At last...

I have now declared all hat making in this house finished as of yesterday.  At least until I get two important 'projects' completed.  I might make a teeny tiny exception if little Connor needs something appropriate for the holiday.  That won't be so bad because his only takes an afternoon to whip up.  All others must wait.

After completing the 'last' hat, I was a bit lost on what to busy myself with.  So I sat down and paged through a few books that I found at the library.  What wonderful books they are!  Not every project grabs me, but there were quite a few that got me to saying "I should make that". You know that's not good.  Just more adding to my wish list of things to do.  Like I need to add to that monster of a list.

And after letting the brain relax a bit I went right to work on figuring out what to do with these wonderful bundles of fabric.  Making quilts had already been decided a while back.  But how to make them has really been giving me a brain block.  

I finally decided.  Got all the measurements figured out, I hope.  Drew a picture of how it should look.  At least how I would like it to look.  I bought some extra fabric from Dana for one of them and had to get a bit extra ordered online today for the other.  Just wanting to make sure that they are big enough for the girls and that they can be used for awhile.

Now the trick is to get a certain someone finished on the quilt she is making so I can get her out of the craft room so hopefully both of the girls won't figure out what they are getting for Christmas.  I know, what in the world was I thinking when I kept putting these two projects off until now.  I obviously I wan't thinking.

I wonder if I can start laying down the law about bedtimes being changed to 7pm?  I'm just brainstorming here.  Not sure that would go over to well.

~*~

Soup...

Today is the day that I was telling you about before.  The day when Jodi was going to do a Soup Bowl recipe exchange of sorts.  I've been going round and round about which recipe I was going to share today.  It's so hard because I do believe that soup is one of my favorite things to make and eat.  Especially when the weather changes and there is a chill in the air.  It just makes you all warm inside and fills the tummy like nothing else can.

So after much debating amongst myself, I finally had to put all my recipes in a pile on front of me, mix them up and pick one.  I was rather pleased when I saw which recipe was in my little hand.  Not that I would have been disappointed with any of the ones that were in the pile to choose from.  So the choice was...

Sausage Potato Soup!

Here's how you make it.

1 Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage, cut to bite size pieces

1 large onion, diced

1 can Cream of Potato soup

6 cups of milk

1 big Yukon Gold potato, cut to about 1/2" pieces

Salt 

Pepper

Cheddar cheese, at least 1 cup

1 stalk celery

1 cup sliced carrot

2 tblsp butter

In a 4qt pot melt the butter and then add the onion, celery and carrot and cook till they are slightly soft.  Stir in the smoked sausage and let that cook until the sausage is browned slightly.  Add the milk, cream of potato soup and the yukon gold potato.  Stir occasionaly.  Simmer slowly until the yukon gold potatoes are fork tender.  Season with salt and pepper to your liking.  Add the cheese and stir until all the cheese is melted.  Served with any kind of crusty bread you like.

I do hope you like this if you decide to try it.

Here's to warm and full bellies on chilly, windy days!

~*~

25...

25 years ago today I said I do to this handsome fellow.

Some thought it wouldn't last 6 months.

We only knew each other barely a month when we said those sacred vows to each other.

Something in my heart and my soul told me he was the one.

He was special.

He was different.

 We've had our ups and downs.

More ups than downs.

I have three wonderful, loving children because of him.

 We've been on many an adventure together.

He's not one to let life pass him by.

I've seen and done many things because of this adventurous soul.

Things I would probably have never seen or tried because of him.

Last minute stops to see some of nature's most beautiful places all because he said "you never know when" as we were racing down the road to get home from a long, tiring trip.

Spur of the moment trips planned in less than 24 hours.

Waiting patiently for hours with the kids just to see something they may never get to see again.

Welcoming our first grandchild into the world with all the pride and joy one could imagine.

I can't wait to see what many more years to come will bring me with the love of my life next to me.

I only know it will be exciting and full of love and laughter as long as he is by my side.

Love you always and forever Glenn!