B-E-A-Utiful autumn Sunday Drive.............

I had an amazing childhood. I've been thinking about it a lot lately...its a hard reality knowing I can never have it back...but I am very thankful for all the memories I still hold on to. I decided I'd make a list of some of them.....before I get too old and more of them fade away.....

• climbing trees
• our ten acre field
  
• bucking hay
• hay forts
  
• catching tadpoles
• making mud pies
• bare feet
• hearing moms whistle from a mile away
• going shooting
• riding horses
• floating the river
• rope swings
• becoming a big sister 3 times
• dads childhood and mission stories, which I made him tell over and over again
• the thicket
• 18 hour drives to Arizona, laying on a piece of plywood in the truck camper, coloring, sleeping, fighting with Michael and eating doughnut holes all the way there
  
• riding bikes for hours
• all of us standing around the island in the kitchen eating artichokes dipped in butter
  
• swimming in the canal
• being able to eat and eat and eat moms homemade waffles and maple syrup
  
• our huge beautiful garden
• big juicy tomatoes
• fruit trees
• long talks with dad about anything and everything
  
• playing in the shed
• finding an arrow head
• creamer and sammy, and all creamer's puppies
  
• mom rocking me in the rocking chair with the still to this day comforting patpat......patpat......patpat....on my back
  
• our swing set
• doing cart wheels and hula hooping around and around the yard
  
• watching the sunset
• fresh cut hay fields
• moms chocolate chip cookies, fresh from the oven
  
• looking at the stars with my own personal astronomer :)
• sidewalk chalk
• throwing a ball back and forth over the house
• playing catch with grandpa, getting smacked in the chin with the ball, and getting scolded for not putting my mitt in front of my face :)I think all of us got that experience....
  
• making boats out of bucket lids to float in puddles with grandma
• drinking from the hose
• the swamp cooler
  
• riding the motorcycle
• going out to eat....always chinese :)
  
• family reunions
  
• driving the cars in the field with and without mom and dads permission
• spending the night at grandma and grandpas
• grandpas jokes
  
• my scooter
• pulling down all the christmas boxes to look at all our decorations in the middle of June
  
• all our kitties and bunnies
• the little red wagon
• mom and dad reading us stories and tucking us into bed
  
• running up the long rocky driveway to check the mail with no shoes on
• birthday parties
• my first concert.....new kids on the block!! a total surprise all the way up until my mom and I were dropping my aunts off at the concert...I was trying hard to hold back tears....and I got to get out and go with them!!!!
• moms amazing cakes
• our tank made from a refrigerator box
• hide and seek
• running errands with mom
  
• playing in the snow
• the magic of Christmas
  
• waking up to the birds singing in the summertime
• open windows with fresh country air blowing through the house
• rainbows
• the beautiful view of the mountains, right out our front window
• the fresh smell of mint
• the not so fresh smell of skunk
• playing in the ditch
• otterpops
• our pool(only a foot and a half deep but SO much fun!)
• "shaving" with dad...he would put cream all over my face too and I'd shave it off with the shaving cream cap
• playing house
• my amazing Halloween costumes...usually handmade by mom
  
• waking up at 6 am on Saturday....just to watch saturday morning cartoons....

I have to find a stopping point for now at least...more and more keep coming to mind...it makes me really wish I could go back in time...but it also makes me realize if I can someday give my kids even half of the great memories and experiences I had I think I'll be doing just fine....

White Chili

-Award winning White Chili!!-

I entered my first ward chili cook off this weekend and won for the best white chili with this recipe:
(so what if there were only 2 other pots of white chili there.....:)

Creamy White Chili

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped (I used a red onion)
1 T minced garlic
1 tablespoon oil
2-3 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2-3 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream

In a large saucepan, saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream and cream. Its really good garnished with fresh cilantro and chunks of avocado. Serve immediately. Makes about 6 servings.

Crock pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 cans of chicken broth
about 6 boneless/skinless chicken strips
a can of black beans, drained and rinsed
a can of stewed tomatoes, undrained
a can of corn, undrained
a can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
a can of green chilies, undrained
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 C. salsa
I add a little cumin and chili powder

Cook in crock pot 3-4 hours on low, just until chicken is cooked and easily shreds...if you are using chicken breast it may take longer..

Top with:
baked tortilla strips, sour cream/guacamole, fresh squeezed lime, pico de gallo, cilantro......

I am Thankful...........

Happy November!

This is an extra special time of year to think about all I have to be thankful for, especially being so far away from almost everything that I love, here are just a few......

a sweet husband
the best family in the world
prayer
great friends
fresh cut flowers
thunderstorms
being a big sister
roasted butternut squash
a loving Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ
beautiful fall leaves
my adorable niece and nephew
student loans.....for now....
not so much when it comes time to pay them back.... :)
the food network channel
carmel apple cider
getting to see family in 50 days!
and of course.....Christmas(the most wonderful time of the year)is just around the corner!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

I finally started working on decorating our bedroom....its not finished yet, but it looks a little cozier than it did before!

BEFORE:

And AFTER....so far.....