Here we go again.

It's that time of year again that everyone goes crazy making their New Year's Resolutions. Of course you have the most popular one... to lose weight. I can admit that I have had that resolution before as well. In fact, that was this past year's resolution. However, I did not accomplish what I had set out to do... but I'm happy with myself and that's all I can ask for.

As 2013 comes to an end, I can honestly say, it has definitely been a year with tons of ups and downs. Luckily this year has helped me to figure out a lot about myself. One of the things I've been wanting to do for a long time was to get serious about school. This year I got back in school and finished my first semester with 3 A's and 1 B. I was pretty proud of myself for putting school first, even though that meant putting my social life on the back burner. Hopefully the people who really matter to me understand my determination and don't take the lack of time spent with them as a slap in the face. I've also realized this year that I don't need anyone to make myself happy. Friends, boyfriends, etc..  If I'm not happy with myself.. I'll never be happy with anyone else. I would DEFINITELY say I'm in a better spot in my life now, than I was at the beginning of the year.

I already know that 2014 has some exciting times ahead for me. This weekend starts it off with some more Christmas family time! Saturday will definitely be a day of great eating. To start it off I will be having brunch with my Aunt and her husband, along with my parents and Grandmother, at Freemason Abbey. If you haven't had brunch there, you're missing out! I can already taste the delightful Mimosas! Saturday evening my parents and I are heading down south to Elizabeth City to see my Grannie Faytie! It's sad I don't get to see her very often, but excited because that means dinner at Montero's! If you're ever in E.City... you have to go there. I'm excited to get to finish up the holiday festivities this weekend!

Some other things to look forward to in 2014 are my third god child being born, my trip to Philly to see the Flyers take on the Lightning, and 3 more semesters of school down!

Want to know what my New Years Resolutions are this year? Check back later this week to see what kind of shenanigans I plan to get myself into.

I hope everyone holidays were fantastic and that you got everything you were hoping for.

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

Just a few more hours and I'm home free for the weekend! I know my weekend will be filled with lots of kickball and Maroon 5!  Oh, and homework..... The life of a college kid, not digging it! I'm going to quit babbling though, cause I know you aren't here to hear me ramble. I promised you a recipe post, and a recipe is what you shall get!!! I made this last night, and just had some for left overs! Yummy. :) 

I found the recipe on pinterest a long time ago and have made it plenty of times since. I tweaked the recipe a bit to my likings (especially on the chili powder) but you can find the original recipe I found here.

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

Here's what you need: 

1 can black beans

1 can corn, undrained

1 can Rotel, undrained

1 package ranch dressing mix

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp chili powder (the recipe calls for more, but I can't do spicy stuff)

1 tsp onion powder

1 8 oz package cream cheese

2 chicken breasts

Crock Pot Bag (Makes clean up simple!)

Directions: 

Place your chicken breasts in the bottom of your crock pot. Drain and rinse your black beans. Pour the black beans, rotel, and corn over the chicken. Next, add your ranch package and your seasonings. After all that, I like to stir it up so everything mixes together. Lastly put the cream cheese on top. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. When it's done cooking, be sure to stir in the cream cheese and shred up the chicken with forks.  I always like to serve mine over rice, but you can do what ever you want. 

Ingredients!

All stirred up and ready to cook!

Finished product! Forgot to take one before I ate it. Sorry!

Now that I'm back in school, I'm getting into using my crock pot again. The last thing I want to do after a day at work and class, is come home and cook. My crock pot and I are best friends now. If you have any good crock pot recipes, PLEASE share them with me!! I'd love to try some new ones!

Hanging out with my Grandma for her birthday yesterday!

...Until Next Time...