We're cleaning the house today because tomorrow we're inviting people over. I'm reminded of the saying my mom has at her house. . . "if you want to see me, come anytime. If you want to see my house make an appointment" . . . or something like that. I kind of feel like tomorrow is an appointment, so I should have a clean house. I try to maintain cleanliness, but I tend to neglect my children when the house is really clean. When I look back at cute pictures of the kids, they usually have a really messy house in the background. I try to find balance between adoring my children every minute . . . and thus noticing when they are doing adorable things, and cleaning the house so the pictures don't make me feel guilty. The cleanest time in my house is usually before 3:30pm. After the kids get home from school there is chaos. They are so excited to see me . . . they forget that they need to NOT drop their stuff on the floor.

We're blessing Blake tomorrow. I'm hoping his name will still be Blake after the blessing. Matt has threatened that he'll change it. I don't think he has another name in mind, but maybe he'll get inspired. I usually like to bless my babies the first Fast Sunday after they are born. I was there on that Sunday, but maybe subconsciously I was waiting to let Matt get used the Blake.

Socks Off!

Tyler and Nate play so cute together. I think Nate will really miss Ty when he goes to Kindergarten in the Fall. Whenever we get home from being gone . . . go figure . . .Tyler takes off Nate's socks. It's a little game they play. Tyler says, "Socks off? Socks off?" and Nate replies "uh huh!" (which is about all he can say at this point.) Then Tyler waits and waits and then surprises him by pulling off the socks. You know that laugh you can watch? That is what happens when the socks come off. This time the socks came off and went on the hands! I'm not sure what brought more joy to the rest of the kids. . . the giggle when they came off or the laughter when he got them on his hands. I'm glad my kids love each other!

Hope it gives you laughs!

Sometimes it's not that easy to get the kids to bed at night. Not because they won't go, but because they are so dang cute!! Matt took this video of Nate last night and we were so busy laughing that we forgot it was way past bedtime.

Little bits of my Heaven

I can't believe how wonderful the Internet is! I have found so many friends that I thought were lost. It's almost like heaven. I really thought I wouldn't hear from those friends until we all made it to heaven. I just wish I could think about them and then, "poof", be near them too!

Last night I made Baked Potato Soup. That is heavenly also. It brings so much happiness to the table. Full bellies and no complaining!! And it is one of those recipes that are cheap to make. When it is warm again and I can garden it will be even cheaper. The only thing is I need a pig. . . so I can grow my own bacon.

Gardening has been filling my brain with interesting questions lately. I know, it's freezing outside, but don't fresh tomatoes and peas from the garden sound heavenly? I was thinking of doing a little garden. Then I looked through a seed catalog and there are so many seeds!!! I want beans, carrots, broccoli, beets, potatoes, corn. . . that's not a little garden. If it's warm . . . look for me in my garden! Did you know you can leave the carrots in the ground all winter and just pull them out when you want to eat one? I told you I have been asking interesting questions. I'm lucky to have two grandmas and a fabulous father that have lots of gardening experience. I'm tired of paying someone else to grow my food!! I'm taking it on (don't we hope my family doesn't starve!)

So here's the recipe if you want to taste a little bit of heaven. Make some extra potatoes while you're baking them. They are great fried in butter for breakfast! (Mine this morning was really fattening - it's great for waking you up a bit.)

Baked Potato Soup
2 medium potatoes, baked and cooled
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2 tablespoons sour cream
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon crumbled cooked bacon or bacon bits
1 green onion, sliced

Peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-in. cubes; place half in a blender. Add
broth; cover and process until smooth. Pour into a saucepan. Stir in
sour cream, pepper and remaining potatoes. Cook over low heat until
heated through (do not boil). Garnish with cheese, bacon and onion.
Yield: 2 servings.

Like, "Do I like this?"

I really love to cook. Lately I haven't been doing a lot of cooking. I know why. I like to cook different things all the time. I get bored easily with cooking the same thing. Usually the "same things" are pretty cheap and that's why they get cooked a lot. Either that or I know I won't hear "Ewww" or "Do I like this?" I really like to cook for people who like what I cook. ;) My skin is growing thicker though. I'm getting excited about adding peppers and mushrooms to food to hear everyone say "Ewww" but I'm going to say "Yum!"

Tonight we are going to Mom's house for Rob's birthday party. I really love good food when I DON'T have to cook it!! The menu is made and I don't have to bring anything, but I'm making some corn muffins for fun. These are the best corn muffins ever!! I'm sure it's because they are NOT fat free. But they aren't cookies, so you can't just eat and eat and eat them. Here's the recipe:

Dot’s Corn Muffins (TOH)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

In a bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, beat egg and sour cream; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400° for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

Yield: 8 muffins.