A Day of Thanks

Thanksgiving

One of my favorite holidays!

Not only is it a time for me to stuff my face with amazing food, it is a time with family. I am really glad that I got to see both my family (well, some of them. I missed the rest of you!) and Brandon's this year. It really makes it tough on the stomach though. Eating Thanksgiving lunch and dinner is really hard! I just eat a little less and make it work! ;) But really, the best part is reflecting on the things that I am most thankful for. Especially the things that I normally complain about! I am so blessed to have the life I do and I wouldn't trade it for the world. The trials that my little family has been through, and still are going through, are molding us into a better versions of ourselves. Without trials there is lack of progression. So yes, I am even saying I am thankful for my trials. I am so happy I have an amazing husband to go through it all with. I hope that we all can take time each day to reflect on all the good we have in our lives. Sometimes we tend to get selfish and think our lives are "the worst". In reality, any of you reading this right now has a better life than more people than you can imagine! So on this day of thanks I challenge all of you to write down all the the things in your life that you are blessed with! I bet you can't do it ;) Hands get tired. 

Count your blessings! & I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving!

XOXO, the Cissna's

Soup, Soup, Soup

I finally used my Christmas present that I received two Christmas' ago, and it did not disappoint! I love this thing and I plan to use it way more often. Thanks for the awesome gift, momma :)

Tonight I made some delicious soup. I have an obsession with soup so of course I love when it is cold enough outside to not feel guilty eating it all the time. Brandon and I both love this recipe a lot so I thought it was worth a share on the blog. It makes enough that we will be eating it for days. So maybe share with a friend or five :)

Chili's {CopyCat}

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Ingredients

• 3 large chicken breasts, boneless skinless
• 3 Qt. (3, 32 oz boxes) chicken stock
• 10 oz enchilada sauce (I used mild)
• 3 cups shredded cheese (I used colby jack)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tbls vegetable oil ( I used E.V.O.O.)
• 2 Cups maseca or masa haring (I got maseca in the hispanic food isle at Fresh Market)
• 1 Tbls chili powder
• 1 Tbls cumin
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Garnish

• Sour cream, pico de gallo, extra shredded cheese, cilantro, tortillas (we used tortilla chips) and lime

Instructions

1. Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a stock pot over medium high heat and sear the chicken on both sides. Set aside, it does not have to be cooked all the way through.
2. Add garlic to the pot and let sauté until aromatic (about 15-20 seconds). Add in 2 quarts of the chicken stock and put the chicken back in the pot. Cover and let simmer for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked all the way through. Take the chicken out of the pot.
3. Mix the Maseca (a little at a time) with the remaining quart of chicken stock then add to the pot. Include the rest of the ingredients excluding the chicken and the garnishes. 
4. Slice the chicken and add to the pot. Bring to a simmer and let cook for about 30 minutes or until thickened. Stir occasionally to make sure the bottom doesn't burn (make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan). 
5. Serve with garnishes and enjoy!

If you try it, I sure hope you like it!

I also whipped up some homemade Pico de Gallo. It was also mighty delicious :) This one is easy. Just chop yellow onion, Roma tomatoes, Jalapeño (no seeds), cilantro, salt,  and lime juice. Perfecto!

Xoxo, the Cissna's

Birthday Lovin'

24

It is so weird to get old.

I know 24 is not that old in the grand scheme of things, but it sure feels old. I can't believe I am creeping up on my mid 20's (I guess technically I am already in them now, but shhh). Where does time go?? But you know, I am proud of where I am at. I know that the years to come will be just as challenging, daunting, scary, amazing, and adventurous as ever. I wouldn't change my life for anything!

This year was really laid back and I loved it. We went on with our normal busy lives but I was still a little spoiled ;) Brandon got me some new ankle boots from TOMS that I have had my eye on for some time now, and some nice make-up from Sephora. My family (both sides) spoiled me with gifts, cards, money, and love. It was amazing! The night of my birthday we went to the Warren Miller Film. It was really fun and we will be glad to take some time to go snowboarding this winter with those free lift tickets. I haven't been on the mountain for a long time and I can't wait to gear up and go! After the movie we were both super tired (we are old now remember) but I really wanted to do something fun. We decided to go home, grab the dog, and go to the park. We played on the jungle gym, slid down the slides, and flew as high as we could on the swings. It was invigorating and perfect. We took a million cheesy pictures and none of them really worked out because it was pitch black outside so the strategy of a flashlight and a camera was hard haha. But it was still great and I loved it. The most amazing gift, that was so much appreciated, was a surprise the night after my birthday. If you know Brandon, he is the worst at surprises. He kind of hates that about himself. Mostly it's just funny how bad he is and I love him for it. But every once in awhile he fools me. {He took me to a spa for a Massage}. It was glorious! I have been so beyond stressed with my last semester of school and going back and forth between there and work has made me not so fun to be with most of the time. Being a full time student and working full time is hard as a lot of you know. I am tired and grumpy most days (working in an accounting department is part of the blame). He knows that I definitely needed to take some 'me time' and just relax. I have always been afraid of the thought of getting a massage from a stranger. I am soooo ticklish and I was nervous that I would not be able to relax. Well, the guy was awesome (and not creepy at all! Thank the heavens) and he basically said over and over that I need to take more time to relax in my life (I am okay with that!). He said that I was very much needing this massage. And I think he was very, very right. Brandon said when I walked out of the room I looked like I was high as a kite. Haha apparently the massage was that great. I really appreciate Brandon for that sweet surprise. I hope I get more of those surprises in my life ;). My husband is a rock star. Oh, and of course we used my free birthday meal to Tucano's on Halloween night. We stuffed our faces until our belly's bulged. It was sad to not dress up on Halloween and not go to any parties and to not see the family, but working late happens all the time now sadly. It was so great to eat a late night meal together and to sleep fat and happy. 

Brandon's face in this one kills me!

If the restaurant has toothpicks, there is always one in Brandon's mouth

I know this post was random and all over the place, but really that is how our lives are structured right now, so it fits perfect. I am so beyond blessed with the best and I love you all!!

I think year 24 is going to be amazing! So many good things to come!

XOXO, the Cissna's