Monday, May 23, 2011

Hello

Just sneaking a break at work to stop by and say hello to all of my cyber friends. It is a very gloomy Monday here, and I think it is suppose to continue to be nasty the rest of the week. Weather sure does play a big part in your mood. Not much to post on, as all of my pictures are on my home computer. Have a wonderful week, and will see you soon!


XOXO

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Taco Soup

I cannot begin to tell you how delicious this soup is. I know it seems like there are a lot of ingredients, but really it is just a lot of opening and dumping....soooo easy! I used organic ground turkey, but you can use whatever you prefer. I also added a block of cream cheese, which made it over-the-top creamy and decedent. This makes a nice big pot of soup, and everyone loved it! If you like any kind of Mexican food, PLEASE try this. It is one of those recipes that you can add or delete what you like.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 cups diced onions
  • 2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans pinto beans
  • 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can pink kidney beans
  • 1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can tomatoes with chiles
  • 2 (4 1/2-ounce) cans diced green chiles
  • 1 (4.6-ounce) can black olives, drained and sliced, optional
  • 1/2 cup green olives, sliced, optional
  • 1 (1 1/4-ounce) package taco seasoning mix
  • 1 (1-ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix
  • Corn chips, for serving
  • Sour cream, for garnish
  • Grated cheese, for garnish
  • Chopped green onions, for garnish
  • Pickled jalapenos, for garnish

Directions

Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet; drain the excess fat, then transfer the browned beef and onions to a large slow cooker or a stockpot. Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, black olives, green olives, taco seasoning, and ranch dressing mix, and cook in a slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours or simmer over low heat for about 1 hour in a pot on the stove. To serve, place a few corn chips in each bowl and ladle soup over them. Top with sour cream, cheese, green onions and jalapenos.


Let me know what you think!


XOXO

Recipe adapted from Paula Dean

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Cheers!


Ingredients

  • 1 cup white-cranberry juice
  • 4 ounces vodka
  • 2 ounces Cointreau

Directions

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add cranberry juice, vodka, and Cointreau. Shake to combine well. Strain into two large martini glasses. Serve immediately.


I thought this cosmo was not only pretty and easy, but sounds delicious!
Had a very busy week this week, but just wanted to say hi and have a great Friday! Now I have to run out to get some white-cranberry juice!

XOXO

P.S. This cocktail is from Martha Stewart

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day

I just want to wish all of you Amazing Mother's out there a very Happy Mother's Day. I hope your day was special in every way.
I'm back from my trip to Kansas City, and had a wonderful time!



I will see you later in the week with some wedding pictures.

XOXO