In The Process

I'm Busy, Busy Dreadfully Busy

Life right now is very busy.  School officially starts in about 4 weeks.  Between now and then I need to do the following:

1.  clean out kids clothes, box up old ones and make list of clothes needed for the fall/winter

2.  clean out and organize the school room.  make room for new years curriculum. 

 3.  finish planning upcoming year. 

4.  deep clean house.  HMMM may not happen

5.  take kids to swimming lessons

6.  buy school supplies

7.  register kids for Awana

8.  upkeep on the garden.  the weeds have taken over my strawberry patch

9.  organize my desk area.  it is seriously scary!    Almost there!!!!!

10.  slowly get the kids back in school mode

I am sure there is more but that is all my brain can focus on right now!

Easy Grilled Chicken

I just tried a new recipe for grilled chicken.  I decided to post about it because 4 out of 6 of us loved it. By the way, the 5 mo old may like it someday when he can actually eat solids and the 21 mo. well lets just say she is really into bread products, milk and fruit.  Ok so now for the recipe.

Lemonade Chicken

1c. Italian dressing (I used Wishbone)

2/3c. Lemonade mix, the powder kind

2t. or so of pepper.

Mix the above together.  Add chicken.  Marinate, then grill.  Yum.

It was very moist and flavorful.  We will be having this again!

My Favorite Soup

I just had to post this soup recipe.  This is my all time favorite soup.  I could eat it all myself.  We actually had this last week and I think I did eat most of it.  It is too spicy for my kids and never spicy enough for my husband.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 med onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2T olive oil

4oz can green chilies, chopped

15oz can Mexican style tomatoes, not drained

4c. chicken broth

1t. lemon pepper

2t. Worcestershire sauce

1t. chili powder

1t. ground cumin

1t. hot sauce (I use Tapatio)

4T flour

1/2c. water

1lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes

1/3c. sour cream

1 can corn, drained or frozen corn

salt and pepper to taste

Tortilla chips to crush on top

In a large soup pot cook onion and garlic in oil til onion is softened.  Add chilies, tomatoes, broth and seasonings.  Simmer for 20 min.  In a small bowl, combine flour and water til smooth and whisk into soup.  Bring the soup to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.  Add the chicken  and corn. Simmer til cooked through.  Stir in the sour cream, salt and pepper to taste and garnish each bowl with tortilla chips. 

Makes 7 cups, easily doubles and freezes well.

Garden update

The garden is finally planted!  

 We have: spinach, lettuce, strawberries, cilantro, tomatoes, jalapenos, red peppers, green peppers and tomatillos planted.  Now bring on the sun!   The kiddos would like to plant corn, cucumbers, rhubarb, raspberries and asparagus.  We may have to wait on some of those until next year.  We'll just have to see.  Next up flowers and landscaping!

Weather...

Summer Foods

I love summertime; the warm weather, water fights with the kids and dh, and all the yummy fresh food.  Today we had one of our favorite salads.

SW Chicken Salad

Toss together:

A bunch of greens (romaine, spinach, leaf)

tomatoes, chopped

red or green pepper, chopped

corn (can, fresh or frozen)

black beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed

grilled chicken

cucumber, chopped

Dressing: combine the following

1pkg ranch

1c. milk

1c. mayo

1 8oz container of avacado dip

Serve/top with tortilla chips, cornbread croutons or french fried onions