Tammy On Tuesday – Funny Family & My Cup of Tea

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Welcome to Tammy On Tuesday. 

Today I’d like to share two things that are definitely My Cup of Tea but first I’ll share a Funny Family moment.

Funny Family:

I have three kids 11, 9 and 6; all unique in their own way.  I’m sure if you have children you can relate.  I love them dearly and they bring so much joy to my life.  Sometimes, though, it’s easy to get caught up in the many things on your to-do list and start to wondering if you’re doing a good enough job at being “mom”…wondering if you’re making a positive indelible impression on your kids.   Then, just when you least expect it, you have a moment that makes you smile to yourself, and you know that although you’re not perfect, by God’s grace, all your love and hopes and dreams for them are somehow sinking in.

Early one morning about a week ago, I was reading quietly in my living room and my 6 year old wandered in.  Half dazed, she curled up next to me and fell back to sleep.  When it was time for me to get up, I almost couldn’t bring myself to disturb her.  I got up and covered her in her blanket.  She barely noticed.

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A bit later, the whole household was awake and going through their normal morning routine.  After checking backpacks and finding sweaters, I successfully got the kids out the door and breathed a sigh of relief.  Heading up to my room, I walked past the girls room and decided to peak in.  I noticed something special on Sophie’s bed.  While straightening her room that morning, she had tucked in her baby just as I had done with her in the early morning hours.  It just made me smile to see her display that motherly love to her baby doll.  Many days I tend to doubt that I’m making a difference, but that morning I realized, “Yes, I think it’s sinking in.”

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PINIMAGEMy Cup of Tea:

To celebrate this lovely Fall weather, I would like to share with you an AMAZING and EASY recipe by Paula Deen.  First of all, who doesn’t love Paula Deen?   I have made this in lieu of chili over the past year and everyone raves.  I, of course, seldom mention it’s one of the easiest recipes I make.

 

I share this recipe today in honor of those of you out there that say you can’t cook.  This recipe is one of the easiest to follow and it will have your friends and family raving over your meal.  I promise you this recipe will be a hit and it’s great for this time of year.  YOU CANNOT LOSE!

Taco Soup by Paula DeenPINIMAGE

From Paula’s Home Cooking/Lady and Sons Too! cookbook/Celebrates cookbook/Jan/Feb 2006 issue

Servings: 12 to 16 servings

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 8 hours in crock pot OR 1 hour stock pot method

Difficulty: Easy

 

 

 

Ingredients

Jalapenos
Chopped green onions
Grated cheese
Sour cream
Corn chips
1   1-ounce package ranch salad dressing mix
1   1 1/4-ounce package taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup green olives, sliced (optional)
1   small can black olives, drained and sliced (optional)
2   4 1/2-ounce cans diced green chilies
1   14 1/2-ounce can tomatoes with chilies
1   14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes
1   14 1/2-ounce can mexican tomatoes
1   15 1/4-ounce can whole kernal corn, drained
1   15 1/2-ounce cans pink kidney beans
2   15-1/2 ounce cans pinto beans
2 cup diced onions
2 lb ground beef

 

Directions

Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet; drain the excess fat, then transfer the browned beef and onions to a large crockpot or a stockpot.  Add the beans, corn, green onions, tomatoes, chilies, olives, and seasonings, and cook on low setting all day (6 to 8 hours) if using a crockpot, or simmer over low heat for about 1 hour in a stockpot on the stove.  To serve, place a few corn chips in each bowl and ladle soup over them.  Top with sour cream, cheese, and jalapenos.    Recipe Courtesy of Paula Deen

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Along with the Taco Soup, if you’re feeling “Harvesty” (my word…I use it all the time and I know it’s made up) try another trick.  I like to brew Apple Cinnamon Iced Tea.  My sister-in-law made this for Thanksgiving one year and we drank it all up in no time.  Now I make it for get-togethers and rarely have any left over.

 All you need is:

5 – Celestial Seasonings Apple Cinnamon Tea Bags

1  quart sauce pan

1 ¼ cup sugar

1 gallon pitcher,

Directions

Place 5 apple cinnamon tea bags in 1 quart sauce pan filled with cold water to ¼  inch from top of pan. Heat on high until water starts to boil.  Take off heat and let sit for 10 minutes on stove.  While the tea is sitting, put 1 ¼ cups sugar in gallon pitcher.  After 10 minutes, pour hot tea over the sugar in the pitcher and stir until sugar is melted.  Then add cold water to fill the pitcher stirring constantly.  Put in fridge to chill or serve over ice.  Serve with Taco Soup.  This is a favorite in my family.

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I hope today I was able to lift your spirits with my Funny Family post and I also hope you’ll try today’s recipe and find that it’s your Cup of Tea.  If you do give it a try, let me know how you like it!