January Photo Dump

January really was a wonderful and FREEZING month for us. We were in Puerto Vallarta for a week, which was not nearly long enough and a lot of cold weather, crocheting, reading, and trying to occupy a 2.5 year old puppy in the cold. I also spent a weekend on retreat with some of my 7th and 8th graders. 

a blanket for myself

one morning on the way to work
this doesn't figure in wind

banana bread

Puerto Vallarta

We are home and I feel like I am going to freeze to death, yes literally, yesterday while driving to work my car thermostat said -32 degrees, not including windchill. RIDICULOUS! Seriously. Either way, my days are now spent remembering Marc & I's marvelous trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico last week. The weather was gorgeous, 80s to 90s during the day, sunny as all get out, and BEAUTIFUL. We had a wonderful time sitting by the pool and on the beach, playing in the water, and going on adventures. It was so good for my soul to get out of the frozen north and head south, new rule in our house, we will be leaving the north every winter for a week. It was great to go outside and not have to put on my hats, mittens, boots, winter coat, etc. rather we just went out in shorts and a tank top. Also to add to the wonderful was that I was able to run outside every day in my shorts and tank tops, no treadmills (seriously HATE the treadmill, I get bored sooo fast and now with all these people and their new year resolutions they are hogging up the treadmills, bring on February when people start to fade off their goals, that sounds horrible but true). Here's a few pictures from our stay, there are tons of photos coming over the next week or so. 

Chicken Enchilada Soup

I am not certain how working women pulled off having dinner ready at any sort of a reasonable time (read before 9:00 pm) before the invention of the crock pot. Seriously, I cook in a crock pot at least three times a week. Why, because I never know what time I will get home and when I do get home the last thing I want to do is cook over the stove, I just want yummy food ready to go when I walk in the door, hence my obsession love of the crock pot.

Now that fall is definitely upon us I have gotten back into soups (LOVE soup during the colder months, which in northern Minnesota is October through April May). My most recent soup is from THIS PIN on pinterest. I also LOVE pinterest and actually cook and make things off of there weekly.

Here is the soup I made this week:

Add everything except the cheese and cilantro and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.  Add the cheese and sprinkle with cilantro just before serving

Chicken Enchilada Soup

3 cups chicken stock
2 skinless, taw chicken breasts diced into small pieces
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp  chili powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 jalapeno peppers, minced
2 green bell pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups frozen corn
1/2 cup tomato paste
8 oz colbyjack cheese, shredded (because this is what I had in the house)
8 oz pepperjack cheese, divided
1 cup cilantro, chopped
Tortillas

Dump everything, except the cheese and tortillas, into the crock pot, reserve some of the cilantro to be spread over the top. Add most of the cheese with about fifteen minutes left in cooking. I also added strips of tortillas at this point. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the bowls of soup as they are served. I also had some tortilla chips sitting around that I crushed and put a few on the top of the bowls of soup as well.

I am sure there are 12,000 things you could do to this soup to change it up a bit. We loved it and enjoyed eating it for a few days.


Do you have any great crock pot recipes you want to share?
Do you like soup season?
What are your go-to meals?

Note to self:

• Just because you have fallen several times while out running you don't need to wait until every ounce of snow is gone before you get back out - you hate the treadmill - get off it and get outside
• Go buy yourself a bike - yours sucks the old lady nearly ruined yours- you got a tax return (REJOICE) - use it wisely - don't risk riding your crappy bike
• I know you are busy and holy week is happening at full pace and you feel like you are losing your mind - relax, think, pray, be - it's holy week - take the time you need
• also your family and Marc's family are here - I know you are introverted and holy week without family coming to stay at your house is an introverted hell - enjoy them - take what time you need but then spend it with family - they drove a long ways to spend time with you - suck it up and Monday you can go for a long run with you and Dakota and not have anyone else around 
• you love snow - yes I know April is on the horizon and you still have several feet of snow in your yard, but I promise it will melt - Spring will come and spring will bring lots and lots of new life
• crochet - enjoy the projects you have going - enjoy the hats you have been making and the squares you are beginning to figure out for your afghan - come summer it won't be as much fun to crochet - enjoy it while the weather is still cold
• Nala will be leaving this weekend - be patient with her - just because she is completely crazy and spazatronic (yes I am sure that is not a word - but it fits so roll with it) - Dakota loves her - you can handle her for a few more days
• Go buy milk and bread - you are out and your meals are getting a little weird
• while you are at it you should probably buy some food to feed all the rest of the people coming to your house this weekend
• Go take some fun pictures asap - the snow beginning to turn brown and the very very very faint signs of spring popping through would make for some sweet photos

What would be included in your notes to self?

Has spring arrived where you are?

Have you gotten in any good runs lately?