The Holidays are Here!

The holiday season is finally here. At the Obi house, we kicked Thanksgiving off with four out of five kiddos home with their families.

We had SO much food. And yes, those are paper plates. They make cleanup so much easier.

This was the first time since last Christmas I got to see our two youngest grandchildren together.

And these two little mischief makers...

Had quite a time.

Going so far as to commandeer their uncles' laser tag game.

It's always a treat when our kids bring us flowers. But these apple roses my youngest son made were an even bigger hit. Aren't they pretty?

Then Friday rolled around and everyone went home, leaving Grammy with a big box of tissues. Not because they were gone, but because she woke up with a cold. Fortunately, there was plenty of leftover turkey to make some turkey noodle soup.

Actually, it was a turkey and chicken noodle soup since I had some leftover chicken breast in the refrigerator, too. I used my favorite recipe (you can find that here), except instead of starting with raw chicken/turkey, I simply chopped up the cooked meat and added it to the sauted onions and garlic, then continued with the rest of the recipe as usual. It was exactly what I needed to clear out my sinuses and set myself on the path to feeling better. Because it's time to get ready for Christmas! 

So how was your Thanksgiving? And what are you up to now?

Three time Carol Award finalist Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she's not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more a mindyobenhaus.com.

Chicken Soup, the Cure for the Winter Blahs

Are you snowed under, iced under, or simply dealing gray skies? Have you got the sniffles, a nasty cold or the flu? Then have I got the recipe for you.

This chicken soup recipe came from my SIL. It's fairly easy and the actual cooking time isn't long. However, there is some prep work, so plan on about an hour and half  from the time you start chopping until the time you're sitting down to eat.

Here's what you'll need:

• 4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• 5-6 large cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 lb. carrots, peeled and sliced
• 4-5 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 quarts chicken broth
• 1 quart vegetable broth (or use 3 chicken)
• 2-3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1-2 dashes red pepper flakes
• l large bay leaf (optional)
• 3-4 cubes (or equivalent) chicken bouillon
• 1 package Kluski or Bohemian noodles

I like to chop and gather everything for this dish before I actually start cooking.

Once that's done, place a large Dutch oven over high heat and add your olive oil. 

When the oil is heated, add the chicken, onions and garlic.

Cook until the meat is browned.

Okay, so it doesn't exactly brown because there's a lot of moisture in there from the onions. The main thing is that you don't want to see any pink meat.

Next, add your carrots, celery, broth and all of your seasonings.

Stir and bring to a low boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30-45 minutes or until veggies are tender.

Boy, oh boy, does the house smell yummy. Talk about whetting your appetite.

Add noodles and simmer for an additional 20-30 minutes.

This is one lean meal with loads of flavor. It'll also warm you up and help clear those sinuses. But what a delicious way to do it.

Here on the coastal plains of Texas, we've been dreary all week. Cool, drizzly--or as my husband says, cold and wet. But while the skies may be gray, it sure makes for some good writing weather. Not to mention great soup weather.

What are some of you favorite meals on a cool, dreary day? Are you a soup/stew person like me or do you prefer a warm, hearty casserole? What's going on in your neck of the woods?

Three-time Carol Award finalist, Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com 

Easy Southwest Chicken Soup

It's cold outside, so you want a meal that'll warm you from the inside out, but you don't want something heavy. Yet you're crazy busy, deadlines are about to strangle you. You have no time to prepare a meal. Mindy here to tell you, "Yes, you do."

Wouldn't this hit the spot on a cold winter's day? And wouldn't it be great if there was enough to feed a family of four and still leave you some for lunch the next day? Then this is the recipe for you.

Here's what you'll need:

• 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I used 3 this time)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 - 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 
• 1 - 28 oz can diced tomatoes (I used the petite diced)
• 1 - 10 oz can Ro-tel diced tomatoes with green chilies (they have original, mild and spicier varieties; I use original, but it you want the flavor but not the spice, use the mild)
• 3 cups chicken broth (I prefer the low-sodium variety)
• 1 - 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1-2 cups frozen corn

Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a CrockPot or slow cooker.

Sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.

Add tomatoes, Ro-tel, chicken broth, black beans tomato paste, onion and bell pepper.

Stir, trying not to disturb the chicken.

Cover and cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8 hours.

See, I told you it was easy. Now you have the rest of the day to knockout your to-do list.
Approximately and hour to an hour and a half before cooking is done, stir in the frozen corn.

You could add it at the beginning, if you prefer, but I like a little crunch to my corn.

When cooking time is up, remove chicken breasts and shred the meat.

Return meat to slow cooker, stir and serve.

I like to top mine with a little avocado, shredded cheese and some cilantro for a pop of color.

That's it. Tons of flavor, healthy... And you didn't spend all day slaving over it. I love when I can put something on to cook in the morning and then emerge from my writing cave late in the day to discover that dinner is ready and waiting. Oh, and I usually don't have to worry about lunch the next day, but that would depend on how many you're feeding the first time around.

Okay, so today I'm dealing with computer issues. Not the computer, per se, but my business email account. And let me tell you, nothing can suck the life out of this technologically-challenged blond faster than tech problems. Oy! You know, out of five kiddos, you would have thought that one of them would have gone into computers so they could be there mother's personal computer guru, but no. They chose things like teaching, engineering, welding and admin. Ungrateful brats. 

Which means I'm going to turn the reins over to you all before I blow a gasket. Do you have a favorite CrockPot meal? How are you at technical issues? Do they drive you as batty as they do me?

Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com