Is it REALLY 2009???

Happy New Year! I can hardy believe it's 2009 ! '08 passed by in a blurr of travel, family events (both good and bad) and just staying busy.

Did you make a New Year's resolution? I did. I'm going to learn something new this year. Maybe several things. First I'm going to enroll in a Greek cooking class. Then I'll look for some other interesting and mind stretching classes - maybe even online.


And, of course, at the insistance of my darling daughter, I've started this blog. She worries that I will become bored with mountain life. Some days she is exactly right!



Right now, I'm busy taking down Christmas decorations and cleaning the aftermath of several celebrations in one week.

I'll be bored when it's all done and the house is too quiet again!


Spicy Chicken Soup
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 cups sliced carrots
1 cup chopped onion
½ cup sliced celery
1 bay leaf
5 cups water
2 (14.5-ounce) cans petite diced tomatoes
½ cup chopped green or red pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground coriander
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
2 (15-ounce) cans chicken broth
2 cups hot cooked rice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Combine chicken, carrot, onion. celery, bay leaf and water in a large Dutch oven. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes or until chicken is tender. Remove chicken from broth and cut into bite-size pieces.

Add chicken, tomatoes, green pepper, spices and broth. Bring mixture to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 45 minutes. Stir in hot cooked rice. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley. Yield: 3 quarts.