Recipes: Times Two

I miss the blogging world. I feel like I rarely get to visit much these days. Which makes me sad. I look forward to being a part of it, and sharing in it, and reading. Life has been hectic and busy, to say the least. But I finally have a night of nothing to do. I can hardly believe that as I write it. But it's true, and here I am, actually sitting down at my computer, writing.
Fall is upon us in the Midwest. And as I've stated before, it's my favorite time of year. And one of my favorite things to do in the fall is visit the apple orchard...which we did! We spent a wonderful afternoon there. And Nick proved that he is the king of picking apples. What kind of a husband would willingly and voluntarily climb to the top of the apple trees to get his wife the biggest fattest apples? The devoted loving kind of husband, that's who :) Ahhh...just one more reason in the un-ending list of reasons why he's my McDreamy.
Anyway...from my peck of apples, I decided to first make an apple crisp.


And to go along with the "fallishness" of the dish, I decided to make Chicken Wild Rice soup.

Jessica and Dave brought over delicious Cheese Muffins (yum!)

and we had the first Autumn meal of the year. And it was quite tasty.

Seeing as it was my first attempt at homemade Chicken Wild Rice soup, I thought I would share it with you. It is creamy and full flavored, and soul soothing.

(Click on image to enlarge recipe)

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I'm Swiss. Something I haven't shared before, but definitely not something I'm reluctant to share. My grandpa and grandma were both born in Switzerland. They moved to America, met, fell in love, and had eight children. Yes, you read that right - 8. Anyway...Europeans have a deep love for good food. My grandpa came from a family of bakers, and my grandma cooked homemade meals for the family everyday. Her expertise in the kitchen and my grandfather's love of food passed on to their children. And inevitably, that was passed on to their children's children (that would be me.) For as long as I can remember, I have loved food. Now unfortunately, food has not always loved me...but I've learned to work with it. You learn to eat deliciously sinful things in moderation, and you learn to make healthful dishes into tasty meals you'll make over and over. I am about to share with you a recipe that is deliciously sinful and you should try and make in moderation. Key word: try. The recipe I'm referring to is my Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I. Love. Them. Love them. My dad loves them, my husband loves them, my friends love them. They are a cookie to be loved.

And now, I'm sharing them with you. Typically, I'm kind of selfish about this recipe. I like being the one that has the great cookie recipe. But, I feel like I would be doing you a great disservice by withholding this recipe from you. They will change your life.

So make them. Eat them. Love them. Repeat!

(Click on image to enlarge recipe)

Wordless Wednesday

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All you need to have a wonderful girl's night.

I Just Can't Tell You

Blogger's Block: When one experiences a complete mental freeze and one cannot recall any information, stories, etc to relay through one's blog.

It's been awhile since I've written...and all I can really say to that is I have blogger's block. It's true - I really do. I can't think of a single thing to write about...because I have blogger's block.

I can't tell you that we went to Port Washington, Wisconsin this weekend for a wedding and had the best most wonderful time. I can't tell you we saw old friends, that the bride was blushing and beautiful, and the groom has never looked happier. I can't tell you...because I have blogger's block.

I can't tell you that we saw Jonah this weekend and had laughs and hugs and kisses. I can't tell you that he's as funny as ever and just as sharp as a tack and as cute as a button. I can't tell you because I have blogger's block.

I can't tell you that we went to the beach at Lake Michigan and just walked in awe of God's beautiful creation and I may have some pictures coming...because I have blogger's block.

I can't tell you that McDreamy asked me to make Chicken Club sandwiches, and I made them for the first time and they were so delicious that I may post the recipe tomorrow for Food Friday. I can't tell you because I have blogger's block.

I can't tell you that after weeks and months and months and weeks of researching new cameras, that I have finally picked one (thanks for the help Jess) and ordered it, and it's on its way to me right now. I can't tell you that it's a Canon Rebel XS and I am so excited and thrilled to be getting it. I just can't tell you because, once again...I have blogger's block.

I can't tell you that this weekend we are going to the Apple Orchard (one of my favorite things) and I am just so incredibly thrilled to see Fall approaching us. Stupid blogger's block.

I really wish I could tell you all of these things. But I just can't...because I have blogger's block.

The Apple of My Eye

Alternately Titled: Fairly Wordless Wednesday

Everyone - meet Jonah. My nephew, Godson and the sweetest little thing to grace this earth.





Super Jonah




See what I mean? How can someone this adorable not be the apple of my eye?

Food Friday Monday

So I know today is not Friday, and I have been wanting to get this out on Fridays...but whatever. Today is Monday, and today is the day I am posting another recipe. K? Good. So here goes. This is my Chicken Tortilla Soup. I like it because instead of cooking the tortillas into the soup and them getting mushy and weird like noodles, the soup is served with corn tortilla chips on top. YUM! I have always enjoyed getting the chicken tortilla soup out, and decided to recreate it home. This is what I came up with, and I'm very pleased with it. And this recipe is just a starting point - it's very versatile. If you like more heat, add more heat. If you like nasty disgusting overbearing cilantro, go ahead and add it. Different veggies? Go ahead and try what you like. This soup is spicy and warm and comforting, and great for any cool fall night or blistering winter day. I hope you like it.

(Click on picture to view full size)