The Deep South is in a Deep Freeze!  It is cold!  Very cold…it was 25 degrees at 6 am, and now…at 2 pm, it is only 35 degrees!  And, it’s getting a lot lower tonight.  Why, we even had snow flurries here in our fair city this week!   Just so you know…this is not my idea of a good time!  It’s not supposed to get this cold here!  Anyway, I thought it would be an excellent day for soup.  And…that’s something I can make!  I mean, how can you mess up soup?  Can’t you just add anything and everything and stir it up and call it soup?  🙂 

Well, as you know, the kitchen is not where my talents lie.  But, I can make this soup…even I know this is not hard.  This is Paula Deen’s recipe…and, it’s a good one.

POTATO SOUP

1 bag frozen hash-brown potatoes…(30 oz. bag)

2 cans chicken broth…(14 oz can)

1 can cream of chicken soup…(10.75 oz. can)

1/2 cup chopped onion…(now, personally, I do not like to smell, touch, peel, slice, or chop onions.  Did you know that you can buy a pkg. of  frozen, chopped onions!  Isn’t that the most wonderful invention?   So, now my soup can have onions in it, too!)

1/3 t. ground black pepper…(that’s not even enough to mess with, is it?)

1 pkg cream cheese….softened…(8 oz.)

In a 6 quart electric slow cooker, combine potatoes, broth, soup, onion, and pepper.  Cover, and cook on low for 5 hours.  Then, stir in cream cheese…and cook for 30 more minutes…stir occasionally until combined.  Garnish with green onion, if desired.   But if you desire  grated cheese  or crumbled bacon. that’s OK, too!

Serves 4  

That’s it…easy enough that even Tonja can do it!  I serve it with cornbread muffins.  And, no. No, I don’t fix a dessert.  There’s ice cream in the freezer!

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FYI:  I wrote this earlier in the week.  The weather has warmed up a bit yesterday and today.  But, it’s heading back down now, and I am heading north for a few days.  For sure, it will be freezing there!  So, if it’s cold where you are, ice and snow on the ground or just a cold wind blowing through the trees…make some soup.  It will warm you to the bone.

One more, for laughs…

Sweet Finn, who is an impish, mischievous soul who like nothing more than  than running and jumping and playing…and he’s not particular who he plays with…just as long as they play!  He had his surgery on Monday to have him neutered.  The Vet called me and said, all went well and while he was asleep, he took out the rest of his baby teeth  (11).  So we figured he was quit confused when he woke up…hurting at both ends.  But, it has not slowed him one bit. 

His big friend, Charla, came over to spend a few days while Adam and Suze were in Savannah on a shoot.  Finn adores her….she finds him a nuisance….

When they are outside, Finn makes every step she makes…except when he is jumping at her trying to get her to run and play.  She is not interested…..

So we let her go out side by herself and keep that little imp inside.  Or Finn would possibly end up in the top of one of those tall oak trees!

We live in a private neighborhood…just one street, but we are responsible for all the repairs and maintenance that is done on our street.  So, we had a Christmas party and meeting last night.  We have had 2 new couples move in and we met them last night.  One is a young couple and one is a retired couple.  And, the house right next door to me is for sell!  Don’t some of you want to come and look at it…it even has a guest house.

Now I must go and get ready for church.  And, end this post….cause I’m already into next week.  Whew!  The weeks are ganging up on me!

PS.  Finn stole and ate one of my shoes!  One of my Toms!  I’m glad he is toothless for a while…serves him right!  🙂

Pantone just released their Color of the Year for 2011: Honeysuckle

They chose the color for its ability to instill “the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.”

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? 

HONEYSUCKLE?

Watermelon…maybe…or red/orange…..or something !  But this color is definitely NOT Honeysuckle.  I imagined a warm yellow/green….but never THIS!

THIS is honeysuckle.  It grows everywhere in these parts.  And, is filled with a single drop of amazing nectar, that has delighted the tongues of many child on a hot summer’s day.

But, when I googled the image of  ‘honeysuckle’…I not only found the above image, but this one, too.

I was amazed!  I had never heard or seen of honeysuckle this color!  Will wonders never cease?  It’s very colorful and it actually looks sorta…kinda… like the Pantone color of the year…2011.

Do you think it’s possible that Pantone, the color specialist since forever,  actually knows more about colors than this grey haired mama in South Alabama?  NAH!  Not a chance!  🙂

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FROM THE PANTONE WEBSITE:

 A Color for All Seasons

Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year. It’s a color for every day – with nothing “everyday” about it.

While the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many, Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.

“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”

Eiseman continues, “The intensity of this festive reddish pink allures and engages. In fact, this color, not the sweet fragrance of the flower blossoms for which it was named, is what attracts hummingbirds to nectar. Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer.”

Honeysuckle is guaranteed to produce a healthy glow when worn by both men and women. It’s a striking, eye-catching hue that works well for day and night in women’s apparel, accessories and cosmetics, and in men’s ties, shirts and sportswear. Add a lively flair to interior spaces with Honeysuckle patterned pillows, bedspreads, small appliances and tabletop accessories. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in Honeysuckle for a dynamic burst of energy in the family room, kitchen or hallway.

Oh, what a fun and busy weekend!   That’s what helps make Christmas such a fun time, isn’t it?  On Friday night, Don and I hosted our Sunday School classes at our home.  We had about 35 people attending, and fun was had by all.  We ate, and talked, and played games, and prayed and laughed and sang and laughed some more!  It was cool weather, but the men were able to eat outside by the fireplace, and we ladies ate inside at the table…and on the floor…and on the couch!  Don and I provided turkey and ham and everyone else brought all the other food!  Yummy!

Just a few random pictures…I didn’t manage to get a pic of everyone…I kind of lost track of whose I had made.  Go figure!

Our teacher brought everyone a pair of Christmas socks.  Then she decided that this would make a perfect ‘class picture’.  And, she was right!  Can you tell which one I am?  🙂

Here is the whole group:

On Saturday, Joy had gotten us tickets to a play in Montgomery…about 100 miles north of us.  She has a broken foot…and Pop has macular degeneration…so I was the designated driver.  They arrived at my house around 10…and off we went…

We stopped and got a quick bite to eat and headed to the theater.  Montgomery has a wonderful theater called The Alabama Shakespeare Festival.  They have plays of all kinds, all through the year.  Many are suitable for children and schools from all over the state take groups there.

The play we were seeing was Peter Pan.

It was delightful!  There were quite a few children there and it was fun to watch them and their enjoyment.  But, it was very entertaining for adults also.  I don’t think I had ever really known the story of Peter Pan.  Maybe I did and just forgot, but parts of it were new to me.  Wonderful actors, and fun music.  The children really enjoyed seeing Peter Pan and the children flying through the air!

We went by a favorite smoothie place and got us all one for the road and took off for Dothan.  Pop had stories to tell and some we had not heard before!  So blessed to have this time together!

Great fun!  Great people!  Great activities!  Great food!   What more could you ask of a weekend?

This is the picture of my boy’s nativity set.  I bought it for them when they were small.  They would lie down on the floor and have ‘shoot ’em up’ games.  Little know fact  that the Wise Men and the Shepherds had a long-running feud, which the ‘angel boys’ in the Owens’ home chose to participate in.  I’m still not sure who won out…but, I seem to remember the Wise Men had more to bargain with.

A post by my friend, Jill, brought this memory back to mind and I wanted to share it.  I began to notice that Baby Jesus would disappear all day…leaving the manger empty, just the hay.  I didn’t know where he was going, or who he was going with.  But, late in the afternoon, he would reappear.  Spending the night in his manger next to his Mama, only to take another day trip the next morning.  This went on for several weeks.  I didn’t say anything, because, he was always returned…and this was their Nativity set, after all.  All I knew, for sure, was that one of my boys was taking Baby Jesus with him as He ventured out into the world.  To school, to play ball in the afternoon, to do homework…all the things that little boys do.

I finally discovered who the culprit was when I was washing the 5th load of blue jeans, which was a natural occurrence around our house.  I had talked to the boys over and over about taking things out of their pockets…but for some reason, I was talking in a foreign language, because they never understood it.  And, that day,when I reached in and pulled out the wad of stuff in a pocket…there he was.  Laying at the very bottom of the pile…he was covered up with 2 sticks of folded Juicy Fruit, a wadded up tissue, a sad little matchbook car with no wheels, and a broken Popsicle stick.  Was he hoping for a miracle …like new wheels for the car?  Or was he sharing his Popsicle?  Did he have 2 pieces of gum ’cause he wanted to share?  This boy always had ideas that no one else would ever think of.  So, I asked.  “Son, why have you been taking Jesus with you everyday?”  He looked up and said, “Am I in trouble?”  “No, you haven’t done anything wrong…I just wondered why you take him every day.”  That sweet face looked up at me and said, ”  Mom,  all I’m doing is just babysitting…just babysitting for Mary.”  And, off he ran.

He continued ‘babysitting’ the rest of the season.  And, after Christmas I packed up the set with all the rest of the Christmas decor…and away they all went into the attic.  The next year, I wondered if the baby sitting would pick back up.  But, no, Jesus stayed in his manger this year.  So, I asked the babysitter why he was not taking him for trips this year.  He looked at me like I had suddenly sprouted wings.   The whole episode was gone from his mind.  He just couldn’t imagine that he had ever done such.  But, he did.  And, it’s OK that he doesn’t remember it.  Cause his mama remembers…and holds the memory dear.  Maybe because  I understood just how glad Mary must have been to have a free babysitter…for a whole day…every day….for 3 weeks!  I, sad to say, was never quite that blessed!

Today has been a good day.  And, a reflective day, too, I think.  We went to Pop’s for lunch.  We had the big stuff catered, Joy made several dishes, and I made 1.  It was all delicious!  We talked of all the blessings we had.  Adding sweet JT to the family, and waiting for little Levi (that’s what Adam and Suze have chosen for a name.)  As Joy was hgetting everything heated, Adam, Suzanne, Ian and I got the tree and the rest of the decor out of the attic.  We almost got finished with everything, but still have a little bit to do.  Pop was so appreciative.

Do you eat turkey at other times of the year?  It’s really delicious.  We have one at Thanksgiving and one at Christmas…and that’s it until another year brings us back to Thanksgiving.  Perhaps, it’s because it is usually so big.  Even if you get a small one…it’s still too much unless you have a big crowd.  Anyway…

I had to beg and plead to get pictures made today.  So, I’m just showing you one …just us girls.

We were missing 3 of our group today, and that just leaves a gap in our family circle.  Alex was not able to go.  Today was not a good day for him.  Will is a Master hunter, and his group had made their plans for today quite a while ago.  Actually, they do this every year.  Ben was out of town visiting his sister.  Adam and Suze had to leave soon after lunch to be with her family.

We got the kitchen cleaned up, and divided up the food that was left.  Then we all went our separate ways.  Joy has broken her foot…AGAIN!  So, she is hobbling around. 

Ian went back over to Pop’s to help him with some computer stuff.  And, he said he was heading back to B’ham tonight.  And, he might.  But, I have made my thoughts on the subject loud and clear!  Tomorrow is soon enough…there is no reason why he has to drive 200 miles tonight!  Kids!!!!

So, another Thanksgiving has come and almost gone.  I am so blessed.  Our whole family is blessed.  God has shown such mercy and grace to us and to Him all the glory goes!  We have nice places to live, we have plenty to eat, we have jobs, we have cars, we have family…close by, we have friends, we have a sweet church family, and we have started another generation in our little family.  We have all this because God has blessed us.  We have all been through hard, hard times…but we have not been defeated.  He has seen us through.  Just like He says He will.  When I stop to think about all we, as Americans, have…and how little those in other lands don’t have….I am humbled.  God is good to us.

My friend Shirl has 2 daughters, Jolie and Jayna.  These are the children of Jayna (she and Tara are dear friends).  You can read their names on their shirts…John Davis and Blair.  Jayna did their shirts…aren’t they great?  She has started a business selling shirts and outfits…all appliqued…on top of teaching school every day.  I do not have pictures of Jolie’s two…she may never send me a pic now that I almost gave her a DOG TOWEL!!!!!  But, if she does…I’ll post it.

It’s bedtime for me…10ish.  Tomorrow, I must get my house decorated…well, started.  I have a big party here next Friday. 

Hope you made sweet memories today.  Your friendship is such a blessing to me.  I learn from you all.  Nite-Nite!

I just re-read this post before I hit publish.  Man!  It’s all over the place.  The brain…she is scattering further and further!  Takes all I can do to gather it back together when I really need it.  Obviously, I didn’t try to ‘get it together’ tonight.