Oh Boy.

I have discovered a new website obsession.  It's a combination of a wish list/collage/blog.  It's fantastic!!  And I want more people to know about it and join so I can share it. :)

Warning: OOONLY click on the following button if you have several hours to spare and some serious creativity to gain.

"Hey, this is pretty good..."

When I hear that, I know I've won. 

I looove to cook, and I love to try new things; I happened to marry someone who is a little apprehensive when it comes to both of those things.  Cooking is like an art form to me.  It combines math and science and color and flavor...  When you combine 10 ingredients to make one, awesome creation, it's exciting!  I'm proud of what I've made, and I get anxious to show it off and get other people's opinions.  Sooometimes (sometimes.), I don't get the response I'm looking for.  Usually it's a half shoulder-shrug and a higher-octive "Yeah, it's good," which I follow up with a lowered-brow "...really?" and he responds with a "No!  I like it!"

Sure.

But eeevery once in a while, I get a "Heeyy...this is pretty good!"  A reaction that's not provoked.  It's natural.  And it's meaningful.

And so, because he enjoyed it, I will post a recipe that I made tonight for the first time.  One that I grew up with and that we will probably have again in the Whittle household.

(FYI- I'm not a measurer.  I'm an eyeballer.  So some of the measurements are best estimates.  If you like more onions, add more onions!  If you like more spice, add more spice!)

Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder
Makes about 6-8 servings

2 chicken breasts, cut into small cubes
1 large baking potato (OR several smaller potatoes), cubed
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, diced
3 tbsp butter
1 can chicken broth
1 1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. crushed red pepper
2 cups frozen corn, OR southwest veggie mix (corn, black beans, peppers, etc.)
1 can creamed corn
1 can (4 oz.) diced green chilies
1 cup shredded cheese (Monterey jack or cheddar- whatever you're going for)
2 cups half and half
1/2-1 cup canned or fresh diced tomatoes (I used fire-roasted canned tomatoes with garlic)

Boil the potato in the chicken broth until the potatoes are soft.  Meanwhile, brown/saute the chicken and onion in butter until the chicken is no longer pink.  Add the garlic and saute for one more minute.  Add the chicken and onions to the potatoes and broth.  Add the cumin, crushed red pepper, and frozen corn, stir, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.  Add the creamed corn, diced chilies, cheese, tomatoes and half and half.  Stir frequently for another 5 to 10 minutes until heated through.

If you wanted, I'm sure you could top with some more cheese, sour cream or cilantro.  OR ALL THREE!

Yuummm!

Here We Are! (...But Where Are We?)

THIS.  Is the product of a sick day.  I've always wanted to start a blog, and think it will be a great way to really keep in touch with family and friends.   Hopefully it will prompt us to take more pictures and videos, and it's a bit more in depth and personal than a random "status update".

Believe it or not, Trevor and I will be celebrating our first anniversary in less than 2 weeks!  I can't believe that it's already been a year.  I just keep thinking that I want to do it again!  That was the best day and greatest party that I have ever had (and probably will EVER have).  

Trevor and I are doing well; just working (him at Home Depot, me with a property management company in Portland), keeping our little home that we share with my brother, Jackson, and spending time with our friends.  We've gone to Sun River, the beach, Disneyland and to the Puget Sound in the last year (Wow!  That sounds ways more exciting than I felt like we have been!).  My goal is to save for one or two much larger-scale vacations before we have kiddos, like a cruise or a trip somewhere tropical or European....*sigh*  Guess I need to start watching Groupon.

At the Deschutes Brewery on our honeymoon (which happened to overlap Trevor's birthday!  Lucky guy!)

Mickey!

 

 

 

 

At the Red Hook brewery after a day of ferry rides through the Sound with my parents in July.

 

Aaaand we have THIS guy!:

Max.  He's part good, part evil, part superhero.

Overall, we're kind of in a transition phase.  Neither of us are making quite enough money to save for a house or big trip or anything yet.  Neither of us are doing exactly what we had planned on doing.  But we're working on it, and I can feel big things coming soon which is a really great feeling.  For now, we will celebrate our first anniversary with a train ride and a Seahawks game, and we'll continue to enjoy each others company and grow into our still-new life together.