What I Cooked for Lunch Today....mmmm

White Chicken Chili (spicy and delicious)

3 whole heads garlic (about 48 cloves), unpeeled
3/4 tsp salt, divided
3 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 poblano peppers
1 medium onion
1 small lime
1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp Southwestern Seasoning Mix
1 can (15.5 oz) Navy beans, drained
1 jar (16 oz) salsa verde
1/4 cup water

1. Trim fat from chicken, cube and cook

2. Slice about 1/4 in. off the pointed top of garlic heads to expose cloves. Place garlic cut side up in a microwave safe dish. Sprinkle garlic with 1/4 tsp of the salt and drizzle with 2 tbsp of the oil. Microwave on HIGH 3 minutes or until garlic is soft. Set aside to cool.

3. Meanwhile, finely dice peppers. Chop onion using a food chopper or food processor. Squeeze lime juice into crock pot. Combine peppers and onion into crock pot. Add seasoning mix, remaining 1 tbsp oil, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, chicken, 1/4 cup of water and the salsa to the crock pot. Gently squeeze cooled garlic from heads into small dish (discard skins); mash using a fork or potato masher and add to crock pot. Place on high for 1 hour.

4. Add beans to crock pot and turn down to low for another 30 min to 45 min (or until peppers are tender)

5. Serve with fresh cilantro, sour cream, salsa, and tortilla chips.

Sam Hard @ Work!

I attempted to get Sam to write something about himself, but he feels "weird" about it or something like that. He wanted to show off some of his surgery photos that have been taken in the recent past. Warning: if you haven't noticed there are blood and guts in these pictures. The first two photos are of a canine orthopedic procedure and the last photo is a standing abdominal surgery on a dairy cow. Enjoy! -Rachelle

The Beginning

Hello Friends & Family!

I have been looking for a way to share our little family in a way that allows me to customize and be creative and well, I have finally come to terms with starting a blog. I am new at this so it may not be pretty or very creative until I start to learn some of the ins and outs of the blogging world. That all said...I am glad you have taken the time to stop by and I will try to update at least monthly with news, stories, photos and videos.

Sam has been very busy with school and I am so relieved that it is finally coming to a close this May! He will be starting work @ the beginning of June for Thal Equine in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The three of us will be moving down there at the beginning of June after a much needed two week vacation in Hawaii with family!

Avery has been growing and learning everyday! I am just amazed @ how fast they grow. She is about 12 lbs and finally starting to grow some hair on her cute little head. She is learning to sit up on her own and has begun to babble and laugh!

I am @ home with Avery these days, I quit my job @ Larimer Humane Society in early January to be with her and am very happy I did. I have also started running again and can say that running with a stroller is a LOT harder and I am still getting used to it. Wilson, Tasha and Frankie are thriving and as energetic as ever.

I will hopefully have time to add a slide show this weekend.

Avery is 5 months old!