White Chicken Chili - with a hint of lime!

To me... 

there's nothing better than sitting on the couch

 to watch your favorite game - with a BIG bowl of chili.

For this "White Chicken Chili" you'll need:

1 rotisserie chicken (shredded)

1 jalapeno pepper

1 green pepper

1 onion

4 cloves of garlic

1 can of white beans

Salt/pepper

Shredded Mozzarella cheese

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

4 cups of chicken stock

2 limes

Sour cream

Lime flavored tortilla chips

First up - 

Finely chop the garlic, green pepper, jalapeno and onion.

Put them in a DEEP pot with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil.

After the veggies have cooked for 5-10 minutes,

add coriander, cumin and chili powder.

(Also add salt/pepper to taste.)

Stir for another 5 minutes.

Then, add 4 cups of chicken broth - along with the juice of one lime.

(Depending how much "lime" taste you want, feel free to juice two.)

Let this simmer for about 20 minutes.

Add your chicken - and ONE can of white beans.

Cook for another 20 minutes.

Now - it's time to dish it up!

Get out your lime tortilla chips.

Put some chili in your bowl.

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.

Add a dollop of sour cream.

Put some chips on the side.

Squeeze HALF a wedge of lime on top.

Sooooo yummy in your tummy.

The perfect bowl of chili for a cold day - 

sitting in front of the TV!

Simple Things: Sunday Edition

Let's go back to 2003...

and a certain Amy Grant song.

I dream of simple things

I can believe in

Like the feeling this day brings

True love and miracle of forgiving

I believe in simple things

That's what I thought of this Sunday morning -

when I headed outside with my cup of coffee...

Sat down...

And just enjoyed the first few signs of FALL.

Starting with my gorgeous pumpkins that I got 

from Mulberry Lane Farm.

My little succulent plant that is ACTUALLY growing!!!

Success.

Usually I kill off ALL my plants!

(The simple things.)

Just being able to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful 50 degree weather 

is also such a "simple thing" - that we take for granted.

Same goes for a nice bowl of fresh, red grapes...

with some vanilla yogurt and a drizzle of honey.

Then, when I headed to church this morning...

I couldn't help but notice the CHANGING LEAVES on the trees!!!

Fall is here.

Such a beautiful, "simple thing."

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Warm Caprese Dish

Give me a tomato, piece of cheese and some bread - 

I am one happy girl!

Thus - the inspiration for this simple dish - using garden fresh ingredients.

Perfect for a quick, easy dinner!

Slice some tomatoes (BIG or small) - and put on a baking sheet.

Drizzle some balsamic vinegar over the top.

(About 1-2 tablespoons.)

Slice some FRESH mozzarella.

(Make sure to PAT IT DRY with a paper towel.)

Layer the mozzarella...

Dice some fresh basil and garlic.

Sprinkle both on top.

(About 2-3 teaspoons of each.)

Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over the top.

Sprinkle salt/pepper.

Then - you can TOP this off with either CROUTONS or crusty WHITE BREAD.

(I opted for the bread - because I didn't have any croutons.)

Drizzle more olive oil on top.

Pop in a 375 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.

Take it out... and (mouth waters)...

Warm, creamy - gooey...

The tomatoes just BURST in your mouth.

So delicious.

Such an easy recipe to make any night of the week!

Quickie: Fall Wreaths

Found these BEAUTIFUL wreaths on Etsy...

and had to share really quickly!

These are all made with yarn and bits of felt.

So pretty - and "homey."

Who wouldn't want one of these on their front door?

Summer? Meet Mr. Fall

Right now, the weather is in that "weird stage"...

where it still feels like SUMMER some days - and then FALL other days.

Which means - it's time to start making subtle changes to your home - starting with centerpieces.

These four ideas are still somewhat "summery" 

however, they incorporate a bit of fall.

 Mason Jars w/ Yarn

Super easy.

Find some mason jars at a craft or thrift store.

Wrap some yard around the base.

Fill with summer flowers (or herbs) - in FALL colors.

Flower & Veggie Centerpiece

This centerpiece would work well at a wedding, outdoor event or

the center of your kitchen table.

Find a very unique candle holder - and fill with candles... fall veggies...

and the last bit of summer flowers.

(Artichokes and squash would work well.)

Summer/Fall Candle Holders

This one just looks like so much fun!

Could easily be used for a fall or summer centerpiece.

The trick is the few bursts of ORANGE.

Feel free to use browns, reds and yellows too.

TOMATOES

Head out to the garden - or farmer's market - 

and find a variety of tomatoes.

(Yellow, red, orange - BIG, little, medium sized.)

Put them in some cute baskets - and you are good to go!

Just a few of the ideas that you'll see coming your way over the next few weeks!

(Big thanks to Martha Stewart for these four tips.)

Uncork Your Inner Artist

Happy Labor Day!

I just got back home from another fabulous trip to Chicago

to visit my younger sister and one of my best friends.

Chicago has so many WONDERFUL things to offer - 

and we found another gem this weekend:

Bottle & Bottega

It combines two things every girl enjoys:

ART... and BOOZE!

I mean, this really is true "LOVE"... am I right?

First up - 

We were able to start off with a session of YOGA... 

at the art studio!

To help release our inner "creativity."

We had a fabulous instructor named Elizabeth.

The cutest little thing.

(We all look like giants standing next to her!)

Then - 

We popped the champagne...

made mimosas...

and devoured some delicious yogurt and fruit.

It was fantastic!

While everyone was enjoying their breakfast - I took the chance to 

snap some shots of the AMAZING space.

(Nerd alert - I know!)

In love with this light fixture!!!

So many unique pieces of art.

Alright - now to the good stuff!

After breakfast, we picked out a picture to paint...

and got to work!

We were able to experiment with different color choices too...

which was really sweet of our instructor!

The only bad part about painting in yoga clothes?

Your arm fat jiggles like a chicken wing!

(Ladies - you know what I'm talking about.)

Aubre was super excited for the painting part.

After all - it was her BIRTHDAY!

My sister - trying to make her painting "picture perfect."

Now... drum roll please....

THE FINISHED PRODUCT!

Mine

Aubre's

Laura's

Sarah's

Our art instructor taking one final look at them!

Check out her cool painting that she was working on!

All five ladies - lined up with their paintings.

Such an incredible morning.

Peaceful

Colorful

Delightful

Thanks to the staff at Bottle & Bottega.

We'll all be back!