Sharing Moments at the Park

It was a nice day yesterday. We decided to walk to the shaded park in town (we have 3 total) and the kids had a great time.

Potato Soup

6 slices- bacon (cut into 1 inch pieces)
3 pounds (about 5 large)- russet potatoes
3 1\2 teaspoons- salt
1 cup - sour cream
1\4 pound (1 stick) - butter
2 2\3 cups - whole milk
1\2 teaspoon- black pepper
4 - scallions
3\4 cups - shredded sharp cheddar cheese

cook the bacon pieces over medium heat in a medium skillet until crisp.
Transfer bacon to paper toweling to drain and set aside.
Peel, rinse, and cut potatoes into thirds.
Place them in a large pot with water to cover.
Add 2 teaspoons salt and bring to boil for about 45 minutes.
Drain potatoes, discarding water and return them to the pot.
Mash them them with a potato masher until smooth.
Add the sour cream and butter stir until melted.
Add the milk, Pepper, and remaining salt and bring the soup back to a simmer.
Divide among 8 bowls and serve soup hot garnished with scallions cheese and bacon.

I can't remember where I got this recipe from but I did modify it a bit.
I didn't have bacon on hand so I used real bacon bits and added it to the pot after the milk. I added a bit of sweet onion because I did not have scallions. I also used red skin potatoes instead of russet. I used 2% milk instead of whole and I prefer my potatoes in chunks in my soup instead of mashed. Also I already had shredded Mexican cheese on hand so I used that in the end. Results delicious :) Next time I will use cut up bacon strips.

The Shack

I just finished this today. This is by William F. Young. It is about a man named Mackenzie and his spiritual journey back to The Shack where his young daughter was brutally murdered. A place where he can find forgiveness and freedom or his anger and hurt may intensify. His daughters demise also takes him back to his childhood secrets.

His life is changed from the moment his daughter is taken from his families campsite. Later as he struggles through his pain and sadness he finds a note from God in his mailbox telling him to meet him at The Shack. He wonders what he will find but his fear and anger is overridden by curiosity as he takes a short trip back to where his families pain and sadness started.

This was an entertaining book which seemed to add some insight to why bad things happen especially to good people. Who God, Jesus and the Holy spirit are and what their roles in our lives and the world is. This could be a life changing book for many or just a reinstatement of what the reader may already know. It is worth reading and a warning a lot of it may be just the author's interpretation of it all mixed in with Biblical truth.

My Birthday was yesterday

Well, We received our new at&t modem yesterday on my b-day and my hubby got the computer running. I will still be doing a yard sale this weekend so I am busy getting that ready. Yep I still blow out candles on my b-day. I turned 29 yesterday:) I have more pictures with me and my family but I decided to just put this one up for now.

Chronicles of Narnia :The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe

I started reading this last year to my oldest son but I finished it this year. The author is C.S. Lewis. I try to read to him every night. He is old enough to read now (he is 9), but he loves it when I read this to him and his children's Bible. Anyhow, wonderful book and we own the new version of the movie. I thought this was the first book but it is actually the second in the series. The Magician and his nephew is the first which we don't have. We need that one and the last one. We have two through six.

This has talking animals, imagination, morals and fighting for what is right in a way in which you and your child should enjoy. I guess it would be considered a fantasy type book and I would consider it for all ages. Again my oldest son is 9 and loved it. We are now reading the 3rd book A Horse and his boy. Now I will need to find number 1 and number 7.

Beef and Mushroom Lasagna

I found this recipe from a magazine ad for Campbell's soup. ( I am sure any brand would work I did use Campbell's)

1 can Campbell's condensed cream of mushroom soup (regular or 98% fat free)

1\4 cup milk

1 lb Gr Beef ( I used turkey sausage)

2 cups Prego Fresh mushroom Italian Sauce ( I used Meijer brand mushroom sauce)

9 cooked Lasagna noodles ( I used whole box and alternated with the sauce and soup)

1 cup shredded or Italian blend or Mozzarella cheese ( I used Mozz and Mexican cheese)

1. Heat Oven to 400 F. Stir soup and milk in small bowl until smooth.

2. cook beef in skillet over medium- high heat until well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour of fat. Stir in sauce. ( I added cottage cheese to mine)

3. Layer 1/2 beef mixture, 3 noodles and 1 cup soup mixture in 2 -qt shallow baking dish top with 3 more noodles, remaining beef mixture, remaining noodles and remaining soup mixture.

Sprinkle with cheese, Cover baking dish. ( I didn't cover mine)

4. Bake 30 minutes or until hot. Uncover baking dish.

5. Heat broiler. Broil 4" from heat 2 min. or until cheese is golden brown. Let stand 10 min. ( I admit I skipped this part)

My version is pictured above :) Everyone loved it.

Easter Pictures

We didn't have my oldest son for Easter this year. My youngest kids got their pictures taken by their Aunt Tiffany, she has a photography and DJ service on the side. They turned out pretty cute.