A night of memories…

Last night was my youngest sister-in-law’s last home basketball game of the regular season, the big Senior Night at Sweet Springs High School. Not only was it her Senior Night but it was also was her 18th birthday. So the hubs and I loaded up and trucked on over to watch the game. This game brought back several memories for me; I have watched Rachel grow from a young teen to quite an extraordinary young woman. Last night on the way to the game I reminded the hubs about the first time I met most of his mom’s side of the family. I was home one weekend from college, he and I hadn’t been dating a real long time and he asked if I would like to go to his little sisters’ 7th grade basketball game. I thought sure why not, there wasn’t much else going on that night and it could be fun. That night I met his Grandparents and his Aunt and Uncle some of the nicest people you could ever meet. I never thought that six years later I would be sitting with those same people still cheering his little sister on, but boy am I glad I am. It has been amazing watching Rachel grow and mature as a person I hope she knows how proud her brother and I are of her and wish only the best for her.

Hands on the hips ready to play!

With her Mom and Dad being recognized

The Hubs and I got this new charm bracelet for her; I couldn't get a very good picture. But the charms are an "R" and a Basketball.

Singing the Alma Mater after the game.

Hugs from the Auntie and Gram

Hugs from Morgan and Maria

And ofcourse a hug from the Hubs! Yes she is as tall as him!

I didn't get any action shots during the game I was to focused on cheering sorry.

Cheesy Chicken Tortellini Soup…

Since OLD MAN WINTER will not let go of us here in the Midwest I have been doing my part to keep warm and serving this soup will do just that. I will give credit where credit is due; I got this recipe from my sister-in-law Mer. She made it for us at her lovely New Year’s Eve party, and I fell in love with the flavor instantly. So I ask her for the recipe and she said it was super easy and was so kind to give it to me. Well when I got the recipe my food snob nose went in the air; who ever uses cheese whiz. I didn’t even know where it was located in the store this recipe would not be served at my house. But then I thought back the amazing flavors it had and all the wonderful cheesiness and I couldn’t resist I had to make it for myself. Three bowls later I decided maybe cheese whiz wasn’t so bad after all.
4 Cups Chicken (Cooked and Diced)
1 Cup Finely Chopped Carrots

1 Cup Finely Chopped Celery

1 Cup Finely Chopped Onion

4-6 Cloves of Garlic (Depending on your tastes) Finely Chopped

1 Cup Butter

2 TBSP Flour
8 Cups Chicken Broth

1 Bag Frozen Cheese Filled Tortellini

1 Pint Half & Half

1 Large Jar Cheese Whiz

Salt and Pepper to taste
Sauté carrots celery onion and garlic in butter for about 8 minutes over medium heat. After tender sprinkle in flour to thicken, stir in flour for a few minutes to cook out the floury taste. Add chicken broth and bring to a slow boil, then add remaining ingredients and let simmer for 10 -15 minutes. Serve with crusty bread.

Chicken with wild mushrooms…

I love love love mushrooms! Now that I have admitted it you can understand why this recipe absolutely calls my name. Tiffany Tiffany Tiffany…ok back to reality. This dish is prefect for a weekly dinner or you could fancy it up by serving a lovely salad and some nice crusty bread on the side.I really do love this dish. First the mushrooms, second it is so easy. An additional plus…Rachel Ray developed it YUM-O


For more information please click here


Travel update, I am leaving Chile at approximately 4p.m. today and should be home by 10 a.m. tomorrow!

Yummy…warm, buttery, herby, dinner rolls…

Just because I am a million miles away from home doesn’t mean that I can’t show you some of the wonderful things I have been whipping up over the past few weeks. Now these rolls were amazing the butter and the herbs and the sea salt wow the flavors were great. Please please if you are going to make these don’t skimp on the sea salt it adds so much with such a little amount of effort.

I did almost everything exactly as the recipe, except I melted about 2 Tbsp of butter in the cast iron skillet then placed the rolls in; it gave the bottoms a wonderful crunchiness. Then I used thyme and basil instead of rosemary because my man is not a rosemary fan!

For the recipe click here .


These rolls were great alone or you could be like me and I served them with a big bowl of warm and hearty beef stew. Enjoy!

Some Pictures From Arica Chile...

Yesterday we went on a bit of a tour of Arica and I think I got some great pictures to share with you!!!