours I was in pain ... not cramping or contractions really just sharp pain. I began bleeding and bleeding but was not losing the baby. I called Dr. Weisse who calmly told me to have Mike drive me to the hospital where the anesthesiologist would be waiting for me. I was admitted and watched and was still hoping maybe I could avoid the D&C. My sweetheart of a husband was at side which was such a joy. I adore him. He is a rock as he watches all this icky, gruesome drama transpire. Once the doctor and nurses saw the amount of blood I was losing I was sedated and taken back. I woke up and I think Dr. Weisse was telling me they'd keep me over night to see if I'd need a blood transfusion because I'd lost so much blood. I asked for something to help me sleep and slept for about 4 hours. I woke up and was much more coherent with a pounding headache. They had me in a nursing gown in a labor/delivery room. I could hear other moms with newborns ... I really hate the hospital. In the morning Dr. Weisse said my #s were at 27 but should be at 35. He didn't think I needed a transfusion which sounds like good news but I knew it meant a few weeks of a constant headache, exhaustion and forgetfulness until my body replenished it's stock . So, now I'm home. Life is back to normal. We all would have loved to meet this little sprinkles but will one day in Heaven. I am blessed beyond measure.