Waiting...

The last few days I have been patiently waiting for this wee one to make it's debut. After being sent to the hospital to stop contractions at 32 weeks I can't believe I'm only 5 days away from my due date. The Lord has answered our prayers in so many ways.

Here is a peek of the wee one's room. It will be in our bedroom the first little while since we have no other bedrooms downstairs. And for some reason it didn't seem right putting he or she in the kitchen or living room.

 The cradle is the one Joshua slept in as a baby.

The quilt is from Joshua's mom, a heirloom indeed.

The prints are from a second hand store and still
remain frameless for some odd reason. I only think of
it when I walk past them, oh well, tape works too.

 Songs that have been running through my mind.

God's way is best for me...

While I'm waiting, I will worship...


Resting in Him,

Hope

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This morning we woke up to a thick blanket of snow on the ground. Josh decided to stay home from work, so we both worked on remodeling our kitchen.

I wanted to make soup for dinner and decided on chicken tortilla soup. So I meshed a few recipes together and came up with this.

Chop veggies | Fry chicken and shred | Saute veggies | Fry tortillas | Eat!

Comforting and refreshing at the same time.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

4 chicken thighs

 1 Tbsp. butter or oil

garlic powder

cumin

chili powder

 salt and pepper

1/2 onion, chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced

1 large garlic clove, minced

4 cups chicken stock

1- 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 - 15 oz. can of black beans, rinsed and drained
3 Tbsp. tomato paste

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. chili powder

5 corn tortillas, cut in strips

oil

Melt butter in soup pot, add chicken and sprinkle first side with

garlic powder, cumin and chili powder. Flip when golden brown

and sprinkle the next side with salt and pepper. 

Once done, shred chicken with two forks. 

Add onion, jalapeno pepper and garlic; saute until soft.

Add chicken stock, tomatoes, beans, tomato paste, salt and chili powder.

Simmer for 10-15 minutes so seasonings can set.

While soup is simmering, heat a thin layer of oil in a skillet.

Add tortilla strips and fry until crispy.

Let drain on a paper towel.

Toppings

Sour cream

Shredded cheese

Avocado, tossed in lemon juice with a little chopped red onion

Cilantro

 Tortilla strips

Serve hot with toppings of your choice.

Enjoy!

Hope

A Spring Terrarium

I have always been intrigued with terrariums. As a child I loved the little, mossy gardens with animals nestled around. I decided to make a spring one today with some daffodils that sprouted in my flower bed.

 I just put some rocks in the bottom,

 then a layer of sandy soil (for good drainage), 

planted my daffodils, and topped off with moss.

 

 The mushroom was purchased from Walmart in the gardening section.

They sell all kinds of cute, flower pot figurines-

snails, turtles, mushrooms and rabbits.

 

Happy Spring!

Hope

Perfect Roast Chicken

Now that I have a partly functional kitchen I am starting to cook again. This evening I roasted a chicken using Ina Garten's recipe and loved the result.

 So simple and so good.

Plate and drizzle with broth. Delightful indeed.

Go here for the recipe!

(I used celery instead of fennel and dried thyme instead of fresh)

Happy day!

Hope

Where I've been...

Hello, and yes I am still alive and no I haven't had my baby yet. Between remodeling, three weeks of bed rest and no computer I haven't been able to blog. We are quickly trying to get our kitchen done before the little one arrives. It will be close, but at least the worst part of it is done.

Here is a sampling of our newly decorated house...

 We are going for more of the abstract look with our island:)

I have never missed a kitchen sink so badly.

Our baby room/bedroom.

This little angel fluttered in from Indiana.

She helped me almost everyday when I was on bed rest

and helped clean up remodeling dust numerous times.

I'm sure she will be delighted with this photo of her but it's the only

one I have. By the way, this was our kitchen in the bathroom.

Oh, how much I have learned the last month. To just let things go and sit in a chair with my feet up was stretching for me. I did it and learned so much in return. I am overwhelmed by the support from family and friends, and the ones who brought meals and helped us remodel.

I now have a stove and sink back with bottom cabinets. Whoop, whoop. I can cook again! Cooking is therapy for me and oh, did I miss it.

I am due March 27 and the doctors are sure I will deliver early. 

I guess we will see!

Hope