Chicken Tortellini Soup

I can’t complain about the weather in Chicago so far. It has actually been decent for December. Only one day of snow and it was in the 40′s all week.

Yet yesterday I went running outside- in shorts. Did you know that those lake winds are no joke? It might have been 45 out but I was chilled to the bone.

When decided what to make for dinner last night..I remembered that chilled to the bone feeling. So I made the best cold weather food I could think of..soup!

Chicken Tortellini Soup

• 2 large chicken breasts (cooked and shredded/cubed)
• 2 large chopped carrots
• 2 large stalks of chopped celery
• 3 1/2 cups of chicken broth
• 8 oz cooked tortellini
• 1 TSP oregano
• Pepper and Garlic Salt to taste

Bring the chicken broth, chicken, carrots, celery and spices to a boil. Reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes and then add tortellini 5-10 minutes before serving.

I am so proud of this soup because I actually made up the recipe! And it was easy. The only thing I could have done better was cooked the chicken differently (I overcooked mine and it was a tad chewy). I think this would be an awesome crock pot recipe.

And because yesterday was National Cupcake Day naturally we celebrated.

Someone was a little mad he couldn’t join in on the delicious dinner. Apparently angry Charlie = barking Charlie. And a very annoyed smash.

Jenny Challenge Update: 73.5 miles- only 26.5 left and 9 days to do it!

What is your favorite soup to make? I want to try more now!

Friday Favorites: Halloween Edition

We are hosting a big Halloween party tomorrow night so naturally I have spent the past few weeks looking up party ideas.

Here are some of my favorite finds. We aren’t doing most of them but maybe you will!

Spider Oreos via Floral Showers

Mummy Dogs via Our Best Bites

Witch Hats Via Our Best Bites

Dog Lion Costume- I wanted to make this for Charlie SO bad but couldn’t find anything that would work

Pumpkin Pie Shooters via Tasty Kitchen

What is your favorite Halloween Party recipe?

Any suggestions what we should dress Charlie pup as?

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bread Recipe

One of my favorite ways to bake with pumpkin is in bread. Pumpkin bread is delicious- but when you add cream cheese to make Pumpkin Cheesecake bread it becomes so. much. better.

For my blogger sweet swap this bread recipe for Lindsay!

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/4 c sugar
• 1 egg beaten
• 1 3/4 c flour
• 1 1/2 c sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 cup pumpkin
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 egg beaten
• 1/3 c water

1. Blend cream cheese, 1/4 c sugar, and 1 egg
2. Combine flour, 1 1/2 c white sugar, baking soda, salt and spices
3. Combine pumpkin, butter, beaten egg and water. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture
4. Pour 1/2 batter into pan (9 x 5 loaf pan)
5. Pour cream cheese batter over pumpkin and top with remaining batter
6. Swirl with a knife
7. Cook at 350 for 70 minutes

I’ve made this recipe twice so far this fall and it was delicious both times! I hope Lindsay enjoys it too