Little Known Facts About Me
Recently I started something a little out of the ordinary for me — I joined a quarterly subscription box designed by a fellow British Columbian, Jillian Harris. You might recognize her from The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, or HGTV’s Love it or List it Vancouver. Her curated lifestyle box, The Jilly Box, feels like Canada’s answer to Fab Fit Fun — but with more heart and intention.
Each season’s box features carefully chosen eco-friendly, diverse, and cruelty-free products that support small businesses across North America. It’s not just a box — it’s a feel-good surprise that celebrates thoughtful living. (You can peek into Jillian’s inspiring world here https://jillianharris.com/about/.
Inspiration For My Writing Journey
This Fall’s box included a set of Cool to Connect cards — 52 beautifully designed prompts to help you connect more deeply with yourself and others. I thought, why not use these as a little creative nudge when blogging?
Along with that, I received a heartfelt Christmas gift from our future daughter-in-law — a journal called “The Story of My Life.” It’s filled with memory-jogging prompts like:
- What kind of learner were you in high school?
- Where were you when something historic happened?
- What did you do with your first paycheck?
And because I clearly like a challenge, I also joined Daily Om’s “A Year of Writing to Uncover the Authentic Self.” (Note to self: probably should have started that one in winter — I’m only eight months behind!) Thankfully, the lessons never expire, which is perfect for a procrastinator-in-progress like me.
Today’s Prompt: “What are Some Things No One Would Ever Guess About You?”
Alright, here goes — time to spill a few secrets:
- I’m not scared of much — haunted houses, heights, even parasailing are fine — but mention bats, and I’m gone faster than you can say fangs.
- When I was 11 years old, I won a National Pole Bending Championship on a horse named Sorry. (Yes, that was really his name. Yes, he lived up to it.) My dad told me to “just ride like you know how, and he’ll do the work.” He was right.
- My happy place? Cleaning stalls in a barn. There’s something grounding about it — a little sweat, a lot of peace, and the smell of hay that reminds me of home.
- People who know me now think I’m a decent cook, but early in my marriage, I could burn water. (Larry would confirm this if I let him!)
- As a kid, I always wanted to learn to tap dance.
- My first trip to Disneyland was at age 43, and yes — I cried when I saw Winnie the Pooh. (Total dork moment, but I own it.)
- A good sunset or sunrise can move me to tears. There’s just something about those quiet bookends to the day that remind me how beautiful this life really is.
So there you have it — no more secrets!
Now it’s your turn: What’s something no one would ever guess about you?
Soup Season Has Arrived
Here in beautiful British Columbia, it’s officially soup weather. When the air turns crisp, I listen.
This week, I found myself with leftover chicken gravy (I know — random) and decided to turn it into something cozy and comforting: Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup.
It was so simple and so delicious that I couldn’t keep it to myself. This soup is best enjoyed with some garlic bread, slippers and a warm fire in the fireplace! Enjoy
Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
Equipment
- Large dutch oven
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Leftover chicken (breasts or thighs, whatever you have on hand) Diced or shredded uniformly See my Cowgirl Tip below!
- 2 Tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 Onion Diced
- ½ Cup Celery Chopped
- 1 Carrot Chopped
- 1 Red or orange pepper (small) Diced
- 3 Cloves Garlic Minced
- ¼ Tsp Pepper to taste
- ¼ Tsp Salt to taste
- ⅔ Cup Cream
- 1 Cup Leftover chicken gravy Around here, we don't let good leftovers go to waste. If you have a little chicken or turkey gravy in the fridge, add it to the pot. It melts right into the broth, giving the soup a little extra richness and that cozy, homemade flavour we all love.
- ½ Cup Rice Cooked
- 1 Tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 Tbsp Cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp Lukewarm water
- 4 Cups Chicken broth Boxed works, but I like to keep some homemade broth on hand in my freezer (See recipe below) https://cookingincowboyboots.blog/2026/06/02/cooking-when-your-body-doesnt-cooperate-simple-swaps-gentle-shortcuts-and-grace-on-flare-days/
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large dutch oven.
- Add garlic, onion, carrot, celery, red pepper & Italian seasoning and cook for 2-3 minutes stirring frequently.
- Add leftover chicken, cooked rice, gravy and chicken stock and simmer for 20 minutes to allow flavours to blend
- In a small bowl or cup, combine the cornstarch and water and add to the soup. Slowly stir in the cream and continue to cook for 2-3 more minutes stirring frequently
- Season with salt and pepper to taste
Notes
