Navajo Tacos

This is one of my family's favorite meals to eat. The scone recipe came from Faye Jaynes, an amazing cook in my neighborhood who used to work for the school lunch system back when they actually made the food. I'm not going to comment on school lunch right now. Let's just say my kids usually come home STARVING! And my kids aren't terribly picky, either. I do remember when I was a sixth-grader getting to take turns helping in the lunchroom. It was so fun! I searched for YEARS to find a comparable peanut finger recipe, and I still haven't found a no-bake cookie that comes close. They were so yummy!

O.K. That was just a little tangent. Back to the Tacos....

I love this recipe because the chili mixture is from scratch. It doesn't even use a taco-seasoning packet! Stop using those, people! There are better ways!

Make the dough in advance. It takes three hours to rise in the fridge. It's also great for honey butter.

Scone Dough:

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 Tablespoons sugar

8 cups flour

1 quart buttermilk

2 Tablespoons yeast

1/2 cup warm water

2 eggs

6 Tablespoons oil

Mix dry ingredients together, set aside. Heat buttermilk until lukewarm. Mix yeast in water and add to buttermilk. Mix in eggs and oil. Add dry ingredients. Dough will be sticky. Cover and refrigerate at least three hours. Roll 1/2 inch thick and cut to desired size. Deep-fry in hot (375 degree) oil. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

Honey Butter:

1 pound butter, softened

3/4 cup powdered sugar

honey to taste

Whip softened butter and add powdered sugar and honey. Beat well.

Chili topping:

1 pound ground beef

1 onion, chopped

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon cilantro, dried

1/2 teaspoon cumin

2 Tablespoons cider vinegar

3 Tablespoons brown sugar

4-8 oz. cans tomato sauce

salt and pepper to taste

2 cans dark kidney beans, 15 oz. size

1 can light kidney beans, 15 oz size

Brown ground beef and onion. Drain fat. Add seasonings and cook one minute. Add tomato sauce, cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Add beans which have been drained and rinsed. Simmer 20 minutes.

Top hot scones with chili and other traditional toppings of your choice: sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, chopped onions, guacamole, taco sauce, limes, cilantro, cheese.

Spencer's Eagle Project

Hello, my name is Spencer Merryweather. I am working on becoming an Eagle Scout. For my Eagle Scout project, I am holding a Hygiene Item Drive and will be donating items for the people in need that come to the Food and Care Coalition in Provo.





Any of the following items would be appreciated.

**Disposable Razors
**Deodorant/antiperspirant
**Feminine Hygiene products
*Shampoo, Full size
*Conditioner, Full size
*Lotion, Full size
Shave cream, regular & travel sizes
Hair spray/gel
Toothbrushes, children’s & adults
Toothpaste: full & travel sizes
Dental Floss
Hairbrushes
Anti-bacterial ointment
Pocket Kleenex
Adult Medicines - pain reliever and stomach remedies
Lip Balm
Denture Adhesive
Fingernail clippers
Foot powder

(Asterisks symbolize items of most need. The more asterisks, the greater the need.)

**Cash donations also accepted**

Thank you very much for your donation.

TMI or Why Holding it in is a Bad Idea

***Heads up on this being a rather gross post of a personal nature. If you read further, please don't judge me***

I'm in the middle of making something of a pastry-ish nature for a friend. I need my marble slab which I am positive is down in my basement where I've kept it for years. I go down to our laundry/stuff room and begin to look.

It isn't in it's normal spot so I begin to search deeper into areas that are less accessible. My bladder begins to give me warning tingles. I ignore it. I keep looking. I just KNOW it's down here somewhere! I push aside a few boxes in an annoyed manner. Where the heck is it?

I HATE losing things!

My bladder warns me again, this time a little more forcefully. I know I am THIS CLOSE to finding that slab!! Shove a few more boxes aside. No marble slab. More tingly-wingly.

OK! OK!!

I pick my way quickly through the stuff piled everywhere and head for the door.

Fortunately we have installed a bathroom in the basement. I run for the potty and begin to drop trou.

Two things happen at once: My bladder begins to let loose and my stack of credit cards falls out of my back pocket and into the toilet. I helplessly watch as they sink to the bottom. They're plastic!! Shouldn't they FLOAT?! Apparently not.

I make a grim decision: A little pee is no better than a lot of pee so I cater to the bodily urge to relieve myself and and let them sink. Then yes. I REACHED IN and RETRIEVED my cards. Then I bleach disinfected both my cards and my hand. Which was a bold move, as you know how I feel about bleach! Anyway, I think everything turned out fine. Just trust me when I say I ultra disinfected my cards AND my digits, so NO WORRIES about the pastry thingy, ALRIGHT??