We have had visitors almost every month we've lived here so far. July, September and now October have all brought my family to Georgia. It's been great! First, I love hosting guests. I like the cleaning and preparing and I enjoy showing them around our area. But most of all, I love it because I get to see my family! I love living here in Georgia, but I miss my family a lot. Having different folks come visit is a special treat that eases my homesickness and helps them see how great it is here. This month, my grandparents and mom came to visit. They stayed at our apartment for a few days and Continue Reading
Archives for October 2013
Spinach Tortellini Soup
Who's tired of the same old soups all winter long? Well, have you tried this spinach tortellini soup? It's so easy to make. This soup reminded me of something you would eat when you were sick because of the chicken broth. I think that flavor just brings me comfort. I didn't think my husband would enjoy this recipe, but he actually did. He ate two big bowls full! Spinach Tortellini Soup Recipe Here's what you'll need: Chicken broth Tortellini Baby spinach Shredded Parmesan cheese That's it! Wow! You might even have some of this already in your kitchen! We tend to always Continue Reading
Chocolate Truffle Cookies
These cookies seemed really complicated to me when I first read the recipe. But I adapted it to make it a bit more simple. It's still a little tedious, but the end result is chocolate heaven. If you are one of those people who think there's no such thing as too much chocolate, well, these cookies are for you! They are rich, that's for sure. But they are sure to be a huge hit with chocolate lovers. My husband took a few bags of them to work to share with the soldiers, and I got back good reviews! Here's what you'll need: Flour Cocoa powder Baking powder Salt Bittersweet Continue Reading
Beef Stroganoff
My college roommate would make us beef stroganoff whenever it was her turn to cook for "roomie dinners." And it was my favorite roomie dinner ever. I loved when Aubrey would make this meal, and I was excited to try her recipe out for my husband. I had a feeling he would enjoy it, and my feeling was spot on! Here's what you'll need: Roast, thawed Onion soup mix Kitchen Bouquet Browning & Seasoning Sauce, 4-oz bottle No Yolk Noodles Cornstarch In the morning, put your thawed roast in your crock pot (with your slow cooker liner!) Pour half a bottle of the Kitchen Continue Reading
On Letting Go & Having Empty Hands
The other day I had a dream I was with an older couple -- family friends of ours -- in a parking lot. This couple had to make a list of things they would give up, and then they were really letting go of things things, really living without them. Then the dream made a turn toward ice cream ... but that's not the point. I began thinking about this list of things to give up in my half asleep/half awake state. What would I be willing to write on my list? What could I live without? There are several things I would have trouble giving up and letting go. Cable - how would I watch my favorite Continue Reading
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
I made these cookies once before I was married and everyone on the block wanted some! I went around delivering them to various family members who were much appreciative. I made them again this week to take to our church small group. They seemed to be a big hit, especially with the kids. Every time I turned around someone was taking a bite of one! Have you ever had an Andes mint, like what Olive Garden gives out after your meal? If you like those, you'll love these cookies. I'm a huge mint chocolate fan! Here's what you'll need: Sugar cookie mix Butter Egg Mint Continue Reading
Queso Dip
One of my new favorite foods is queso! I love going to Mexican restaurants now, specifically for their chips and queso. I wanted to be able to make this delicious dip at home, and now I can. This recipe is fabulous! Travis and I love chowing down on chips and queso while watching TV or a movie. We refrigerate the leftovers and heat it up later -- and it's still just as good! Here's what you'll need: White American cheese Butter Milk Chopped green chilies Garlic powder Onion powder Cumin Cayenne pepper First, put the cheese, butter and milk together in a saucepan Continue Reading
Chicken Tortilla Soup
I made some potato soup last week, and it turned out horrible. I threw all of it out, and I was so disappointed. So I made a second attempt at soup, but a different kind. I made chicken tortilla soup, and it turned out awesome! I love this soup, and so did my husband. Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe Here's what you'll need: Onion Black beans Kidney beans Tomato sauce Corn Tomatoes with chilies Jalapeno Taco seasoning Chili powder Chicken broth Chicken breasts That probably seems like a lot. But, the great thing about this recipe is all you have to Continue Reading
Look at the Rainbow
Last week I was on a mail kick. I love getting mail -- let me clarify, I love getting mail that is for me and is nice. Bills and junk mail do not count as nice. But whenever I receive a card, a letter, or even better a package -- I get SO excited. And almost as much as I love receiving mail, I love sending out mail. I could stand in the greeting card aisle for hours! It gives me joy to send some upliftment out to others. My computer is telling me "upliftment" isn't a word. So I declare it a word right now, and it basically means encouragement. So last week, I sent out several cards and Continue Reading
Cookie Dough Pizza
I can pretty much guarantee this will be the best pizza you've ever had. Why? Because it has ice cream in it. And cookie dough. Yes, you heard me right. Best. Pizza. Ever. With my hubby still recovering from his eye surgery, I knew this would be a treat that would cheer him up. So while he slept in the closet (it's the darkest room in the house and his eyes were very light sensitive) all knocked out from his pain meds, I worked on this pizza. Let me clarify here -- it looks a lot more like a pizza if you use a round pan and cut it into slices. I didn't have a good round pan to use, Continue Reading
Zucchini Crisps
I thought this recipe sounded good. It would be a nice addition to our lunch one day. I made the zucchini crisps, and it wasn't really what I expected. I thought they would be more crunchy. At first, Travis and I both weren't too sure about them. I made a few more, and suddenly Travis was really liking them. He even asked for more. I think we both had different expectations than what we got, but then we realized they were pretty good. These zucchini crisps are a good side dish, appetizer or snack. They are crisp on the outside but soft on the inside. They have a really good flavor, just a Continue Reading
Great and Mighty Things
Pray about it. Dream big. Then write it down. That's basically what the new book I'm reading said. The book is called Intentional Blogger, and the authors wanted me to make goals for my blog. I'll be honest with you ... I thoroughly read that chapter on setting goals twice. I skimmed over it another two times. I printed off the printables they included for the goal setting chapter. And I sat there and stared at them for quite some time. Writing out my goals for this blog was difficult for me. I went back and forth in my mind. I asked my husband for help. He said my goal should be for Continue Reading