My favorite soup - Taco

 Many years ago my mom told me about a recipe she tried called Taco Soup. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical. Mexican is my favorite food. I could eat it every day if I was able but tacos were meant to be eaten by hand in a soft shell or a crisp, crunchy shell, not in a soup. I should have known better. What's the old adage? "Mom knows best"? After making it, not only was it super easy, but it quickly became my all-time favorite soup. So much so that I was banned from making it by the hubbie for a while (perhaps having it at least once a week may have been a bit overkill). In this version, you serve it over Tostito chips and chunks of cheese. The chips give it a slight crunch while the chunks of cheese soften and melt into the soup. Yum! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Taco Soup

1 can black beans (preferably no salt added)

1 jar salsa (mild or medium)

1 can mexicorn or fiesta corn

1 box no salt added or low sodium chicken broth

sharp cheddar or mexican cheese, cubed (I use the bagged, cubed mexican cheese)

sour cream

Tostito chips

Pour the first 4 ingredients into a small pot. Bring to boil and let simmer 10-15 minutes. Put a handful of chips and cheese in the bottom of individual serving bowls. Pour a serving of soup over chips and cheese. Top with spoonful of sour cream and serve. 

Warm comfort food - Chicken Pot Pie

One of Daniel's favorite comfort foods is Chicken Pot Pie. I'm not sure what it is about this hearty, warm, gooey, filling pie that is so satisfying on a cold winter night but it sure does hit the spot. My friend Jaime gave me this recipe and it quickly became a family favorite.

Chicken Pot Pie

1 box roll out pie shells (be sure they have 2 pie shells in the box)

1 can no salt added veg-all, drained

2 cans low sodium cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup

2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a pie pan and lay one pie shell down. Boil the chicken breast until done (approx 10 minutes). Cut into bite size pieces. Mix in veg-all, canned soup and pepper (approx 3-5 shakes). Pour into pie shell. Top with other pie shell and crimp sides so that the pie is sealed. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until top is slightly golden in color.  Let cool 10-15 minutes so that it sets up nicely. 

Makes great leftovers! 

Bon appétit!

These are a few of my favorite things...mommy style

Of course when you are having a baby everyone has their favorite things that worked for their kids. However no one told me about these three things that I now can't live without.

1. Kiddopotamus Snuzzler - Charlie likes to be snuggled and won't sleep any other way. For a while he would only sleep in our arms. I put this in his carrier and he sleeps like a champ in it! It snuggles him and keeps him snug with the soft sides. Plus it helps keep him warm and cozy when we go out in the cold. They make a warm one (pictured here) and a summer one (the one I have). OK technically my friend Jaime told me about this and let me borrow hers but I forgot about it until our neighbors gave us one after Charlie was born.

2. The Moby - I saw someone in one of our local boutiques with her 7 week old wrapped and strapped on her front. I thought that Charlie may like it since at that time, he only wanted to be held and snuggled tight. Not very conducive to mommy getting anything done! Once I figured out how to tie it, he LOVES it! I can take both dogs for walks, cook, clean the house, etc all while he's happily strapped to me. There are tons of ways to use this too. Whenever Charlie gets cranky, I strap him in and he settles right down. In fact, when he was younger, it was sometimes the only way I could get him to sleep (strap him in and walk).

3. Wubbanub Pacifier - Charlie only likes the Soothie pacifiers, which is what the hospital gave us and what my pediatrician recommends. However, he constantly lets it drop out of his mouth and he gets frustrated. Usually I just hold it in for him but that can also get tiring in the middle of the night or if you are busy with something else (like making dinner). However, I just found these and he loves it! It gives him something to hold on to but the animal part is big enough to help hold it in his mouth. The first time I gave it to him, he sat and happily sucked on the paci while touching and rubbing on the stuffed animal until he fell asleep (they come in a variety of choices - we have the red dog and the giraffe).

So these are a few of my favorite things. They make great unique gifts if you know anyone having a baby soon!

Love,

Happy Momma

Great Cookbook

The title of my blog is food, faith and design. I've posted a few posts on faith and design but not one thing on food! So while I'm sitting on the couch with Charlie snuggled and sleeping on my lap, I thought I'd post a couple of new recipes just in time for the holidays.

Fire Crackers

1 1/3 cup canola oil

1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch dip mix

2-3 tsp red pepper

hot sauce to taste

3 boxes of mini saltines or 1 large box regular saltines

Mix the first 4 ingredients together and pour over the saltines. Shake well. Let sit for 24 hours, shaking periodically to keep the seasoning from settling. These are DELICIOUS and a great unique snack. Would be wonderful with tomato soup on a cold winter day.

My new favorite cookbook is Double Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. My mom got it for me when she was here when Charlie was born. It has great recipes that use various veggie purees to help you get more nutrients. The two I've tried so far is the butternut squash tomato soup and balsamic chicken italian sandwiches. The sandwich recipe is below...

Balsamic Chicken Sandwich

2 lbs boneless chicken, cubed

salt to taste

pepper to taste

1/4 cup whole-wheat flour (or regular flour)

3 Tbsp olive oil

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

6 Tbsp firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup broccoli puree*

tomato

6 ciabatta rolls or 12 slices crusty Italian bread (I use 7 grain Italian bread)

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Place flour in large bag then add chicken. Toss to coat chicken. Preheat oven to 350. Warm oil in large pan over med-high heat and add the chicken and garlic. Decrease heat to medium and cook until chicken begins to brown and garlic becomes fragrant. Add chicken broth, vinegar and brown sugar. Bring to boil and simmer 10-15 minutes. Add broccoli puree and cook 2-3 minutes more to incorporate flavors. Let cool for a few minutes so it thickens up. Place bread on a baking sheet and top with a slice of tomato on one side. Place chicken on other slice of bread. Top both with mozzarella. Bake until cheese is melted and bread is crisp. Make into sandwiches and serve immediately.

*broccoli puree: for 1/2 cup, take 1/2 bag of broccoli florets and steam. Place them in blender or food processor. May need to add a few Tbsp water to get creamy consistency.

Bon appetit!

Time flies!

As I lay on the couch on a chilly Saturday morning with Charlie sleeping in my arms, I can't believe Charlie is already 2 weeks old. Some days it seems like we just came home from the hospital and other days it seems he's been a part of our lives for years. Time is flying by and it's only been two weeks!

We are slowly settling in to our new routine here in the Schrall house. Charlie is shaping up to be more and more like his daddy - if he's hungry, don't stand in his way. He will be SURE to tell you he is ready to eat by chirping like a little bird. He also eats REALLY fast and over eats sometimes which is why he is spitting up more now. Does that sound like someone we know???? I may have my work cut out for me in teaching both Daddy and Charlie how to enjoy their food and not inhale it. :)

We went for our 2 week check up yesterday and he is perfectly healthy. He managed to gain almost a full pound in 2 weeks, which is great (told you he's not missing any meals!). He's officially above his birth weight now and seems to be right on track. Next visit, shots! :(

He still doesn't like to sleep in his crib or bassinet. Sometimes he will during the day if I can get him very tired and soundly asleep first. At night he seems to prefer the warm arms of mommy to the crib or bassinet. For survival sake, I have let him but know that we need to work on making the transition. I freely admit that I like holding him, which contributes to both of us sleeping on the couch alot. I know he won't want to be held forever and since I never got to really hold Jake, my first son, holding Charlie is very special to me. So for now, we make it work and we will make the transition eventually. Until then, I enjoy every moment I have him in my arms.

While I know parenting is super hard and has all kinds of unique challenges, I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Love you Charlie (and your cute daddy too!)

Grace

I seem to have one theme on my heart lately - one that just won't go away - I think about it anytime I get still. I think it's triggered by two major things going on right now: the race planning and the fast approaching birth of Charlie.

Last year, while we were planning the first Palmetto Half Marathon, I was in the midst of going through fertility treatments. Planning an inaugural race is stressful as it is but adding to it that you have such varying strong personalities and high hormones, it makes it that much harder. As I reflect back on it, I regret many of my attitudes and how I approached certain situations. I'm thankful that so many people offered me grace and chose to love me regardless of my behavior. I hope they realize how much that has meant to me.

Then I think about 8 years ago when Jake was born. It was such a tough time and such a long healing process. I remember wondering why God would take something away from me that I wanted so badly. Now, as I look back, I realize He had different plans for me and my life. Now, through His grace and His grace alone, He has given me a second chance...at marriage and at being a parent.

Grace is not easy to give. We often use it as something that should be earned and not free. But as I reflect back, I realize even more now how much grace God has given me over the years. If I could only learn to give it as freely as He does.

So the next time you get frustrated with someone - think of how much grace God has given you...and still does.

Nursery artwork

So as some of you may know, when I lived in Raleigh I used to paint children's furniture. Through word of mouth, I would do pieces for various people (but mostly for friends or as gifts). I was just starting to gain a little momentum and then life hit and I eventually moved away. It is still something I love to do but just haven't focused on it...until now when I needed my own!

Not long ago I was searching for artwork for the nursery and found some really cute pieces but they were SO expensive! I decided I could paint them just as well so I took a few snap shots for inspiration and went to town. Below are the results...what do you think?

And yes! I'm still painting so if you know of anyone who would like some custom artwork for themselves or as a gift, please let me know. Will ship (but not furniture)! The ones below are all on basic canvases and easy to hang with a ribbon (which I can attach) or by a nail in the back.