A Weekend Yummy!

Give this recipe a try and let me know how it ends up.

I would be asking my hubby to make it (I am not fond of cooking)

but we are heading to Las Vegas for the weekend.

Enjoy!

White Bean Chicken Chili in the crockpot
* 6 Servings ~ * Prep: 35 min. Cook: 3 hours

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained, divided
• 3 cups chicken broth, divided
• 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream and minced fresh cilantro, optional

Directions

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chicken in oil for 2 minutes.

• Stir in the onion, garlic and jalapeno; cook 2 minutes longer. Sprinkle with oregano and cumin; cook 1 minute longer or until chicken is browned and vegetables are tender. Transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker.

• In a small bowl, mash 1 cup of beans. Add 1/2 cup broth; stir until blended. Add to the slow cooker with the remaining beans and broth.

• Cover and cook on low for 3 to 3-1/2 hours or until chicken juices run clear. Stir before serving. Sprinkle with cheese. Garnish with sour cream and cilantro if desired. Yield: 6 servings.

Sounds pretty yummy to me!

Can't wait to try it. 

Hmmm.....

project for next weekend? 

Possibly.

White Bean Chicken Chili published in Taste of Home February/March 2008, p31

It's the Simple Things ~ Today

Ahhh...the simple things

are what sometimes makes

the day a little warmer. 

Especially days when

the sun is definitely shining

but the air is a little brisk.

I need a coat.

But not a heavy one.

My simple little goody goodness today is this:

Soy Gingerbread Latte - no whip. 

MMMMM.....

The day can now begin!

P.S. I really heart this time of year. The weather and the Holidays.  Ahhh...

Sushi - Homemade Style!

A must purchase - Maki Sushi Ki. 

We have a large one (your normal sized roll) and a small one (bite sized roll).

Husband and I found this fabulous item up at Apple Hill this past weekend. High Hill Ranch to be specific. 

They are really Kylee's - one of her bday presents.  Our girl LOVES sushi!

What you do is:

1) Start the rice. Sticky sticky is key; trust me. First attempt, not so...um...well, they fell apart.  Darn rice!  Tip: Don't use Uncle Ben's.

2) Decide what you want in your sushi and get it prepared. We chose salmon, shrimp, crab, shredded veggies, avocado & cream cheese.

3) Wraps! Soy for us and seaweed for Kylee.  P.S. Safeway sells the soy wrap. It is a new item. :o)

Kylee's ingredients

The sushi rice recipe is on the back of the rice bag.  Or if you get the Maki Sushi Ki they have an instruction sheet included and it has some recipes for different rolls too!

Rice in and pressed. Time for the goodies!

Ready to be topped off with rice.

Ready. Set. Wrap!

Let's eat! YUM-O!

We have made about 10 rolls so far.

Since Saturday. 

Haven't had to go back to the store yet. 

Now that is the way I like it. Sushi on a budget!

Give it a try and let me know how your rolls turn out.

Next time we will attempt the inside out roll. Can't wait!

Happy creating!

Your Realtor,

Liz

Oh ya! If you won't make it to Apple Hill you can visit their web site:

http://www.makisushiki.com/

Let's Do Some Fall Decorating ~ on a Budget!

Everyone likes to decorate their home.

But not all like to spend a lot of money to do it.

1. Utilize the "use what you have" theory! Go through your cupboards and drawers to find items that can be used as props in your fall display. Find pitchers or old vases to use to hold wildflowers and dried grasses, bring out warm throws to toss over your couch, layer fabrics on your tables. (Remember, pretty blankets and quilts can work well!)

2. Take a nature walk. Gather organic elements that can be used in your fall makeover. Acorns, pinecones, seed pods, bark, even stones can be used as display in bowls around the home. Press pretty leaves and strew them on tables and around centerpieces.  All while getting some excersise too!

3. Bring out the candles! If you put away your candles for winter, now is the time to bring them to center stage. Gather groups of inexpensive votives and tie together with scraps of raffia.  Dig out a platter you have for a base.  Some things from your nature walk will look very nice around the candles!

4. Add scent to the home. Simmer apple peels and cinnamon sticks on the stove, or invest in a couple of vials of potpourri oil. They are relatively inexpensive at just a couple bucks a piece, and they last forever as you only need a few drops. 

5. Celebrate the tastes of the harvest season. Keep apples and pomegranates out in bowls, store squashes on countertops, pick up a pumpkin or two at your produce stand and use as a centerpiece, or pile a couple next to the door.  Fabulous arrangements can be made with these goodies!

Remember to shop at stores that are known to be

less expensive or have good deals going. 

Home Goods and Pier 1 have great finds!  

Don't be afraid to use a coupon if you stumble across one! 

Happy decorating!

Your Realtor,

Liz

It's Almost Time!

The snow is almost here!

We have all of our gear!

Oh I am so ready to hit the slopes.

I love that Kylee is a snow bunny too.

This is truly a fabulous family sport.

Fun to be had this winter - for sure!

Pics from last snow fall.

Ahhh! We can't wait!

See you on the slopes!

Oh no! First the Tooth Fairy and now Santa?

Our munchkin is growing up.

She is asking questions.

I thought I would be excited for the time to come

when I didn't have to seperate Santa from us.

Tonight, I got butterflies.

I was kind of sad. A little.

Kylee: "Mom, if Santa REALLY got me these earrings how did he get them from Claire's?"

Me: "He probably sends his elves out to get some special stuff for him."

Kylee: "Well I have never seen a boy in Claire's. That would be funny. A boy in a girl's store."

Me: "Daddy has gone to Claire's."

Kylee: "Ya, he was with you and me.  I have never seen a boy in there by himself."

Me: "I bet the elves do the special shopping."

Kylee: "They look kind of funny. It would be weird to see them in the mall."

Me: "Hmmm, maybe there is a Claire's next door to Santa's workshop.  Santa probably doesn't like to be seen."

Kylee: "Hmmm...Did you know he has special cookies? If you see him you have a cookie then you won't remember that you saw him when you wake up in the morning."

Me: "Oh really?" 
         Who told her that one?

And that was it. 

I think she has an idea.

I am not asking.

I'm going to let her do the talking. 

I am nervous.

I know the day is coming.

Sigh...

Green Your Home - (Part 3)

Landscaping! Yes, you can be green in the yard too!

The outside of your home also consumes energy—and often has the potential to harbor harmful chemicals.  Wow! Who would have thought?  Here are some ways you can keep the outside of your home as healthy as the inside:

Be water wise: Many people overwater their lawn and garden. An irrigation controller can read the weather and adjust the water level accordingly. Harvesting rain water with a rain barrel and then reusing it in the lawn is a great way to conserve water and get your plants the nutrients they need. 

Plant native plants: They have evolved within the local weather and soil conditions, so they require less water once established, and generally are more disease-resistant than hybridized plants.

Mowing: If you have a lawn, get some exercise and save the air quality (and your neighbor’s sanity!) by using a push mower. Leave the cuttings on the lawn to naturally compost and add nutrients.

Homemade pest control: Instead of using pest control products that can contain an abundance of harmful chemicals, repel bugs and weeds with simple, homemade repellants, such as hot peppers and water. Sprinkling extra grass seed on a bare spot of lawn can get rid of unwanted plants.  My inlaws are THE pros with hot peppers. Seriously, I have been to tears eating some of them!

Organic compost: Using organic compost instead of fertilizer means you won’t be overexposing your plants to all their nutrients at once—over-fertilizing, especially with synthetic fertilizer, can contribute to algae bloom. A worm bin also is a great way to break down organic matter that later can be used for compost; local and city governments often sponsor or provide these at low cost.

Think about it. These simple steps aren't that hard to do especially once you get a routine down.  These are cost effective ways to make a difference.

Just jump in - Give them a try!