Happy Fall Y'all

   Although I dread summer coming to a close and freezing weather coming upon us, I do really enjoy (the 2-3 weeks of) fall days and all of the goodies that come along with the changing weather.  I love layering, high boots, leggings and scarves to name a few, but on top of the adorable outfits autumn brings on so many more joys....

Changing Leaves

You just can't understand it unless you've seen it.  The beauty of the Great Smokey Mountains and surrounding areas when the leaves change colors.  Wow.  I highly recommend a trip to witness this majesty in person.  

Soups and Chili

You really can't go wrong with a hot bowl of soup on a chili (hehe) fall day!  As a wife, I have learned to appreciate soups so much more because of how easy they are to make- especially if made in a crockpot.  Most of them are fairly healthy too; I tend to eat way more vegetables because of soups and chili.  I recently posted the recipes for two of my favorite soups Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup and Chicken Noodle Soup, both of which are delicious ways to kick start your fall meal planning!

Candy!

I'll admit, I am not a big fan of Halloween, but I sure do love the candy that comes with the holiday!  Even better, the free candy that comes with the holiday!  I'm not just talking about trick-o-treating, there are free candy buckets everywhere!!  Three of which are in the store I work at:)  Caramel Apple Pops have always been one of my favorite candies but they are a treasure if you can find them- they sell out real fast.

Tailgating and Football Parties

Football games are great excuses to get together with friends and have lots and lots of yummy food. Need I say more?

Pumpkins!

{photo from http://www.yankeecandle.com/fragrance/spiced-pumpkin}

Pumpkins are everywhere!  Front door steps, store windows, Halloween costumes, hay rides, corn mazes, pumpkin patches!  Pumpkin candles take the cake though.  Walk into a room that smells like pumpkin and you automatically feel fall.  And man, that's a good feeling!

   What are your favorite things about fall?

Yummiest Chicken Noodle Soup

   Here's to the yummiest in my tummiest chicken noodle soup!!!  The first time I made this recipe I pretty much squealed at how good it was and the fact that I had just created it! (I am by no means a chef.)  And then the next day I proceeded to make a double batch of it so I could eat it for dinner every night the rest of the week!  Hands down the best chicken noodle soup I've ever had.  (Which is saying something because Progresso's and Panera's chicken noodle soup are pretty hard to beat. ) The original recipe is from Allrecipes.com and honestly I wouldn't change a thing about it.  Every time I've made this soup I've changed a little here and there by adding more carrots or onions or spices or celery or chicken etc.  but I just can't beat it;  The original is by far the best.

{Mmmhmmm! It even looks like it smells good!  I was lucky to get a picture before everything was gobbled up!}

P.S.  The recipe calls for salt and pepper to taste, my taste buds desire about a tablespoon of pepper and boy oh boy is it good!  I recommend trying it with lots of pepper!  I also don't add any salt.

P.P.S.  I have made it without sauteing the onions and celery (which also means not using any butter)  and the taste was not that different.  If you are short on time and need it to be easier you can just add the raw onion and celery and the soup will still taste fantastic!

Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Soup

   {photo from http://www.facebook.com/campbellscondensedsoup}

   I wish I could take credit for this delicious soup but I have to give all the credit to my mother-in-law.  Amazingly she created this soup by throwing things together one night that she needed a quick meal.  WOW is all I have to so to this talented women. To create something this geniusly tasty by just throwing things together is definitely something to be admired!  The creation?  Cheese Chicken Tortilla Soup.  Could possibly be one of the yummiest soups you make this season.  Here's the delicious recipe:

1 Can of Cream of Onion Soup

1 Can of Fiesta Nacho Soup

1 can of cheddar Cheese Soup

1 package of McCormick White Chicken Chili Seasoning

2 Cups of Water

1 Cup of Milk

2 or 3 Cooked Chicken Breasts Shredded

1. Mix all of the ingredients together and heat

2.  Serve with Tortilla Chips

   My husband and I eat this soup like a cheese dip with tortilla chips, but you can also just sprinkle crushed up tortilla chips on the top.  This is such an easy meal to make especially if you are needing something quick.  It doesn't last long though, so be sure to get a big bowl of it:) Happy Eating!