Coffee with Kel

Building relationships, encouraging hope

kelly

Soggy Sunday…

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It’s a rainy day here in Georgia. A soggy Sunday. The kind of day when I would love to just cuddle up in bed or have a fire going in the fireplace while I relax on the sofa. The kind of day that just seems to be made for being lazy. But, we won’t be lazy today. At least, not entirely. Mariana and I were the first up this morning, so we made breakfast and let Mickey and Macey sleep in some this morning. (They let me sleep in on weekends too. It’s NICE!) Now that we’ve had breakfast we are about to get ready for church. We haven’t been to church in a few Sundays due to one illness or another. It will be SO good to get back. So, no lazing around for us this Sunday morning. As I listen to the rain outside, I also hear birds singing. I think maybe they have the right idea – being happy for each day and just living it as it comes. 🙂

Have a blessed Sunday, all…
Kelly

Chicken Taco Soup Recipe

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I guess I’m in a recipe sharing mood lately. I figure that as much as I like to read and try new recipes, others probably do too. So, I’ll keep sharing. 😉 This recipe is one I got from my friend Nancy. It is so good, especially on a cool rainy day like we are having today. (NOTE: I use light and/or reduced sodium items when possible in this dish)

Chicken Taco Soup

  • 3-4 chicken breasts
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 large can tomato sauce
  • 1 can or bottle of beer (could substitute chicken broth if desired)
  • 1 package taco seasoning
  • 2 cans Rotel (or 1 can Rotel and 1 can diced tomatoes), drained
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can chili beans, drained
  • 1 can whole kernel corn

Add tomato sauce,onion, taco seasoning, Rotel, beans and corn to crock pot. Stir to mix well. Incorporate the beer into the mixture.  Add chicken breasts to crock pot and push them down under the liquid mixture. Cook on low for 8 hours. (Or high for 4-6 hours) When cooking is complete, remove chicken from the crock pot and break it up into pieces, then return to the soup.

You can top this with cheese and/or sour cream. Cornbread muffins make a YUMMY side!

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole Recipe

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I’m making a chicken and broccoli casserole for dinner tonight and thought I’d share the recipe in case anyone else would like to try it sometime. It’s a favorite around here! So good and easy to make. I usually serve it with a side of black-eyed peas. YUM!

Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

  • 3-4 chicken breasts, cooked and cut up
  • Steamed broccoli pieces (I use the frozen broccoli that you can steam right in the microwave)
  • Shredded cheese (sharp cheddar or Mexican blend without the spices)
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can cream of broccoli OR broccoli-cheese soup
  • 1 (8oz) container sour cream
  • 1 tube Ritz crackers, crushed

*For my soups, I use Healthy Request. I also use reduced fat cheese,  lite sour cream and reduced fat Ritz.

    1. Preheat oven to 350.
    2. Spray a 9x13x2″ baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
    3. Cut up the cooked chicken and put it into the baking dish.
    4. Layer the cooked broccoli pieces on top of the chicken.
    5. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the broccoli and chicken. (Use amount desired)
    6. Mix soups and sour cream together, spread this mixture over the top of the casserole.
    7. Sprinkle cracker crumbs over the top.
    8. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

      If any of you try this one, please let me know how you like it. It’s a family favorite here! 🙂

      Sharing Kindness

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      Good morning and HAPPY FRIDAY!! Hope everyone will have a great day and a wonderful weekend ahead!!

      I decided to do something a little bit different this morning. Instead of a regular post, I am going to start working on composing a list of random acts of kindness. Sometimes it’s nice to share ideas with others so that we can pass kindness along to others. Being on the giving end of a random act of kindness is as rewarding as being on the receiving end, in my experience. So, here are some ways I have thought of to share a bit of kindness. And, please post your ideas too!

      Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness

      • If there is a car behind you in a parking lot, leave them the “best” spot and find another for yourself.
      • If you go through a toll booth, pay the toll for the vehicle behind you.
      • Leave a surprise “I Love You” note somewhere for your spouse (or significant other) or child to find later in the day.
      • Volunteer and/or visit at  a nursing home or assisted living home. So many residents have no family left and it would make their day just to have someone to talk to.
      • Prepare a favorite meal for a neighbor or friend – just because.
      • Bake cookies to give away. Give them to your child’s teacher, the staff at the doctors office, church staff, etc.
      • Send cheerful cards in the mail. It’s such a nice surprise to get something in the mail that’s not a bill, right?
      • Pet-sit for a family member or friend that is sick, on vacation or just busy.
      • Donate food to a local food bank. They are always in need and always appreciative. The items that most need are “staples” that aren’t overly expensive.
      • Let someone go ahead of you whether it be in a check-out line, on the road or at a buffet.
      • Donate your magazines to a doctors office or senior center.
      • Take food to a family member, neighbor or friend who is sick, has a new baby, etc. (Call ahead first)
      • Volunteer to help out with Vacation Bible School this summer. VBS always needs volunteers in every church. There are jobs within every VBS to fit basically everyone who is willing to give of their time.
      • Take a trash bag with you on walks and collect trash in your neighborhood.
      • Pay a compliment to someone. Even strangers appreciate a compliment.
      • Drop a note (or notes) to your pastor(s) to let them know how much you appreciate them. And, pray for them.
      • PRAY. Everyone everywhere could use prayer.

      I know there are more. There are always opportunities for kindnes. What are your suggestions and ideas?

      Have a blessed day,
      Kelly