Burn Baby Burn!

Jeff and I hit the spinning class at the gym this morning. OUCH!!!

I think if I keep this up I might have to buy some of those really ugly padded shorts.

Why? -cause I have a SORE BUM!! I think callouses might develop.

The Christmas Rush!

What happened to all the free weekends in December?

Jeff is taking the day off and we are

Christmas Shopping!

Wish me luck!

Full Tummies!

My sister-in-law called last night looking for a good soup recipe. It made me think of the soup I made last week. It's my favorite. I have passed this along to some of you, but here it is again. This is a WINNER!

Creamy White Chicken Chili

1 lb chicken breast, cut into ½ inch cubes (if you want to be lazy, buy one of those rotisserie chickens from the grocery store and pull the meat off)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 red potatoes, peeled and diced
½ cup celery
1 t garlic powder
1 T vegetable oil
2(15oz) cans great northern beans, rinsed, and drained
1(14oz) can chicken broth
2(4oz) cans diced green chilies (I only add one, because I don't like green chili's a whole bunch)
1t salt
¼ t ground cumin, rounded
1t dried oregano
½ t pepper
1/8 t cayenne pepper (I like all of the cayenne, but my kids like it better when I half it)
1 cup sour cream ½ cup whipping cream

Get all your ingredients ready first.
In a large sauce pan, saute chicken, potatoes, celery, 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 heat; stir in sour cream and whipping cream.
Serve immediately. (If you already have cooked chicken, just add it right before you add the creams so it can get warm)
7 servings.

Showtime!

I teach a little singing group and last night we had our Christmas performance. It turned out nicely and the girls + 1 boy were delightful. Here's a few pictures of everyone crammed into my family room.

During our dress rehearsal, one of the little girls told me that she keeps hearing the songs we've learned on the radio and that she can sing along.

That's why I love doing this.

Dear Santa...

Jeff says I am hard to shop for. I disagree. I know exactly what I want.

1. Lasik eye surgery. I am done with contacts and tired eyes.

2. A new IMAC computer. Of course with that I will need photoshop and classes on how to use all this great stuff.
3. What's a new computer without a new color laser printer to go with it?

4. These incredibly overpriced skirts from Anthropologie. What a lovely gift as I would never buy these for myself (unless they were on a major sale).

Look at all these great choices he can pick from. How could I possibly be hard to shop for? (I am being sarcastic)

What happened to the good old days when a new $20 sports watch, or a new pair of earrings would have tickled me pink. It seems my wants just get bigger and bigger every year.

How 'bout this Santa...

1. Another year of healthy, happy children.
2. Another year of good memories with family and friends.
3. Another year I can serve my family, neighbors, and friends.
4. Another year of living this wonderful life I live.
   
   
   
   

Disney's Enchanted (trailer)

I saw this over Thanksgiving weekend and LOVED it! Has anyone else seen this?

Little boys and cookies

Brycen, the neighbor boy, came over yesterday and wanted to make cookies. So he and I spent the next hour cutting out Christmas cookies and having some interesting conversation. (But that is another blog entry entirely.) He really is a cutie pie. So of course I stayed up late and had to decorate them.

I am most proud of this tree cookie, because I made the cookie cutter for it.

I think I will give them away in these cute cookie jars.