Creamy White Chicken Chili and An Eventful Week

I don't know about yours, but we've had a good fall season so far!  Even though Mr. Cozy has had no less than a crazy work schedule being on and off nights, he's had several weekends to enjoy the family, praise the Lord!  The children and I have had fun days playing outside and enjoying chilly mornings cuddling by the fire.

Last week my Mom came (aka, Grammy) to watch the kids a few days, because I had surgery in my mouth.  My first surgery ever and I had a very tricky impacted wisdom tooth laying on a facial nerve to take out and an old baby tooth that had to get pulled and replaced with an implant.  :/. Meaning the last week hasn't at all been fun and games for me. My mouth is still sore and I have some strange tingling that I pray will go away very soon!  You know, as a Mommy, every little discomfort seems to be magnified.  Instead of being able to lay around with a ice pack and ice cream all day.... there are lots of things to take care of with two little people on your own!  I always have heard that parenting is very sacrificial, but until I became one, I had no idea how true that is!

Thankfully my own sweet Mom was here last week.  Mr. Cozy couldn't take off even one night shift, so she was here to take care of me and the children.  She brought us a chocolate chip pie, hummingbird bread, made creamy potato soup, and brought gifts for the kids and us!  It was wonderful!!!  Mom was the biggest blessing in this whole process.  Last week, I was able to lay around with my cotton packed mouth with ice packs since I knew the kids were in Grammy's loving hands.

Another thing that happened last week--on the 16, the day after surgery-- was our 9th wedding anniversary!!!  Oh, how I wish I could've spent more time with my wonderful husband that day.... Our anniversary is one of the most important, special days of the year to us!  This year was our first as parents to our children on earth, although Bailey Faith (our daughter in Heaven) made us mommy and daddy for the first time 4 years ago.... This anniversary is full of redemption!!

I. Love. This man!!!!

We have survived so much together, and because of Jesus, thrived despite so many obstacles in our way.  He knows my ins & outs more than any other person residing on the planet and loves me anyways.  I love him so deeply!  It's really wild how much we're one...he really is a part of me on every level.

I don't mean to glorify our marriage or make it seem struggle free, because we have seen seasons that have been particularly trying and down right hard. Marriage really takes work, but we both know we're in it 100%, and that God has a powerful way of mending the broken places when we trust Him!  We're committed no matter what, and part of that means making our relationship a priority even in our bustling, hectic lives.  Saturday night, we visited his family, and Meme and Grandad graciously kept the kids as we went out to one of our favorite restaurant Max's Brick Oven.  It's really hard to have a date night with children AND living so far from parents, but we decided to make it happen and I'm so glad we did!  It was magical!

I enjoy showing love to my family by cooking for them, you all know that!  This comforting creamy white chili is something Mr. Cozy loves, and I do too!  We all gobbled it up with mini Jiffy cornbread muffins last night.

It's filled with chicken and white beans and flavored with green chilis and cumin.  The creaminess from the sour cream is rich and delicious!  I used the breast meat of a rotisserie chicken from the grocery ( love those!) to make this an even faster meal to put together.  I think it's simple and easy to begin with, though since it's a one pot wonder!  Add more broth or milk if you want to thin it out. Topped with crunchy tortilla chips and Monterey Jack cheese, this soup is sure to satisfy your cozy meal craving!

If the next few nights are going to be as cold as ours, it would be the perfect time to simmer away creamy white chili while your family warms by the fire and catches up on one another's day!

Creamy White Chicken Chili

Gooseberry Patch's Autumn in the Country

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1lb. chicken breast, cooked and shredded

1 onion, diced (I used frozen chopped onion)

14 oz. can chicken broth

2 15 1/2oz. cans Great Northern white beans, rinsed and drained

1 or 2 small cans green chiles (I used one)

1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. aground cumin

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

8 oz. container light sour cream

1/2 c. Milk

1/2 c. Half n half

Toppings: corn or tortilla chips and shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat and add onion. Cook until soft.  Add the beans, chiles, and broth and seasoning.  Bring to a boil.  Add the chicken and reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.  Add sour cream and milks, and salt and pepper to taste.  Mix well and heat for a few more minutes.  Label into bowls and top with a healthy portion of chips and cheese.

Enjoy with loved ones on a chilly night!

Serves 4-6