Cooking Lesson!

Our favorite ethnic food is Mexican.  Before we went to Phoenix, I looked online for a cooking class.  There wasn't really anything I was interested in during the time we would be there (of course there was a couple of good ones on different dates!).  I asked a couple of friends who live there if they knew of anyone who would be willing to teach me something.  Our friends, Don & Lorna McPeck had the answer.  Their son-on-law, Enrique, was willing.  They live close to the airport we were to fly out of, so on our last day in Arizona, we went to Enrique and Susan's home for some cooking and supper.  We totally enjoyed our time with them and their family.  Susan home schools their children, and they are adorable, fun and great kids. 
Enrique had already made the salsa before we got there, but we made the rest of the meal together.  The first thing we did was start on the Marinated Lime Onions. 

The onions would be one of the toppings for the flautas.  First you slice red onions thinly, and put them into a bowl.  Add boiling water to cover the onion slices and let sit 5 minutes until they are softened.  Drain. 

Juice limes into the container of drained onions.

*Tip of the day: Lime cuts spiciness, so if your food is too spicy, ask for limes!

Next on the menu was Pork Flautas.  Susan had already roasted the pork with a little apple juice, allspice and garlic, then shredded it.  The shredded pork filling can be used in flautas, burritos and tostadas.  To make the filling we added mashed potatoes and mashed pinto beans to the pork.  (Chicken also works well as a filling.)  Enrique said that in the area that he is from in Mexico, mashed potatoes are a common filler in their foods.  Enrique's favorite flour tortillas are Guerro, which are thinner than the usual brands we have here at home.  I was excited to find them at Walmart in Billings!  (Its kind of sad what it takes to make me excited)  Take about 1/4 cup of the filling and put it on one end of the tortilla, then roll tightly.

Fry the flautas just before you're ready to eat so they are crispy, as they will get soft if they sit too long.  We fried them out on the patio on the grill, which is great for keeping the mess and smell out of the kitchen.  You only need 1/2 to 1 inch of oil, as  they will float if you have too much oil.  Put them in the oil with the end of the rolled tortilla down to hold it together, and put the flautlas together in the pan so they don't have room to flop around and come unrolled.  Fry until golden, then turn over and fry on the other side.

my instructor looking on

keeping them warm on the grill as we fry more.

Supper is served! 

Our toppings included the marinated lime onions, lettuce, salsa and crema.  The crema is like sour cream but a bit thinner and sweeter.  Applesauce was a nice compliment to the meal.

I found the crema at Walmart too.  You can use sour cream, thinned with milk as a substitute.

We had a lovely evening eating on the patio and visiting with Enrique and Susan about Ravah Ministries, their ministry which helps pastors and churches in Mexico, along with evangelism, visiting about life in general and playing with the kids.  Thank you to the Medina family for their hospitality, a fun cooking lesson and great fellowship.  We're looking forward to seeing them again.

Surprise!

Most of you already know that we bought a second home in Surprise, AZ.  We really like spending time down there and found a neighborhood we love.  Its very much like the neighborhoods 50 years ago where neighbors visited on front porches, had block parties, walked everywhere and enjoyed a different lifestyle than many do now. 

We have looked at homes the last 2 years when we have been there, and had it narrowed down to about 4 different subdivisions.  After staying there for a couple of weeks in our vacation rental, we knew we had found the neighborhood we wanted. 

 

We are looking forward to spending more time there, getting to know our neighbors, and exploring the area more.  There is so much to do, and you can't beat the warmer weather there when its below zero in Montana.



Let's Go Racin'!

Last year I climbed to our seats in the stands at Phoenix International Raceway feeling a bit sheepish and like a redneck.  This year I searched for my seat in anticipation of the race.  You always hear, "don't knock it until you try it.   All it takes is watching one race in person, and most people are hooked."  I was no exception. 

March 4 Warren and I attended our second Nascar Sprint Cup race.  This year we rented the earphones on which you can listen to the individual race teams' radio transmissions, and also the MRN (Motor Racing Network) broadcast of the race.   Highly recommended.  Last year I enjoyed the race, but didn't really have a clue what was going on.  The sound level is extremely high at a race, so ear plugs are a must.  Thus, you can't hear the call of the race on the PA system.  Earphones really make the race come alive.  It was especially helpful since so many of the teams had changed from last year.  Different drivers for teams, cars that you recognized and put a face to the year before, now had a new driver, different sponsors, new paint schemes, etc.  whew!  Lots to keep track of!

oops, wrong way!

Denny Hamlin in for a pit stop - the race winner.

pit road open during a caution

restart

Fun times.  We're looking forward to the next race.

Montana Barbecue

There are a lot of people from our area that either spend time in the Phoenix area in the winter, or own a home there.  For many years, there have been Montana get togethers.  I'm not sure when they are held, but we decided to call a few friends and have our own.  They were all people who live, or have lived in the Wolf Point, Lustre, and Nashua areas.  Some weren't able to make it, but we had a good group who came, about 19 of us.

everyone contributed to the meal, and Warren grilled chicken, brats and Schmeckfest sausage.

Lois Dyck, Shirley Nasner, Wanda Schodt, Evonne Brown, Midge Toavs

We all had a fun time visiting, catching up on news of family and friends, and looking at pictures.

Warren, Perry Schmitt, Duane Nasner, Jerry Jennex, Debby Jennex

Dennis Brown, Duane Nasner, Willard Toavs, and  Ron Schodt

Warren, Dennis Vinger, Harold Dyck, Perry Schmitt

Barb Vinger, Shirley Nasner, Lois Dyck, Midge Toavs, Wanda Schodt

back row:  Debby Jennex, Evonne Brown, DeeDee, Wanda Schodt

front row:  Barb Vinger, Lois Dyck, Shirley Nasner, Midge Toavs

Thank you all for coming!  We had a wonderful time.  Great food.  Great friends, Great fun.  This may have to be an annual event!

The Best Kind of Day

After my family left, Warren's sister, Shirley, and her husband, Duane came down for  a week.  We had such a fun time while they were there!  The guys went golfing, Shirley and I spent some time at the pool and clubhouse, and we toured a few model homes.  One of my favorite things is to look at houses, get ideas for decorating and see different floor plans and yards.  

We also went to Mesa one day, visiting Don & Lorna McPeck in the evening and seeing places that Duane and Shirley like to visit in that area.  We always have such a fun time catching up with the McPecks, and Lorna is a fantastic cook.  Yum!  I always leave with at least a couple new recipes to try.

We visited a farmers market/produce store that Duane and Shirley like to shop at when they are staying in Mesa.  The prices were really good, and it was fun to see such a great variety. 

 We had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.  Oh my goodness!  I think I would have to force myself to eat there every day for a month or two before I tried all the things on the menu that looked tempting.  Need I say more?  It was fabulous, and it was wonderful to eat out on the patio in February.

We also spent a couple of hours at the Mesa Market Swap Meet, and stopped at Glendale at the Westgate area on our way back to Surprise.  Its a fun place with shopping, pretty fountains, movie theatres, restaurants, and the stadiums for the Phoenix Coyotes and Cardinals right in that area.  It was the best kind of day - one spent with family and friends.

 

NHRA Drag Races

Warren got away from all the girls in the house one day and went with his friend, Perry, to the NHRA Drag Races.  It was his first time, and he loved it!  Fans are able to go into the pit area and watch the crews tear down the cars after each race and rebuild them for the next round.  He was able to get John Force's autograph.  John Force has won 15 NHRA Championships.  He and his daughter, Courtney raced each other, and Courtney beat him. 

watching a pit crew rebuilding a top fuel car for the next race.

top fuel car

Warren got lots of videos of drag races.  here is a photo of the burnout before the race.

The guys had a great time at the races, and Warren is looking forward to going again. 

I love my sisters!

I'm so far behind on my blogging!  I've decided to just jump back in with some highlight posts and try to do better in the future. 

In February Warren and I rented a vacation home in Surprise, AZ.  It was a beautiful, large home, owned by a family who lives in Minnesota.  It was large enough to share with friends and family, and we had a wonderful time with those who came.  My sisters and I had a tradition years ago of getting together for Sisters Weekends.  Those special times of visiting, laughter and fun had been put on hold for a few years, but we have revived the tradition! 

They came from three states - Missouri, Montana and Iowa, and we had a blast.  Phoenix really needs to welcome them with a banner at the airport.  They are great shoppers.  : )   Lets just say that all the bargains didn't fit in the suitcases they brought, and they left wearing more layers of clothes than they arrived with...  Good thing it was winter and not summer.  Warren was a great sport, putting up with all us girls and played taxi driver.  He grilled some great meals for us, and put up with a lot of giggles and girlie stuff. 

 L to R: DeeDee, Rhonda Heidner, Kayla Heidner, Judy Hansen, Judy Heidner, Joanne (Judy's sister)

Judy, Joanne and Rhonda found a cupcake shop that had been on the tv show Cupcake Wars.  They brought home a few flavors of cupcakes - INCREDIBLE!  Yum!!! 

We ate at some good restaurants, spent time at the pool and fire pit, and just had a great time together, something we don't get to do very often living so far apart.

Its not a Heidner gathering without a few wild games of Dutch Blitz. 

Girls, thanks for coming.  It was great fun, and I hope you join us next year too.