may all your wishes come true

When the clock strikes twelve this December 31st, may you begin a new chapter of your life with opportunity, and end one with no regrets. Wishing you a New Year filled with joy, hope and prosperity.

wordless Wednesday - closed for the season

crockpot tex mex turkey soup

I'm a big fan of soup for the cold winter weather. I could make a meal of it everyday for lunch or dinner. Here's a yummy soup for the leftover turkey after the holiday. A great alternative to turkey sandwiches!

ingredients:
1 T. olive oil
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 t. minced garlic
1/2 t. oregano
1 t. dried parsley
2 t. chili powder
1/2 t. cumin
1 t. salt
4 c. water
3 zucchini, sliced 1/2" thick, halved
2 c. frozen corn
3 t. instant chicken bouillon
2 (14.5 oz.) cans diced tomatoes
1 c. salsa (your favorite brand)
4 c. shredded cooked turkey
2 (14 oz.) cans black beans, drained
1 c. sour cream

directions:
Heat olive oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until onion begins to soften. Set aside.
In crock pot, pour cans of diced tomatoes, drained black beans. Add salsa, water, turkey, zucchini, corn, sour cream, cooked onion and garlic. Stir until sour cream is well blended. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, parsley, salt, chicken bouillon and mix well. Cook on low setting for 6-7 hours.

This soup is wonderful served with bread, tortilla strips, shredded cheese and avocado. Bon appetit!

helping the birds

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song" ....Maya Angelou

I like to help birds in the winter and here is an easy homemade bird feeder that's fun for the whole family to create. Simply coat a pine cone with peanut butter, roll it in birdseed and hang in your yard. I provide several bird feeders in my yard, and this one is always wiped clean long before the others.

wordless Wednesday - snow bird

cookies for santa

I've used this recipe now three years in a row and I'm never disappointed. It's easy and the cookies come out a nice crisp, buttery taste. This year, for convenience, I bought Martha Stewart's icing detailer in a squeeze container and generic sprinkles - both found on sale right now at Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabrics.


cream together:
1 c. butter
2/3 c. sugar
beat in:
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
add:
2 1/2 c. sifted flour
Mix until ingredients are well blended. Wrap dough in wax paper and chill 3 to 4 hours before rolling. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out on slightly floured surface and cut with cookie cutters. If using sprinkles, coat dough with desired amount. Bake for 13 minutes or until barely light brown at edges.