Yummy Dinner Surprise

First things first, I'm trying really hard, to be a better cook. I mean, my hubby works hard. Incredibly hard, so I can stay home. Being that he puts in long hours, I feel like I should be doing more, to make his life easier. After all, I am a stay at home mom, and a housewife!

I've been trolling cooking blogs. Looking for tasty meals. That aren't too hard to make. Because I'm the woman, that can burn water. I'm not lying!! We also live in the southwest. Where chili is supreme. People like it hot, and hotter around here. Mexican food, isn't just a little treat. It's the primary source of food. So I need to get better at this stuff!

I found a recipe. That even I can manage. Well, at least I think so. I printed it out. Went grocery shopping today. And this is what we're having for dinner. Tomorrow night. What do you think?



Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
½ cup chicken broth
2 cups milk
1 can (15 ounce) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14.5 ounce) Rotel diced tomatoes and jalapenos
1 package (10 ounce) frozen corn
½ cup onion, chopped
½ cup bell pepper, diced
1 can (10 ounce) Enchilada sauce
2 whole chicken breasts
1 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese

What you'll do:
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in flour; keep stirring until smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat and add the chicken broth and ½ cup milk, a little at a time, stirring to keep smooth. Return to heat. Bring sauce to a gentle boil; cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens. In a large bowl, whisk together the enchilada sauce and chicken broth mixture . Gradually whisk in remaining milk until smooth. Set aside.

In a crockpot, combine drained beans, tomatoes, corn, onion, and bell pepper. Place the chicken breasts on top of the mixture. Pour sauce mixture over ingredients in cooker. Cover; cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. When you are ready to serve, remove chicken and cut or shred into bite-sized pieces. Add chicken back into the soup, mix together. Top with cheese and serve. I topped ours with slices of avocado, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips.

I'm so excited! I even emailed my friend. And got her delicious cornbread recipe. Yes, Greg is going to enjoy a little feast tomorrow night. :) I might even try my hand at homemade dessert! ☼

Kitchen on a Buy!!

Daisy will be 17 months old, on Christmas Day. I'm a little unsure, of what to buy her. You know, for Christmas. I want Daisy to have some big presents. Something special from Santa.

Well, Anna Marie and I, went shopping last week. We went to pick up some things to donate. A local "safe house" for kids, asks for donations every year. They collect small things like crayons, bubbles, clay, small toys, that sort of thing. A bunch of ladies, make stockings. Then they are stuffed with all the donations.

When I went to college, our department always collected donations. Since graduation, I've always bought and donated stuff. It's important. These are kids that are neglected, taken from their families, or abused. They need some love. And $50, isn't going to break us. But it sure will put a big smile, on some kids faces. :)

While we were getting all our things together, I saw this little kitchenette. For $20. But we were there for the kiddos. Not for my Christmas shopping. A few days later, Greg and I were talking. About what we were going to get Daisy for Christmas.

I told him, eventually I'd like to get Daisy a set like this. But right now, I just think that it's too much. I mean, she's only a year and 4 months old! That's when I remembered this little treasure. In Family Dollar!



Greg went to buy it the next day! The stack of 20 that I had seen, were almost gone! There was only 4 left. But we got one for our little girl. Best of all, it's American made!! We've been trying to buy American made, for all our holiday gifts.

It only took Greg about an hour, start to finish, to put together. Then we realized, we need to hide it! For a few weeks. Currently, it's tucked away in our Guest Room closet. That's the other thing that I love, it's not too big! After Christmas, we might just put Daisy's little kitchen, in the family room. Instead of her playroom. ☼

The Land of Walgreen's

Last week, I spotted the Walgreen's sale, in the newspaper. My hubby reads the newspaper. I read the sales. :) I noticed how there was going to be a HUGE toy sale. Score!! We've have lots of kiddos to buy for. Christmas is just around the corner.

I managed to sneak out of my in-laws house for an hour. Before I knew it, I was in the middle of a crazy sale. Everyone was trying to get the toys, that were on the great deal! I had my list in hand, called Greg about 5 times, and was happy when my basket was full! :)

Quickly, I was sad again. The line was crazy long!! Not the time, when there are that many people shopping. Only 1 register was open, at the front. I was patient. Read the latest Style Watch. Picked up 2 dolls for Daisy. Waited. Waited. And waited some more.

Finally, the register in the beauty department opened up. And I was the 2nd in line. :) While I was waiting on the lady in front of me, who was buying some perfume, I spotted the Sinful Colors nail polish. I really don't need more nail polish. But I had no self control!



I spotted Let's Meet. An almost mustard color. Just a little darker, than in this picture. I've been looking for a nice yellow nail polish. For a while now. But all I could find, was neon colors. Not what I'm into. Let's Meet, is a keeper! Especially at $1 a bottle!! Yes, it was on sale too. :) Now, I'm just on the hunt, for the perfect summer yellow. Something bright and fun! ☼

Her Little Table

I hadn't told shared with you, what Daisy's big birthday present, from us was. She's always trying drag her outside chairs, inside. We'd been looking for a cute little table and chair set for her. But didn't like anything, that we were seeing locally.

At Hobby Lobby, all the tables were shaped like crayons or pencils. We didn't like them. Or they were metal. For outside. That's when I remembered my friend. Manders has the most adorable things for her kids!! In fact, our friends have a few of these little tables, with chairs!

That's when Manders pointed me in the right direction. And we saw this little Farmhouse table, with chairs!! Greg couldn't resist. That's when we bought the table, and 4 chairs. We spent more than we had expected, but it was perfect for our little girl!



We have the table in the kitchen. And Daisy eats at her table. She also colors there. And plays with her little tea set. That my sister got her. :) Eventually, I'd really like to get one, for the playroom. But they are pricey. Honestly, I think this is the best present, we could have gotten Daisy. She just loves her little table! ☼

Daisy's Chair

Daisy got some of the cutest presents for her birthday. But the one that she loves the most, is her new chair!!



It looks just like this. But has her name and birth date, embroidered on it. The fabric is gingham checks. Adorable! It was a gift from my in-laws. Daisy just adores it! Sits on it all the time. I think her favorite thing is, it's right next to daddy's chair! ☼

What We Woke Up To....

A beautiful Winter Wonderland!! It doesn't snow much here. Although, in the last few years, we're seeing more and more cold weather. And snow! But this morning, was magical. We have snow. And tons of it!! Our entire community, is buried. Everything is closed. Roads, businesses, offices, everything! It's a snow day. And Greg gets to stay home with me and Daisy! Yes, we're going to enjoy this amazing day, that God sent us! ☼