Sunday, August 7, 2016

Delicious Easy and Affordable Chicken Tortilla Soup




A delicious meal that is a classic to see on a restaurant menu, especially at any chain.  I really love chicken tortilla soup.  But guess what,  I have never made chicken tortilla soup before this week.
I know, I know, I know.  Wait, what?  But it is so simple.  Well now I know.

I am back in the kitchen with a new lease on cullinary life.  I have been in a cooking and baking rut for such a long time.  I feel like when you are trying to eat healthy it is so easy to just cook chicken rice and vegetables and repeat over and over with some sandwiches in between as a guilty filler because I don't know about you but we like sammiches at my house.  Nay nay, we love them.  Simple ones and fancy ones.  It almost doesn't get better than that or pizza. And pizza is a no NO when trying to eat healthy. [Don't even get me started on cauliflower pizza (freaking disgusting)].

Well, I smashed my right thumb while camping a few weeks ago and that left me with a lot of time on my hands.  I will save that story for another day.  It is a truly riveting tale, I assure you.  But, I am oddly really greatful it happened because it pulled me out of the rut I had found  myself in.  

With so much time on my hands when Fiona and I went on our weekly trip to the library and I got some baking books and made angel food cake, foccaccia bread, krautburgers, and some other stuff that I have always wanted to try but just never did.  Then a few days ago I told Jason I felt like making Chicken Tortilla soup and he was ready for me to go to the store and get everything for it pretty much the minute later.

But I waited and made it yesterday. OmG. So good.


Also, LOOK at my new kitchen toy.  My very own enameled 6.5qt dutch oven. I love it.  And the color is beautiful.  We got it at Sam's Club and I love it love it LOVE it.  This also inspired the meal.  My first meal cooked in it.  Pretty much my newest baby.


When I go and search a recipe and it has over a thousand good reviews from people on allrecipes.com I pretty much stop and say ok this is the one.  It never fails.  Trust the allrecipes.com gods for they are good.  They really do love us.


If you love the classic chicken tortilla soup. Stop. Click this link for the recipe and try it yourself.  It is almost fool proof, easy on the pocket, and has a lot of good stuff in it for you.  The other great things is that even if it is hot as hell outside, you can still eat chicken tortilla soup.  It's not like a chowder where you look sideways at it and think, it should be colder outside. I find it refreshing.


I will say this disclaimer though.  The recipe has corn and hominy in it.  I bought and opened a can of hominy and decided against using it.  So I followed the recipe exactly besides these changes:
I omitted the corn and hominy.  I added three fresh roma tomatoes diced large and added to the onions and garlic  before continuing onto the next step.  I also used PepperJack Cheese instead of Monterey Jack Cheese because that is what we had and Jason grilled flour tortillas.


I would say this recipe made me and Jason about 8 servings.  I had a bowl and Jason had two bowls and that left us with 2 32oz Ball Jars of soup.  I am not even going to freeze one.  I am pretty sure this will be gone in the next 2 days!

Cheers!



Monday, August 1, 2016

Pokemon Inspired Pikachu and Pokeball Set

"Gotta Catch 'em ALL!"

About 2 months ago I made Fiona a Pikachu and Pokeball.  Since then, Pokemon's place in the spotlight has been moved back to front and center.  It is incredibly popular.  So, I figured, I would list the items available to be made in my Etsy Shop.  I have about a 10 business day turn around time for the entire set for only $40.00.

I don't know about you, but I have already started Christmas shopping.  If you know of anyone who might be interested in a gift like this, or maybe for even yourself, NOW is the time to shop before my made to order list is closed for Christmas.

Head on over to my Etsy shop and place your order now!

Also, I am always open to custom orders so never hesitate to message me or email me with your ideas and see whar we can work out.

Cheers!


Thursday, January 21, 2016

Made the Flowers Podcast: Episode 1 Show Notes


Made the Flowers Podcast: Episode 1 SHOW NOTES


Thank you for watching my very first podcast!  I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to upload it, but I did and now we are here!  I love it when I can follow a podcast I watch to their Shownotes with quicklinks to some of the information they shared on their podcast.  Sometimes I am too busy crocheting or knitting to stop and write down some of the things I see and hear!

Here are a few of the things I mentioned during Episode 1. 
If there is something that I mentioned that I have not noted here, or, have any questions for me, please, feel more than welcome to message on Ravelry or Instagram or email me at madetheflowers@gmail.com.


Knit Beanie in Maroon Yarn
Heartland by Lion Brand
189 Isle Royale

Knit Beanie in Dark Green
Heartland by Lion Brand
180 Kings Canyon

The Quick Stocking Hat by Hill Vintage and Knits

in combination with

Bankhead by Susie Gourlay


The shop I mentioned I visited in Fort Collins, CO is The Loopy Ewe


Crochet Blanket Pattern


Here is a link to purchase my Fisherman's Wool Beanie through my etsy shop
www.madetheflowers.etsy.com

Lastly,
here are some pictures of the presents I made during December:




Cheers!

I AM ON YOUTUBE!

Hello, hello, hello!

As you can probably tell from the title of this post...


I have a YouTube Channel:



This is so exciting!

I am stepping into the knitting, crochet, crafty, discussion podcasting world.  And it is fun!  I haven't a real clue as to what I am doing...but I have an iPhone and it uploads to YouTube...and after about 10 hours I got my first video uploaded!  So, that is a start!

If you have never heard of crafting video podcasts, don't worry.  I hadn't either until the end of December 2015 either!!!  But, I am so glad I found them!  I wanted to include myself in there too because it is fun to talk about some of the things I enjoy doing most outloud, if even to my little iPhone.

Cheers!