Cold Weather Favorite~ Taco Soup & {Almost} Homemade Tortilla Chips

I mentioned this soup the other day and couldn't stop thinking about it... I love that it's inexpensive, and mixes up in just a few minutes. I add my (Almost) homemade tortilla chips, and it's the perfect meal in cold weather.

~First the Chips: These are one of my favorite kitchen 'fakes' because they taste way better than chips from a bag, and people always think you went to some crazy measures to make chips. (And I say, let them believe it!) All you do is buy a pack of extra thin Corn Tortillas. (I have done it with any kind of tortilla, but the extra thin works best in my opinion...) I use my pizza cutter to cut through several rounds into the desired shape (My kids prefer triangles so we stick with that, but I love strips in soup!). Spray a baking sheet with oil, and lay the pieces in a single layer on the sheet. Put into a 350* heated oven, and bake until the edges start to turn up, about 12 minutes. Flip the chips over and put back into the oven until golden brown, about 5-10 minutes. Remove from oven and salt, if desired.

The only catch is that timing is key. You do not want the chips under baked because they will be chewy (trust me). I always have to force myself to leave them for a few more minutes than I think they actually need.

~Now for the Soup~
Ingredients:
     2 cans kidney beans
     2 cans pinto beans
     1 can corn, drained
     1 can ro*tel
     1 can diced tomatoes
     1 packet taco seasoning
     1 packet ranch seasoning
     1 pound ground beef
     1 medium onion, diced

Simple directions: In a large stockpot, brown beef. Drain. Return beef and add onion, cook until soft. Add everything else to the pot plus 2 cans water. Cook on high until boiling then lower heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. Serve. So easy, right?!

This week's Writer's Workshop prompt was to create a how-to, and I already had this one ready... Yippee!

The Love List

This week has been pretty amazing, and I have a lot to love!

~This verse: Joshua 3:5 "Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.'" (emphasis mine) I'll definitely elaborate more next week, but I am just living on the expectancy of this one today. 

~ Give Every Day- Have you seen this?! I recently discovered Steph & her family and am so loving what they are doing. You really should check it out!

~Tricks + Treats - Elsie always posts amazing things, but in the weeks leading up to the opening of the new Red Velvet Shop, she has been posting tons of great DIY projects from great blogger guests. Everything from cute Halloween Nail Art to soft braids. This acorn garland (pictured above) by Rachel Denbow is my absolute favorite! Now I just need to find the time to try them all!

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~Legwarmers. Okay, so I am a child of the eighties... Something about all the chunky knits makes me super happy. I think I'll have to live vicariously through Halle on this one~ chubby baby legs look way cuter in these than chubby momma legs.

I could go on, but my quiet was just interrupted by two screaming little ones. (Isn't it strange how happy play can turn to drama in an instant?!) I hope your weekend is filled with people and things that you love!

Dream in Gray & White

Given the state of my house and all that's associated with getting ready for the show on Saturday, I thought I would keep it simple today and feature some of my current favorite etsy finds. To match the skies, perhaps, I am loving accessories in gray and white. It's funny, I am crazy in love with headbands and hair pins, though I rarely wear anything in my hair~ maybe this is a sign that I should!

Dotty Headband

Gingko Skinny Jersey Scarf

Gray Foldover Clutch

Stormy Vintage Button Hairpins

Hush Headband

Vintage Houndstooth Coat

What are your favorite accessories right now? I'll be back tomorrow with a whole lot of love! 

Stolen Moments

We woke up Tuesday morning to a gray sky after a night of storms. I love the fleeting moments when the outside world isn't quite awake and my littles are content to play together. Something about these sweet, snuggly babies with sleepy eyes and footed jammies makes me feel really content. And it's getting harder and harder to find the footed kind for Remy... one more sign that he is growing up, I guess, whether I like it or not!

Lost

As a church, we've been in a sermon series called 'Under Construction' for the last few weeks. Our church is in a time of major transition, and God is doing some awesome things, but as a church that has been here for 150 years, there's a lot of dust shaking around as we move into what God is calling us to right now. So we pray and work and dream. I love this kind of construction!

Several weeks ago, the sermon that particularly hit home was on being lost. Our pastor used the parables from Luke 15 about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. The next night in our small group, we were to elaborate on if we'd been in a situation of losing someone or something. I retold this story about Remy that really caused a huge stirring in my soul:

When we lived in Nashville, our Sunday afternoons were occupied with something called 'Church in the Yard' (CITY). CITY consisted of a short service & communion and then serving a meal to the 100 or so homeless brothers that had gathered. We looked forward to this time every week and loved taking the kids with us to just meet and love on some of our homeless friends. One Sunday I was serving in the food line and Trace had both littles and was talking to some guys in the yard. Suddenly he rushed over to me, threw Halle into my arms and said 'I can't find Remy.'.

Have you been there? That lump in your throat. The panic... the feeling that life won't go on without them. And five minutes seemed like an eternity. Thankfully after a few panicked minutes searching, Remy emerged from the church building with Brett, who is practically family, happily holding his hand and carrying a cookie. I have never held my boy like I did in that moment. And for him, he never even knew he was lost.

As our group shared stories (we all had them, and looking around we remarked that 'Man, we are terrible parents!'), I had the amazing realization that this is what God is calling me to feel for his people. Jesus demands it of us, and I'm praying that he would ever increase that gut-wrenching ache in me for the poor. the abandoned. the far from God.

This morning I was praying through the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), and verse 10 resounded within me in a new way. "...your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." I have such hope in my eternal home, but Jesus is begging us to live not as one just waiting for eternity but bringing a glimpse of his kingdom here to the very ones he came to save. I hope, my sweet friends, that you see some of this today, in the lives you lead and in the people you meet!

Miscellany Monday

Hello, lovelies! I hope y'all had a good weekend. You know the drill~ I'm linking up with Carissa because I have a plethora of random thoughts this morning!

{one} I learned last night at youth that it isn't recommended to ingest a spoonful of dry cinnamon. This was the game that my darling husband came up with for the students. Of the eight that played, six threw up... but as gross as that is, in youth ministry, a game that makes even one kid throw up is considered a success. So last night was super successful! (YUCK!)

{two} I took the trend of wearing tall boots with jeans tucked into them on a test drive on Saturday. I was afraid that I would look and/or feel like a jockey, but I actually think it looked pretty cute. I didn't gallop even once!

{three} If you have little ones and have yet to discover the awesomeness of a good pediatric dentist, I urge you to search for one in your area. An indoor playground and super fast service make it totally worth it. Last week I had to take both littles for a 9:00am and 9:30am appointment (not exactly something I was looking forward to...), and we were done with both by 9:20!! Both kids were troopers~ and no cavities!

{four} I'm thinking that this week is going to be the perfect week for a giant batch of taco soup. I love that the weather seems to have finally turned for good and coolness has moved in... lots of soup recipes will likely find their way into my kitchen and here on the blog.

{five} My first craft show of the season is coming up on Saturday. I love doing the shows once I'm there, but the week before is typically insanity for everyone in the house. I'm pretty sure I have all the last-minute sewing finished, but piles of goodies wait to be priced, folded and loaded.

{six} One more picture from my phone that I thought I had already posted. Last Monday Remy's class took a trip to the fire station. This is a big deal, as on most days if you ask Remy what he wants to be when he grows up it's either a fireman or Spidey. Rem, in his typical style, did his best to act unimpressed, but when offered the chance to spray the hose, he could no longer remain nonchalant.

Happy, Happy Crazy Day

A very Merry Birthday to my Tracey!!!

I'm always at a loss on what to get Trace for his birthday, and this year was no different. But a few months ago (I was seriously starting early because it always seem to come down to the wire...) I had the brilliant idea that I would try to get Brett, Trace's best friend, to come up for his birthday to surprise him. Well, Brett is pretty hard to pin down, and I had been playing email tag for weeks. So imagine my surprise on Monday when I get an email saying 'Friday doesn't work, but how about we leave for your place late tomorrow night to get there Wednesday morning? I'll have 6-7 guys with me.' Umm, okay.

A little back story is that Brett is our friend in Nashville that works extensively with the homeless community through Lambscroft. He lives in a house that he shares with several guys at a time who he is helping get off the streets, through discipleship, finding a job, etc. So the guys he was bringing were the guys who were living with him right now. I, of course, responded with an excited 'YES, please come!!!'. But then the chaos ensued~ where was I going to sleep all these people? (thankfully friends had many sets of bedding and air mattresses) feed everyone? (Hooray for easy breakfast recipes and our favorite WalMart pizza!)

Given the time that they were arriving, I had to tell Trace early about them coming (was there really a way that I could have hidden bedding for 7 extra people?!), but other than that, the day was wonderful! The gang arrived about 5:30 am on Wednesday morning, and it was soooo good. We knew two of the people that Brett brought with him, so we got to reconnect with some friends and make some new ones. It never ceases to amaze me the ministry God works in the lives of those who truly love him. I loved hearing stories of men overcoming addiction, getting through a prison sentence, and discussing parts of the Bible with so many different view points represented.

I think Trace was pretty happy. The day ended with a great birthday cake, which Brett and some of our students promptly smeared on Trace's face. The only thing that wasn't great was that they had to leave Wednesday night to get home on Thursday... the work in that kind of ministry doesn't stand still for very long. So the whirlwind is over, but the effects are lasting. 

Happy Birthday to the funny & sarcastic guy that puts up with my craziness... XO

Friday Love~ Guest Post by Abbie of 'Greening Sam and Avery'

Happy Friday, lovelies! My week has taken a turn for the crazy, and I am so thankful to have a guest author here for the day. I'll fill you in on all my insanity soon, I'm sure! Abbie is the author of an amazing blog called 'Greening Sam and Avery' where she shares her journey to help her little ones appreciate the world around them. Every day she shares a green project that she does with her littles and walks out the step-by-step, or the 'nitty gritty', as she calls it. You will love the things she comes up with (like those amazying tree blocks below)! On with the love!!!

Hello 2 sweet things readers!  I am a new reader and Mandy has graciously allowed me to invade her space here as a member of the SITS Hedgehog Tribe.  Super excited to be here and share some of the things that I am loving right now.

We are in love with our tree blocks. My girls have played with them almost every day since we got them and the ideas are endless. 

Fantasy football!  (didn't see that one coming did you? ha!) My husband and I are in a couples league with a bunch of our friends and while I have always been a football fan and willing to sit and watch a game this has taught me much more about the sport, made it even more fun to watch the games and know some of the players and the smack talk between the spouses and friends is hilarious!  We don't live in town with the friends that are in the league anymore but we use to get together on Sunday afternoons for great food and to watch at least one game together.  We have some great memories from those afternoons spent watching the games and chatting with great friends.  Who knew you could bond and have so much fun over Fantasy Football?

Loving pick-your-own farms! We just recently moved to a bigger city and the amount of local farms we have near us is amazing.  We have done so much fresh food picking this spring, summer and fall.  My daughters are in love with every part of the process, including all the great food we are making and eating!

My girls.  Okay, not every day and not every moment of every day (is there a mom out there that doesn't get frustrated every once in a while? I don't think so!) but for the most part I am loving my daughters right now.  They are both in pretty amazing, yet challenging stages (2.5 years old and nine months!) but we have a blast with outings, games, music and just playing with each other at home.  I cherish these days because I know that before I realize it they will both be off to school and not home with me every day.

Thanks so much for letting me share with you all today!  It has been so good to look at life and the things that are really sticking out as "my loves" right now.  Happy Friday everyone!!

Why I don't do Halloween

I don't think my answer is what you'd expect. I'm not going to give you the "because of all the dark, devil-inspired" Christian response, though that's totally not something I like. There are a few reasons the holiday doesn't sit well...

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~The first is perhaps the most ridiculous, though the most prevalent. I do NOT like people wearing masks. Since as far back as I can remember, I haven't been a fan of clowns, the Easter bunny, or {especially} those weirdos dressed up like cartoon characters at theme parks. I'm not necessarily afraid of them, but I don't like not knowing who is behind the mask. I am always bothered that it could be some strange pervert hugging on my kids. I don't turn on my light or open the door on Halloween... So don't come knocking.

~Second, I hate supporting gluttony. Call me over-dramatic, but I don't think that any child needs a huge bag full of candy... As someone who has always struggled with my weight, and who has a crazy relationship with food, I want to model good behavior for my kids. With our (Americans as a whole) children having so many health-related issues due to the obesity epidemic, I can't stomach just pitching poison to our little ones. If I ever did decide to answer the door, I would be the weird lady on the block handing out tooth brushes or apples.

~Third is the whole ritual itself: Why am I the only one who thinks sending my kids around the neighborhood knocking on doors and begging for food is strange?! We say 'Don't take candy from strangers.', so why is it okay on this one night?

I know, Every Party Has a Pooper... I'm okay with that.

Just Because... {Writer's Workshop}

Just because I'm a Stay-at-home Mom doesn't mean I am sitting around eating bon-bons (what is a bon-bon, anyway?!) and reading romance novels.

(To my children) Just because I'm in the other room doesn't mean I don't know exactly what you are doing.

Just because skinny jeans, ultra-low-rise jeans, and jeggings are trendy and in stores doesn't mean you should wear them.

Just because I'm a Christian doesn't mean I vote for a particular party (or any party, for that matter) or support certain issues. *My only candidate is Jesus. Just putting that out there...*

Just because we're Facebook friends doesn't mean that I want to see the most intimate details of your life on my wall.

Now it's your turn to fill in the Blanks~ Just because ____________ doesn't mean _____________. What first comes to your mind?

Well hello, monday! {Miscellany Monday}

Nice to see you again... This weekend felt like it happened at light speed, and we packed so much in! 

Friday night was another sleepover/spa night with some of the youth students. Let's just say that I am getting way too old for 2 am! I do, however, love watching sappy romantical movies and the chatter of young people~ that at least helps me to feel like I'm young again. We made cookies and painted toe nails and even pranked some fellow youth leaders who were away on their honeymoon... Ahh, life is grand!

Saturday brought another visit to another apple orchard/pumpkin patch. The weather was windy but gorgeous, and we had a great time.

My sweet baby bee!

This is the only 'posed' picture I managed to snap... not quite Christmas card material.

Sunday included a great morning service and then Veritas, which is our youth service in the evening. I never would have thought that I would enjoy working with teenagers, but that's an area that God has changed in my heart so much in the past year.... and we have an awesome group of friends who volunteer to watch my little people so that I can serve. I feel so blessed by all the amazing people God puts in our life!

This week is certain to be busy. Today Rem's preschool class is taking a trip to the fire department, and I get to tag along~ so excited!! I have also connected with a MOPS group from another church and am going for the first time. I really loved the group that I was a part of in Indiana when Remy was first born. It will be great to get out of the house and meet some other moms!

Lots of sewing is on the horizon too. I have spent weeks trying to find local craft shows to no avail, and then last week within 24 hours two, and a possible third, almost fell into my lap. The best part is that they are literally just down the hill from my house. Love it!

Okay, so I hope that is random enough for this Monday. As is my usual custom, I'm linking up with the lovely Carissa. Click the link and show her some love! Happy Monday!

Friday Love~ Guest Post by Lindsay of 'Just My Blog'

**Happy Friday, Lovelies! As a challenge for a blogging community I'm a part of I am actually posting my regularly scheduled Love List over at Just My Blog, which is where my guest writer today, Lindsay, usually blogs. If you're visiting from Lindsay's site, welcome! I do hope you'll take a few minutes to look around, check out the cookies (which I bake nearly every day) and/or the insanity that is my life... If you're not new around here, I'd love for you to get to know Lindsay and jump over to her neck of the woods to say hello. xo, M**

The SITS Girls have brought Mandy and I together (along with many other bloggers) as a tribe. The Hedgehog Tribe to be exact. We are a group of bloggers who all have young children. One of our challenges as a tribe was to swap some guest posts...So here I am! I normally blog over at Just My Blog, but today I'm giving Mandy a break and holding her hostage until she bakes me some chocolate chip cookies. Also, you can find her at my blog today giving me some awesome guest post love. So, what do I love?

I love the Fall. I didn't used to love Autum or Fall or whatever you want to call it. As a matter of fact, I loathed Fall because it meant that a freezing winter was just around the corner. Then I moved to Georgia....and winter isn't as terrible as it was in Illinois. Now I can finally enjoy the leaves changing color and the nip in the air.

I love shops like this one. I even love them when I have no money to spend in them. I love imagining their pretty things in my not pretty {yet} house. I love knowing that most of the items in their shop were lovingly made by hand by someone who loves making them (like Mandy).

I love blogging. I love all of the amazing women I've connected with since I began blogging. The Hedgehog Tribe has turned out to be a pretty awesome bunch of women who I know I can really relate to and get along with. As a matter of fact, if you get a chance, go check each of them out. They're all different types of blogs and designs...our tribe was put together because we have young children, but it is not necessarily the defining focus of each of our blogs.

Lastly, and probably most obviously, I love my children. My girls make me smile at least 17 times a day. They bring me joy, love, frustration, psychosis, confusement and hugs. The hugs make the rest of it all worthwhile. Their smiles are contagious. Their cheeks are totally pinchable. Their voices are magical. The complete innocence and compassion they have are overwhelmingly beautiful. I am so thankful for them each and every day.

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Okay, so I've told you a little of what I love...now tell me, what do you love? What is making you smile today? What is reminding you to be thankful?

A Bit of House-Wifery~ Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've decided to stick with blogging about my favorite house wife things... Last week I blogged about my dream 'uniform', and today I thought I would share a Top Secret recipe. I've said it many times, but I truly feel like a qualifying skill necessary for being a good mother and housewife is making perfect chocolate chip cookies. (If you aren't a baker, please don't send me angry emails... this is actually not mandatory~ just something I had in my crazy brain!) I searched just to make sure I hadn't posted this before and couldn't find it.

Sorry for the picture with bright flash... I have serious lighting issues!

My recipe really isn't anything fancy, but it consistently makes the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had. I use the best ingredients I can and have made it in variations with organic, non-organic, name brand, off-brand, and this recipe has never failed me. I think it's from Better Homes & Gardens, though I have it memorized and am too lazy at the moment to look for it in a book.

Ingredients
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (I use unbleached)
12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups nuts (optional)

~Heat oven to 375*
~ In large bowl, mix shortening & butter. Blend until smooth. Add in sugars and baking soda. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix in flour a little at a time until well blended. Stir in chocolate (and nuts, if using).
~On baking sheet lined with parchment, scoop out dough with plenty of space between. Most of the time I use a 1/4 cup cookie dough scoop and make fewer, giant cookies. I can fit about 16 on a cookie sheet this size. You can use whatever size scoop you like, just adjust the baking time accordingly. I think it works better to leave them in a ball shape, as they will cook up softer in the middle and won't be cracker-like.  (If that's your thing, press them out a bit!)
~Bake for 12-15 minutes, pulling them out when they begin to brown around the edges but still look soft in the middle. leave on sheet for about 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to eat cool.

Ours usually don't last long enough to have to store them, but I recommend keeping them in an airtight container after they've completely cooled. And if you really want to be June Cleaver (because who doesn't!?), put a piece of bread in the container with the cookies to keep them soft. Trust me, if you haven't heard of this, it works! The cookies steal the moisture from the bread and stay extra soft.

I'd love to know if you try out this recipe!! And I'd also love to know if there's anything in the vein of homemaking that you'd like to talk about~ recipes, organization, cleaning, laundry... I'm thinking this will be a regular Wednesday thing, and I'd love your input! 'Til next time!

Miscellany Monday

Participating again in Carissa's randomness... I love starting the week with a good emptying of the brain! 

{un} My wee ones are growing up (sniff...) and this was a big 'moving on up' weekend! Trace finished building Remy's new loft bed, so he is officially in a twin size bed 'way up by the ceiling'. He's thrilled! As he moved out the toddler bed, Halle was more than eager to take his place. I was a little nervous, thinking that keeping my wild girl in her cage for a bit longer would save my sanity, but she did great. We're only two nights in at this point, but she went down like a champ! Every time they move into a new phase I get a bit sentimental, but at the same time, I think it's a sign that we must be doing something right. Right?! God in his tremendous grace has so richly blessed us with these little people!

{deux} I have to share that I found the cutest fabric collection for my new winter line. That's all I'm sharing for now, but I'm so excited and hope you will love it too! More details to come as I have them~ patterns are being drafted and samples made at the moment...

{trois} I can count in french. However, I did begin to doubt myself and googled the spelling just in case. I should trust my memory more... I was correct!

{quatre} I love this time of year and the fact that new t.v. is on every night. I am a dork, and I think I'm okay with that.

{cinq} I adore Martinelli's apple juice in these sweet little bottles. Trying to think of a craft to make with them... So cute (and I think it's the best apple juice ever. EVER.)!

{six} My new boots arrived and are so fantastic. I was pretty sure that you were wondering about that.

{sept} I have been thinking about doing a weekly devotional sort of post around these parts (sounding a bit 'country'... perhaps due to the wearing of the afore mentioned boots?). Is that something y'all would be interested in? I write a ton, but only occasionally post them on here. Any thoughts?

Hope you have a blessed Monday~ I know it's a holiday for some!

Love~ Together

Desperately in need of a hair cut, but oh well!

There are few things that make me happier than moment when Remy & Halle have fun together. And yes, sometimes those fleeting moments turn quickly, but I relish them while I can. Something about the fresh air, the smell of fall and the sounds of leaves crunching under our feet is so magnetic to wee ones (and not-so-wee ones!). Happy Weekend!

Ten Things I Believe

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{one} I believe that Jesus meant what he said.

{two} I believe that 'Love your enemies' does not mean guns or fighting or killing.

{three} I believe that 30 is going to be my best year ever.

{four} I believe that my littles have the most glorious laughs.

{five} I believe that sometimes cookies do make everything better.

{six} I believe that sometimes cheesecake is a need and not a want.

{seven} I believe that my husband must be some kind of man to tolerate me.

{eight} I believe flip flops go with everything.

{nine} I believe peanut butter sandwiches do not go with a steak dinner. (You'll have to ask Trace about that one...)

{ten} I believe that I need to act like I believe number one. every day.

What do you believe? If you want, make a list of your own and leave it or link it in the comments!

Made!

There have been many instances since I began sewing a zillion years ago that I have attempted to make something for me to wear. And I believe that until this weekend, each trial has been a miserable one and I have never been happy with anything I've made. I have been on a mission to change this! So a few weeks ago, I made this great tunic for someone else and it turned out so cute that I decided to give it a try for myself. It's the Schoolhouse Tunic from Meg at Sew Liberated. The pattern is super easy to read and put together, and my tunic came together in probably just about 2 hours (it's hard to judge the time because I start and stop a lot due to the demands of my sweet things). The fabric is from a sheet set that I found on clearance a few weeks ago. I didn't change the pattern one bit, but I did add a navy blue sash, just to add a little definition to my waist.

I wore this to church with some straight jeans and ballet flats. It's a super kid-friendly outfit, I might add~ I ran and danced all over!  Maybe someday I'll be one of those cute 'What I Wore Today' bloggers... but for today all I've got is this blurry cell phone shot. You get the idea...

Oh, and as you know I've been on the hunt for some brown boots. Over the weekend I ordered this pair from Ruche. Why had I never heard of this site before?! Sooooo excited to get them this week~ Yippee!