seriously??!! already?!!!! okay i'm excited anyway!

its beginning to look alot like well you know, christmas these days in places like hobby lobby, target, walmart & on my cd player. in fact some people are already putting up christmas lights and trees. i must admit we have a few things out, but i'm still holding out on buying the tree, even though i super love the smells of christmas like pine trees & apple cinnamony things.

but it really is hard to believe that thanksgiving is next week. and then black friday. then december. then christmas. then new years. then omg, benjamin will be here.  i feel like time has flown by, which seems to be much quicker the older we get. still trying to figure that one out. 

we still have lots on our to-do list in preparation for benjamin, but i must say i've been quickly piling things onto my "holiday" things i gotta do list since this is like our first christmas in our home & last christmas as just me and husband.

so far my list:

 - ICE! like for serious man. its merry madagascar this year. and if you have seen any of them, you understand.

- decorating our yard. i've already picked out several things i want. now we just need to buy them. yay for being like a griswald.

- christmas light looking accompanied by hot cocoa and treats.  one of my favorites. and oddly, husband and i never have done this.  this year we must!

- real christmas tree! egads!

- stockings from the mantle. never had a mantle in the apartment. so its exciting to have real mantle hanging stockings for santa to fill.

- christmas movie watching night/day marathon.

- our second annual christmas shindig. last year's was mexican. this year italian! bring on the carbs and cannolis.

- christmas music, christmas music, christmas music!

- ugly christmas sweaters.

- personalized butcher paper wrapping complete with bows.

- homemade ornaments

whats on your must do christmas list for 2012??



a recipe: cheesy chicken enchilada soup

okay y'all..

*in my best paula deen voice*

now that its getting chilly in some parts and already cold in others (please send some snow or real cold), its the perfect time for soups and warm yummy things. last week during soup week one of the girls brought one of the simplest and yummiest soups ever!

 its so easy that anyone can do it. seriously!

cheesy chicken enchilada soup

2 cans drained chicken breast, 13 oz

1 can enchilada sauce, 15 oz

1 can evaporated milk, 12 oz

1 can pinto beans, 15 oz

1 can cream of chicken soup, 10.5 oz

1 can nacho cheese soup, 10.5 oz

1/2 cup chopped green pepper (optional)

1/2 cup chopped red pepper (optional)

1. combine all ingredients into a large sauce pan

2. heat on medium until soup is hot, stirring occasionally

3. serve with torilla chips, fritos, etc.

**our soup didnt have the chopped peppers and it was just as fantastic.**

That's it!

Told ya it was easy. 

 I guarantee you that you won't have any leftovers. & if you do, they won't last long.

In fact with all this yummy talk, I think I'm putting it down for either lunch or dinner Sunday during the football game.

Enjoy!

how this stella got her groove back

over the last six months, thank you pregnancy, i have had NO desire what so ever to cook or bake. well other than basic nutritional needs. and that my friends has been pretty basic.

until this past weekend.  its soup week at work this week.  we are constantly finding reasons to bring ridiculous amounts of food and gorge ourselves until we are plump & sleepy.

i signed up for chili.  while i'm sworn to semi-secrecy over this said recipe, i have a recipe for super delish cheesy chicken enchilada soup that i will share later this week.

& because of said soup week, i have gained my desire to bake and make yummy things again. THANK YOU LORD!

tonights plan - cookies. with m&ms!

oh those cupcakes up there, thats from a few valentines ago, but they look mighty yummy right about now..

today's post sponsored by the makers of top ramen and hot dogs

or if its one of your better days, a red velvet bundtini from one of the bestest places on earth.

*caution: this post is to neither gain or lose followers, supporters, friends or anything there like. this is just a rant from the bethani broadcasting system*

maybe its me finally being an adult and having to help support a family &/or myself. or maybe its the fact that i've finally gotten my "voice." but seriously this place we call america is getting to be too much.  putting forty hours into a work week seems to be not enough anymore. its like we all need two jobs to make us feel like we are earning something.

its that time. its insurance enrollment time. and its come to my attention that every year its getting worse and worse.  prior to this enrollment period, i was either oblivious, naive or just playing ignorant, but things didnt seem so bad. now they just flat out piss me off.

its one of those worlds where you can't go without insurance. well apparently you can and get it for "free" from hardworking individuals like myself, but i have more respect for myself and others than that. dont get me wrong and start your slanderous comments already.. hear me out.. there are individuals out there who need the help. and i for one don't mind it at all.. never have.. i donate regularly.. i've purchased foods for the needy.  i give spare bills and change to the "santas" that stand outside hobby lobby and walmart at christmas.. i'm not a selfish person..i promise..

but i just can't wrap my head around the other people. that group that makes the really needy folks lose out on what all our systems were set up for.. those on government assistance driving nicer cars than i do, who i watch buy lottery tickets and beer, but everything else on their food stamps and wic cards. those fully capable who can work & just dont want to.

i've had to take a really deep breath today making those insurance selections. the prices are insane and generally unfair, but its a necessity, whether i like it or not. 

naptime on sundays



via

ten things that are making me terribly happy these days

1. peppermint mocha creamer is back for happy teas and coffees

2. cool breezes & sunny skies

3. despite the tragedy, Big Tex will be back next year

4. presidential debates are finally over

5. baby kicks

6. seeing holiday baking display shelves in grocery stores

7. kids and babies in halloween costumes

8. watching christmas movies in october

9. naptime on sundays with husband, roxie and benjamin

10. the cardinals didnt make the world series

got a list of things that make you terribly happy?

send them to me & get featured on the blog.

cheersbethani {at} live {dot} com