Chicken Tortilla Soup - Slow Cooker Recipe

I discovered a yummy recipe yesterday, & since it turned out to be such a success, I just had to share!! I was in a hurry & had rehearsal, so I needed something I could throw on & go, & it would be ready by the time I got home. It's so simple & so yummy, you're going to love it!! All you need is:

2 cans Campbell's Chicken & Rice soup
2 cans diced tomatoes (I used the kind with little green chilies in it, to give it an extra kick)
1 can black beans
1 package taco seasoning (or if you don't like a lot of spice, only half a package)

Mix everything together in your slow cooker, add water enough to fill the pot, & turn the slow cooker on low. Let cook for at least an hour. Serve with crunchy tortilla chips.

It really is that easy!! Wish I had some pictures to show you, but it was so yummy that I just couldn't stop eating long enough to take a picture!! Haha.

That's all for now. Just a quick recipe!!

Love Love Love

Not So Confident I Can Pull This One Off...

Last night I had a lot of fun at rehearsal... until my scene came up. As we all know, I am unquestionably my own worst critic. I can't help but put a massive amount of pressure on myself about this show. I have been so excited to finally be able to play a role that's different from what I'm typically cast to play. And now I'm afraid I've bitten off more than I can chew. The skin-showing I can handle; that's not the problem. I seem to be having a problem finding the confidence I need for this one character. The last few months, emotional hell though they may have been, have somewhat forced me to instill a new confidence in myself. One that I've not ever had before in my entire life. That being said, I don't know why it's so hard for me to give this character the vivaciousness that she needs. I've been trying to walk into each rehearsal & "own it." But I'm still missing something. Missing a lot, actually.

Feeling like this makes me question pretty much everything about myself as an actress. I mentally & emotionally beat myself black & blue telling myself to step it up, worrying that I'm the weak link. I worry that I'm making the director, crew, & other cast members never want to work with me again. I worry that anyone who's spoken kindly about me as an actress will regret anything they may have said. I worry that I'll blow the whole show. 

I usually do this to a certain extent in any show. Always criticizing myself, always pushing myself for more, nothing is ever enough. Always worrying I'll bring the show down. Worrying that I'm the weak link. Usually my fears are evaporated by the time we open (for the most part, anyhow), & I'm free to relax & actually enjoy the performances. And usually I can partially quell those fears by telling myself that I always do this. This time, however, I'm worried that these fears may be valid. I'm afraid that I actually might blow this.

Especially after how my scene went last night. I'm not sure what it was. I was hormonal, hungry, & exhausted. I had somehow worked myself into a bundle of nerves. I acted like a fool. And then I just... sucked. I know, I know, everyone has those rehearsals, everyone has an off night. But I've had more off nights than good ones so far with this show. And as much as I've tried to step it up, I felt last night like I had completely lost myself from any path of decent work I may have been on. It's been upsetting me all day. Hopefully, I'll be able to step it up from now on, & really sell this role. I hope so.

Ah. Enough pity partying. It's back on the horse. I'm off to spend my Friday night primping. Feeling pretty leads to confidence, after all...

Love Love Love

I Am A Twenty-Something Young (Southern) Lady

I added the "Southern" part in the title because in the last couple of months, I've used the word "y'all" without even noticing at first at least three times. Anyone who knows me knows that this word is not one that I've ever used. It's been strange. I must be finally accepting my Southern heritage. I suppose "y'all" is a part of Southern Belle vernacular, right?

After dealing with all the drama these last few months, & finally starting to move away from it & into a better place, I've been re-doing a lot of things. Example: My apartment. I figure it should look like a place an adult would live. So, I've been doing a lot of de-cluttering. Lots of cleaning. My stupendous mother bought me some Princess House dishes that I've been pining after for years. I've added a couple of things to the walls. (A picture in my bedroom & a whiteboard in the kitchen.) I've completed a couple of crafty DIY projects to make my cute little apartment a little homier, & I have a little list of things I have yet to do. (In order to complete those, I have to either find the money to buy the materials, or find the time assemble them.)

A little wreath I made for my front door!! 

I've started assembling a "big girl" wardrobe. This is something I've been talking about for a while, but I've finally jumped on it & cleaned two bags of shoes & clothes out of my closet. I ordered a couple of super cute pieces from Hope's & A Cut Above. It's still got some work left, but my wardrobe is coming along. 

Also, I started classes again!! This is the most exciting thing to happen. I can only take one class at a time & they will either have to be online or night classes. I've been out of school since late 2010, & I'm finally starting to work on my degree again. It may take me until I'm 90 to graduate, but I'm getting there!!

As much getting-together as I'm trying to do, it still occurs to me that I'm no where near actually having it "all together." Every now & then, I get upset & think of myself as a mess. But I usually come around & recognize that I'm not in a place where I should have it "all together." Whatever that even means. This is the time when I'm supposed to be figuring out what having it all together means. It's okay to still be figuring things out, to not know the answers, or not have a great deal of savings. What matters is that I'm happy, that I'm trying to better myself, & that I'm living life. Sometimes I have to remind myself that most people my age are doing that same thing: just figuring things out. We're all new at this. I'm a twenty-something. I'll learn. And I'll have fun while I do!!

Love. Love. Love.