Change is a good thing...

It's been a crazy busy summer and I'm kind of glad it is over. We are entering a new season in our family and it's scary but good all at the same time. I have joined the out of the home work force again after 5 years of doing in home childcare, before that I was only out working for about 9 months and had been home since the spring of 2003. I have loved being home with my babies but they are growing up and heading into school longer now. Abi just started 4th grade today and Gavin is now going all day as well as a 1st grader!. Rylie will be starting Pre-K 3 days a week and so I will be working at the family business during that time. My baking business has really taken off especially since I started supplying my treats to Queen Bean Caffe. Keeping very busy but I like it, it allows me to be creative in one of my favorite ways with baking. I am trying my best to balance it all and am looking forward to being back on a schedule, it helps keep me sane. Looking forward to what God has in store next for us as a family and in our ministries...

Best Ranch Ever! (really it is)

So I have been trying to use less processed stuff especially if it is something that can be easily home made and taste much better, I have tried and tweaked a few recipes and this is now our family favorite.

Best Ranch Ever

1 cup mayo

1/2 cup buttermilk (or make your own mix 1 Tbsp. lemon juice and 1/2 cup milk let it set for 5 minutes to thicken)

1 Tbsp. dried parsley

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/8 tsp dried dill

combine in a mason jar and shake it up, set in fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to thicken up, keeps for about 2 weeks, I can usually get 3-4 salads from this

Crockpot Fiesta Chicken Soup

Fiesta Chicken Soup

6 cups chicken broth

1 small can tomato paste

2 tsp cumin

1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne

salt & pepper to taste

1 small chopped onion

3 garlic cloves chopped

2 large chicken breasts

1 can white beans

 1 can black beans

1 can corn

Garnish

crushed tortilla chips(I like the Fresh & easy chipotle flavored or lime flavored)

shredded cheese

chopped avocado

cilantro

lime juice

in a crockpot place all ingredients cook on high 4 hours or low 6-8, once chicken is cooked through take out and shred, add back into crock.

spoon into 4 bowls, top with chips, cheese, cilantro, avocado, squirt some lime juice on top