My New Favorite

I love soup, yes I do, I love soup, how 'bout you!?

Haha, just had to add that little cheer I've been singing to Addison lately to encourage her to eat more veggies! ;)

Anyways, I tried a new recipe for Chicken Enchilada soup this weekend. Be still my heart.
Loved it. Had to share the recipe with you! 

Let me know if you make it and what you think. :)

We're enjoying getting ready for Thanksgiving. One of my favorite times of year. It's cool outside but the house is warm. Thankful for a new ministry, a new home, and new friends this November.

So, bowls up! Have a ladle of soup and count your blessings!

Here's a link to the recipe: http://dainty-chef.com/2011/12/crockpot-chicken-enchilada-soup.html

Happy Sunday Moments

Starting my day talking with God and learning a gentle lesson He's been trying to teach me.

Learning about how faith moves mountains, even if those mountains are within me. God has work to do in me to produce a miracle of faith in my life. Blessed by the sermon at Bay Area Community Church today.

Overhearing Addison singing a new song she learned at church with gusto! Even though the words were jumbled :)

Sharing in snuggles after nap time & getting sweet kisses from my three year old

Playing dolls with my daughter, who is so sweet and innocent in her play

Catching her using Noah to fly her Little People plane. I didn't know Noah was a pilot. ;)




Spending time with my precious family-hugging my brother-one of the last times before I move to Michigan...

Enjoying a small afternoon nap...ahh bliss!

Rocking my daughter to sleep (yes, she still likes to be rocked a bit) and singing her Jesus Loves Me...enjoying each and every moment of holding her tight.

Feeling so thankful for every blessing that comes from above


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Saying Goodbye..For a Little While

Two things I know for sure: things change & life goes on.

In two weeks I'll be moving along with my husband and our little girl to a new home, a new town, a new state. And while I'm very excited about this move, there are a few things I must say goodbye to for now...

Being a girl from the east coast the wide open ocean has always been my second home. The sound of the crashing waves, the wind on my face, and the smell of the salt water always becons me, come be still and sit a while. It's my favorite place to be. Here are a few snapshots of this love...
























Living in Pennsylvania these last 9 years has taught me a better understanding of the simpler life, a more contented life, and to celebrate the joys of special, God given friendships.




I'll miss this place, for sure! It's too bad we didn't come out with a win this year.




And my beloved Georgetown Cupcake!! I honestly can say that they have THE best cupcakes in the world. My absolute favorites. I've made many a trips there. Just ask my sister, she knows. ;) She lives just down the street from one of their locations.




I'll never forget all the wonderful memories made at TWC. Including this beautiful baptism service celebrating these wonderfully, changed people.




And finally, my loves. I will miss being with them for birthday celebrations, Mother's Day dinners, Fun Fourth of July festivities, and my nieces numerous choir & drama performances.




But this I know for sure...we are called. Called by God to serve His people and make a difference for His kingdom. The missed holiday events, birthday parties, family functions are worth the end gain-saved souls. It's worth it all.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
So, east coast, it's so long for now, but I'll always hold you close in my heart
-'cause you run in my veins!
Here we come MICHIGAN! We are SO excited about this new adventure! Let the fun begin!

Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies

Ah yes, Pinterest calls again. This time for something sweet!  I found this recipe for Cake Mix cookies last week and thought it would be a fun and easy baking recipe for me & Addison to make together. It turned out to be just so, super easy and quick. Addison was able to help with all the steps (at age 3). I'm delighted to say she's getting quite good at cracking eggs. She cracked both eggs into the bowl without getting any shells in. Way to go big girl!!

The cookies turned out soft and moist. A bit cake like but with a slighty crisp crust. This recipe would be a great go-to if you were in a pinch for fresh cookies. Oh and you could use any cake flavor you'd want.

Give 'em a try. They're easy peasy. :)  Here's the link to the recipe.

http://www.tasteandtellblog.com/cake-mix-cookies/

Chicken Enchiladas with Red Chile Sauce

Whew! It had been quite a weekend filled with lots of fun activities and much needed rest.

Saturday I spent some time shopping with my mom and got some great deals on some fall clothes for Addison. Gotta love us some Kohl's cash!! I tell you getting a Kohl's card has been worth all the savings you get to enjoy. A little shout out to my friend Deb Sees who convinced me to get one. ;) We also went grocery shopping and got free iced coffee's from Dunkin Donuts with coupons my mom had. It was a fun day!

Yesterday I decided to go un-plugged. I kept my phone and iPad off all day. Ahh, it was so nice and quiet and I didn't miss it a bit! In the morning we went to church (beyond amazing sermon on Faith), I spent time making a new low-fat roasted broccoli and fettuccini alfredo Sunday dinner. We all took naps and then went to the park to play tennis in the evening. It was such a beautiful day! Me oh my!

So, needless to say I've been wanting to post about this recipe I tried this week. I found the picture of it on Pinterest but the recipe is adapted from American's Test Kitchen.

Are you ready for it? It's THE YUMMIEST chicken enchildas I've ever had or made. I'm so excited to share it with you guys. So here's the recipe:

• 1 medium onion, chopped fine
• 2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped fine
• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 3 medium cloves garlic, minced
• 3 Tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 3 teaspoons sugar
• 1 15-oz can tomato sauce
• 1 cup water
• 1 large beefsteak tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 large breasts)
• 1 cup extra sharp white cheddar, shredded
• 1 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro
• 12 (6-inch) soft corn tortillas
• cooking spray
• salt and ground black pepper

 Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Combine the onion, jalapeno, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and oil in a large saucepan. cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the onions and peppers have softened, 8-10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and sugar, and cook until fragrant, less than 30 seconds. Stir in the tomato sauce, water, and chopped tomato. Bring to a simmer, and cook until slightly thickened, 5 minutes.

Nestle the chicken into the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until chicken is cooked through (thickest part reaches 160 degrees), about 12-20 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate, and set aside to cool.

Strain the sauce through a strainer into a medium bowl, pressing the onion mixture to extract as much liquid as possible. Transfer the onions to a large bowl and set aside. Season sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add to the onion mixture, and add 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce, 1 cup cheese, and the cilantro. Toss to combine.

Stack the tortillas on a plate and cover with plastic wrap; Microwave on high until warm and pliable, 40-60 seconds. Spread the tortillas on a clean work surface, and spoon 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture evenly down the center of each. Tightly roll each tortilla and lay seam-side down in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.

Lightly spray the tops of the enchiladas with cooking spray. Place in the oven, uncovered, for about 7 minutes, or until the tortillas start to brown slightly (skip this step if you don't like the crunch).

Reduce heat to 400. Remove enchiladas and pour sauce evenly on top. Top with the remaining cheese.

Cover dish with foil, and bake an additional 20 minutes, or until heated through.Remove foil and bake another 5 minutes, until cheese browns. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes before serving.Serve with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, additional cilantro, etc.

I tell you it is just divine. You'll love it. 

P.S.  It took me about an hour and a half to make it the first time, but now that I know the recipe I'm sure I can cut that down to about an hour. Making the homemade enchilada sauce just takes a bit of time, but it's worth it. 

You Just Know

You know that moment when you realize that you need to be refreshed, renewed, and rejuvenated? The moment when you look inside yourself and feel tired, worn down, and discouraged.

These last 8 months have been hard. Following God's leading and leaving our pastorate after 7 years has been the toughest ministry transition to date (for our family).  While I'm thankful for God's leading and gentle nudging on our hearts, it sure has been a time where He's been stretching us beyond what I thought I could bear some days.

Recently I read, that while many pray for God's will to be accomplished in their lives, they don't realize that it is already being accomplished. God is already working on me. His plan (as long as I comply) is being impressed daily. I don't have to wait for God's will to occur, it already is, right now! It may not be what I was looking for or wanting, but He is working. I've been learning a lot about my Savior these last several months, and it has been exciting.

I'm very thankful for my parents who are letting us stay with them temporarily.  During this time we've been going to their church at Bay Area Community. We've really enjoyed sitting under the dynamic and challenging preaching. It has been a refreshing time~to be able to just sit back, play no role in the service, and absorb what God is sharing each Sunday. I know that this time is so precious, as it will be coming to a close in a few short weeks.

Life is complicated. Life is hard some days. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to go to the Women of Faith conference in DC this weekend. Thankfully, I got the last ticket the church had to offer at a discounted price. :)  God knew I needed this time. He knew I needed to be renewed and refreshed for our next chapter in ministry. He knows my name and desires the best for me AND for you.

My favorite quote from this weekend was from Christine Cain and she said this: "Unless we choose today to deal with yesterday, we'll never get to tomorrow." It really hit me. Too many people, including myself, live in our yesterday's.  She said we need to work through it, leave the shame at the cross, and move forward into what God has for us. Unashamed.

 God is good. He chiseling away, piece by piece.

To Be Or Not To Be

For many years I've lived by keeping a schedule by using a paper calendar of some sort. Some years I've just bought a spiral bound one and have thrown it away after the year is through. On other years I've bought calendar inserts from Franklin Covey for my leather planner.

After getting my first smart phone almost three years ago (an iPhone), I've come to love it's calendar feature as well. Particularly, last year when my husband and I synced our calendars and it made for a much smoother family schedule.  Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely adore the features of my iPhone.

But, after using both calendar systems, I think I've decided that this year I shall use both!! Crazy as that sounds, I think having the smart phone to notify me when I have appointments (or my husband or our daughter) will still be imperative, but also having a paper calendar will help me see the "big" picture when it comes to planning vacations and my thirty-one business.

So it is, to be for the paper calendar AND smart phone calendar.

 Hope it doesn't drive me crazy! ;)