Island in the Sun...

Good evening, my fellow friends.  Today was a busy day.  Firstly, the gals and I had our weekly work luncheon...aka gossip session...  It was a hoot, as usual!  This aforementioned luncheon resulted in E.V. and I making a journey into the big city.  The good news is that I didn't get lost.  The bad news is that I didn't get lost...I wish I had.  I feel as though it would have been better than my parking garage experience.  I despise those things.  Too much concrete, ceiling clearances that are too low, and parking spaces labeled 'compact.'  I will say a valuable lesson has been learned today.  They're not joking when they say 'compact.'  Just try squeezing a 4runner into such a spot.  Talk about bad decisions.  Ooops...oh, well.  I never really use that side mirror.  I have issues with the whole 'objects in mirror are closer than they appear.'  Not one of my strong suits...we'll leave it at that..

"Ohhh, Mama!  What did you do??  What is that hanging off the side of our truck??"

She's such a critic. I'm sure she could not have done any better...

Disaster was averted and all will be well in about four days, give or take..the holiday will be over and things will be back to normal.  We made it home safely.  Eventually we were over at the PetSmart taking care of the kitty cats.  It's Thursday.  We're up to eleven cats...Nora is my favorite.  She's a dainty Russian Blue that likes to nibble on your arms.  I had every intention of taking some photos...but that's difficult to do when you leave your camera back at the apartment.  I apologize!  I haven't been myself lately...my mind has been occupied.  I suspect it may have a bit to do with my fascination with chainsaw jugglers...

"Shall we expedite this process, Mama...I want nachos!!"

I did cook tonight and I usually do not on cat night, but I had a severe craving for chicken nachos.  The thought of such were burned in my brain and I couldn't shake it.  I was nervous, because we didn't get home until after 7pm.  I had lost most of the daylight which I need for better photos.  Yeah, before you ask, they could be worse...I decided to try an experiment and take my food pictures in the kitchen.  Like they say, you've got to take risks every now and again...what did I have to lose??  I moved all of my lamps in there, so it was a little cramped.  All of the cords became intertwined...it was difficult to focus.  But we're tough cookies...and we made shredded chicken nachos!  Zero regrets!!

"Alright, Mama...time for you to show them all how it's done!

You rock...just like new bones!" 

She's my sweet pea....perhaps E.V.P. of the sweet peas :-)

I realize I have been making a conscientious effort to provide more step-by-step instructions which include photos....tonight we had to make a few exceptions.  Distractions and time constraints were a factor...

Here are the elements of our nachos...

I'm all about sour cream, guacamole and salsa...oh, that, and grease.

 didn't use any real vegetables.  Mostly because I had none. 

The tortillas were used to make homemade chips. 

Upon taking the photo above, I totally forgot the star of the show. 

The cheese stands alone...literally.  hahahahahaha, couldn't resist.

Remember the Farmer in the Dell??? 

No rat attempted to take our cheese this evening...I wouldn't allow it!  No one messes with cheese

belonging to a ninja sporting a pink cape!  He'd have regrets...

Here are the chips frying in peanut oil...

Simply quarter little corn tortillas and voila (not the instrument...I can't figure out the function on my keyboard necessary to place accent marks above letters...so for the sake of this blog, please pretend ther is a little accent atop the 'a' in voila....nevermind...I was thinking of viola..an acute case of dyslexia set in...my bad...)...  Chips are born!

Here are my sweet little chips all draining on my patriotic paper towels...

Homemade chips...they do a body good...trust me..I never lie.  Ever!

I've already told you all that.

Here is the chicken, which I eventually shredded...

Firstly, you need to place the chicken in a plastic bag and pound flat.

Pounding things can be quite a stress reliever... 

I mixed up a variety of Mexican spices and cooked on the stovetop.

I shredded my chicken and topped the chips with that in addition to the cheese...never forget the cheese...and placed under the broil until melted.  To make it all better, I topped it with sour cream and guacamole.  Yum!  Almost the yummiest thing..but not quite...I can think of someonething...Can I get another Amen!

My nachos...Mt. Nacho...  I wished I had black olives.  Cilantro would have made for some visual improvements.  I don't like cilantro.  It tastes like plastic....personal preference.  Add whatever you like....these nachos can totally be personalized...like mugs and picture frames and pencils and even m&m's...  Go crazy!  You'll have no regrets!  I speak from experience...

I want to thank you for enduring an unpredictable evening as we trekked into the unchartered territory of late(r) evening photograpy using artifical light.  One hopes the experience hasn't scared you away.  I'm flushed...I blame.... It has been mellow in these parts this evening.  Oh, and go listen to the Fugees...Killing Me Softly.  Lauryn Hill has an angelic voice.  Again, the You Tube rocks.

Lieutenant Commander(o) Lone Foodie, and her trusty side-kick, E.V. would like to thank you for being part of our lives...oh, This evening's Public Service Announcement...be on the look out for SWAK Attacks!  They can appear when least expected...and they think possum is awesome...