Renee's Tortilla Soup (Slow or IP)

Last Sunday's Family  Dinner showcased two soups - this one and a Vegetarian one.  I had a note on this one that Michael and Jared thought it was worth repeating - so I did. I made it in the Instant Pot - directions below. 

INGREDIENTS
1 14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained

*1 14 oz can beef broth

*2 cups water

1 8 oz can tomato sauce

1/2 c chopped onion (1 med)

1 r-oz can chopped green Chile peppers, undrained

1 tsp + cumin

1 tsp + chili powder

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1.5 lb cooked chicken

*8 Corn tortillas, torn into 1 - 2 inch pieces

3/4 C shredded cheese

Jalapeno peppers (opt)

black beans (opt)

1/2 - 1 C corn (frozen or fresh) opt

DIRECTIONS

Combine tomatoes, broth, water, tomato sauce, onion, Chile peppers, spices and Worcestershire sauce in crock pot.

Cover and cook on low for 8 - 10 hours or high for 4 - 5 hours.

*If using low setting, turn high. Stir in chicken. Cover and cook for 15 min more. Stir in tortillas and serve immediately. Garnish with cheese.

* I always use 32 oz of broth instead of water

*Chips can be used at table in place of Corn Tortillas

* I added chicken in the a.m. and it was just fine.

Instant Pot directions

1. Put everything in the instant pot.

2. We guessed and put 4 or 5 frozen chicken breasts in too.

3. Seal, click manual and then 25 min. 

4. Open pot and shred chicken. 

5. Can eat now or put on slow cooker or keep warm until you are ready

SUGGESTED TOPPINGS:

Tomatoes

Avocados

Sour Cream

Salsa

Jalapenos

Cheeses

Chips or corn tortillas

#WYFF - Busy Feet

The end of a school week. We've given it our all. 

Yuuki's feet are "busy" with school 

 I wrote about how our fridge started making LOUD noises on Saturday. Today, the repair company was sending someone out. He heard it on Monday when he was fixing our stove....but couldn't work on it as there was no work order from the warranty company yet. They all said it was a simple matter of replacing an "evaporator fan."  All week we've dealt with crazy noise. About 30 min before Steve was due, all went quiet and the fridge had a new code.

You guessed it - now it needs many more things repaired. They don't keep the part in stock. It will be "a week -2 years" before the parts arrive....I wasn't very amused and so he said it will be 7-10 days.  

We unplugged it and moved it out. The idea is it will drain all the ice and such that has frozen around it as the fan went out....and then it should run again until they get here to fix it in a couple of weeks. 

Busy Feet repairing Fridge

 Arielle is 36 1/2 weeks pregnant. I suggested she take someone with her when she walks...just in case she were to lose her balance on the hill or something. It's fun to watch her and Nolan head out.

Busy with a fall walk

Stacia and I ran the to bank, the post office and the library. The library was closed.

 We managed to get our pizza's in the oven, our food stored in the garage, deck and CoRielle's fridge....watched a gorgeous sunset....

We ended the day crowded around our bed, streaming a Marvel movie. I suspect Saturday will get a lazy start. It's been a full and challenging week.

Slow Days are Made for Projects

The weather warmed up to 40* today. It's windy - but it's nice enough to finish a couple of outside projects after school. 

Michal and the boys cleaned up all the chips, bark and debris from the summer of splitting wood. 

When the road crew cleaned up the brush in front, they left the corner. Alex took care of that today.

Michael put time in sanding the workbench he is making.

Stacia baked blondies.

I took pictures? I can't remember what else I did. Wednesday is such a rush-rush-rush day, that we seemed to all move at the pace of molasses today. LOL

We Crushed It!

When did Wednesdays become so FRANTIC?  I need to remember they were busy at Beale too...PWOC and then a bit of school, followed by Bible Study/Youth Group. LOL

I felt hopeful this morning. By 0830 the kids had enjoyed a sit down breakfast, two instant pots were going - one with a roast (for BBQ sandwiches @ dinner) and one with yogurt, the fridge had been cleaned out, an appointment made for it to be fixed on Friday, I had two nice conversations with out of state friends,  and the kids were doing school.

Note this photo was taken at 0900 and it's just lighting up outside 

 At 1000 the kids begin Japanese lessons. 2 1/2 hours later they are finished and Stacia and I head across town for sewing club. It takes about 25-30 minutes to get there.

The elastic is in! 

Home Ec 

We have one more week of club. That sure went fast! I could have sworn we had a few more weeks left.  The leader won't be doing another sewing club - BUT she is getting a business license and will be doing private classes and lessons. I think we'll continue as it's something Stacia really wants to learn and I'm learning alongside her. In other words, I can't teach her these skills at all. LOL

Stacia and I were able to steam some broccoli, bake some fries, make some BBQ sauce, shred the beef and make sandwiches all by 5:00 p.m.

We were out the door for Life Group (Michael and I) and Youth Group (kids) by 6:15 p.m.  I was careful to note the ten names of those in the group.  We visited a bit with Pastor and a few others while we waited for the kids. It was invigorating to meet some new folks and start to sense the glimmerings of community at a new church body.

Wednesdays are doable with a bit of planning.....we can do it.

Best of all - it's the time of year when we can turn on our lights at night and in the morning. I know this as neighbors have theirs on.

The Serene and The Clamorous

It has been a new experience for us to watch leaves falling with the snow.....I tried to get a photo.

The appliance repairman came out and we finally have four burners and an oven that works!!!!! It only took five weeks and four visits. I feel like Steve, the repairman, is our first friend in the Valley. ::snort:: 

All is not quiet and serene at our home. This has been going on since Saturday....yes, we've called the home warranty....and it turns out the same company will be fixing our fridge....ON FRIDAY.

Green Beans with Garlic and Almonds (Laura M)

This is my friend Laura's recipe as found on Life at Willis Creek Ranch blog. They were yummy!

INGREDIENTS
1 T Olive Oil
5 or 6 cloves of Garlic, minced
1/3 C sliced Almonds
1 pound fresh green beans
salt, pepper and onion powder (optional)

DIRECTIONS
Heave the oil, add garlic.
 Add almonds when garlic is about 1/2 way browned.  Allow to brown well.
Add green beans.
Add seasonings.
Cover and cook on med to med high  - stirring periodically. It takes 8 - 10 min.
Add a dollop of butter for flavor as needed.

My Notes: 
I added sliced mushrooms to the garlic and proceeded to saute. 

I had trouble with sticking and added about 1/4 C of water to steam them through - "crisply steamed." 

I used our house seasoning in place of seasonings....

These were yummy - Stacia commented a bit of soy sauce would add a zing to them. 

Snowy Sunday - Church, Bazaar, Family Dinner, Family Devo/Prayer

Our house has beautiful windows - everywhere. This fact led a few decorating woes...but WOW....it paid off this morning. Look at the views...and I deleted the ones from the nook as they looked blueish. I love all the windows - they make it seem as if you are very close to nature - from the warmth of the house. ::snort::  Even Michael has agreed curtains would block the views - and so we continue - as the previous two owners were - curtain less. We have blinds in the bedrooms and they had some on a few of the living room windows - I think due to their TV. 

Living Room Windows

Kitchen Window

Dining Room Windows

1.5 inches over night....not a lot but a respectable start 

There is nothing as exciting, peaceful and serene as an early morning covered in snow....or a late evening's  snowfall.  Here are some shots from the yard.

Side yard

back yard

Looking towards the back woods 

Guessing we won't be cooking out much longer

Along the road 

I deliberately did NOT take photos of the RV....but it seems my flash was noticed.....Izaak wondered what sort of odd lightening storm they were getting. Ah, just the mother in law outside in slippers and pj's taking photos.

"Our" mountain finally has some snow on it's face....we suspect it will never be completely covered in snow because of it's sheer face. It will be fun to watch and see. 

Snow covered range behind just starting to peek through

A funny thing happened at church. My parents were being honored for 50 years of ministry at their church. My sweet Sister in law, Sherri, texted some photos. I always turn my phone down. I have a really loud, long harmonica text notification sound as I kept ignoring texts. She sent about 7 photos. I was nonchalantly moving my foot to cover the purse where the phone was....as it repeatedly went off. Michael was having none of it. He leaned over and said, "De'Etta - that's YOUR phone."  We were in one of the front rows. Good times. I'll share the photos in a new post.

Very thankful for my fur line Crocs

 Our church fauxpas couldn't have been too terrible. We were asked for info for the church directory and they took our photo. I think our church hunt is pretty much over. It was HARD to find a church which felt like home to all of us - but in the end, the majority of us feel at home in this church and all of us find things we love here.  We love the worship, the size, the community outreach, Pastor Shannon's sermons, the kids like the youth group....there is no women's ministry.

We met up back at the house after church (everyone goes to different churches). After I got soups going, we left Michael and the boys cleaning and we finally stole away for a GIRLS DAY OUT. I've been sorely missing outing with friends, coffee dates with friends, having people over to the house....and so has Bre. We hit a holiday bazaar at the Fairgrounds. Alaska has to have the prettiest state fairgrounds in the nation. ::wink:: Note Stacia and  my thrift finds - we look like marshmallows - but we're WARM marshmallows.

Gideon, Bre, Me, Stacia

As we walked through the exhibit, someone called out, "Hey, Bre."  WHUT? We know someone! And that's why we love living on base or in a small town.  It was her MOPS leader.

Larissa was sick and didn't come out. The youth at their church were on a camping trip (hope it was in cabins with heat) and so Jared was able to join us for dinner. Jamin, CoRielle and BreZaak were here too. Josiah is putting in lots of hours as he works up to leaving Walmart for his new job.  It is always nice to have a chance to get us all together. We're all busy during the week and can go days and weeks without seeing each other if we aren't intentional  - which is certainly better than months - but you know.

Gideon is a charmer @ 5 months

Bre "brought the Word" this evening. We continue to work through Philemon. The takeaway - "Let love speak loudest." It is a good seed to let germinate this week.

Izaak, Bella, Bre, Gideon 

Arielle is 36 weeks pregnant. She says she's had a long talk with Baby S and he's agreed to come on time. Gideon decided to come five weeks early....we will soon welcome our first Alaskan born Gherkin here in the valley - and life will change again. YeHaw!

Krista let us know this week she will be home after Christmas. 

This is a great perk on snowy days - an even 70*