Super Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

This super-easy chicken tortilla soup really is super-easy and a perfect go-to meal that adds just the right amount of kick.

As a farm family, the words super and easy in a recipe always catch my attention especially if the crock pot can be used.  As I was flipping through my new Gooseberry Patch Mom Knows Best Cookbook, this Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe definitely caught my attention.  And it was just what our family needed for lunch yesterday.

As you know we are in the midst of planting season which is often crazy and chaotic.  The Farmer has essentially been in the fields non-stop the last few weeks.  But thanks to some much needed rain on Saturday, The Farmer got to spend yesterday at home with us.  Now when you've been working like crazy the last thing you want to do is come home from church and wait to each lunch.  That is why this recipe was absolutely perfect.

With very little prep time, I was able to mix together this soup and throw it in the crock pot before we left for church and it was ready to eat when we got home a little after noon.  And based on the fact that everyone went back for seconds and there were no leftovers, I would say this Chicken Tortilla soup was a big hit at this pigpen.

Super Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. onion, chopped
• 1 T. olive oil
• 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 10.75 oz. can cream of chicken soup
• 10.75 oz. can Cheddar cheese soup
• 10.5 oz. can chicken broth
• 10 oz. can red enchilada sauce
• 4 oz. can chopped green chiles
• 1 deli roast chicken, boned and shredded
• Garnish: shredded Cheddar cheese, sour cream fresh cilantro, tortilla chips/strips

Cooking Directions

1. In a stock pot over medium heat, saute onion in oil until tender and golden. Add remaining ingredients except garnish; stir. Bring to a boil. Add to slow cooker and cover and cook on high for 2 hours. At serving time, ladle into soup bowls; add desired toppings.
2. This recipe can also be prepared in a dutch oven by following the above directions except after bringing everything to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally.

Print Recipe Here

As a side note, I actually did my grocery shopping on Saturday morning and they didn't have any deli roast chickens hot off the rotisserie; however, they did have some in the refrigerator case and this was perfect for this recipe.  Also had I planned ahead I could have made my own chicken broth thank to this handy dandy tip in the Gooseberry Patch cookbook.  

Special thanks to Gooseberry Patch for providing me with this great cookbook to try and share with you. If you would like to purchase this or other cookbooks, please visit their store. Additionally, this post does contain an affiliate link.

Do farmers go on Spring Break?

Vacation.  It is something we probably all don't do enough of for various reasons:  time, money, and effort may be at the top of the list for many of us.  Farmers are possibly more guilty of this than others so it is no surprise that  I'm often asked if Farmers get to go on vacation?

Yes, we do, but it possibly takes more planning than other professions to accomplish.  In fact The Farmer and I just got back from taking the kids to Walt Disney World for their Spring Break last week.  It was an amazing time, but it took a lot of planning and coordination for The Farmer to be gone.  Thankfully we farm with his parents so vacations are possible as long as we don't vacation at the same time as his parents as one of us always needs to be around to take care of the pigs.  As I've said before the pigs are always our top priority.

In addition to coordinating and planning with The Farmer's parents, it has to be the right time of year to go on a vacation.  In general, the spring and fall are out.  This is partially why I was not ecstatic when our kids moved to a balanced school calendar and now have a 2 week fall and spring break.  In fact when our kids first started school, I didn't think we would ever go away on Spring Break.  We've gotten a little leeway on this since our Spring Break was the last week of March and not in April.  It was nice to be able to get away as a family after the winter we have had this year, but I know The Farmer thought about the farm every day... it is in his blood.

So yes, farmers do get to go on Spring Break, but it isn't always a given, can be very weather dependent, and takes lots of coordination and planning.  And it may come during the winter or summer.

Did you have a Spring Break?

7 Reasons Farming is like childbirth

Well it's official, I just survived my 15th harvest as The Farmer's wife.  Normally we would have a small little celebration of sorts, but I think this year everyone is just looking for a good night's sleep as this has been one of the longest harvest seasons I can remember.  This got me thinking... farming really is a lot like childbirth and here are my top 7 reasons why.

1.  It can be short.

Whether we are talking about planting or harvest season, it is all dependent on Mother Nature so it can be a short season or defer to #2.

2.  It can be long, as in never ending like this year.

3.  It can be a false alarm.

 Just like some women experience early contractions only to be sent home from the hospital, planting and harvest can often have a false alarm thanks to Mother Nature.  You know where you get everything ready to go to the fields and then it rains and rains and rains for days.

4.  It can be painful.

As a farmer there is not much worse than a broken piece of equipment, tractor, or combine during the planting or harvest season.

5.  It might require medication.

There might be a few nights during a long and painful planting or harvest season that some adult beverages are needed after many hours in the tractor or combine.

6.  It is all about family.

One of the best parts of being a farmer is getting to share our love and life with our kids each day.

7.  You can't wait to share the news.

At 6:32pm tonight I got the text from The Farmer that Harvest 2014 was finally done and I couldn't wait to tell all of you.

You see farming is a lot like childbirth because in the end we don't remember the bad parts of planting or harvest season.  We just remember the good, our love for the land, and doing our small part to make sure our family and all of yours have food to eat.  Just like my experiences with labor and delivery with these 3 amazing children.

So here's to the end of Harvest 2014 and looking towards Planting 2015.

Technology on the farm

 

Technology...

Technology plays a big role in all of our lives and I must admit almost daily I'm amazed how fast it is changing.  When I graduated from college in 1999, my employer gave me a pager and a bag phone and I thought I was cool.  My how times have changed.

Just like technology has improved things in our daily lives, technology has made a big difference on our family farm. We are able to use GPS technology to more accurately plant our crops and precisely apply crop protectants when needed which has drastically reduced our carbon footprint as farmers.  And this is just one of many examples of how technology on the farm is making a big difference.

One thing The Farmer and his dad could not live without is their smart phones.  Whether it be to check the markets, the weather, or read their email, they are constantly using their smart phones for something other than just a phone.

So needless to say when I got the opportunity to try out some of the latest and greatest gadgets from Verizon Wireless, I knew The Farmer would be more than excited as he is always trying to find ways to help him on the farm.

From the moment the Samsung GALAXY S III arrived, I could hardly keep it out of The Farmer's hands.  He loved the big screen as it made it easier to type and read.  (This Blackberry lover still can't give up her keyboard.)

He also loved the 4G service which allowed him to access the weather and other essentials for the farm in no time at all everywhere on the farm.

All in all, The Farmer was impressed and he is not easily impressed.  So when you can impress him and it helps him on the farm, you have a winner.  (The Farmer was sad the day I had to send it back, but can hardly wait to see what comes next.. I know, but I'm not telling.)

6 reasons every day is ag day at the pigpen

Every day is truly ag day around the pigpen.

Let me tell you how...

1.  We start every day with the futures of these 3 amazing kids on our minds.  Truthfully everything we do is so that they can have a bright and wonderful future in agriculture or whatever career path they choose.

2.  The Farmer and I "work" in agriculture every day.  It is is our day job, our business, our lifestyle, and our passion.

3.  It has been the passion for generations before us and we are reminded of their sacrifices, sorrows, and joys daily.

4.  On our family farm, one of our top priorities is raising pigs the best way we know how so that our family and yours can enjoy healthy and nutritious pork.

5.  Each and every day we make the best possible decisions for our environment and the land so that it will be around for future generations as the land is not ours.  It is simply our job to take care of it for the next generation.

6.  Being a farmer is hard work, but we wouldn't change it for anything because every day is ag day and we are truly blessed.

The day Big Sissy and The Farmer were the same age ... It's a leap year birthday

It's a big day at the pigpen.  It is an occurrence that only happens once every four years.  As you know today is February 29th, but what you might not know is it is also The Farmer's birthday... that's right The Farmer is a Leap Year baby so it isn't every year that we get to celebrate his birthday on his actual birthday.

So today is special for all of us since it is The Farmer's real birthday, but it is even more special for Big Sissy as her and The Farmer are finally the same age.  Since she turned 9 in October, she's been waiting for today so she and her daddy could be the same age.

To celebrate his big birthday, she made him this sign:

So Happy 9th Birthday to The Farmer!!  We love you at this pigpen!

I think I'm in love...

Believe it or not, Carhartt attire has played a big role in my life.

I remember when I joined the livestock judging team at Purdue University, my mom bought me my first pair of Carhartt coveralls.  I was so excited, but I would be willing to bet that I might have been one of the first if not the first girl in my sorority to wear them to one of our barn dances.

But they sure did keep me warm and are very comfortable.  

When The Farmer and I started dating, his family was in an advertisement for Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc that appeared in several publications in Indiana.  This ad was the first picture I showed my family of The Farmer before they met him.  In the picture, he was wearing a Carhartt hooded jacket.  (I don't have a copy of that picture, but I have a very good mental picture of it.)

When Big Sissy was born, my mom also bought her a pair of Carhartt coveralls that have now been worn by all 3 kids.  

So needless to say I was super excited when I had the opportunity with The Real Farmwives of America and Friends to pick out something for myself from Carhartt's awesome women's line.  It was super tough decision as they have a great selection and I have always been super pleased with the quality of Carhartt items.  In the end, I decided on the Women's Skyline Vest.

It's been perfect for taking the kids to school,

Bubby's football games,

going through our inventory for The Pork Shoppe (my mother-in-law and I's retail pork business),

and a ride in the semi during this year's soybean harvest. 

Besides it being the perfect weight for our recent fall weather, I love the inside pocket.

It is perfect for my keys, change, or anything else that I need to keep track of while wearing my vest.  

So truthfully as much as one can be with a garment, I think I'm in love with my new Carhartt vest.  

Thank you again to Carhartt and The Real Farmwives of America and Friends!

To win a Carhartt of your own, please visit www.realfarmwivesofamerica.com to sign up for their giveaway.  Good luck!  

Carhartt did provide me with this product to review, but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.  

Farmer Fridays - 11 years ago

11 years ago today, The Farmer and I said I do and the rest is history.  So Happy Anniversary to my Farmer!

Farmer Fridays - It's a dirty job

Well farming can be a dirty job, but someone has to do it. 

Truthfully though, The Farmer hates getting dirty, but he knows it is all in a day's work and he wouldn't trade it for anything and neither would our family.  (Although I do make him keep his dirty work clothes separate from the rest of our dirty laundry and we wash his work clothes separate from everything else.)

Let's face it when you work outside most days with the land, dirt is just a reality especially when water is involved and it turns to mud.

And really to a 5 year old boy how much more fun could it be even if Dad isn't smiling...

and there is a hole in your boot. 

That is Bubby's toe sticking out of his boot.  

In fact, Bubby always finds a way to show that farming can be a dirty job.

In all honesty though, the job that many people might think is the dirtiest job on our farm is in fact a job that doesn't get you dirty at all, most of the time.  I've talked about it before, but we actually recycle our pig's manure so even though it deals with poop, it's really not too bad of job.  And it is just one of the ways we are green on our family farm.

If you want to hear more about the dirty jobs on our family farms, be sure to check out The Real Farmwives of America and Friends as today is a special Farmer Fridays with themed posts from all of my fellow farmwives and friends.

Wordless Wednesday - Daddy's little girl

It is such a pleasure to watch each of our children learn to love the farm.  Tractor and combine rides are always loved by all; however, tractor rides have been at a premium so far this planting season since our number of days in the fields has been extremely limited due to the rainy weather.

Saturday night, Little Sissy got her first tractor ride of the season and it didn't take long until she wanted to be just like her dad...

Linked to the following Wordless Wednesday parties:

Project Alicia

Pinke Post

Supermom

Live and love...outloud

Dagmar*s momsense

Farmer Fridays - Did you know we raise rocks?

Well Mother Nature finally cooperated for a few days and we were able to get in the fields on Wednesday night.  We worked almost non-stop until a short rain shower stopped us yesterday afternoon.  The weather forecast for today is still up in the air as the sun is currently shining, but rain is predicted.  The Farmer is optimistic.

Before the rain arrived yesterday, we were able to plant 2 1/2 fields of corn and a few rows of sweet corn and everyone's moods have improved immensely since last week's Farmer Fridays.

Now I know you know we raise corn, soybeans, wheat, and pigs on farm, but did you also know we "raise" rocks?  Well not really as you can't grow rocks; however due to our year round climate and the freezing and thawing patterns of the soil during the winter, each year new rocks come to the surface of the soil.  I understand why this happens, but it amazes me each year that rocks of all sizes randomly appear in the field.

As you might image, rocks are not so friendly to our tractors and equipment so Bubby and I spent some time picking up rocks the other night.

Truth be told, we could probably pick up rocks every day on the ground we farm and still not get them all.   It is quite amazing.

And although we don't really want the rocks in our fields, they do make a nice addition to my landscaping.

Farmer Fridays - And she's gone

Well I think my internal clock is finally back to normal after an extended weekend get-a-way to California wine country last weekend with The Farmer and some amazing friends.  The 3 hour time differential plus the whole daylight savings time change was not kind to my internal clock, but it was definitely worth it. I say my clock is back to normal because after a full day of work yesterday, a visit to our accountant, and kindergarten round-up for Bubby (where is the time going?) I feel asleep as soon as my Boilers were assured of a trip to the round of 32 and needless to say never got my Farmer Friday post done.

So welcome to one of those rare Saturday editions of Farmer Fridays.

It's that time of year around the farm where everyone is excitedly anxious.  Mother Nature has been teasing us with some beautiful weather to let us know that planting season is just around the corner and that has everyone at this family farm beyond ecstatic.  So since it is still a little too early to get in the fields, now is the time to do all those outside projects we couldn't get done during the winter because once planting season starts we won't have time to do any other projects until planting season is all over. 

The big project yesterday was cutting down some trees close to my mother-in-law's house.  Now these trees serve as a wonderful wind break and privacy fence; however, a couple of them have died over the years and needed to come down.  One in particular, Bubby liked to call "The Widowmaker."  If you watch enough logging shows as Bubby and The Farmer do you know exactly what I'm talking about.  If you aren't as lucky as those of us at this pig pen, it is basically a tall, tall tree that could be very dangerous to cut down in essence making the spouse of the logger a widow, if you get my drift. 

Bubby loves logging shows so much that he told me the other day that Gamma, my mother-in-law, was going to have to call Jay Browining to have him cut down The Widowmaker.  Never mind that he is located in the Pacific Northwest.  Since he doesn't make house calls, Bubby and Pop Pop decided to take matters into their own hands yesterday. 

Now I only got one picture of this entire escapade and that was of the remaining stump at the very end, but let's just say it involved a chain saw, the bobcat, and two very smily boys (Bubby and PopPop).  Needless to say, The Widowmaker is gone from this family farm. 

So although we aren't going into the logging business anytime soon, it was a pretty exciting day for some on this family farm.  Now if I could only get my deck built before The Farmer went to the fields this spring, all would be happy.

Have a great weekend everyone!