This year I really felt differently. It was on my heart to make a few simple gifts for the Nevada grands, so far away. I also wanted to make a couple of very simple items for my two daughters. And then, wouldn't you know, I signed up to take part in an ornament exchange!
I'm not worried about that. I have a handmade ornament or two on hand, and plenty of things I can easily embellish if I choose to make something new.
But it's crunch time on the handmade gifts. Out of 8 simple things that I wanted to make, I have one completed (and a second one started). And eleven days before December 1! I'm really going to have to work diligently to get those completed in the allotted time.
To that end, I'm rethinking my meals for this week and next. I think the crockpot is going to be coming into play a LOT between now and December 1, and our meals (other than Thanksgiving) are going to be extremely simple.
Here's what we're having tonight:
TORTILLA ENCHILADA SOUP
4 cups chicken broth
2 cans chicken with rice soup
1 small boneless skinless chicken breast (frozen is fine)
1 cup salsa or picante sauce
1 can red enchilada sauce
Flour tortillas
Shredded cheddar cheese OR cubes of velveeta-type cheese
In crock pot combine the broth, soup, chicken breast, salsa, and enchilada sauce. Cook on low for about 4 hours. Remove chicken breast from soup; shred it or cut in small pieces. Return to soup.
When ready to eat, cut flour tortillas into strips (scissors work best for this).
Put tortilla strips in each bowl and ladle the hot soup on top. Top with shredded cheddar or cubed velveeta.
About 6 servings.
How about you? Are your handmade gifts completed? Do you have any helpful tips for time management and/or easy meals during this crunch time?
I used to but not so much these past few years! Next year I plan on giving my four children new Santa paintings and I will start on those in June! I guess you can’t show your crafted Christmas gifts since they are surprises but I’d love to see pics afterwards! Thank you for the recipe! Good and simple! Just what I need!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda!
DeleteNope, I can't show my crafted gifts yet but they are very, very simple and I just did them for a few of the grandkids. If you want inspiration as to other things I might have made for them in the past (when I had a little more time and a few less responsibilities), just click "gifts for kids" in the label cloud. Some of them, at least, should be there.
Did you try the enchilada soup? Hope you'll enjoy it if you do try it. Simple is good!
I do quick-fix dinners these days so I can get ahead on the Christmas prep. and when I cook I make a meal to freeze, this is the time to use up... november is always so busy
ReplyDeleteWonderful ideas for simplifying dinner in these busy days, Lucie! Thanks for sharing!
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