Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Tortilla Soup


  I've had some requests for my Tortilla Soup recipe, so here it is!  I did not actually use tortillas for this because I'm trying to be good, I also left out the cheese.  Sad but true.  But it's still really delicious and you can kind of put anything you want into it, for instance my recipe does not call for green peppers but I added them because I have them.  Also, I did not cook the chicken, I just bought an already cooked chicken from the deli and shredded it.  Easy.

  No one in my family will eat this so I really have no idea how many people it will feed, but I usually have enough to eat off of for days and some to freeze.  Should feed a family of 4 pretty easy.  You could always add more chicken stock if you like it less chunky.  Enjoy!




1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 white onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. cumin powder
1- 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup chicken stock
1- 10 oz. can Rotel original
1- small can corn kernels
1- 15 oz. can black beans
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
shredded chicken
salt & pepper, to taste

garnish:
shredded taco cheese
avocado slices
green onion
crushed tortilla chips or
if you really want to do it up, deep fried flour shells!

Happy Eating!!!

~  Kim :)

Friday, September 21, 2012

Inspiration Friday No.25~ Fall Wreaths


It's that time to break out the fall wreaths or design a whole new one!


It looks like an argyle sweater.
How cute!!




Monogrammed.




 Yarn and felt flowers make this one colorful and fun.














 Festive!



And it's a good thing I have some crafty friends since I've totally lost my design mojo.
Below is my friend Ryan's wreath that he made.
All supplies were bought from Micheal's craft store at 50% off.



My friend Kim made this adorable one.
The wreath and "Spooky" sign are from A.C. Moore craft store, 
she spray painted the wreath black.  The spider web and
spider are from The Dollar Store.  She said it took her 
5 minutes to do.  
Cute, cheap, and fast!!!



All of these wreaths are so easy to D.I.Y.
Happy Decorating!!


All the above not labeled are from my Pinterest page, you can find here:  http://pinterest.com/MakeupbyKimP/holiday-decorating/.

~  Kim :)

Friday, September 14, 2012

Inspiration Friday No.24~ if money was no object...


  I keep meaning to do an inspiration board.  I have ideas in my head of the things that I love or that I would love to have, but I haven't gotten around to doing it.  I like the S.U.V. that I drive (although the kids are trashing it!), I really like our house, I like our yard but it would be better if we had a pool.  But what if there were no limitations, what if I could have any car that I wanted...what would I buy?
  I never really allow myself to go there because I am not a big dreamer.  I do not play the lottery often, I do not sign up for contests hoping to win it big.  I am happy and content with where my family is, but it is fun to think of the BIGGER, "What if...?" things.  So I am dedicating today's Inspiration Friday post on the "What ifs...?" and letting my mind and my {imaginary} wallet run free.


The first time I saw this Mercedes, my jaw dropped.  I couldn't decide if it was really ugly or just really cool.  It was all silver and shiny, it was like a little shiny box.  I said that day, that if I ever won the lottery, I'm buying that!




I would buy my own personal resort.  
Where there would be spa days all the time!!





But since I love my hometown of Virginia Beach, VA I thought I would look to see 
what I could find closer to home.  I looove this!!!
It's selling for only $3.9 million.



If you have a cool $6 million you could buy this.
It has it's own peninsula.



 Of course where I would live, it would have to have a 
fantastic pool and outdoor area to entertain.

Coastal Living
2012 Ultimate Beach House
Rosemary Beach, Florida



Drink please!
Would you ever need to go inside for ANYTHING?!!





I still think I would still stick to my casual coastal style.
I think those lights are fantastic!






I am so attracted to greenery, I would love to have lush plants and lots of palm trees everywhere,
so I could pretend there were no neighbors.

Coastal Living 



If money was no object I would definitely be closer to the beach.
Like this close would be good...




I would love to spend more time in the Florida Keys.  
These pictures I took while on vacation with my family.
The sunset in Key West.



Of course I could think of a million things, like a walk in closet, a soaking tub, a theatre room...
Aaaahhh, it's fun to wish.  

I hope everyone enjoys my "If only...?" inspiration board for this Inspiration Friday.  
Have a great weekend!!

~  Kim :)

Friday, September 7, 2012

Inspiration Friday No.23~ Fall


  So now that school has started I hope to start doing "Inspiration Fridays" again.  I can't believe how two little children can make writing a blog post so impossible.  So here I sit, it's quiet, I can concentrate and more importantly, I can take the time to look at Pinterest.  Something I haven't done in months!!!
  It still warm here, almost muggy.  I'm still happily wearing my shorts and flipflops but the other night I got the urge to make chili.  Thoughts of pumpkins keeping running through me head and I need to remove the dead summer plants out of the pots and put some colorful mums in.
  I'm a summer girl at heart, there is nothing I love more than my toes in the sand, but there is something about this time of year.  When I was younger the time from school to Christmas seemed like an eternity, now I know how fast it goes by.  I've been thinking about Christmas shopping since August and I have always been a 'Black Friday kicks off my shopping kinda girl'.  I'm not totally ready to put up the Summer decor, but I'm getting there!

Here are some pictures of Fall things to get us started...

Top Left:  Martha Stewart, of course.  
Top Right:  I totally made this for Halloween last year and everyone loved it!!!
Bottom Left:  Pecan pie is a must for me on Thanksgiving.  Store bought of course, because no one can make it like my Great Grandmother did.



I mean, how cute is he?!!!  So easy to do.



 Sweaters and boots. Love.







 Fire + Wine =  Awesome













You can see all of this pics and find the sources here:

Thanks for stickin' around while I took my summer hiatus!!!

~  Kim :)