Friday, February 12, 2010

7 Quick Takes Friday

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Sinus headaches are the pits.

----2----

This week our little homeschool group went to see the Narnia exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Can I just say again how in love I am with the Narnia series? I didn't read them as a child. The first time I read the books was to my kids. I immediately fell in love with them. I don't know if I would have gotten as much out of them as a child as I did as an adult, but they really spoke to me. The scene in Prince Caspian where Aslan is talking to Lucy about not following him because the other kids gave her a hard time brought me to tears. I get misty just thinking about it.

The exhibit was cool. Of course, going with kids meant that I didn't get to linger over things as much as I would have liked, but it was good just the same. There were quite a few things from the movies there. The costumes are amazing. So much detail. The weaponry and props as well.

If you have a chance to go see the exhibit, go. You will even get to see C.S. Lewis' actual wardrobe. (Not nearly as grand as the one in the movie.)

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It's cold. Not 20 inches deep in snow cold, but wet, nasty cold just the same. Last night I made one of my all time favorite soups. It helped. I haven't shared a recipe here in awhile, so here you go. My gift to you:

Chicken Tortilla Soup
(adapted from the Mansion on Turtle Creek Cookbook)

3 T oil

4 corn tortilla - cut into small squares

6 garlic cloves – finely chopped

1 T chopped, fresh cilantro

1 C fresh finely chopped fresh onion

1 can crushed tomatoes, pureed

1 T cumin powder

2 t chili powder

2 bay leaves

2 qts. chicken stock

2 chicken breasts cooked and cubed o

Salt and cayenne pepper to taste

Optional: cubed avocado, shredded or cubed cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

Heat oil in large saucepan. Sauté tortilla with garlic, cilantro, and onion. Add tomato puree and bring to a boil. Add cumin, chili powder, bay leaves, chicken, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Add salt and cayenne pepper to taste. Simmer for 30 minutes to an hour, stirring frequently.

Garnish with avocado, cheese, and tortilla chips. Serves 8-10.

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Anxiety is much more productive than depression.

----5----

Bible Study is good for both my mind and my soul.

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My baby brother turned 37 this week. He's 11 years younger than I am. When your baby brother is closing in hard and fast on 40, it makes you feel a little older than you want to feel.

----7----

As you can tell
, it's been a slow week. I think we are all suffering from seasonal affective disorder or depression or it's just too dang cold and we're sick of it disorder. I couldn't be more ready for spring. It's not even so much the cold as we have had so few sunny days. I need sun. I'm solar powered. : )


Have a lovely weekend.

For more quick takes, hop on over to Conversion Diary.

5 comments:

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

You just told us how old you are...
Thank you for the soup recipe. I may make it for myself since hubby doesn't like soup at all.
Happy weekend and stay warm!

YD

Julie said...

When you are as old as I am, YD, it just doesn't matter anymore.
: )

RazorFamilyFarms.com said...

Oh yum! I can't wait to try that soup recipe!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Blessings,
Lacy

Rae said...

I hope that your headache gets better and that you get sun soon. I am right there with you on being solar powered!

Michelle Potter said...

I have not been feeling well, either. It's my everything-is-just-not-fun disorder. ;) I didn't even do 7 Quick Takes Friday.

I didn't read Narnia as a kid, either. (I did see a The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe movie back in the late 80s or early 90s, though.) In fact, the first time that Mark read the books to the kids, I didn't even sit in the room and listen (I used it as a little quiet time!) Then he got too busy to finish the series, and I picked it up for him -- and realized wow, this is really good! LOL.