Creamy White Chicken Chili

This is a delicious soup that I know you will enjoy! The flavors compliment each other so well and it has just the right amount of kick to it!


I have to tell this funny story.... I told my husband that I was making a new chili recipe called White Chicken Chili. He immediately turned his nose up at the thought of me changing from our traditional chili! So in addition to my new recipe, I also made him a pot of regular chili.

Well, after tasting the soup, I knew Scot would love it so I told him that he just HAD to try it. I gave him a bite and LOVED it. He fixed himself a bowl (or two) and never even ate a bowl of his beloved chili!



1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon oil
3 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained
1 can chicken broth
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
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.

Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.

They Won!

The girls both placed in the recipe contest!

S won 2nd place in the cookie division. She made her Sensational Brownies. You can click the link for the recipe.

Emily won 1st place in the cookie division with her Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Bars.


They both won Honorable Mentions also.

S in the Misc. category for her Super Quick Peanut Butter Dip.

E in the candy category for her Chocolate Peanut Toffee Bars.

Congratulations girls! You both did a fantastic job and I am so proud of you!

Recipe Contest

This year, not only did the kids enter the pumpkin contest, they also entered the student division of the recipe contest for our local fair.

Yes, even my 6 and 7 year olds entered...they wanted to, so we found some simple things they can do by themselves. (The requirement is to do the ENTIRE entry by themselves!)

Today we will find out the results of the contest. I will keep you posted if they win, but even if they don't, it was such a good experience for them...and a fun one at that!

Here is what they entered.

This is E's 3rd year entering. and she did a fantastic job! This year she made an Asian Chicken Salad, Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars, and Chocolate Toffee Bars with Peanuts.

S entered S's Super Quick Peanut Butter Dip and S's Sensational Peanut Butter Cookies.

(The ladies were so sweet and helpful. This is one of the ladies getting S signed in.)

B entered B's Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins.


If you want to try any of their dishes, I will be posting the recipes on our recipe blog. Trust me when I say they are delicious!

It's that Time of Year Again..........

The kids have been busy the past 2 days working on their pumpkins for the decorating contest.




They have been planning and practicing their designs for the last couple of days and started the painting process yesterday.



Today, they are painting away putting the finishing touches on their masterpieces!





I will show you the finished products later...they are due in just a few hours!!!!

Family Putt Putt

Putt Putt was free at a local kids pizza places so we braved the cooler temperatures and took the kids for an 18 hole round of golf!

M picking out her ball....pink of course!


We had a blast - even if we did freeze ourselves to death!




M was adorable when she finally would get the ball in the hole (after a million hits), her face just beamed with pride and then she would do this....

and then give a big thumbs up!

S got a hole in one on the 18th hole!!!

Spending time together as a family is the thing I love more than any thing in the whole world!

A Few Fall Decorations

It is finally feeling like fall! I can now justify wearing jeans and can finally wear my favorite sweaters and/or long sleeves! I just hope the nice cool temperatures stay around for a little while at least!

I have had my fall decorations out for the last several weeks, but I kinda felt foolish seeing as the temperatures were in the 80 and 90's!

I love to display pictures of the kids from past fall seasons...

and to put pumpkins in jars with a bow as an extra touch.

For my fireplace mantel this year, I tried to add just a few things such as candles, pumpkins and brown glassware. I usually go all out and cover the entire mantel, but I wanted to keep it simple this year-you know, just a few touches here and there.

I added a few pumpkin of different shapes, sizes, and textures to the top of the side board in the kitchen.

On the dining room table, I placed fall colored leaves in a tall bucket sitting on a wooden tray filled with pine cones.

Simple, but festive. Just enough to remind you that fall is finally here, at least for a bit!

Pecans

We have a huge pecan tree that produces lots and lots of pecans.

Oh, we are so thankful for this tree!

We pick them up to sell and have made quite a bit of money from doing so! Scot always says it is just money laying in the yard and he is right!

Of course, we keep some too... especially for all the holiday baking we do!

Nice Shot!

Look what I keep finding all over the house.....

.... B's arrows.

He loves to shoot them at the mirrors and windows!

He even got my computer screen!

Thanks Nana for the gift. He is LOVING it!

4 H Dairy Competition - Club Level

E got 3rd place over the weekend in her 4-H club Dairy Competition.

She made Sour Cream Banana Bread.

She did a great job and we were very excited for her to win 3rd in club level. She will now move on to county level in the spring.

We are now on the look out for a new dish that uses dairy products. If you have any ideas, send them my way!

The Rocket

B has been having the BEST time with his new rocket.


Take off!


It can go up to 60' high!


Safe landing....
Thanks for the great birthday gift, Aunt Jill!