because sometimes you don’t have to look far and wide for something simple and beautiful.
Images
#dailyselfie – baking in my jitt joe’s apron!
#dailyselfie – donated blood today!
#dailyselfie – up at 7 am hawaii time to watch the dawgs play
#dailyselfie – sibling night!
#dailyselfie – this is how bad i need the weekend
eos: my latest lip balm obsession
photo cred to my big brother kyle. he’s planning on quitting his consulting career to become a professional photographer. (to anyone who took that seriously, i kid!)
okay, by the title of this post, you might think that i have several lip balm obsessions. i would like to say that fact really isn’t true, but considering the amounts of lip glosses and chapsticks i have scattered throughout my life (bedroom, purse, clutch, car), i might not be able to deny it.
while watching tv the other day, i saw a commercial for eos lip balm. it wasn’t a new one, and i’d seen it plenty of times before then, but something about this recent viewing of it got me convinced that it was finally time i give it a try. so, it was incredibly convenient that i was already making an unnecessary trip to target for other things that i probably do not need, but hey, i couldn’t resist this sweater and this top. aren’t they just perfect for the change in seasons? i thought so, too.
anyway, so i caved into the cute and clever marketing efforts of this company and picked up a sphere of the strawberry sorbet flavor at the checkout line. this little ball is sweet and so precious that i couldn’t help but smile when gliding it over my lips. it’s dainty and light with a subtle flavor, and there’s a very good chance i might never go back to anything else. as a consumer who had no opinion but her own inkling to give it a try, i highly recommend it you.
zesty corn dip
tori was in town this past weekend to tend to wedding activities (it’s only nine days away – eek!), and like always, she had plenty of things to bring to atlanta from home. for clark, she brought his winter clothes. for the kessey girl, she brought me a recipe. ah, yes, she knows me so well!
this zesty corn dip really couldn’t be easier. well, i suppose the only way it could be easier is if you didn’t have to do any chopping, but even for the most novice cook, you got it!
ingredients
2 12-ounce packages frozen corn
1 8-ounce block of cream cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup diced green onion, white and green parts
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced
1 2.5-ounce package fully cooked bacon, diced
1 4-ounce can diced green chilies
directions
place all ingredients in a crock-pot/slow cooker.
cover and cook on low for 4 hours OR on high for 2 hours, stirring the dip halfway through cooking time.
chicken tortilla soup
i’ve had a rather relaxing weekend, and i didn’t want to spoil it by slaving away in the kitchen all night to make an outstanding meal. sometimes i just want something simple, and this recipe for chicken tortilla soup was just the ticket.
my mom made it when we were in high school, and it has become a dish i now know by heart. i mean, something that only requires a crock pot and no cutting at all has to be a keeper, right? it’s so insanely easy and wonderfully delicious that i just had to share it with you all.
since this recipe makes quite a few servings, it is great for families. for those of you who are single like yours truly? bag this stuff up in single-serve ziplocs, throw them in the freezer, and keep ’em for later when you’re feeling extra lazy around the house. enjoy!
ingredients
1 box or can (32 ounces) chicken broth
2 cans (15.5 ounces each) chili beans
1 can (15 ounces) great northern beans
1 can (14.5 ounces) mexican-style stewed tomatoes, diced
*sometimes i cannot always find the mexican-style stewed tomatoes. If you can’t either, just go with the traditional.
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes & green chiles
2 cans (15.5 ounces each) white corn, drained
*tori thinks just one can of corn is enough, but i like two.
2 packages lawry’s chicken taco spices & seasonings
*you do not have to get the lawry’s brand. i often use kroger’s brand and love it just as much.
1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
shredded cheddar cheese
chopped cilantro
chopped scallions
directions
set chicken in bottom of large slow cooker (crock pot). top with chili beans, great northern beans, stewed tomatoes, tomatoes and green chiles, and white corn.
stir in the chicken taco seasonings and add as much chicken broth as needed to fill the crock pot just below full. there’s a good chance you will not need all 32 ounces of it, but it depends on the size of your cooker.
cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours. if you need to get it ready sooner, crank the crock pot to high for 4 to 6 hours. you just need to let everything sit long enough so that the chicken is cooked through and tender.
use a pair of tongs to shred the chicken in the crock pot. fill up your favorite soup bowl and top with cheese, cilantro, and scallions as desired.
p.s. i personally also like to dollop on some sour cream. you could probably even add a little bit of hot sauce if you like things spicy.
hello, shoes
everyone, i would like to introduce you to my taylor swift kids from tj maxx. they are dotted canvas with striped ribbon shoelaces. they are precious and adorable and are the sweetest pair of sneakers i have in my closet right now. it is their pleasure to have met you as well.
t swift keds.
kelsey v 