Nice to Meet You :]

     I love writing, but lately I haven't had a plethora of writing material.  Yeah, kids are funny, but more than that they are handfulls.  When I come home from work I just like to stop thinking about work.  It's been difficult to "turn-off" work Abby at 4:00 everyday, but practice makes perfect.  :]

     Anyways, about the writing material--I am doing a 30 Day Challenge on my tumblr, but I think it's applicable for Blogger, too.  It's all about details, details, details!  We'll see how long it will take me to get through this "30 day" challenge.  Likely at least two months.  Any bets?  Haha.  Alrighty, enough chit-chat.  Time to get busy...

Introduce yourself!

     Hello.  :]  My name is Abby.  I’m 22 years old and I live in the southeastern United States.  My profession is teaching and my job is loving people.  I am a strong believer in the power of a smile and a kind word.  You can never go wrong with a positive attitude.  I am a stumbling, fumbling, growing Christian.  Everyday God is drawing me into a deeper relationship with Him.  I love to sit down with a good friend and have a long conversation with a cup of coffee in hand.  I’m a bit of an internet addict, especially when it comes to reading my favorite blogs (recently I've been loving Our Marriage Project and Young House Love).  Reading is my favorite hobby, but I don't do it nearly enough.  These days I am reading Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, Experiencing God by Dr. Henry Blackaby, my Bible (NIV is my translation of choice), Boundaries in Dating by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. Henry Townsend, and The First Days of School by Harry Wong (unfortunate name).  I love music.  This past month I've been listening to Mumford and Sons, fun., The Beatles, and Ben Kweller.  The Beatles are my all-time favorite band.  I have two favorite movies: "Across the Universe" and "Little Women."  The shows I watch every week are The Office, 30 Rock, Outsourced, Community, Raising Hope, Glee, Modern Family, and The Middle.  Yeah.  I watch a lot of shows.  I love stories…so please tell me yours.  And I drive a super old car (18 years old) named Mabel.  She’s a beast.

Me!

If you want to join me in this 30 day challenge, check out this post here on my tumblr.  Let me know if you decide to join! 

The Plight of the Realistic Dream

     I had a crazy dream last night.  I dreamed that an old friend of mine and one of my ex-boyfriends just decided to get married.  Next month.  After dating for a few weeks.  And they wanted me to help them plan the wedding.  I just remember thinking, "What the heck?  You two?  Getting married?  It'll never work."  I woke up feeling super confused and kind of grossed out. 

     Don't you hate those realistic dreams?  What's the last dream you remember?

Mmm, mmm, good!

     Hello, everyone!  I hope you're staying warm on this unnaturally cold November weekend.  I guess Georgia decided to skip fall (although the forecast is saying that it will be 80 degrees next Thursday).  I've pulled out all of my sweatshirts, which has made me miss the college life and the fact that I could wear a sweatshirt almost every day.  Sadly they are not quite "work appropriate;" I'm sure many of you feel my pain in this.

     I can't say that the winter months are a favorite season for me.  I'm a naturally cold person, so living at home where my parents refuse to put the thermostat above 65 can be uncomfortable.  Hence the reason my Snuggie is permanently attached to my body.  With all of that, however, there is still one thing I enjoy about cold weather: soups!  I've been waiting and waiting for a cold day so I could make chicken tortilla soup.  That stuff kicks some major butt.  Wigal introduced me to it last fall/winter, and we ate it all the time.  It is seriously soooo good.  And check out how nice I am: I'll even share the recipe with you.  ;]  Super easy and super delish...try it!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:

4 cloves garlic, minced (I just toss in some garlic powder)

1 tbsp. and 1 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. chili powder

2 bay leaves

1/4 tsp. ground cayenne pepper (I put a little less than it calls for b/c it's so spicy)

3/4 tsp. salt

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro (I tend to put a bit more b/c I like it so much, but I warn you that it is strong)

2/3 onion, chopped

2/3 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes (I use Rotell)

4 cups chicken broth

3-1/4 boneless chicken breasts, chopped (or shredded)

1 can of corn (optional)

1 can of black beans (optional)

Combine chicken broth and spices in large pot over low heat.  Throw in cilantro, onion, tomatoes, black beans, and chicken.  Simmer over heat for a while (from 1 hour to all day in a crock pot).  Add corn 10 minutes before serving time.  Garnish with sour cream, cheese, and tortilla chips.  Enjoy!  

Note: I choose to make my own chicken broth, so the amount is normally a little more than what the recipe calls for.  If you feel like the soup is too "soupy," you can add more tomatoes, chicken, corn, etc.  Essentially this is one of those "throw it together" recipes.  :]

     Let me know what you think if you make it.  Wigal and I tweaked the recipe a lot, so feel free to do the same.  What have you been waiting to make this fall/winter?  Wanna share the recipe?  ;]

     Oh, and I'll share my other favorite soup recipe soon, as well as one I found online that I want to try.  Stay tuned!

-Abby :]