Back in the Kitchen!

If you saw my last post, you may have noticed the comment about my back hurting. Wow did that turn out to be an understatement! After a few days of battling a strained back muscle (and thanks to many friends and, most of all, my sweet husband), I made it back to work today and actually felt like cooking dinner afterwards! So now that I'm back, I thought I'd share the new recipe we tried this evening, and a few others that are on my list.

Because we weren't sure what I'd feel like after work, it was already determined that the crock pot would be doing the heavy lifting. I had been planning to try Black Bean Soup with Chipotle Chiles from Bon Appétit for a while, so I decided it was time. It takes a little prep work (the veggies need to be chopped and sautéed first to bring out their yumminess), but it is cheap and yummy! I made a few modifications to the recipe:

•  soaked the beans overnight (the recipe doesn't say to, but I did. Let me know if you try it without doing so)
• less bell pepper (I didn't have that much on hand)
• less onion (Have I mentioned my husband hates onion? I think I have found a solution, though. Cut the pieces huge [quarter the onion, toss the small inside pieces]; then you get all the flavor but can easily spot them and dispose of them before he finds out!)
• replaced some of the water with beef broth  (1 carton of beef broth = 4 cups + 3 cups water = 7 cups. Makes for a more robust taste)
• replaced yogurt with light sour cream and didn't bother with the tomatoes or cilantro (hubs isn't a fan of those, either...shame)

Anyway, give it a whirl.  I think you'll be pleased. And don't forget to wash your hands very well if you touch the chipotle peppers. I failed to do so this morning before putting my contacts in - ouch!

Here's a few more recipes on my must try list:

King Arthur Flour's Guaranteed Fudge Brownies

KAF's Honey Oat Bread

Simple Clam Chowder from Southern Living

More to come later, but that's all for now! Let me know if you try any of them, or if there are any recipes on your must try list.

UPDATE: My words last night on feeling better may have been a bit overstated based on how the night actually went. Apparently I'm still not "well," but I pray I continue to improve. Thanks for your prayers!

And We're Back!

Wow, been a while since my last post. No worries, everyone. We did not drown in the new tub! But we have been enjoying the new bathroom. It is truly like a little retreat in our own home.

Lots of things to report. Last weekend was our first anniversary!! We can hardly believe it had already been a year. We spent our anniversary relaxing. We said "no!" to the usual chores and granted ourselves permission to take it easy. Our day included sleeping in, lunch at Ocean Zen, an afternoon nap (ridiculous, I know), and at late night run through the McDonald's drive-thru for cheeseburgers, in memory of our visit there after the wedding. So fun! On top of that, Barron surprised me with planning a trip to St. Louis this summer to see Wicked! How thoughtful is he? I've been wanting to see it for a while and have heard great things about it, so we will go see it sometime when it is at the Fabulous Fox Theater.

The next big news is one of my best friends Courtney Goings finally had her baby! Callie Lelia Goings. How cute!! Can't wait to meet you sweet girl.

I think there's more, but it appears that I have pulled my right latissimus dorsus (lat muscle in back) so I'm not thinking very straight as it hurts to even breath. I'll be ok, but please pray if you think about it! Thank you. I'm thankful for Barron who really steps up to take care of me however he can.

Until next time!