On My Hearth: Burrito Lasagna

Here's a new recipe I'll be sharing with my clients this week, and serving to my own family tonight! To make this vegetarian-friendly, substitute "veggie crumbles" such as those made by Morningstar Farms® and Boca® for the ground beef. I really love Taste of Home recipes; the directions are easy to follow, use simple ingredients and always turn out delicious! I honestly learned to cook many years ago with the help of their magazine!

Burrito Lasagna


Photo by: Taste of Home

12 Servings
Prep: 35 min. Bake: 30 min. + standing

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
2 cans (10 ounces each) enchilada sauce
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 package (8.8 ounces) ready-to-serve Spanish rice
12 flour tortillas (8 inches), warmed
1 can (15 ounces) refried beans
4 cups (16 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend
Optional toppings: salsa, sliced avocado, shredded lettuce, taco sauce and/or sour cream

Directions

In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in enchilada sauce, taco seasoning and cumin; heat through.
Heat rice according to package directions. Spread each tortilla with about 2 tablespoonfuls beans. Spread 1 cup meat mixture into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Layer with 4 tortillas and a third of the rice, a third of the remaining meat mixture and a third of the cheese. Repeat layers. Top with the remaining tortillas, rice and meat mixture (dish will be full).
Cover and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with toppings of your choice. Yield: 12 servings.

Enjoy!

Rapunzel~

Skulls & Roses Train Case

Skulls & Roses Train Case, originally uploaded by Rapunzel*.

Latest completed project, refurbished vintage train case using Alexander Henry fabric

Pin-Ups in Paris!

Here's my latest creation, a small vintage suitcase refurbished with pin-up in Paris fabric with pink silk trim!





Rapunzel~

Away They Go!

Kali and Jesus took two of my refurbished vintage train cases to the South Florida Tattoo Expo this weekend. I've never sold one before so I'm a little bit nervous, , hope they find a new home!



We went to visit them last night, walked around the Expo admiring all of the amazing tattoo artwork and other crafts. I am in awe of the talent out there!

Kali was busy working at her booth..



while Lily and friends enjoyed the entertainment..



and I did a little bit of shopping! Are these gorgeous or what?!



We've had a busy weekend so far, looking forward to a quiet Sunday of movies, pool time, and maybe a little bit of craftiness.

Have a fabulous day!


Rapunzel~

Strange New Waters

I awoke feeling acutely grief-stricken, and I said to myself, "Ah, this is the empty-nest feeling I've heard about, the feeling that says, "You're not at home in your new world, and your old world no longer fits you." I was in limbo, aching for what was and for what might have been. Intellectually I knew this was a growth phase, a kind of labor pain that would yield wonderful things if I could just allow myself to go through it. (It helped to know that I didn't really have a choice.) Rather than smooth it over and find mind-numbing ways to spare myself the anguish, I let myself feel it. I was lonely, disappointed, heartbroken, and scared, and I sat on my bed and cried for everything about my life that was dying." ~Dr. Christiane Northrup, The Wisdom of Menopause

I could have written this passage myself, as I sat here this morning on my bed, mourning the past, not sure what the future looks like but convinced that I'm not going to like it. You see, when we return home from Ormond this afternoon, I will be facing an empty-er house than when I left. One more bedroom will be empty, one more little bird having flown the nest. Bambi moved into an apartment with her boyfriend, a decision I not only approved of but celebrated for her. She's a smart, independent, mature young woman and she's ready to move out on her own. I have no doubt that she will be successful and happy in her new home. But me? That's another story.

I got pregnant with Kali when I was nineteen years old, I have been a mother for 28 years. It is the most important job I've ever done, the only one that really mattered, and I put my heart and soul into it. I barely remember my adult life before children, before full-time mothering, and I have no idea how to do anything different. Of course, I have Beren and my pets and my hobbies, and a little part-time job that fills my time, but first and foremost I am a Mother. And, yes, I realize that I will always have that role, but it's different now that they are adults. They no longer need or want my "parenting." They want and need to live their own lives, find their own place in the world, and that's normal, natural and healthy. I am just not sure how to "do" this parenting-of-adults. How involved should I be? How often do I call, visit? Where is the line between abandonment and independence? How much is simply too much?

I am struggling with these questions, desperately seeking the answers from "experts" as well as my friends but, alas, no one I know has been here yet. Having my girls so early puts me at a disadvantage as many of my peers are still struggling with teenage issues, not ready to deal with the emptying of their nest. I feel like I'm navigating these unchartered waters without a compass or a map, hoping I'm headed in the right direction but not even certain of my destination! It's terrifying yet just a little bit exciting as well. Even though my tears, I tentatively look forward to where this next phase of life may take me but understand that in order for me to get there, wherever "there" may be, I have to release myself from the security of the dock and set sail. Bon Voyage.

Rapunzel~

New Creation

This one will be heading to the South Florida Tattoo Expo with Kali & Jesus next weekend, hope she sells!

Rapunzel~

Wordless Wednesday: Exciting New Venture

Rapunzel~