Tasty Tuesday – Taco Soup

Best.Soup.Ever. This is the recipe for the taco soup that I made the weekend before last. It was a huge hit and I cannot wait to make it again, especially during the cold winter months.



Ingredients:
1 lb. Chicken Breast, boiled and shredded
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup diced Onion
1/2 cup diced Green Pepper
1 tablespoon Minced Garlic
1 pkg Taco Seasoning (I used the cheesy version from Old El Paso)
1 8oz. jar Salsa
1 14oz. can Whole Corn
1 16oz. can Ranch-style Beans (Cannellini)
2 6oz. jars Tomato Paste
2-14oz. cans Chicken Broth
3oz. Cream Cheese (I used half of a regular package about 4-5 ounces)
Corn chips (I used Fritos and this is optional but recommended)
1 Package Monterey Jack/Cheddar Cheese (optional but recommended)
Sour Cream (optional but recommended)
1 small can Black Olives (optional – I didn’t use them)

Directions:
1. Boil chicken and then shred
2. Sauté onions and green pepper in a small amount of olive oil
3. Add chicken, taco seasoning, salsa, corn, beans, tomato paste and chicken broth
4. Stir and bring to a slow simmer for 20 minutes
5. Place cream cheese in a bowl; spoon some hot soup over it to melt it and dump back into soup (this is because it is impossible to make sure all clumps are dissolved).
6. Simmer on low for another 10 minutes

Serve with corn chips, sour cream, cheese and olives on top.



I also made homemade cornbread with splenda instead of sugar (because I ran out) and it turned out really well. Here is a link to the recipe for that.



Enjoy!

Weekend recap

Friday, Geof and I went to Applebee’s for dinner and then headed home for a quiet night in to catch up on some of our shows. I did my nails and we called it an early night.


OPI DS in Opulence

Saturday, I had to get up at 5:30 am for the Nordstrom Trend Show. This was my first time going, so I didn’t know what to expect. Kristen got to my house around 7 and we dashed out the door. Once we got to Nordstrom, there were already at least 200 hundred ladies seated and walking about. We found some seats to the side of the runway and watched the show. The models looked great and it was fun to see the different makeup looks. They started the show talking about skincare and then moved into beauty products. They did a ton of giveaways and it was entertaining.


Goodies from the Trend Show

After the fashion/beauty show, the beauty counters opened up and it was a stampede of women. A lot of freebies, holiday sets and samples were being offered. Everyone wanted first dibs, so it was a little chaotic. I did get to learn about some new brands that I wasn’t familiar with, my favorite being Osmotics Skincare. They used their skincare products on us with a short light therapy session. Very relaxing. We grabbed a quick lunch at the mall and then went back to Nordstrom for our makeup appointment at MAC. Overall we had a lot of fun and will probably attend the next show that they do in the spring.


I spotted these earrings and had to have them


Kris and I after getting our makeup done at MAC. It was a lot of makup and I wasn't super happy with the lip color. I think I'll stick with my MAC in Macy's from now on.

Saturday evening, Kristen’s hubby Sean came over and the four of us had a date night in. We ordered pizza, had some pumpkin beer (Saranac in my new favorite) and watched the Phillies get eliminated by the Giants. It was not a good weekend for sports in our house, but we did have a nice night.


My new favorite!

Sunday was a lazy day around the house. My mom stopped over in the evening and we watched Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I worked for a bit and called it a night.

Weekend recap

Friday, Geof and I went to Wimpys for dinner and then headed to Starbucks so that I could get a skinny cinnamon dolce latte. We went to the pet store briefly and finally headed to Home Depot to order a new storm door (the landscapers broke our door last week). Once we got back home, we caught up on the DVR.

Saturday was a fabulous day and I needed it! We started the day off at a craft fair and browsed around. We tried taco soup that the church ladies made at the fair and it was so good that I asked for the recipe. After the fair, we headed across the way to the Thomas Massey House for the Colonial Harvest Festival. People were dressed in costumes from colonial times and they were giving tours of the historical home. They were also baking fresh bread in a beehive oven and making a roast over the hearth. It smelled amazing.


Cute little decoration I purchased at the craft fair


Thomas Massey House

After the fair and festival we headed to movies to see Jackass 3D. We didn’t watch it in 3-D, which for certain parts was probably a good thing. Some of the stunts these guys do makes me wonder how they’re still alive. Some parts were funny and others disgusting. I still found it entertaining.



From the movies, we headed to West Chester and went to Mas Mexicali Cantina. This is a newer restaurant and we will definitely go back. The décor was interesting and the vibe very cool. It was started by two best friends that did a lot of traveling to Mexico and California and they wanted to the restaurant and food to be reminiscent of their experiences. I can honestly say that we don’t have many places like that around us and it was a breath of fresh air. The food was delicious and portions more than enough. I didn’t even eat half of my burrito. We made it home in time to watch the rest of the Phillies game, which they lost unfortunately.



Pink Cadillac Margarita...so good and on special for $3!

Sunday was a big sports day at our house and both the Eagles and Phillies won. My mom came over in the evening and then I ran out to the grocery store to get some things. I made the taco soup for dinner that we had the day before at the craft fair along with some homemade cornbread. I will have to share the recipe because it was out of this world.

Tagged!

I was tagged by Meghan at The Perfect Compilation Tape. I discovered her blog in the summer and she is super sweet. She lives in Chicago with her husband and it’s so fun reading about all of her adventures in life and as a teacher.

1. What kind of hair (color/cut) have you always wanted but never had the nerve to do it? For cut, I have always wanted to try something really different like a graduated bob. I would never have the guts to do it. As far as color, I always wanted to try red. This I did for a short time. It looked good for about 3 days and then faded fast since I’m a blondie.

2. If you haven't been/or could do it over, where would/did you go on your honeymoon? We went to Playa del Carmen, Mexico for our honeymoon and it was pure relaxation. I wouldn’t change a thing about it. We also got to go to Hawaii for our 1st Anniversary and that was the trip of a lifetime. I really want to go back there someday.


Us in Playa del Carmen, Mexico


Hawaii last September

3. What is your dream car? I’m not into fancy cars. As long as it’s dependable and good on gas, that’s fine with me. I’d be happy with a Honda CR-V or Nissan Murano for my next vehicle.

4. If you would move anywhere in the world where would you go? I would either move to the South or live on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

5. What famous lady would you love to be or be bff with? I would go with either Kourtney or Khloe Kardashian. They seem fun, real and I know that we would have a blast.

6. What colors did you do or do you want to do for your wedding? My colors were wine and champagne. We did a fall theme and the colors blended in nicely with everything. I honestly thought the ladies looked so pretty in their bridesmaid dresses.



7. What trashy reality show are you embarrassingly addicted to? I watch a lot of bad reality shows. The one I’m most embarrassed to admit that I watch, but will is the Bad Girls Club. Pure trash!

8. Do you remember your first kiss? How old were you and how awkward was it? Ew and yes. I think I was about 13 and it was not a good kiss.

9. What is your guilty pleasure? A lazy Sunday, curled up on the couch with movies and a blanket.

10. What is your favorite chick flick? There are so many that I don’t think I can pick just one. In no particular order: Pretty Woman, Dirty Dancing, Grease, How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days, The Wedding Planner, Legally Blonde…there are a lot.

11. What is your favorite beverage? Diet Pepsi/Coke

12. What is your theme song? So Small by Carrie Underwood. I love this line “While you sit around thinking about what you can't change and worrying about all the wrong things time's flying by moving so fast you better make it count 'cause you can't get it back”

13. Who is your style icon? From the past I would say Audrey Hepburn. Now I would say Reese Witherspoon.

14. When was the last time you cried and why? Tuesday. It has been a rough week.

15. What playlist/cd is on your CD player/iPod right now? I’ll go with what’s in my car. The past few days I’ve been listening to the Purple Rain soundtrack. I love Prince!



16. What is your favorite dessert? Cupcakes!



If you made it all the way through this, congrats! You probably know more about me than you needed to.

I tag anyone that wants to play along. Please let me know if you do so that I can come and read your Q&A.

I wish everyone a lovely weekend!

Weekend recap

Friday, we watched the Phillies game and saw they were losing so we headed out to dinner at the Erin Pub. The Phils’ made a comeback while we enjoyed a nice meal. It was the most entertaining dinner I’ve had in awhile. The restaurant was quiet until they were ahead of the Reds and then it was a party atmosphere the rest of the evening with high fives all around.

Saturday, I spent the afternoon cleaning and organizing. Colleen and Donald came down in the evening for a double date night and we headed off to Linvilla Orchards. This is my favorite place to go every fall and I could tell that Coll and Donald liked it too. We went to see the animals, walked around Pumpkinland and then visited the Farmers Market. A trip to Linvilla is never complete without some apple cider doughnuts and we got plenty! We wanted to do the Autumn Moon Hayride, but the line was well over an hour long and it was getting late. We headed off to dinner at Pinocchio’s for some pizza and then visited their beer garden.


Giant mum


Geof, Coll and Donald - they totally got photobombed


Us at Linvilla


Cute horse


Donald and Colleen


Geof and I...love that "Gourds Gone Wild" sign!

Sunday was spent relaxing around the house. Geof and I made a trip to the grocery store and my mom came over to visit in the evening. I made chili and cornbread for dinner and we watched Dexter and then switched back and forth between the Phillies and Eagles games. Dexter was so good last night and both teams won. It was a great night!

General Mills Giveaway Winner

I was overwhelmed at the response to this giveaway! Thank you to everyone that entered. There were a total of 222 entries. I used Random.org to select the winner.

Min:1
Max: 222
Result: 86

#86 belongs to janetfaye! Congratulations and please contact me with your information so that the prize pack can be sent to you.

Weekend recap

Friday, we went out for a quick bite to eat with my mom. We came home after that and I started working and continued to do so until about 1AM. Not fun. In between some reports running, I managed to do my nails. That’s about as exciting as it gets.


OPI Catch Me In Your Net (cute mini bottle part of a set thanks to Gwen)

Saturday was spent relaxing at home and doing some cleaning. The work week was incredibly long and I needed to lay low.

Sunday was our 2nd Anniversary and I ended up working a full work day and then some (at home). It’s not pleasant when work has to take priority over your personal life. Unfortunately it’s what has to be done sometimes. Geof was very understanding and it worked out for him because he was able to watch uninterrupted football. Neither of us were in the mood for cooking, so we got Pizza Hut for dinner. Later in the night we watched Dexter and Desperate Housewives.

Geof got me the sweetest card for our anniversary and wrote some things that meant more to me than anything. He also got me a Pandora bracelet with a cupcake charm. It might sound silly, but whenever we travel somewhere, I’m always trying to hunt down a cute cupcake shop, so this was perfect for our anniversary. I can’t wait to add more and fill it up with meaningful things.



I’m lucky and blessed to have found a wonderful man like him. We both said that we couldn’t believe how fast the past 2 years has gone by. We’ve shared some wonderful times and made some great memories. I can’t wait to make many more!