Been gone way too long!!

It has been way too long since I have posted, first off Christmas and New Years was so busy and me out of town didn't help. Since the new year has started I have gone through some changes one of them has been to start a business that I've been wanting to do, which was a candle business. So in February I launched my Facebook page for it and my Instagram account. Once those were set up I opened my Etsy Store, called Cabin Charm Candles and I love it! I love the feeling of making candles for people and have them tell me how much they love them! It brings joy to my life and I know the candles I make brings joy to theirs. So lately, I've been bringing more scents in, different color jars, and thinking of new things to add to my collection. Click on the links above to like my store, Instagram, and Facebook page. Keep checking back for more info on what has been going on. Next post I'll be talking about my next adventure of losing weight. 

My Top FIVE Christmas Movies!

Christmas is my favorite time of year, from the good food, to the smell of Christmas trees, and all the bright colors, who wouldn't like Christmas?! This year I am especially excited cause it means I get to be near family again, since moving to Arizona. That is one thing I definitely miss, family and friends, but until next week when I travel with my two fur children and hubby to CA, I am currently addicted to Christmas movies, mainly on ABC Family and The Hallmark Channel. I never realized though, how many Christmas movies there really are, there are a lot! So I am choosing my top 5 Christmas movies!

Number  5...

ELF

Will Farrell has always been my favorite, especially when he was on Saturday Night Live! So when they put him in a Christmas movie, of course it is going to be a hit!

Number 4...

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

I know, totally old school right?! I love this cute movie, so adorable even if looks so outdated, people still love it because of just that. When I watch it, I think of my childhood and when I was little and all the fond memories it brings.

Number 3...

Santa Clause

Tim Allen another great actor, mainly for his days as Tim the Tool Man Taylor! This is a very adorable movie that I definitely have many memories watching.

Number 2...

Home Alone

"Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal." Oh yeah this is a classic! LOVE IT! No other words to describe it, I think a lot of people can agree on this one.

MY NUMBER 1 CHOICE....

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Chevy Chase is one of those classic actors, you know if he is in it, it will be a classic (CADDYSHACK, FLETCH, ALL VACATION MOVIES, THREE AMIGOS) those are just some examples of what I am talking about!

Hope you guys enjoy your Christmas and New years, don't forget to watch some Christmas movies while they are still on TV!

Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

This soup is by far my favorite soup, it's so creamy and has so much flavor your taste buds will love you. I found this recipe originally for the slow cooker but the recipe also came with instructions on the stove too! I hope you guys find this soup to die for as much as I do. My husband even loves it and told me from the start our relationship he hated soup. Ha Ha not anymore! Which is definitely one of the reasons I love to cook. I did end up using lighter versions of things to make this soup healthier and substituted some items for others.  I have both ways on here for you in case it's one of those days you need more time in the day and want to use the slower cooker recipe. I usually go for the stove top version unless the day permits me.

Slow Cooker Version

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes with juice

1 cup finely diced celery

1 cup finely diced carrots

1 cup finely diced onions

1 tsp dried oregano (1 Tbsp  if fresh)

1 Tbsp dried Basil (1/4 cup fresh)

4 cups chicken broth

1/2 bay leaf

1/2 cup of flour

1 cup Parmesan cheese ( I used reduced fat)

1/2 cup of butter

2 cups half and half (I used fat free half and half, you could use skim milk too)

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions

1. Add tomatoes, celery, onions, carrots, chicken broth, oregano, basil, and bay leaf to large slow cooker.

2.  Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and veggies are soft.

3.  About 30 minutes before serving soup, prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. Stir consistently  for 5-7 minutes ( I only did 5). Slowly stir in 1 cup of hot soup, then add another 3 cups and stir until smooth (I did one cup at a time). Then add all of that back into the slow cooker. Stir and add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half, salt and pepper. Add any additional basil and oregano since slow cookers tend to make things bland even with seasonings, it cooks the heck out of the seasonings.

4. Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve.

Stove Top Version

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes with juice

1 cup finely diced celery

1 cup finely diced carrots

1 cup finely diced onions

1 tsp dried oregano (1 Tbsp  if fresh)

1 Tbsp dried Basil (4 Tbsp  fresh)

1/4 cup Olive Oil

4 cups chicken broth

1/2 bay leaf

1/2 cup of flour

1 cup Parmesan cheese ( I used reduced fat)

1/2 cup of butter

2 cups half and half (I used fat free half and half, you could use skim milk too)

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions

1. Heat oil in 4 Qt. soup pot. Add celery, carrots, and onions. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add basil, oregano, bay leaf, tomatoes, and chicken broth.  Bring it to a boil reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until carrots are tender.

2. While soup simmers, prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat and then add flour and cook, stir consistently, 5-7 minutes ( I only did 5 minutes). Slowly stir in 1 cup of hot soup. add another 3 cups and stir until smooth ( I did one at a time). Add back into soup pot.

3. Simmer, stirring consistently until soup thickens. Add Parmesan cheese and whisk to blend. Stir warmed half and half, salt and pepper. Simmer on low for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Recipe originally found on Today's Mama.