In (and out) Like a Lion - Simple Southwestern Chicken Soup

February went out and March came in like a Lion.

The last week of February brought David, KC, Jay, Devin, Will, Turner, Rhett, Steve and Kathe, Dino and Kassie, Linda and Richard, Paul, Jackson and Marybeth....and others to our table for various get togethers. It was great having a house full of family and friends for some planned and some totally unplanned dinner parties.

Gardner Webb Runnin' Bulldogs ended their regular season at home with a crowd to say goodbye to the seniors. Seniors David Brown and Laron Buggs and families were honored prior to the game. Jay will be graduating with them a year early this May but, with eligibility left, his plans for next year are up in the air so he opted out of the senior ceremony. Mom, Dad, cousins and friends came out to the game anyway and we got a nice picture of everyone. We also got a picture of Jay with Molly, who has cheered him on through high school and college. Both will be graduating early which is pretty impressive with the time and energy that college athletics requires.

David and I followed the Bulldogs to their tournament game at High Point University and there the 2012 season ended. It was a tough season with many ups and downs but, as always, the lessons learned along the way and the many wonderful relationships that developed will always be remembered.

Leaving High Point we traveled on to Raleigh-Durham and among many things we got in a variety of visits with a lot of different folks - including our newest family member, Mary Eden. Lynn snapped of cute pic of Mary Eden with her new BlaBla doll but no doubt Mary Eden is the real doll there. Mary Eden's 2 year old sister, Maggie is very observant and must remember visiting in Shelby with our menagerie. When she saw David she immediately called him "Mr. Cat"! I'm not sure if David or Mr. Cat would be prouder.

We carved out some time in Raleigh to take a long walk in the park near Mom and Dad's condo and noticed pretty pink buds on the trees. It's always a joy to take time out to recognize the beauty of spring. Last year at this time, I wrote about a poem I learned in college which tells how just the sight of daffodils can lift your spirits and make your heart sing. (posted March 1, 2011)

So here's to spring flowers, lifted spirits and especially to singing hearts.

Simple Southwestern Chicken Soup

We needed a quick supper one night after all of the traveling and craziness so I made up an easy and Spicy Chicken Soup. I had cooked a lot of chicken breasts in my slow cooker (like Susan taught me to do!) and after I made several chicken pies, I had enough left over to make this soup. If you don't have time to cook chicken, you can always get a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Nothing wrong with a shortcut now and then.

Shred or chop cooked chicken (about 2 cups or so)
Add:

Garlic powder, Chili Powder, Black Pepper and Cumin and to taste
I didn't measure the spices, but I used more Chili Powder than the other spices. Just shake them over the chicken until it looks right! And remember - Mom says, "You can always add more but you can't add less!"

Then add:
1 jar of Salsa (I used chunky, medium hot salsa)
1 32 oz box of Chicken Broth
About 1 tablespoon of Lime Juice

Simmer till flavors blend and serve with grated Jalapeno Monterey Jack Cheese, sour cream and Tortilla Chips. That'll make your heart and your tongue sing. Enjoy.