Recipe a Week: Chicken Taco Soup

In attempt to start making some new yummy dishes and 

to cook more at home. 

I have decided I am going to start sharing a Recipe a Week

that I have made. I do not claim all of these as mine.

Some will be recipes I have found, some will be family recipes and

some will be stuff I have thrown together on my own.

With the cooling weather. It is looking a lot like Fall in our

neck of the woods and I Love It.

This time of year I crave yummy soups that cook all day and 

leave you house smelling wonderful long after you have eaten dinner.

Last week I went on the search for a yummy alternative to chili. (Which I am obsessed with!)

And with much luck from one of my favorite websites I found one.

Chicken Taco Soup

With some modifications I followed the recipe as it called and 

it was a huge hit! Even my very picky 15 month old son was a huge fan. 

I will share the recipe like the sight calls for it and how I made it 

and you can make whatever it is that tickles your fancy. =)

Here is What you need:

1 Onion, Chopped
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
2 (10 ounce) cans diced 
tomatoes with green chilies,undrained
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
3 Whole Skinless, boneless chicken breast
shredded cheese (optional)
sour cream (optional)
crushed tortilla chips (optional)

Directions: 

Place the onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, 
tomato sauce, beer, and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker.
 Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend. 
Lay chicken breasts on top of the mixture,
 pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. 
Set slow cooker for low heat, cover, and cook for 5 hours.

Remove chicken breasts from the soup,

 and allow to cool long enough to be handled. 

Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, 

and continue cooking for 2 hours. 

Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese,

 a dollop of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips, if desired.

I did everything that the above recipe calls for but I also doubled it.

Used Chicken Stock instead of beer because I didn't have any.

Plus I added 2 tablespoons of Chili Powder.

I will be making this again because it was super easy and so good!

You really can make it to your liking too. 

Add more Spice, Veggies, or just sticking with the recipe is 

AWESOME! 

You can check this great recipe and many other great ones here.

Now go dust your crock pots off and try this recipe and tell me what you think.

Happy Eating,

Ashley 

Really? Already?!?!

Let me paint you a pretty picture.

My son just turned 15 months old. Literally this last week.

He is ALL boy. 

Very adventurous and constantly testing his limits and boundaries.

his mischievous face. ;)

The last say month or so. We kiss him and lay him in his bed awake at 

night. He snuggles up to his doggie and blankie and just goes to sleep.

No fussing. Just lays down and minutes later he is out.

He sleeps from 8:30 or so at night to 7:30 and sometimes 8:00!

When he wakes in the morning I will hear him on the monitor start to talk

and babble. Within about 5 minutes I go to get him and he is normally 

still laying down playing with his doggie jabbering up a storm.

This cool beautiful October morning was different though.

I heard him wake and start stirring/talking as normal.

Not even two minutes had went by and

 no sooner than I roll over to get out of bed.

He comes barreling through my bedroom door with a big cheesy grin

and  hollered "HAY MOMMA!" 

As if he was saying look what I did. =)

I of course take flight trying to get to him and make sure he is okay.

Which he was but now I am a nervous wreck.

His crib rails are very high and I am terrified

 he is going to get hurt trying to do this again.

Then I am super sad! When did my baby grow up?

When did he become this toddler who is no longer just my baby boy?!

How does this happen so fast.

Now I am in crazy Momma mode trying to price and find him a new 

BIG BOY BED. 

I'm not ready for this. 

Don't guess I have a choice though. 

I just have to remind myself to accept what comes 

and embrace every moment.

I am proud of my big boy and happy he is growing up and learning all these new things.

I just wish I could freeze time and enjoy it all in slower motion.

Now excuse me why I cry again for the 100th time in two days.

With a Heavy Heart,

Ashley 

Instagram Fall Style

 I would be lying if I said I wasn't super excited to be back with 

you guys in the blogging world. 

I missed you guys like my hubby misses our sex life prior to having a toddler! ;) 

Of Course I am beyond ecstatic to be doing this fun link-up with

 Jane for InstaTuesday....

It probably comes as no surprise that my Instagram was needing some 

love after my time out. But I have been a Instagram-ing fool the pass few days.

If you don't already you can follow me on Instagram @anmcgowan.

Without further delay.

 Top to bottom. Left to right. 

Halloween decorations.

Picking Pumpkins at the Pumpkin farm.

Yummy Chicken Taco Soup on cool nights.

Cuddling with my sweet boy.

My new hair cut and fall color.

All American Dinner. =)

Now my loves I want to see your Instagram collection.

Get your pictures together and head over to Taingamala and link-up.

Smile on Lovelies,

Ashley 

A few of my favorite things.

Even though I have a ton around my house I want to do, add to, change.

I definitely have somethings that I love.

Special collections, little nooks, treasures I have found.

SO Guess What?! Yes, you got it right and you are super lucky!

I am going to share some of those things with you. 

We live in a home that was built in 1915, by my family.

It is a cute little house with lots of character and charm.

With that comes a price. We have NO storage.

Seriously I have a small closet in my bedroom

 and a small under the stairs closet 

in the bathroom. 

I feel that we are always fighting a constant struggle to 

find space. organize. de-clutter. rearrange.

I love it though. It helps me reevaluate what we have

to what we need. Keeps me on my toes if you will.

My new lamp with mustard shade!
Love the contrast with my burnt orange walls.

my little office space in my dining room.
Pictures I have taken or that were drawn/taken by friends.
love the different items that just come together. 

some of my favorite thrift finds and family photos

hooks i have collected from places I have been.
some are also wonderful gifts!

my Fire King collection and some fun painted wine glasses

There you have it friends. Some of my favorite things.

I find things I love and mix and match things.

To me it gives you a warm, comfy, home-y feeling.

Looking around my house at these things that I have 

found at different stages in my life.

Or all the different places I have traveled.

Reminds me of who I am and the amazing journey

I have taken to get here. 

I look forward to many more finds and things I hope to one day 

be able to hand down to my children and their children. =)

The thought truly warms my heart!

Shine on Lovelies,

Ashley 

Hello Loves!

I know you probably have a ton of questions for me?! =)

Where have I been?

What has been going on?

Why no blogging in over a month?

I mean seriously. I just didn't want to!

I have missed you guys and think about blogging often.

The desire to do it though just hasn't been there.

No real reason for it other than I have been busy.

You know living life, enjoying my son, going to bed early.

It has been nice and just the break I needed.

The last month really has been nice.

Lots of family time. Decorating. Cooking foods that you crave during the fall.

Turning another a year older! Sigh =/

The weather has been perfect. It really is my favorite time of the year.

Don't worry I have tons more pictures to share!

With My break I have also been thinking about where I want to take this little blog.

Be looking for new stuff and a new chapter in my blog life.

What would you like to see more of? What questions do you have for me?

What is your favorite thing about this little blog of mine?!?!

Please share with me your thoughts and ideas. 

After all that is why I wanted to start this blog and I love meeting new people

and getting new ideas. It helps me grow and learn new stuff.

Plus keeps me from getting bored and I am sure my hubby would love you for that.

Smile big loves

and I can't wait to hear from you!

Ashley