Favorite Things: Book Club

So I have been slacking in the posting department. Things have been crazy busy around these parts. I've been going through pictures and last month my Book Club took a trip to Vegas, and I was going to post those today...but then realized I haven't posted pictures from our December meeting. (Yeah like I said I'm a little behind.)

For our December Book Club we decided to have a favorite things party in lieu of exchanging gifts for Christmas. It was so much fun. We each brought enough gifts for everyone and I think it's safe to say that we all went home very happy ladies. ( Oh yeah and our book for the month was The Great Gatsby. We really do read and talk about the book---even if it's only for 5 minutes)

My awesome friend Meagan hosted and it was perfect. Her house is always decorated crazy cute for Christmas. She is such a good hostess!

This picture makes me want hot chocolate so bad right now!

Meagan and I

Me and Jenn

Table of goodies. 

 

 

Because there were 10 of us there and we wanted to give to everyone we set the limit a little lower to $5 for each gift. Here's what we all brought:

Me: Handmade bracelets out of washers and leather (instructions found here) and a shopping list pad.
Meagan: Chevron socks and glitter nail polish
Brittney: Handmade scarves and homemade yarn bookmarks.
Nichole: Personally designed prints and earrings
Jeanette: Adorable snowflake mugs
Jenn: Candy Cane Kisses and handmade Christmas Tree Ornaments
Cheryl: Brookside Dark Chocolate Goji Raspberry
Dari: Mexican Vanilla, Nail polish and Crystal Light
Whitney: Bath & Body Works Candy Cane Soap, Crystal Light & Sugar Free Candy
Alicia: Homemade vanilla and recipes.

Jenn, Cheryl, Meagan, Britney and I

Alicia, Dari, Nichole, Jeanette and Whitney

It really was a splendid night. I certainly love these ladies. Thanks for hosting Meg! And sorry it took me so long to post these pictures...

Have you had a favorite things party? I'm kinda obsessed with them. 

What's for dinner?

I don't know how the weather is where you are but here it's cold and the snow won't stop falling. On days like this I don't want to leave the house. I want to curl up on the couch and watch my shows and do nothing else. I especially don't want to spend a bunch of time cooking. (Unless it's baking. I always love baking.)
One thing I love on days like today is my Crock Pot.

Yesterday was one of those days and so after I fed the kiddos breakfast I threw together some Southwestern Chicken Chili. This is a favorite around here, especially during fall & winter.

Warning: It is really simple. And it is really delicious!

Ingredients:
2 (12.5 oz) cans of Chicken. I like Costco's Kirkland Signature myself, but any will do
2 cans of petite cut tomatoes
1 can of corn (I was out yesterday so I replaced with 1-2 cups of frozen corn)
1 can of Pinto Beans drained and rinsed
1 can of Black Beans drained and rinsed
1 can of Green Chilies
1-2 cups of your favorite Salsa depending on taste
1/2 - 1 packet of Taco Seasoning depending on taste (I was out of this yesterday and it still tasted amazing without it)
1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dip mix
1/2 of one Onion chopped optional
Sour cream, shredded cheese and tortilla chips to garnish

Note: My husband hates chunks of tomatoes so I use my immersion blender to blend them up a bit. them before adding them to the Chili. 

Add all the canned ingredients to your Crock Pot. 

Add dry ingredients and chopped onion and give it a stir.

Cook on low for 4-7 hours. Or on high for 2-4 hours. 

To really do Chili right you have to have corn bread. I always make some (quick and easy just add water Marie Calendars corn bread muffins when making this. 

To serve I place the muffin in the bowl and break it up a bit. 

Top with Chili, and a touch of shredded cheese & sour cream. Tortilla strips are super yummy too. 

Sit down and enjoy. (Yes that is a TV tray. The hubs worked till midnight last night so I ate on the couch, while watching my shows)

Best thing about this? The kids love it as much as me. And I figured all the calories out and its only 204 calories a bowl! Score! (not including the corn bread. That sucker is an additional 150)

What's you favorite go to recipe for these snowy days?

Family Pictures

A few months ago my friend {and amazing photographer} Sarah did a giveaway for a photo shoot on FB. And I WON! I seriously never win anything so I was super stoked! Especially to win such an amazing prize. So in November I cashed my prize in and in return got some incredible photos. 

{Caution: picture overload!}

Sarah is just so talented it's hard to NOT post all of them. But I narrowed it down to the few MANY I LOVE!

All photos are property of Sarah Knight Photography.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you Sarah! 

If you are looking for a photographer please check her out! She is so fun, amazingly talented and she is great with the kids. {Seriously. She has a treasure chest full of toys for the kids!}

I heart you Sarah. Your mad photo skillz are just one of the MANY reasons I love you!