New Year's Resolution

It's that time of year, time for some new resolutions. I am putting them down in writing so that I will
(1) be able to find them again
(2) be more accountable
(3) because I need a blog topic
So, here goes:
Anne's 2009 Resolutions
1) plant a garden this year
2) lose 30 lbs this year
3) use the breadmaker all year long
4) make more meals at home
5) organize my closets
6) repaint the bathroom, den and finish the downstairs bath ceiling

That's enough for now. Wonder what I'll be saying about this list next year??

Cheddar Broccoli Soup

I am always looking for quick, good meals to make. This is one of the few cheesy soups that did not use Velveeta. Now, don't get me wrong, I like my fake cheese as well as anyone, but I am making a more conscious effort to use natural ingredients. The kids loved it too. Ate broccoli without complaining!

Broccoli Cheese Soup from www. mykitchencafe.blogspot.com

adapted very slightly from Liz K.

1 can chicken broth

1 small onion, diced

1/3 c. flour

1/4 c. butter

Pepper to taste

2 c. milk (I used skim with great results)

1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese (the sharper the better for flavor

1/2 c. shredded swiss cheese

steamed chopped broccoli (the amount of broccoli really boils down to preference)

Simmer chicken broth and chopped onion for 15-20 minutes in a covered small saucepan, until onions are soft. Heat milk in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

In a separate medium-sized stockpot, melt butter then add flour and pepper. Cook together for a couple of minutes, then whisk in warmed milk. Stir and heat together on medium-high heat until soup starts to thicken. Next add chicken broth and continue to stir until well blended. Add cheeses and steamed broccoli.

Serve immediately.

Extra tasty add-ins for this are potatoes and ham. Yummy.

Chicago brings me Joy!

Took a trip to Chicago on Sat. with Trish and Sara. We saw the Christkindl Market and did some shopping. I had forgotten how much fun it was to just browse in stores. It's been a loong time since I did that. This trip brought me joy.

Christmas Eve Eve

Had a fun filled day today explaining for, oh, about 45 TIMES, that tomorrow is actually Christmas Eve and I was making a tiny, little, miniscule joke about today being Christmas Eve Eve. That Carissa is getting as literal as Simon. It was quite a day and I even had to play the 'Santa' card as in "If you even think about doing that (hitting your sister, pushing your brother, running away from me in the grocery store, slamming the door on your sister/brother, don't take toy/book/candy cane away from your sister/brother). I, yi, yi! Thank goodness the Santa card still works. By the way, I showed Simon a picture of Santa in someone's house and he said "OK, now THAT makes me believe in Santa. There's no way that could be fake!" Gotta love a 7 yr old's logic!!

Holy Crap!

As in, Holy Crap Batman! It's COLD outside!! It's even cold inside with all the wind and temp of -7 degrees below zero. Snow blowing all over and too cold to even think about clearing the drifts on the sidewalk and end of the driveway away. Today we are wrapping presents, sipping hot chocolate and just staying warm. Brrrrrrrrrrr.

School or No School?

School or no school, that is the snowy question tonight. With a predicted 8-12 inches of snow, chances are looking good for no school tomorrow. But, just in case there is school, I made 4 batches of red and green caramel corn for Simon's class. OK, OK, it might be true that I am hoping for no school so that we can scarf, er, I mean, nicely eat the corn tomorrow while sitting in the house watching Christmas movies and sipping hot chocolate. But, that's only a rumor. ;)

Things that Bring me Joy

My nutcrackers bring me joy. I love them! I have many of them as you can see from my blog header. I used to hate them but they grew on me. I even have one pretty one for my tree. I saw two really cute ones at Target and asked Simon to remind David about them. Hopefully, one of them will come my way this Christmas.

Don't know what it is about those Nutcrackers but they make me smile and bring me joy.