Friends

It all started when I saw these napkins online. 

I ordered the napkins and then invited the friends.

Everyone seems to have a full calendar these days so it's hard to find a day when all of us can get together. You might think that our ages, the calendar would be nothing but doctor appointments. Of course there are doctor appointments, but these ladies fill their calendars with travel and cruises and concerts and plays and committees and volunteer work and bridge club and garden club and who knows what else.

It was a miracle but a few days after I sent the text everyone came to my house for lunch. The first time all of us (who used to gather weekly for book club) had been together in many months.

  

Sarah quickly responded to the invitation text and asked if she could bring dessert. I immediately said "yes." Then all I had to do was make soup. And Sarah brought pie. Yep. That was the menu. Soup and tortilla chips and pie. No need to stress about cooking for company.

I did make the simplest appetizer to welcome everyone. Something to nibble on until everyone arrived. It's also one of the most delicious appetizers I've ever made.

Here's all you do:  Spread softened Boursin cheese (I used Garlic & Herb flavor) on a platter. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios. Drizzle with honey. Put some sturdy crackers, like Wheat Thins, around the edge.

I did mix cranberry juice and ginger ale together for a spritzer to have with the crackers. The appetizer and the spritzer combined took 10 minutes to prep. 

Chicken Taco Soup is so easy make. And I knew everyone liked it because we've had it before. It's in the recipe index on the blog, but I'll put the recipe at the bottom to make it easy for you to find. Any soup left can go in the freezer for one of those busy days coming as Christmas gets closer.

And for the rest of the afternoon, it was all about conversation, catching up and laughing. I hope the walls of my kitchen soaked up the sound—chatter, laughter, story telling...the sound of friendship.

If you've been meaning to have friends over, do it. Don't wait. Buy sub sandwiches, use Door Dash, make the easiest recipe you have. Pull out paper plates. It isn't about the food. It's about the friends. Going out is great, but the visiting can last longer around a kitchen table than at a restaurant. Sweep the floor, wipe off the table but don't worry about making the house perfect. It isn't about your house. It's about being with friends.

I'm so glad I asked them to come now, right before Thanksgiving and Christmas get closer. It's only going to get busier from here on out. Plus, no one expected my house to be decorated for Christmas. I pulled out my vintage pilgrim salt & pepper shakers and that was all the "decorating" that happened.

I made this soup in the instant pot (I made two batches) but you can put it in the slow cooker or cook it on the stove top. You just need to cook it until the chicken is tender.

CHICKEN TACO SOUP (Instant Pot) 

1 small onion, chopped

1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained & rinsed

1 (15-oz) can light red kidney beans, drained & rinsed

1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce

10-oz bag frozen corn

2 (10-oz) cans Rotel tomatoes (I used Mild)

1 packet taco seasoning (I used mild, low-sodium)

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (fresh or frozen)

1/2 cup water

Place all ingredients into pot. Put lid on, close and set vent to "seal." Use manual button and set to 8 minutes. Let it "natural release" for at least 10 minutes. (Longer is fine.) Then release remaining pressure, if there is any. Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Add shredded chicken back into soup. Add a little water if it's too thick. Serve. 

Makes 3 quarts