Superlative Soup

So the Chicken Tortilla Soup was a big hit at our table the other night. I promised you the recipe, so here it goes:

2 14oz cans chicken broth w/roasted garlic**

1 14.5oz can Mexican style stewed tomatoes, undrained

1 9oz pkg frozen chopped cooked chicken breast

2 cups frozen pepper stir-fry vegetables

Corn Chips

Sliced jalapeno peppers (totally optional)

Sour Cream

Cheese

Cilantro

Combine first four ingredients in crockpot. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours or high for 3-3.5 hours. To serve, ladle into bowls and top with corn chips, peppers, sour cream, cheese, and cilantro according to taste.

This was sooo gooooood, you guys. The soup by itself directly out of the crockpot tasted good, but when I added a small dollop of sour cream to my bowl along with cheese and fresh cilantro, it brought out a whole new array of flavors. My husband and son each ate two bowls of this. I had the remainder today for lunch. If you have a large family or a bunch of good eaters, you might want to double the recipe.

One thing I really like about this soup is that it took all of about five minutes to assemble. The one element that took me the longest in this whole meal preparation was the grating of the cheese!

In all fairness, I cannot let you think I made this up on my own. I got the recipe from "5Ingredient Slow Cooking" by Better Homes and Gardens. I picked up this little cookbook for ten cents at a yard sale on Labor Day. I figured if the recipes were not to my liking, at least I'd only spent a dime on the book. Later this week, we are going to have the Apricot Pulled Pork Sandwiches. Will let you know how that turns out.

**p.s.--I didn't use the chicken broth with the garlic in it. I had regular chicken broth, so I just used that and added about a teaspoon of minced garlic.

p.s. #2--I made some killer zucchini bread this week using the last zuke from our own garden. I have a bit more zuke left and can't decide whether to make another batch or to saute it up. Decisions, decisions.

p.s. #3--have you entered my contest yet? No, I don't think you did. Not that I am pressuring you or anything. I will just cry incessantly and assume no one loves me, but no, really. You should not feel obligated at all.

p.s. #4--I have lost two pounds this week. So far, I am ahead in the contest. I will be buying my own self a Starbucks gift card if none of you sign up. Which is fine, because I love me some 'bucks, but still....again, no pressure.

Back In the Saddle...Again

So, today starts the zilliondy-seventh time I have begun Weight Watchers on my own. It's 2pm and so far, so good. (If you are wondering exactly how much zilliondy-seven is? It is roughly equal to what we as taxpayers now owe thanks to Fannie, Freddy, and AIG.)

I have Chicken Tortilla Soup cooking in the crockpot. The house is filled with the wonderful aroma of the peppers and spices. If it tastes as good as it smells, I will post the recipe for you.

Do you realize it's only two months until Thanksgiving? Which means only three months until Christmas? Which means that if you are like me, Miss BakeyMcMakeTreatsAlot, then there is only so much time to lose any extra weight before the holidays hit...and with it the extra pounds.

So today, I announce the Fall Drop A Turkey Extravaganza 2008 Edition. (Catchy name, no?) If you want to lose some extra poundage (um, like some people need to lose roughly the equivalent of two turkeys, coughcough, not me for I am but a shadow) but are having a hard time doing it and need some "encouragement", feel free to email me directly at melissa974@earthlink.net. I promise to keep on your back if you keep on mine. Together we can lose and get in shape for the holidays. Those of you who feel like it can disclose your stats to me, such as current weight, pounds lost goal, etc. I will post weekly updates here, such as "Thumbelina lost four pounds this week!" (I will not post your current weight on the site, so no worries there.)The person losing the highest percentage of weight by December 1st wins a $5 Starbucks gift card. So get signed up today, and get the pounds off by the time the family gathers around the dry turkey.

In other news, I signed up on facebook and myspace. And am now getting friend requests from people I have never heard of. My popularity knows no bounds, apparently.



In still other news, Girlfriend has decided that there's more than one use for a hand-crocheted Barbie dress. And that she doesn't need to nap anymore.

What up, dog?

Is it sad or just pathetic when you realize your preschooler is cooler than you?
Come on, vogue!

That's My Story...

....aaaaaaand I'm stickin' to it.

My life, summed up in picture form

more animals

Watch Out, Broadway

Translation:

I thank God for this day
For the sun in the sky
For my mom and my dad
For my piece of apple pie
For our home on the ground
For his love that's all around
That's why I say thanks every day

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart
I'm glad for what I have
That's an easy way to start
For the love that he shares
Cuz he listens to my prayers
That's why I say thanks every day

Miscellany

I am in California this week at our company's head office, doing document reproduction work. Which is a glorified way of saying I am copying, filing, and printing reports out the wazoo. I arrived yesterday morning and won't be back home until Friday night. I already miss the family, but it sure is nice to be able to have an entire latte to myself.

Remember, like a hundred years ago, when I instituted Recipe Friday? Which then got changed to Recipe Whenever I Remember, which then got changed to Recipes That Will Never Happen Because I am Too Busy to Remember and You Guys Think I am Full of Crud? Yeah? Good times, they were. Anyway, today I am imparting to you my recipe for zucchini because 1) It's super easy, B) I need content to fill this here blog besides my rambling, and Thirdly), It is super yummy and you will like it. I found the original recipe on, of all things, a romance readers' blog in the comments, and have adapted it to fit our family's palate. Feel free to pass this off as your own, but remember to secretly thank me when people rave about it, mkay?

Missie's Zucchini (because I am all wordsmithy like that)

Zucchini, Peeled and sliced in whatever size appeals to you

Onions, chopped

Brown Sugar

Butter

Beef Boullion Powder or Cubes, and Water

Cayenne Pepper or Pepper Flakes

Saute zucchini and onions over med high heat in butter. When zucchini starts to soften, add brown sugar. Start with about 2-3 tablespoons. You can always add more later. Dissolve beef boullion cube in about 1/4 c boiling water and add to pan. If using beef boullion powder, which I prefer, add about 1-2 tbsp. There is no need to add additional salt, because the boullion is salty enough. Add cayenne and simmer for about ten minutes. You can make this as sweet or spicy as you desire. Add more sugar or beef boullion to taste.

My husband loves this served over a hamburger patty. This makes a great side dish, and an unusual way to use up the zucchini overflowing your garden (or the gardens of people from church who foist their extras off on you after service).

If you try this, give me your opinion!

Have a good one, everyone!

p.s. Update on the Invitashuns of Eggsellent Grammer: They were ordered from an actual printshop! Boggles the mind, doesn't it?

I'm Not Making This Up...

One of my husband's shirt-tail relations is getting married in two weeks. On the response card that came with the invitation, it read:

"We will not be registering

Money will be appreciated to help us

Along are way on are homeymoon"

Klassy.

We are getting them his and hers doo-rags to wear on their homeymoon to South Central Los Angeles. As well as the latest edition of Hooked on Phonics.

I just hope those crazy kids don't get deevorxd.