Vacation Recovery

Whew... I just returned home from a fantastic vacation to Utah to visit family. Since I haven't been shopping yet, dinner is going to be an easy one. Most of the ingredients for this delicious taco soup, should be in your pantry. (I hope they are in mine!!) Enjoy!



Emily's Corner Taco Soup



4 C water
4 chicken bouillon cubes (or 4 tsp bouillon granules)
1 can Black Beans, drained
1 can Corn, drained
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
2 C cooked and shredded chicken (you can use canned chicken if you are really in a hurry)
2 T dried onion (or fresh if you prefer)
1/2 packet taco seasoning
1 cooked rice *hint: When you cook rice for a meal make 1-2 cups extra. Place 1 cup of cooked rice in a Ziploc bag and place in the freezer. When you need rice quickly, grab the bag out of the freezer, pop it in the microwave for a few minutes and Wallah, you have rice fit for a meal.

1 C cheddar cheese, grated


1. Boil water, add bouillon and allow to dissolve.
2. Turn to Med. low heat and add all remaining ingredients except the cheese. Simmer on low for 30 minutes.
3. Add cheese, stir until melted.
4. Serve with sour cream and corn bread.



Corn Bread


1 C flour
1 C cornmeal
1 T baking powder
1/4 C sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/8 C milk
1 egg
1/4 C vegetable oil

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Mix dry ingredients together. Combine milk, egg and oil in a separate bowl.
3. Add milk mixture to dry mixture and stir just until moist.
4. Pour in a 8x8 glass baking dish that has been well greased.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Do not over bake!

She Wears Flowers

My friend just started selling her adorable girls clothing on Etsy. I absolutaly LOVE everything on her site and wish I could buy it all!!

Check her stuff out at She Wears Flowers.

While you are at it, check out Brittni Schroder Photography- she took the beautiful pictures of the clothing.

You-Crack-Me-Up Cookies

I love chocolate! My husband knows that if he is ever in the dog-house, he only needs to bribe me with Lindor Truffles, or Ferrero Roche, or even just Peanut butter M&M's and he's off the hook.

Today I thought I'd try these chocolate cookies. They are chocolaty and sugary and just small enough that you need at least 3! (Although I would probably need 3 no matter how big they were...)

You-Crack-Me-Up Cookies

1/3 C vegetable oil

1 1/2 C sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1 egg + 1 egg white

1 2/3 C flour

1/2 C unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 C powdered sugar

1- Preheat oven to 350.

2- Combine oil, sugar and vanilla in a bowl. Beat until well blended. Add egg and egg white. Beat again until well blended. Stir in flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt with a spoon. The mixture will be pretty thick.

3- Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl or a plastic bad.

4- Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in the powdered sugar until covered. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

5- Bake at 350 for 7-8 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when lightly touched. Be sure to not overcook. Cool on baking sheet 2 minutes then transfer to cookie racks to cool completely.