What to Eat Wednesday- Baked Potato Soup

My mother-in-law Carolyn gave this yummy soup recipe to me. She said she got it from "Laura Bush."
This soup tastes just like a delicious-loaded-baked-potato in a bowl!


6 cups (or so) leftover mashed potatoes (if you are lacking a great recipe go here)
2 TB butter
1 medium onion
1/2 pound bacon- (I always use the REAL pre-cooked kind)
1 large red pepper, diced
2-3 cups whipping cream, half and half, milk, or chicken broth
salt and pepper
optional- cheddar cheese, sour cream, chives

In a large soup pot saute- onions & red pepper over medium heat in 2 TB butter until onions are clear. Add bacon, potatoes and whipping cream to desired consistency. Skim milk or chicken stock may be used to reduce calories. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with cheddar cheese, sour cream and chives.

SPT

lelly's challenge

tuesday, january 27 i resolve to take more self-portraits doing things i enjoy

I enjoy serving my family. Cleaning for them, cooking for them, creating for them. Making celebrations just because.

I rarely take pictures while I am creating. Only finished products. I am going to start documenting the process. Even when I am making a birthday cake in my jammies.

winter

We now have winter weather to match the winter decor.
Did I really post last week about getting sun-kissed?
School has been canceled for the last two days.
For ice. I started thinking, "Oh no, not again"
But it looks like things are melting.
Back to normal.

Today is your birthday shout hooray

What a day to be out of school! School was canceled because of ice. You were disappointed that you had to stay home- you love to go to school so much. But we tried to make the most of today and I think you felt like it was a good birthday- despite not getting to have your day go as planned.
It was so fun to have you come downstairs and see the bike that you wanted. The sweet hug and tender voice saying "mom, how did you find it?" melted me.

You came home a few weeks ago with a cute note you had written with a goal:


I am certain it will be achieved quickly.

You read your new books, and drank hot chocolate.


You played outside in the ice- several times.
You watched Animalia with Savanna and Tucker.
You drew and colored.
You made mom flowers so sweetly.

And thanked me for giving you your birthday.

You got to get out for a bit with Dad and run to the store and Nan's. The whole time, you and Dad kept talking about how great it is to be six.

You came home and were surprised to see your Wall*e cake- and were thrilled that it looked just like wall*e. (well to you anyway)
You looked through your new drawing book with Jack, and matched him in reading, almost reading it faster than he could.


After dinner you made a big wish and successfully blew out the candles on your cake!

We all sat in the family room together and watched your current favorite movie- Wall*e. When it was over we looked down and you were asleep. Ended on a good note for you.

Luke- you certainly add spice to our life.
You are just as sweet as you are spicy.
Several people this weekend commented on how nice it was to see you turning out so sweetly.

You are an incredible reader- It just kind of happened over the summer. We were reading books and you read me something out loud. I did not think that you had really read it. But sure enough you did! We started a reading log, and to date you have read almost 700 books from the library.

You have a BIG imagination- and stay in character for long periods of time.

You love to draw and create.

There are no road blocks for you. If there is something you want to do, then you do it. Nothing stands in your way. If you want to be buzz lightyear and mom says that she is not going to stop what she is doing to make you a costume, then you go make it yourself. With glue. And markers. Or tape. Or staples. On your clothes. Whatever you think will work at the moment.

You have brothers and sisters that love you. Especially Tucker. He looks up to everything you do.
And always has. When I was pregnant with him, he would not move around much unless you were around. Our midwife started having you climb up on the table to talk to my belly when she would check his heart rate. Tucker follows your every move and imitates you.

This weekend we were looking through photos and you saw your baby pictures. You asked what happened to your lip. It was like you did not remember any discussion we have ever had about your lip, or remember seeing any pictures. You have endured a lot in your 6 years. You are tough.

You are dearly loved- I love tucking you in at night and still saying, I am glad you are my boy.
I am glad you still say "I am glad you are my lady."
Happy Birthday!
Forever your lady,
Mom

Playlist of my life

I am listening to ... and I am ...


Only the Good Die Young- Billy Joel- young & naive driving from Massachusetts with Shanan back to OK- driving through the beautiful tress of the Carolinas, scary, scary motel off of the Mississippi river, singing at the top of our lungs

Mamma Mia #? celebration

Last night I went to a Mamma Mia celebration! (I have now lost track of how many times I have seen it- I can no longer just use my hands to count!)
We were celebrating my sister Jennifer's birthday and had all kinds of yummy treats-
We had this, made with these, and Kim brought this, and this was new to me and even though I slipped and bought sesame seeds instead of poppy seeds, it was delish!

We ate, and ate, and sang

and danced

and laughed

our way through the night.

We had too much fun- we were looking through the photos - Janelle and I laughed so hard. We look like we are in pain!

I learned from this night- that apparently I just can't sing with my eyes open. In an effort to show you the unedited me I offer you this-




You have to know that I sang my heart out, and had a blast.
No matter how silly I looked, or how bad I sounded.

Thanks girls for a great night- lets do it again- same time, same place next month!
Anyone else want to join in?

today

Ah the weather- I did enjoy it today.
(where do we need to move to have it like this year round- except green please?)


Skipped the nap for Tucker and just let the boys play.
Tucker is copying everything Luke does.
Luke had this on for much of our time outside.

After we came in and Luke had moved on to other "personas"-Tucker came in with the suit. Its way to big, but it did not stop him from wearing it.

He copied him down to the glasses!

A little while ago Tucker came to me with a bowl, and pulled me to the pantry with the sound he makes for pretzels. I tried to give him some goldfish pretzels. He pushed it away. Then came Luke. I gave Luke some, and boy did Tuck do a quick change of thinking. All of a sudden those goldfish were looking really good.

And- who knows what this is?.

I have never seen this kind of bug before.


It gave me a little fright!

What to Eat Wednesday- Spicy Bolivian Chicken

After Jay and I married we moved to Provo, UT for Jay to finish school. We chased cheap rent from apartment to apartment, waiting to get into student housing. After apartment hopping we were able to sublease apartments in student housing three times. Yes three times. Three semesters one right after the other. And then- we graduated. We had to leave student housing. (we never got in on our own!) We had a home to rent, but had to be out of the student housing before the home was available. Jay had started work already in Springville, and Savanna was 1 year old. We decided that Savanna and I would go on a little vacation to Colorado and Oklahoma while Jay stayed and worked. We just needed a place for Jay to stay for the couple of weeks until our house was vacant. Friends of Jay's parents, the McQueen's helped us out. I stayed there until my ride was able to make it to UT. (Jay's dad took me the leg to CO, and my Dad did the trip from CO to OK)
Long story to get to the point that this dinner is one that we had while staying with them.
(and we wonder where Jack's never-ending-start-when-the-earth-cooled-stories come from?!)

I love how creamy and nutty this tastes. I loved the way the peas pop when you bite into them.

Spicy Bolivian Chicken

1 1/2 pounds chicken (cooked or uncooked-us 1 TB oil for uncooked)
2 large chopped onions
2 red or green peppers chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp red pepper flakes (I omit this or just use a titch- to make it less spicy)
3 cups chicken broth
3/4 -1 cup peanut butter (I use crunchy)
10 ounce pack fozen peas
1/4 cup bread crumbs
cooked rice

If your chicken is uncooked season chicken with salt and pepper, saute in hot oil and set aside. Saute bell pepper, garlic, and onion in skillet about 3 minutes or so. Sitr in chicken broth and peanut butter. Boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Add cooked chicken, peas, and bread crumbs. Simmer 10 more minutes. Serve over rice.

our own inaugural dinner

I felt so happy to have been able to watch the inaugural address- I listened to the festivities on the radio while driving around in the morning. Then rushed home to watch.

I grabbed Luke and Tucker and plopped down in front of the computer.

I loved-loved-loved the music. And parts of the address touched my heart.

After the kids came home from school we talked about what they got to see and hear. And the reactions of some of their class mates. And how even in our own house we had differing opinions of who we would vote for. And it was all ok. We all still love each other. And this day was a day to unite and move on. America has elected a new president- its our job, my job to support.

After seeing so many others doing fun things to celebrate the day- I wanted to join in the fun. After all this is the first inauguration that I can remember watching. I wanted to celebrate the fact that I live somewhere that the transfer of leadership is done peacefully. I wanted our family to remember that they had witnessed history today.

I wanted to celebrate America.

So out came the red white and blue.

Savanna and Luke had fun adding their own personal touches.

Even the toys got in on the festivities.


Luke said they were "American."


Around dinner we talked about what we remembered from the inaugural address and the prayers.
As we discussed the kids day and what they heard from other students we talked about freedom of speech. We chatted about what we can do when others use their freedom of speech and we don't agree with what they are saying. We have choices. Sometimes its best to ignore what is being said. Sometimes we need to stand up for what we believe is right. Sometimes we need to let others know that they are being offensive. We have a choice. We live in America.

How did you celebrate today?

SPT

lelly's challenge
tuesday, january 20 i resolve to take more self-portraits while trying new things

I really am trying something new here-really I am. And I do have some wonderful ideas this year of things that I want to do. That I have not done before. Some are big, some are little. Some will be obvious. And other things, I hope will not be so noticeable.

creatures of habit

Our church building is starting a renovation project that is big enough, and apparently messy enough to be uninhabitable for some time. So we now are going to another building. That we have to drive about 20 minutes to get to.
And our time changed to 2-5. I think I may really like going to church in the afternoon. I was not sure at first. But I am a night person. I am a very very slow mover in the morning. And having church at 2 really fits a night person. I can move slow in the morning. I can get ready at my leisure.
Jay on the other hand goes earlier than we do. The ward that he attends meets at 10. And their meetings prior to church start at 8. And they are meeting in a school. Whenever I start to feel sorry for myself for having to drive farther or think about getting out so late- I think "well it could be worse, I could be meeting at the school."

We were having a chuckle today about what creatures of habit we are. Even at a different building, with a different shaped chapel people still sat in "their spot."
Jay said the same thing. Sitting in chairs in the cafeteria of the school and people were still sitting in "their spot."

Where do you sit? Same place every Sunday?

its natural except for when its not

A while ago, a girl asked me if my hair was natural. I replied that yes it was.
And she said "Oh my mom wondered if you colored your hair."

It made me laugh. Some of my hair is my natural color.
And even without highlighting it my hair will change color with the seasons.
Now I just help it along a little.
I thought about how others ask if my curly hair is natural. Well some of it is. And some of its not. My hair is straight and curly. When I wear my hair straight, I have to help the curly parts become straight. When I want to wear my hair curly I have to help the straight parts become curly.

So its all natural except for when its not.

summer 2008 photo showing both my curly and straight hair