Pirate Pooch

We received an e-mail from Molly's new owners and they adore her. I know the kids miss her but Groucho and I are happy she's happy. Groucho is doing so much better now. For those of you who don't know Groucho had injured his eye and it quickly ulcered and basically ruptured(the medicine did not work after his eye ulcered) on our anniversary. On our way out to lunch it happened and we went to the vet and then to the canine ophthalmologist (yes, they exist, and yes it is as expensive as you would think) and they had to do emergency surgery and remove his eye. Eventually, we will look back and laugh at our most expensive anniversary yet. Groucho is now blind as he lost his good eye and so now he is our pirate pooch who we love.

Farewell To Soup

Well, it's official. I went out tonight with a short sleeve shirt and I was not even the slightest bit chilly. Winter in the desert is over. Before long I will not be able to touch the steering wheel in my car and risk 2nd degree burns from the leather seats. The end of cold weather also means the end of yummy soups and instead prepping the grill. I would usually post my favorite soups at the beginning of winter but I was not blogging so I thought I would post them as a farewell instead.

Creamy Potato Soup

3Tbsp. Butter
2 cups chopped onion
1 large clove garlic minced
4 potatoes or 2 large baking potatoes
1 large carrot chopped
3 cups chicken or veggie stock
1 tsp. dry dill or 2 Tbsp chopped fresh
4 oz. cream cheese
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

In a large soup pot, saute the onions and garlic until the onions are translucent. Add potatoes and carrots and saute for 5 -10 more. Add the stock and dill and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
Puree the vegetables with the cream cheese and milk in your blender or food processor . Return the soup to the pot, season with salt and pepper. Stir in cheddar cheese and reheat. Yum!

Sausage Bean Soup

2 Tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves minced
1 medium onion chopped
1 pound chicken or turkey Italian sausage, casings removed
1 can Cannellini (white kidney beans) drained and rinsed
1 can great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
1 can red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings
1 can chicken broth
3/4 tsp. dry rosemary

Heat the oil in a pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, saute for about 5 minutes. Add the sausage and break it up into small pieces. Cook and stir until browned.
Stir in the beans, tomatoes with their juice, and broth. Season with the rosemary and black pepper. Bring to simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Serve or let simmer and stir occasionally until you are ready to serve.

Blue Eyed Girl

Isa and I were taking pictures of ourselves and i had to post this one. I love her blue eyes. I've also been looking around for fabric to make pillows and I came across some really great place mats and napkins on clearance at Target . A few seams later and Voila! I have Pillows!!

Sew in Love

I've recently started sewing again. The last time I sewed, was when I was 10 living in a very small town and participating in their 4H program. We were the Cookie Drops & Needle Knots. I decided to include the picture of me modeling the skirt that I had made. Gotta love the early '80's. My mom had sewn the shirt, I think that is the most impressive part. This past Christmas a friend of mine helped me sew pajama pants for the kids and I loved it. So, I pulled out my old machine that I had bought off a guy that I worked with about 7 years ago and decided to make Isa a dress. I had no instruction manual for this machine and it didn't even have the hem guidelines (3/8 etc.) What was I thinking? So I went to Joanne's because my machine was missing a piece and came out with a new machine. My husband loves me. After many errors (the seam ripper is my best friend) and looking up what everything on the pattern meant that I was clueless about, I finished the dress. Which after putting it on Isa, became a skirt. I love this skirt, unfortunately Isa does not. She wore it once because I begged her. Usually I would be really ticked,and I am a little, but it was so fun and I learned so much that I am getting over it. I did make her a new dress for Valentines Day and she loves this one. The dress looks like a cupcake, but she wears it all the time. My next project, as you can tell I have not been able to stop, was a retro-apron. I love these and decided to make one for my sister-in-law, sorry Em if you are reading this, and it is going to be the death of me. The pattern says Easy. It is a LIE!! Let's just say Em received some pretty lotion and the apron has gone to the -will finish in the future pile.

Birthday x 3

The kids turned six today . I know everyone says the time will go by so fast and it didn't feel like it when they were younger, but it does now. They are so much fun. We had a party at the house and it feels like I prepped all week for a 2 hour event. The kids had a great time. They each were able to invite some friends and their cousins and it was a pretty big party. I will be happy if I never have make another cupcake for a very long time. I made cupcakes for each of their classes and for the party. My mom helped me with one batch and the total ended up being around 150. CRAZY!!

baking cookies

Isa and I decided to make some peanut butter cookies. My mom has made these cookies since before we were born and they are yummy. My sister-in-law came over and we had a good chat while they baked. She always seem to come over when I am making cookies which makes it even more fun. Here's the recipe:

Peanut Butter Cookies

2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

1 c. margarine

1 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar

2 eggs

1 c. peanut butter

1 c. oats

Cream margarine and sugar until smooth. In separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add egg one at a time to creamed mixture mix well. Blend in peanut butter, stir in flour mixture and oats. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 mins.

We like to dip a fork in sugar and press them down but that's optional.