Saturday was a really busy day starting with Tim and Mike installing some ceiling fans in 2 bedrooms. They really look nice and sure help to keep the bedrooms cool (greatly appreciated by Mike and I since we sleep in one of those bedrooms!). Steph made a wonderful tortilla soup for lunch and I've included the recipe here. Around 4:00 we quit working and ate at a nice bistro cafe that I can't remember the name of and had Italian. It was a really nice meal and still gave us plenty of time to get to the Starlight where we enjoyed a tour and saw a few of the actors getting ready for the musical. Wouldn't you know I had left my camera at the house thinking there would be no opportunity for photos and of course I could have taken some photos before the musical. The musical was great and the only thing I have to show for it is the program. We really enjoyed the evening--it was absolutely perfect weather and we enjoyed spending time with Tim and Steph.
Sunday was another busy day, Tim and Steph know how to entertain us--shopping, eating, and entertainment. We had a lazy morning and then went out near Nebraska Furniture Mart where we ate lunch at Stix, a Japanese Steak House. The food was great, Mike and I tasted sushi for the first time and we were surprised at how good it was. Of course the chef had all kinds of tricks to entertain us. All of us at the table caught shrimp in our mouths tossed to us by the chef except for Steph who is allergic to shellfish. After lunch, we went to Nebraska Furniture Mart where we bought a clock for the sunroom (altho we gave up on it after two returns because of damage) and we shopped with Tim and Steph for carpet for their home. Steph and I are definitely not a good influence on each other, ask the guys! Before we left for home we made another date for Mike and I to visit to try to get a few more jobs done around their house. (We never get as much done as we want.) We're always tired after our drive home and hate to think about work the next day but that's life!
Chicken Tortilla Soup (from Steph)
Ingredients: 28 oz can diced tomatoes with juice, 10 oz can red enchilada sauce, 2 medium chopped onion, 4 oz can chopped and drained green chiles, 1 minced clove of garlic, 3 Tbsp chopped, fresh cilantro, 2 Cups water, 14.5 oz can chicken broth, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp salt, pinch black pepper, 1 bay leaf, 3/4 tsp dried oregano, 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked thoroughly in simmering water, drained and shredded, 1 10 oz can Mexican corn, drained.
Optional for serving: shredded sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, and tortilla chips
Directions: Combine tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onions, chiles, garlic, cilantro, water, chicken broth, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and oregano in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Add shredded chicken and corn, cover, and continue to cook for another hour, discard bay leaf.
