Simple Sunday Daybook . . .

 

Hello!  Well, here I am again for another week... I'm still working on posting, I will work on commenting as well.  I'm just trying to find my groove again ;0)

Outside my window -  This morning when I got up it was 7 degrees, right now it's 16 degrees.  We are supposed to be getting about an inch of snow this afternoon. The high today will only be 19 degrees, so we are in for a cold, snowy week ahead.  

On My Playlist -  Bob and I will be married 50 years in April, I can hardly believe it.  I love this vintage playlist, and I love him... Enjoy.  I'm also enjoying love songs since February is just around the corner, the month for love!

Right Now I Am - Well, blogging.  We stayed home from church this morning because it was just soooo cold and the roads were horrible.  I don't do well in cold temps.  I'm making chicken tortilla soup, cornbread and peach cobbler for dinner, and it smells so delicious bubbling away on the stove.

I'm Wearing - I have on warm leggings, a  long sweater to keep my tushy warm and thick slippers.  I'm staying warm and cozy.  Later tonight, I will be cuddled up in a fuzzy blanket.

What Am I Reading - 

On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…

For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.

But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder… where nothing is as it seems.

This is a fun read, and an easy read - perfect for cold winter days.

From My Kitchen -  I'm really trying to be intentional about my cooking.  It seems like I waste a lot of food because I make too much, and I don't love leftovers.  I have things in my freezer and pantry that need to be used up.  I like putting a big bowl with the frozen meat we will be using for the week.  That way I already have it thawed and ready to go, it's such a time saver for me and makes me plan a menu, and that's big for me.  If I use a recipe, I half it or even make just make a third of it.  I have found some fabulous, small batch cooking ideas on Pinterest.

In my last post, someone asked about the oil in the bread recipe and when to put it in. It goes in with the water and other ingredients.  

This is my menu for the week - 

Saturday - Pork loin chops with sauteed onions and mushrooms, green salad  

Sunday - Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup with cornbread and peach cobbler for dessert

Monday - Leftovers from Sunday

Tuesday - Halibut, herbed wild rice, green beans

Wednesday - Hamburgers, green salad, chips

Thursday - Homemade pizza

Friday - Baked chicken thighs, baked sweet potatoes and rolls

Saturday - Tacos or nachos

CROCKPOT CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• ¼ cup taco seasoning, or one taco seasoning packet
• 4 ounces can diced green chiles, mild or hot
• 15.5 ounces can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, juices included
• 15.25 ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups grated Mexican cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• tortilla chips, or 6 corn tortillas, cut into strips either air fried or oven baked to crisp them up
• Cilantro, one bunch for garnish

Instructions

• Place the frozen OR thawed chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the top of the chicken breasts.
• Spread green chiles, black beans, tomatoes, and corn over the chicken.
• Slowly pour in the chicken broth.
• Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
• Remove chicken breasts from the soup and shred with two forks.
• Return the chicken to the soup and add the cheese and heavy cream.
• Cook for an additional 30-minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally until the cheese is fully melted and combined and the soup is thickened slightly.
• You can add the tortilla chips directly to the soup along with the cheese and cream and cook for the final 30 to 60 minutes or crisp the corn tortillas in the air fryer or oven. To crisp the tortilla chips in the air fryer, spray liberally with non-stick cooking spray and bake at 400°F for approximately 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
• Serve soup with additional chopped cilantro, tortilla strips/chips, and avocado, if desired.

Instead of frying my tortillas, I just used tortilla chips that I had on hand, it turned out perfect.  I also used some pork verde that I had put up in the frozen a few months ago, and so I just made it in a dutch oven, it was delicious!  You can find the original, Pinterest recipe here.

Thinking and Pondering - My daughter and her husband left today to go on a cruise to Mexico with their kids.  I'm just praying that the roads will be clear and that they arrive safely at the airport this afternoon.  They are so excited!

How I am Feeling - It has been one year since I had to have surgery to remove most of my stomach.  I have lost over 100 pounds and really need to figure out how to stay where I am right now.  I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would have to worry about NOT losing weight.  I go to the Gastroenterologist on Tuesday and hopefully we can address this problem.  I also have lots of baggy skin that needs to be addressed.  It's a little scary for me, and something I never thought I would have to worry about.    

I'm Creating -  On Thursday, I had to go to JoAnn's to get some more embroidery floss for my cross stitch, and all of their flowers were 40% off.  I bought a few white flowers to put on the dining room table.  I thought they looked kind of pretty with the vintage pitchers.

From my Camera - Ahhhh, my sweet Emily.  She was only 11 when I took this photo.  She is now 18, will graduate high school this year and then off to college in the fall!  She is such a beautiful, funny, charming, sassy girl... I just adore this sweet granddaughter! 

Because I've had a few emails about Brody, my grandson who is currently serving a mission in Croatia, I thought I would just do a quick update!  Brody loves serving in Croatia, loves the people, and most importantly, loves the Lord and loves spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He's currently in, Rijeka.  As you can see, it's so beautiful there, it's a very large city but he is happy, thriving and has been out for almost a year.  I was able to talk to him on Christmas Day, via FB, and it made this old grandma's heart so happy to see his face and hear his voice!  We miss him, but know that he is in the Lord's hands, serving and loving the people there.  

Just Sayin' - 

Have a very blessed Sunday... Be safe.  

Hugs and Love,

Barb

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