Thanksgiving in Pictures

The ability to share our weekly photographic love is bestowed upon us by the darlingness that is Lotus. The one and only Sarcastic Mom.

Real Men


If only he were this excited about potty training

Perfect Timing

Scary Mommy, that's a Chess Pie :-)

Timeless Beauty


Hello Lovah!

Dear Chipotle, Please quit torturing me and come to Corpus.

Monkey's Face Wrestles Driveway and loses

It's Not Twiddling, It's War

Overheard in my car today

Me: "Princess, why are you twiddling your thumbs?"

Her: "Mom, I'm not twiddling"

Me: "What are you doing then?"

Her: " 1, 2, 3, 4 I be-clare a thumb war"

She was thumb wrestling herself. In case you didn't get it.

Mouthwatering Loaded Potato Soup

Just ignore the missing header K? We're having some wonky technical difficulties.
Now, on to the recipe.

Well boy howdy did y'all go bonkers over this picture yesterday. Y'all should know that if I post a yummalicious pic like that the recipe is soon to follow.

This is one of my favorite go to cold (or cooler) weather recipes. It is delicious, hearty and best of all s.i.m.p.l.e!

Are you ready to warm your heart, your tummy and delight your tastebuds?

Loaded Potato Soup

Soup Ingredients

• 5 lb bag of potatoes, washed and cut into 1" (ish) pieces
  
• 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
• 5 to 6 cloves of garlic, chopped (or more if you delight in garlic as we do)
  
• 3 sticks butter
  
• pint of heavy cream
• 10 oz can chicken broth
• red pepper flakes (to taste)
• Pepper and salt (to taste)
• 1 to 2 C of milk

Loaded Toppings

• Sour Cream
• Cooked Bacon, chopped
• Green Onions, chopped
• Cheese, shredded

Let's get down to business

1. In a large stock pot melt 1/2 stick of butter.
2. When the butter is all bubbly and golden brown, add in the onions and garlic. Cook about 4 minutes or until translucent and the smell is almost overwhelming.
   
3. Add the chopped potatoes and your red pepper, I use about 2Tbsp, add in the chicken broth, 1/2 the cream, 1/2 stick of butter and 1 C milk.
   
4. Mix everything together well.
   
5. Put the top on your pot and cook all these ingredients over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are softened. You don't want them too mushy.
6. If you have a potato masher, use it sparingly. I mash up about 90% of the potato chunks, and use a fork to help the potatoes along. We like some chunks*.
7. Add in the rest of the cream, 1 stick of butter and salt and pepper**
8. I don't like watery potato soup so I usually add just enough milk to make it a nice creamy, thick consistency.
   
9. I leave my soup simmering over the stove for about 4 more hours, (more butter) this allows all the flavors to blend nicely. This is not necessary!
10. Make sure you stir it frequently, if you do leave it simmering.

Now top to your heart's delight!!

We use fresh cooked bacon, sour cream, green onions and lots of cheese!

*Do not completely mash the potatoes or you will be eating, soupy mashed potatoes, instead of potato soup.
**Remember that potatoes absorb salt so you may need to add more than you think necessary ;-)

Do you have a favorite soup or cold weather dish? Share it here!
Coming soon... Mouthwatering Monday, the link edition!!! WOOHOOO

Today is the last day to enter to have your question answered on The Food Network by Aida, the star of Ask Aida. Enter NOW!!

Sweet, Savory and Silly: Weekly Winners

The darling Lotus is the creator and brilliant mind behind Weekly Winners.
Hop on over there to say Hi and be inspired by her and others.

Sweets For The Sweet


Monkey See, Monkey Do



Brain Freeze Protection


What's For Dinner

Insane Mommy Bakes and Decorates

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Be sure to visit the darling MamaGeek and her cohort in Friday fun Cecily for more Photo Story Friday Fun.

Once upon a time, I lost my mind.

Luckily, it was a short trip to crazy.

You see, the Princess in our little Southern Fairytale turned 5.

She requested a few things.

A Castle Cake.

Insane Mommy complied.

Then the Princess wanted Cupcakes to take to school on her actual birthday.

Once again, insane mommy complied.

She baked and beat, and whipped and piped. Covered in cake flour, butter and sugar permanently embedded in her pores, ears and nasal passages. A right hand which may never work properly again due to hours upon hours of piping icing onto castle cakes and cupcakes galore.

Up to pre-school Insane Mommy went and ate with a table of 4 year olds, played on a playground with 40 something 2,3,4 and 5 year olds.

Crazy mommy craves one thing, sleep and freedom from sweets.

Imagine this times 2. I made 50 of these.

Why did Insane Mommy do this to herself you ask?

Could you say no to this face?

Remember that little place I told you about? The one where I'm the food editor... You know... Blissfully Domestic. Well today there is an amazing opportunity up there, it has to do with Aida and The Food Network and Holidays.... want to know more? Go here.

Now I'm off to give myself a microdermabrasion treatment because I can, and then take the kids to Target because I'm insane like that.

Can You Keep A Secret?

These girls can.

I was recently given the opportunity to review the first book in Christian Writer, Dannah Gresh's new fiction series The Secret Keeper Girls.

Danika's Totally Terrible Toss follows tween Danika through some of the trials and tribulations of middle school. Detention, mean girls, awkwardness and new friends.

As a Mom, I fell in love with the message of this book, as a girl who has yet to completely grow up, I identified with Danika's struggles and triumphs.

Dannah and her co-authors write with wit, charm and honesty. These books will touch your heart, make your daughters realize they are not alone and spread a message of inner beauty, honesty, real friendships and family values. Along with these books there is a fabulous website that has sections for moms and for girls.

If you have an 8 to 12 year old daughter, niece, cousin, babysitter... I highly recommend these books. They are engaging and fun. These would make great stocking stuffers!

If you order before December 19th, you can get the whole set of 4 at a fabulous price!

So whether your daughter is a tomboy, the new kid, struggling with bullies or dealing with boys... there's a book in this series that will resonate with her and you can be sure she's reading something that will enlighten her mind and uplift her soul.

Happy Birthday Princess.

"There once lived a King and Queen,
Who ruled a kingdom nice and serene
When into their lives a princess arrives
With a sparkling smile and twinkling eyes.
She brings joy to their lives with every day
And they love her in each and every way!
She's been ruling their lives for 5 fun filled years,
And they look forward to more laughter and tears!"

November 18, 2003 6:18 PM
19 1/2 inches 7 lbs 15 oz

November 18, 2004

November 18, 2005

November 18, 2006

November 18, 2007

November 18, 2008

My darling not-so-little girl,

Looking back over those pictures, it's hard to believe how much you've grown. You are so smart and so well spoken, I often forget that you're only 4 sob 5.

You are such a treasure. From your loving heart, your vivacious laughter, your sense of humor, your compassion and your beautiful personality... you are everything I could ever have asked for in a daughter, and more.

I am blessed to be your mother, the one chosen to teach you, guide you, love you and cherish you.

There will be times that I will yell at you, there will be times we both say things we don't mean, but there will never be a time that you are not loved, a time you are not cherished, a time where I am anything but thankful for you.

I have always known and understood love, your father taught me a different level of love but you, you my darling daughter, you taught me a love like no other.
You are borne of my body, my heart, my soul and my mind.

You are smart, funny, strong, beautiful, compassionate, silly, confident, loving, temperamental, friendly, energetic and amazing.

I hope that at 15, 25, 45, 95... you retain all of these qualities. I will do my best to stand back and allow you to live, fall, experience, fail and triumph. I will try to never stand in your way, to allow you to fall because the biggest disservice I can do you would be to never let you fail. But I promise that I will always and forever be there to pick you back up, kiss away the tears, whisper I love you and nudge you back towards the right path. You are my firstborn. My only daughter. My always and forever Princess Stinkerbelle.

I love you more than words.

Happy Birthday Darling.

Momma




Last year's Birthday Post