Gringo Chicken Tortilla Soup on Soup Recipe Swap

Winter arrived in St. Louis yesterday and every time I looked out the window at work I felt like I was in a snow globe.  As the wind whipped the flakes around, all I could think of was getting home and hunkering down with a warm bowl of soup.  Which, as luck would have it, coincides with the Soup Recipe Swap I had planned to do with some of my blogger friends.

We have a few soup favorites and today I'd like to share the one I decided to whip up yesterday - Gringo Chicken Tortilla Soup,

Here's What You Need

1-1/2 cups cooked chicken

1 jar of black bean & corn salsa

1 lb. Velveeta (cubed)

2 - 15 oz. can chicken broth

1 - 15 oz. can corn (drained)

Sour cream

Here's What You Do

Stir broth, chicken, salsa and corn together.  Simmer 10 minutes.  

Add cubed Velveeta, stir and simmer until melted.  

Serve with tortilla chips and sour cream.  

The black bean and corn salsa we use comes from a local vendor.  If you're in the St. Louis / Southern Illinois area, look for Gringo George's Black Bean and Corn Salsa.  The stuff is amazing!  It has just enough spice to give it a nice little kick. 

Once I made it home last night, this recipe came together and was ready to enjoy in less than 30 minutes.  Using a rotisserie chicken pre-made from the grocery store helped cut the prep time.  If you're in need of a quick meal that will warm you up from the inside out, give this recipe a try!

For more soup, stew and chili recipes, please check out the others participating in the swap.  I'm passing it over to Cindi at Diary of a Mad Retiree.  I'm excited to see what she is sharing! 

Kellyann  http://www.thisblondesshoppingbag.com/

Gale  https://allthelittlebits.com/

Penny  http://pennyspassion.blogspot.com/

Cindi  https://diaryofamadretiree.com/

RebeccaJo   http://www.knitbygodshand.com/

Shugunna  https://www.nzurinsimplicity.com/

Jamie  https://nodelusionsofgrandeur.com/   

Sarah http://www.foxysdomesticside.com/

Dani  https://familyloveinspirationeducation.wordpress.com/

Anne  https://www.thecajuncouple.com/

Michael Ann  http://outandback.live/

Bojana  https://bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.com/

Bri   https://whatsbrewingwithbri.blogspot.com/

Leslie  https://onceuponatimehappilyeverafter.com/

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Weekending - November 8, 2019

Welcome to Monday!  Winter came along with Monday morning here in the St. Louis area.  After an absolutely gorgeous fall day yesterday, this morning we are getting snow and the temperature has fallen to a crisp 33 degrees.  I have a feeling this winter is going to be a doozy!

First order of business today - thanks to all our service men and women.  Your job is so important.  Hope you feel very appreciated today and every day!

Let's take a look back to the warmer weekend ~

Friday night was so low key and wonderful!  We picked up Chipotle for dinner and totally chilled in front of the TV.  I finished reading Olive, Again (review coming soon) and started watching a new series on Hulu - Four Weddings and a Funeral.  Have you seen it?  So cute!  It was 10 episodes of goodness and kept me entertained this weekend.

Available HERE

Saturday morning Eric had to work so I was home alone.  I decided to play some Bon Jovi really loud and conquer cleaning out the pantry.  What a job that turned into!  It was on my list of things to do before the holidays started, but geez, I really wasn't thinking it was going to be an 8 hour endeavor.  Thank heavens it's done and now I'm ready to move into the season of entertaining with only food that is not expired.  Ha!

While half the neighborhood was putting up their Christmas ornaments, I was happy arranging our Thanksgiving decorations.  I'm hosting a dinner with a few neighborhood girlfriends on Wednesday night so I didn't want to skip bringing out the Thanksgiving cheer.

This time of year hosts the most beautiful sunsets!  Saturday night I was able to capture this one (photo unfiltered).

Decorating for Thanksgiving bled into Sunday and I can happily report I'm done!  Thanksgiving is truly one of my favorite holidays so I know having the feeling of the holiday wrapped around me when I'm at home will put a smile on my face for the entire month.

This is going to be a busy week on the blog.  Tomorrow I'm taking part in a Soup Swap.  Be sure to stop by and see what soup I'm sharing and check out all the other links to people's favorites.  I'll be sharing more of the Thanksgiving decorations on Thursday, along with a couple other Thanksgiving tips. Five I'll be here with my usual Five on Friday. 

Have a great week and see you soon!

Five on Friday - November 8, 2019

Happy Friday friends!  Holy smokes - this week has flown by!  I'm so looking forward to have a few days to get caught up.  And I know it's a lot to think about, but I'm dreaming of actually getting a bit ahead!  Before I hop into my to-do list, here's my five for this week~

1.  Aldi's Cheese Advent Calendar
I'm making a trip to Aldi's this weekend to pick up their cheese advent calendar that hit the shelves on Wednesday.  For $15, this giant festive box has 24 mini pieces of cheese hidden behind a paper doll.  Be surprised each day as you open the "sweet and strong cheddar cheese", "sweet, nutty, and rich red Leicester cheese", and "savory and mild Edam cheese".  Of all the advent calendars out there, this one is sounding pretty fantastic to me!

2.  Last Christmas

This weekend would be a good time to take a break from watching the Hallmark Christmas movies to see this holiday movie that opens today.  We've seen the previews and it looks cute.  Here's the synopsis from Fandango: A woman who works as a department store elf finds romance with a charming suitor.

                             

3.  Stoneware Bowls

Check out these stoneware bowls I ran across on Amazon.  They would be perfect for chips and dip, soup and crackers, chili and cornbread - so many things!  The description says the color would be cream and red.  You get two bowls for the low price of $24.95!  Definitely on my wish list.  Next Tuesday, I'm participating in a soup link up party.  How great would these be to have on hand to hold all the new recipes we can collect!

                  

4.  Handheld Steamer

It came to my attention recently that not everyone has a streamer.  If you are one of those who don't, what are you waiting for?!?  We use our almost daily instead of ironing.  It heats up quickly and removes wrinkles as you glide the steamer over your clothes.  I was sick of ruining my clothes with the iron.  This steamer was the answer!  It's also great to slip in your suitcase when you're traveling.  They also makes great gifts!  

5.  Binge watching....

Have a great weekend.  I'm going to tackle a million things around the house and finish reading my current book (Olive, Again).  There are Halloween decorations to put away and Thanksgiving decorations to go up.  I need to pick the soup recipe I'll be sharing on next week's link up.  And I still haven't switched my summer and winter clothes around.  Oh boy - I'm going to be busy!  I better get busy!

Linking up with:

Erika at Little Bit of Everything

Simply Sweet Home
High Five for Friday

This post contained affiliate links.  I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase.  Thanks

Friday Favorites Linky Party - November 8, 2019

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small Things - Pin

Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

<a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/category/friday%20favorites/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="http://www.simplysweethome.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Friday-Favorites-Button.jpg" border="0" /></a>

You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Thinking Out Loud Thursday - November 7, 2019

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! I'm thinking out loud about a place near and dear to a lot of hearts - Starbucks.

Today is the day Starbucks is once again giving away their free reusable red cup, which happens to coincide with the return of their classic holiday drinks.  If you are hoping to snag one, plan on getting to your store early because there's a big chance these will be out of stock quick!  Some stores ran out within hours last year.

You do have to order a holiday beverage in any size and flavor to get your "free" cup.  What is classified as a holiday beverage is the Peppermint Mocha, Toasted White Chocolate, Caramel Brulee Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, and Eggnog Latte.  

Keep your cup handy because from November 7 through January 7 you'll get 50 cents off your order of a holiday drink in a size grande or larger after 2 pm.  Score!

If you miss getting your Starbucks cup at the store, there are some pretty cool ones available on Amazon.  They would make great gifts for the Starbucks lovers in your life!

                                     

                                                    

                    

                                             

Good luck snagging a holiday cup if that's your thing.  I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Now it's your turn - what's on your mind today?  Link up and share.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop - November 6, 2019

Welcome!

Our hosts just want to say THANK YOU to all those who contributed to last week's party and WELCOME to all the new bloggers who have joined our weekly blog hop. Please invite your blog friends and social network to join us.

Top Viewed

Picture Box Blue

Very Popular

My Life Abundant

Common Ground

NY Foodie Family

Cookie with EWA

So Much Better With Age

Editors Choice

Ducks 'n a Row

Christmas Extras

Salvage Sister & Mister

Artful Homemaking

A Southern Inspired Life

Whispers of the Heart

Thanks to our co-hosts who share our party on their blogs every week ♥ Please follow them and share our party, too?

DUCKS ‘N A ROW [Sinea] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER

ECLECTIC RED BARN [Beverly] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER

ENGINEER MOMMY [Jennifer] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER

LeCULTIVATEUR [Emily] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

MY LIFE ABUNDANT [Tammy] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER

PENNY’S PASSION [Penny] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER

SIMPLE STEPS FOR LIVING LIFE [Cindy] – FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER

STILETTOS and SHIPLAP [Tara] – INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

THE SNYDER FAMILY [Brittany] – INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

A MEAL IN MIND [Beth] - FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER

• Please TWEET our party ♥
• Add as many of your family-friendly posts as you would like to. No Etsy shops, adult sites or blog parties, please.
• Visit others. Let them know you stopped by!
• If you are NEW to Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop, let us know in the comments so that we can follow you back. ♥ Help us find your posts – tell us the title.
• NOTE: party entries appear in REVERSE. i.e. the most recent entry goes to the top! That way all of our guests will have a really good chance to be seen no matter when they arrive.
• Thanks! ♥

So, now, let’s get this party started!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Weekending - November 1, 2019

The first weekend in November is in the books and I thought I'd share a quick recap ~

We spent the weekend celebrating two special birthdays.  Eric and his mom have birthdays one day apart so we celebrated Eric on Saturday and his mom on Sunday. 

Between all the celebrating, I managed to have a wedding meeting on Saturday morning and make a few freezer meals for a friend that just had a baby.  There are three recipes I keep in my back pocket and go to when I want to surprise a friend with a meal.  Two of them I've blogged about before ~

Apricot Pork Chops

Loaded Potato Soup

The third is an easy roast recipe.  Place a roast, a bottle of Italian dressing and 8 pepperoncinis. To cook, place all three ingredients a Crockpot and cook on high for 6-8 hours or low for 8-10 hours.  When it's finished cooking, we like to shred the meat and serve it on hoagie rolls.  It's so good!  If you're ever need some some meals to give a friend, I highly recommend whipping up one of these.

Saturday night we tried a new restaurant in Edwardsville, Illinois called Moussalli's Prime.  This is a farm to table culinary destination.  Their mission is to provide the highest quality dining experience in an intimate setting paired with fine wines, spirits, craft beers and cocktails.  We all had steaks and they were delicious!  We'll be back.  And the dessert was delicious too!

Oh, and we also found time to watch the entire new season of Jack Ryan.  Man, good stuff.  Do you watch?  When does the next season come out?  We are ready for it!

On Sunday we wrapped up the weekend with the most gorgeous sunset.  Every now and then the beauty from this world just takes my breath away!