AND THE WINNER IS…

Well a howdy rainy dreary day to you all! Hope your day is going better than mine! I had to go to an appt. this morning and I had a blowout on the dang tire I just replaced, what 2 weeks ago!? UGH! Almost flipped over on the dang freeway cause of the tire and rain! It’s been a scary morning to say the least! Anyways, I’ve stopped home for a moment to pick up some things like coupons and such and hit the stores while the kids are gone. I want to say congratulations to MELISSA from Houston… Alex drew your name at 6:30am this morning for the crockpot! I will be ordering it this afternoon when I get back home and having it shipped to your address you submitted. Enjoy it, embrace it, and it will serve you well LOL!

Well February is here and that marks Super Bowls and Cupids! So here are a few ideas you can start thinking about Valentine’s Day on the 14th!

Craft Idea of the Day: Homemade Valentine’s gifts (part 1)



Petite Packaging

Place your gift in a votive holder, top with a paper muffin liner, and tie with a colorful string or ribbon. Try one of these diminutive gifts for giving jewelry, movie tickets, flavored lip balms, truffles, or a favorite poem.



Sweet Eats

Put your heart in hand with this treat.
1. Start with a box of chocolate wafer cookies.
2. Place an easy-to-clean mylar heart-shape stencil on the cookie. Using a small brush, "paint" the exposed surface with a thin layer of piping gel.
3. Dust the gel with edible glitter.



Wrapped in Love

Cover your valentine's favorite chocolate bar for a sweet gift in just minutes. Add ribbon, buttons, stamps, or cutouts to make it even more personal.



Record Deal

Browse thrift shops for 45s with special significance, such as Elvis singing "Can't Help Falling in Love," to decorate a box of chocolates. Attach a personal photo to the back of the record with artist's tape before tying the vinyl in place.



Quick Box of Love

For a fast, simple Valentine's Day gift, cover an old-fashioned matchbox with heartwarming paper and fill it with a loved one's favorite candies.

OK food… cold weather equals soup! Yummy deliciousness in a bowl… a wonderful winter warmer! Time to fire up the crockpots and simmer some bone warming dinner for my group. Among my normal soups (Broccoli cheese, butternut squash, creamy tortellini, and potato), I’m going to make these 3 additional scrumptious pots…



Cream of Asparagus Soup

Ingredients

3 medium leeks (white portion only), chopped
3 tablespoons butter
4 cups chicken broth
1-1/2 pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups diced peeled potatoes
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 cup 2% milk
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Directions

In a large saucepan, saute the leeks in butter. Add broth, asparagus, potatoes and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

In a blender, process soup in batches until smooth; return to the pan. Add milk; cook over low heat until heated through. Sprinkle with parsley



Creamy Carrot Parsnip Soup

Ingredients
8 cups chopped carrots
6 cups chopped peeled parsnips
4 cups chicken broth
3 cups water
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon peeled grated horseradish
1 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons sour cream
Fresh dill sprigs, optional

Directions

In a Dutch oven, combine the carrots, parsnips, broth, water, sugar and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 25-30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

In a small skillet, saute onion, garlic, horseradish and ginger in butter until tender. Add to the carrot mixture.

Transfer soup to a blender in batches; cover and process until smooth. Return to the pan. Stir in buttermilk; heat through (do not boil).

Garnish servings with sour cream and dill if desired.



Hot Dog Soup

Ingredients

4 medium carrots, cut into thin strips
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 medium parsnips, peeled and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 package (1 pound) hot dogs, halved lengthwise and cut into bite-size pieces
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 cup water
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions

In a soup kettle or large saucepan, saute the carrots, potatoes, parsnips and onion in butter for 5 minutes. Stir in flour until blended. Add the hot dogs, milk, soup, water, basil and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

Alrighty kids, I’m outta here for the day… I will make sure to be back hopefully at normal time tomorrow. Love you all and HUGS!!!