Crockpot Chicken Lemon Soup with Spinach and Orzo

I don't know about you, but I LOVE soup in the winter.  I also LOVE my crockpot.  In the fall and winter, I usually use it once/week.  This week, since the fam is all battling colds, I have already used it twice!

On Monday night, we had Shay's Chicken Margarita Soup.  It was Zach's last night home before going "across the pond" to London for a semester aboard.  I got some fresh bread from the bakery and a Boston Cream Pie (per his request).

If you follow me on Pinterest, you can find Shay's recipe pinned on my Soup Board.

Last night (well started it yesterday), I put together a soup that was yummo and just what the doctor ordered.  I am calling it Crockpot Chicken Lemon Soup with Spinach and Orzo

Hubby loved it and so did Pidge (even though she spilled most of it on herself)....Diana is another story....do you have any fussy eaters at home? ;)

Here is what you will need:

 Ingredients:
2 boxes of chicken stock
1 tsp. dried thyme

1 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
1/2 cup of orzo

 1 roasted chicken (I LOVE to buy the grocery store ones- already done- so easy but you can also use 3-4 chicken breasts cut up in chunks)
1 large package/box of fresh baby spinach
2 T fresh-squeezed lemon juice (I also put a couple of pieces of fresh lemon, with the rind, in for flavor

Shredded Parmesan (Optional; to taste)
Instructions:

Put the first 6 ingredients in the crockpot.  Cut/shread the chicken and add that in.  Stir and put on high for 2-3 hours.  Add the orzo and fresh spinach and cook for 30 minutes more.  Serve with parmesan and Enjoy!  See?  How easy is that?  Gotta love the crockpot! Delicious, warm and healthy!

Aaron James Sanchez Graduates from the Art Institute of Boston

We are so proud of this young man and grateful to have him in our family!

We joined his family and friends in a celebration at The Granary Tavern- Financial District, Boston

It was an amazing night!

2016 Windham Wolverines Banquet

This year's was more fun than ever, especially for me, since I coached

It was so great to see all of our little munchkins again; I really miss them and miss the season!

Diana had a ball with the girls and getting her trophy

I was able to snag a few pics!  (Rob helped me too of course)

Friday Favorites (January 8, 2016)

It's Friday!!!  FTW!!!!  And I am LOVING the new graphic that these lady bloggers put together

Linking up with Erika, Narci and Andrea HERE

I love...no I CRAVE structure and routine.  It makes me work harder and makes me enjoy downtime and weekends so much more!  This week, we were back in action and I loved it.  It also helped to dull the pain of this wonderful Christmas season ending!

Don't you love this saying?  I have seen it on signs and website and clothing...right?

Loving Puffer Vests and Scarfs when it is not below 30 degrees here in chilly New England

Some of my purchases this year are keeping me warm this winter!

This Red Puffer Vest from Macy's

You can find it HERE

 

and I like to pair it with a plaid scarf or two...here is one of my favorites

I snagged it on Ebay- you can find it HERE

Another puffer vest I am wearing is more maroon- I also snagged it on Ebay

You can find similar styles HERE

and my Nordy's scarf goes so well with it!

Best $20 I ever spent; unfortunately this is sold out

and one of my favorites all year and especially this past week was 

The Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale!

Can you believe that I already got my items?

My favorite, by far, is this top!

Just beautiful! I would post a link but it is sold out

Planning a Sprinkle for One of My Best Friends

She is due with Baby #5- WOW!  The funny thing is she always makes it look so easy!

Anyway, I am sticking with a simple "Sprinkle Theme"

Check out some of the ideas I have found on Pinterest

Our "go to Cake Lady" is already on the case...can't wait to see her masterpiece!

 That's it for today!  I hope you all have an amazing weekend!

We have a fun filled weekend plan...will share next week :

 

Show & Tell Tuesday (My First One!) January 5, 2016: Intro and Resolution

I am excited to partake in my first Show & Tell Tuesday

Linking Up with ANDREA

Hi!  I am Holly! I am a 42 year old wife, mom and stepmom.
I am a career woman, an avid volunteer, and lover of all things Catholic and Jesus.
My guilty pleasures include wine, Lilly Pulitzer, Netflix, Coffee and Chocolate.

I was born in Winchester, MA, a suburb just North of Boston and

I have lived in New England my entire life!

I was my parent's first child

 

A few years later, my brother Matt came along...I was none to pleased then ;)

but I got used to him pretty quickly and loved his company!

We became a family of 4

We loved growing up in Stoneham...Halloween was the best time of year...we had the best neighborhood!

My brother played sports and I danced.  I even participated in the Boston Ballet's Nutcracker for 4 years...a dream come true

This pic is our family much more recently

Before 8th grade, we moved to Andover

It is there that my brother and I graduated high school

My favorite part of high school was cheering; I loved being Captain of the Varsity Football Cheer Team

and winning Homecoming Queen my senior year of high school was a highlight for a kid like me who was mostly ignored in high school

I went on to UMASS Dartmouth (see?  not far and still in New England...and close to the beach I may add).  Being at UMD were some of the best years of my life...until I met my now husband Rob.

I met him in a bar....sounds cheesy right?  He was the lead singer in a band and it was love at first site

We married on August 14, 2014

We became an instant family.  Rob had three kids so I immediately became a wife and a stepmom at the same time

It's just as hard as they say; We needed each other and loved each other but the first 10 years were TOUGH
Over the years, I learned, though, we were brought together for a reason and I am exactly where I should be.

I jumped in with both feet!  I got involved and did the best I could.
I actually became the PTA President and won Best PTA in NH during my second year!  That was another highlight of my life :)

When our first baby Diana Mary was born, on August 24, 2008, something magical happened
She became the glue that held us all together

We moved into our dream home during the Summer of 2012....we LOVE our town and our community
Though it has grown quite a bit, there are so many wonderful things about living here

 We've been able to make some quality friends here too....just blessed

 A few years later, our family was complete when we welcomed Baby Eva! (April 24, 2014)

The little ones keep us very busy nowadays.  The older ones are grown (Kayla is now 26, Ally is now 22 and Zach is now 20- he is the youngest of my stepchildren and he his a junior in college and lives with us much of the time).  Life is crazy good and we thank God every day for our blessings

My hubby sells software for an amazing company and is blessed with being able to work remotely
I am an HR Consultant and love working with different clients.  My chosen profession also allows me to work remotely much of the time.  We work our schedules around each other and have found that we are much more present for the kids...and that is...wonderful

In addition to working, I enjoy coaching cheer, blogging and trying new recipes.  I am good at cooking but need to get better at baking....my friends and family think I should have been an event planner.  I do enjoy putting together parties and celebrations...and they always have a theme :)

So this is my life, in a nutshell....can't wait to read all about you!

and My Resolution for 2016 is to
Continue to have faith....minimize anxiety and be grateful for every day