Hearty Soup on a Cold Winters Night!

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Tortilla Soup

During such a cold winter, I though you might like one of our favorite recipes.  This soup is very filling and fantastic for leftovers.

You need one deli roasted chicken.  Debone and shred the meat.  Place the meat in a 3 to 4 quart pot.  Add one box of chicken stock.

To this mixture add:

1 medium chopped Onion

2 mashed Garlic Cloves

1 1/2 T Cumin

1 tsp Oregano

1 tsp Basil

2 T Chili Powder

1/2 tsp Black Pepper

1/2 tsp Red Pepper (This is optional if you don't like heat)

1 (6oz) can Tomato Paste

2 (10oz) cans Rotell ( Diced Tomatoes with green chilies)

Fill the pot with water and simmer for at least 1 hour. ( I like to let it cook for a couple of hours to enhance the flavor)

Garnish the soup with:

Tortilla Strips

(You can make fried Tortilla strips by cutting Corn Tortillas into strips and frying in oil or make it easy and by a bag of Corn Chips)

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Chopped Avocado

and  a dollop of Sour Cream

I also enjoy fresh lime juice for a little tangy flavor. 

We really enjoy making this meal when we have family and friends over to share with us.  It's a wonderful dish, full of flavor.  I hope you enjoy!

My very first post!

I had this grand idea of giving a mini home tour for my very first post, but... I am in the midst of packing my Christmas decorations until next year. So, instead I will add a few pictures of how it looks around our parts today. As the snow tickles our nose and the fire warms our toes. We had a White Christmas, YES! A White Christmas in Texas. Now, four days after Christmas, it is snowing again and wonderfully beautiful.

A peak at our pond through the snowflakes!

I just love the tree with all the red berries!

One of the best parts of where we live is all the birds. We see so many Cardinals. This little female looks so pretty among the snow.

A closer look at part of the Pond

A snowy day like today really makes me grateful to the Lord for the many blessing in our life. I just hope everyone is safe driving home from work!

So, my next goal will be a home tour of sorts. We have lived here for 5 years, but there are still so many projects I want to tackle. This is on top of a lack of inspiration for my bedroom and bathroom. But first, I will be decorating my son’s room, FINALLY, after two years I will have his room done. We have decided on trains, because he is simply obsessed with them. But, instead of cartoony trains, wall decor will be realistic. For the most part anyway his decorations will be realistic, but I am sure I can find some fun elements that he won't mind. He likes realistic more than cartoony.

I hope everyone enjoys their evening.  I am off to make some warm Tortilla Soup for our cold winter day!