Matt's birthday

We celebrated Matt's birthday on February 15th (his birthday is the 16th) since no one had school. Unfortunately, Spencer still had to work. He is a full time college student and he works full time so he is one busy young man. But we waited to have all the party festivities until after he came home from work. During the day we did go and see the movie, "Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief." I really liked the movie and now I want to read the books. Spencer and Kara had already went and saw the movie together while they waited for Colton during his date. (Colton's school is 20 to 30 minutes away from our home so that is what they did while they waited.) Kara has been counting down the days until the movie came out because she loves the series so much.

Afterwards, the children came home to help me cook Matt's requested dinner and we had fun in the kitchen while we tried to have Matt relax, but he isn't always good at that activity. It was fun to have Coby home for the day from BYU to help and he is an excellent cook too so that always makes it better.

We are grateful for Matt and the wonderful husband and father he is to our family. He is such a hard worker and always goes up and beyond in the things that are expected of him. We are truly blessed to have him as our husband and father. We love you dearly, honey!


On Matt's real birthday his employees had a party for him at work and then that night Matt and I went out for dinner alone. We went shopping for new clothes for him too because he is fading away from losing so much weight---so diligent--he is. After we got home he got phone calls from Coby and his parents and his sisters.

Colton's first date

The picture above for some reason just wants to be on its side. Colton went to dance at his school with Katelynn. Spencer was his chauffeur along with Kara. They went to their school dance together and had a very good time. They have already talked about planning another date together.

Valentine's Day Fun!

I had some kind of bug on Valentine's Day so our typical Heart shape meat loaf and red mash potatoes and pink cake and icing didn't happen as planned. Here are the sweet flowers Matt gave me and the Daffodils are from the children. Matt also got me a huge basket filled with all kinds of chocolate from the Chocolate Cottage. It is and was yummy as I am still eating it.

Valentine's Crafts and Goodies!

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holiday's because I am so in love with hearts! Of course I love the other holidays too, but I especially love Valentine's so I can decorate with hearts and focus on LOVE. I have loved hearts for as long as I can remember. Some of my friends use to tease me about it too. But they came through when I got married (hee, hee) because a couple of my friends got me heart dish towels, heart heating pads, a heart cake pan, heart decorations and even heart pillows. It just all kind of goes along with my very girly girl personality. My mother in law even made us a beautiful quilt as a wedding gift in a pink satin material with ahearts all over it. It was and is still beautiful! So here are some of the things I have made for Valentine's day and one project I am still working on!

The Valentine Day Topiary was super easy to make. I found it on one of my favorite blogs---theidearoom.blogspot.com. Amy, who does this blog is simply amazing. And then I also made just made the balls minus the cute bucket and hung them around and they look cute too, also a great idea from her blog too.

Triple Chocolate Bread (a little blurry) I made for neighbors, people I visit teach and for my family. Boy is it yummy. I got this from one of my favorite family recipe web sites.

After the bread cooled we cut hearts shapes out and put them between two pieces of wax paper and then ironed them. This is an idea that Martha Stewart has shared. We then delivered the bread in that.

Here is the final look! One of the reasons I L0Ve Valentine's Day!

A very Yummy Recipe I found for Potato Soup

Warm Your Frigid Soul!

I love soups and have been making a lot more of them lately as Matt
seems to be craving them. So here is a really good one!

A great soup when you need some warming up!

You will need:
*4-6 white potatoes (cubed)
*4 carrots (finely cubed)
*6 stalks celery (finely chopped)
*1 large onion (finely chopped)
* 3 T. chicken flavor granules
*1 cup milk (I used 1%)
*1 cup 1/2 & 1/2 cream (I used fat free)
*3 T. cornstarch (for thickening)
*salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

Chop celery and onion.
Saute in low fat butter. I sprinkle with kosher salt while sauteing...
and always add a splash of white wine!
No worries if you skip this step! :0)

Peel Potatoes and Peel.
Add to pot of water...just enough water to cover potatoes.
Cube carrots...add to pot.

Bring carrots and potatoes to boil.
Add 3 T. Chicken flavor granules.
Add sauted onion & celery.
Simmer until potatoes are soft.

Add and stir 3 T. Cornstarch.. into 1 cup milk & 1 cup of half & half.
I added just a bit of buttermilk for flavor.
You can also just add 2 cups of milk vs. using half & half.
Gradually...add milk & cornstarch to soup.
Simmer...no boiling...until soup is thick.

Top hot soup...
with cheese of choice.
Serve with love to warm the soul...
Oh...and a slice of crisy sourdough bread!
Do enjoy!
from blooming on bainbridge