Things are finally settling around here. November and December are a blur of family, friends, travels, party, food and sickness.  There was fun and laughter mixed in with it all....but I am kind of happy it has slowed down a bit. 
I hate to admit, but on this day, I still have 2 of my little Charie Brown trees up~I have been under the weather and those chores have been pushed to the back burner.  Oh, how I yearn for spring.  We have had snow the past week~at least 4 inches.  And while most ADORE the stuff----I do not. We did get some fun photos of the family out in the snow! It was fun for a while.  I love how the snow looks, I just hate the cold and the mess. 
The good news, it is a beautiful day today! Things are looking UP!

Changing of the Seasons

In West Texas, one day will be sunny and still, the next will be cold and windy.  We spent yesterday afternoon in the company of friends enjoying one of the last Wednesdays of Couple's Golf.  Short sleeves and capris with a light jacket "just in case" was the attire.  As we finished up hole 18, the clouds were rolling in and the southern wind began to pick up.  Sadly, I glanced to check the time and realized it was only 7:15 and knew that this was the beginning of the change of season.  Each year I dread this season.  It not only chills me to the bone, but also chills my mind~I yearn for the days of summer.  Long days spent outdoors or indoors for that matter looking out to the bright sunlit sky. 

Last year's winter was harsh and long.  I tried not to complain so much this summer, eventhough we had record high temperatures and drought conditions.  I love the feel of the sun on my face and the feeling of being outside and working hard and working up a sweat.  It somehow cleanses the body and soul. 

But for now, fall is here.  There is beauty around me. I love the changing leaves~gold, red, brown.  The nip in the air that causes little animals to run and play.  The dampness on colorful blooms that shimmer in the sunlight. 

 

And this:

 Chicken Sopa and Cornbread

 

boil 3 chicken breasts until tender; shred or chop 
reserve 2 cups broth

place in a crockpot on high while chicken is cooking:
1 can cream chicken soup
2 tablespoon chicken boullion or 2 packages of ramen noodle season packages


ingredients:
Saute until tender
3 roasted green chiles
1/2 onion chopped
1 tsp. chopped garlic
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp coarse black pepper

Add Sauted ingredients to crockpot along with:
2 cups chicken broth reserve
Chicken

Heat on high. Mixture should become bubbly.  Cut 6 flour tortillas lengthwise into 1/2 strips and then into 1/2 inch squares.  Drop into crockpot and stir.  Cover and let cook for 5 minutes.  Serve with cornbread.  My favorite? Martha Whites Sweet Cornbread Mix.  2 packages will fill a cast iron skillet.  Be sure and add 3-4 tablespoons oil to skillet and preheat in oven and pour batter into hot skillet.  Makes a wonderful crunchy crust!
Enjoy.

Option:

May leave out flour tortillas and add V-8 and 4 additional cups of chicken broth and have Tortilla soup......just add trimmings.......Avocados, tortillas chips, cheese.

Times are Changin'........

Times are changin'

ready or not

I think back and know it was

yesterday when the yard was filled with screaming

boys-hollering for the ball, darting past my window

hiding.....seeking.

Quieter times are coming

times are changin'

We raised our boys to be the men they

are today

but underneath those scraggly first time beards

i see young men, finding their ways-with anxious eyes

times are changin'

I'm blessed to look across the room at a man

I love~ a man I laugh with and have grown

comfortable with .....because

times are changin'....

and we will be just fine.

May is a Whirlwind!

There are so many things going on in our lives right now. But, for now, I want to celebrate this:

My sweet little hubby turns 50 today. (Not 05!) He is a good man. He works hard, loves his kids and his family. He is the type of guy that will buy a kid a soda because he happens to be standing in line next to him. He loves his Mom and Dad, and my Mom~and never hangs up the phone without saying he loves them. He still hugs and kisses me, and his grown boys in public. He is a great friend and a loyal one. I am blessed to be his wife. I love him dearly. Happy Birthday Jamey! I hope this year brings you all the happiness you deserve.

Happy Anniversary Baby

This year we are celebrating our 27th Anniversary very unconventionally. We have all been sick with a vicious respitory infection and we are barely seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

So, we decided that we would celebrate when we could A) taste a good steak B) fix my hair and put on some makeup :)

Instead, we sat on the couch with our sweet boys and watch some March Madness, ate Sonic Drive-In and each told a story to the boys about a time we hold close to us after 27 years. The thing about this, is-with the exception of being sick-It was a very nice anniversary. Spending time at home with the ones I love, just relaxing. I'm going to try and celebrate each day this coming year with this sweet man of mine.

Happy Anniversary Jamey

I love you so~