My Favorite Songs Playlist -- I Don't Think I Am Weird

Ok, so when I am working I enjoy playing music. I have an external hard drive of music that I will just turn on and let go... but every now and again, I have an auto-made playlist through Zune of my favorite music which I can play and it immediately makes my brain happier.

I was playing this list while I was dusting (ranking right up there with ironing and putting away groceries as my least favorite household chores) and overheard Reed telling his xbox friends about how odd my musical tastes are... Pfft... He sings with most of them in the car and in the house.

Well, here is a list to help you see that I am not that odd... :)

Broccoli Cheddar Soup ala Panera Bread

I have been up to my ears in cooking, baking, cleaning, partying...Ahhhhhhh, the holidays are upon us. :) As much as I love this time of year, I am longing for those days of quietly reading and enjoying the sound of silence...(ok, now I will be singing that song all day long).

When the days have hustled and bustled you into tearing your hair out, here is the perfect recipe for you. Warm comforting homemade soup ala Panera. It is amazingly simple, and keeps me from ordering Pizza Hut again. :D

I hope you enjoy! Now, I am off to find Simon and Garfunkle music on my external hard drive and wrap the last of the gifts!

Broccoli Cheddar Soup
*1 tablespoon butter, melted
*1/2 medium onion, chopped
*1/4 cup melted butter
*1/4 cup flour
*2 cups half-and-half
*2 cups chicken stock
*1/2 pound fresh broccoli
*1 cup carrots, julienned
*salt and pepper to taste
*1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
*1 cup grated cheddar

Saute onion in butter. Set aside. Cook melted butter and flour using a whisk over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Stir constantly and slowly add the half-and-half (this is called making a roux). Add the chicken stock whisking all the time. Simmer for 20 minutes.
Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat until the veggies are tender for 20-25 minutes. Add salt and pepper. The soup should be thickened by now. Pour in batches into blender and puree. Return to pot over low heat and add the grated cheese; stir until well blended. Stir in the nutmeg and serve.

Forecast: Napping with a Chance of Snoozing

12 Days of Redneck Christmas

I had a Christmas party yesterday, so I apologize for not being able to post... just no time!! One of the things that amuse me is this tradition we have of singing Jeff Foxworthy's 12 Days of Redneck Christmas... Regrettably we do the whole thing, not just the short original Foxworthy song...

Enjoy!


The Twelve Days of a Redneck Christmas

On the first day of Christmas my old lady gave to me,

Some parts to a Mustang GT.

On the second day of Christmas my old lady gave to me,

2 huntin' dawgs
and some parts to a Mustang GT.

On the third day of Christmas my old lady gave to me,

3 shotgun shells
2 huntin' dawgs
and some parts to a Mustang GT.

On the forth day of Christmas my old lady gave to me,

4 big mud tires
3 shotgun shells
2 huntin' dawgs
and some parts to a Mustang GT.

On the fifth day of Christmas my old lady gave to me,

5 flannel shirts
4 big mud tires
3 shotgun shells
2 huntin' dawgs
and some parts to a Mustang GT.

On the sixth day of Christmas my old lady gave to me,

6 cans of Spam
5 flannel shirts
4 big mud tires
3 shotgun shells
2 huntin' dawgs
and some parts to a Mustang GT.

On the seventh day of Christmas my old lady gave to me,

7 packs of Red Man
6 cans of Spam
5 flannel shirts
4 big mud tires
3 shotgun shells
2 huntin' dawgs
and some parts to a Mustang GT.

On the eighth day of Christmas my old lady gave to me,

8 table dancers
7 packs of Red Man
6 cans of Spam
5 flannel shirts
4 big mud tires
3 shotgun shells
2 huntin' dawgs
and some parts to a Mustang GT.

On the ninth day of Christmas my old lady gave to me,

9 years probation
8 table dancers
7 packs of Red Man
6 cans of Spam
5 flannel shirts
4 big mud tires
3 shotgun shells
2 huntin' dawgs
and some parts to a Mustang GT.

On the tenth day of Christmas my old lady gave to me,

tin of Copenhagen
9 years probation
8 table dancers
7 packs of Red Man
6 cans of Spam
5 flannel shirts
4 big mud tires
3 shotgun shells
2 huntin' dawgs
and some parts to a Mustang GT.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my old lady gave to me,

11 rasslin' tickets
tin of Copenhagen
9 years probation
8 table dancers
7 packs of Red Man
6 cans of Spam
5 flannel shirts
4 big mud tires
3 shotgun shells
2 huntin' dawgs
and some parts to a Mustang GT.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my old lady gave to me,

12 pack of Bud
11 rasslin' tickets
tin of Copenhagen
9 years probation
8 table dancers
7 packs of Red Man
6 cans of Spam
5 flannel shirts
4 big mud tires
3 shotgun shells
2 huntin' dawgs
and some parts to a Mustang GT.

Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu

I love, love, love this recipe, especially during this very busy time of year. The flavors are deep and comforting, the color is striking and it never leaves you feeling empty. I made the full recipe below and shared it with a neighbor who just had hip surgery (what a horrible time to plan that... middle of an ice storm??)

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as me and my family... now off to finish all the pre-weekend before Christmas chores!! :D

Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu
*8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
*1 tsp salt
*1/8 tsp white pepper
*1 tsp dried thyme leaves
*8 thin slices boiled ham
*2 onions, chopped
*4 cloves garlic, minced
*1 (16 oz) bag baby carrots
*1 (16 oz) jar Alfredo sauce
*1 (10 oz) can cream of chicken soup
*2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and thyme. Wrap a slice of ham around each breast and secure with toothpicks.
Place onion, garlic, and carrots in a 5 to 6 quart slow cooker. Top with wrapped chicken breasts.
In medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Pour into slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Serve chicken and carrots with sauce.

A Winter's Day Music Playlist...

Milo is contemplating the ice and snow. I can see the same question in his eyes which is in mine "when will it be summer again?"

It won't be long, Baby Boy.... I promise!

Until then, we have put together some of our favorite songs about winter. I hope you enjoy them as well... as you count the days until summer with us!

~Shelle, Reed, Milo and Dixie

French Onion Soup

Reed is not a fan of French Onion Soup... not a fan of onion at all, except in ring form. :) So I am going to make me a half recipe of French Onion Soup to enjoy for lunch while he is at school, then give him big oniony, garlicy kisses when I get him at 4pm. :)

The recipe below can easily be doubled or tripled for additional guests. I knew that the original recipe would be a waste if cooked for me alone, so this is just enough for 2 people, possibly 3 if you serve additional food items with the soup.

I do not find this soup keeps well after 1 day, so plan accordingly.

French Onion Soup
Serves 2-3

* 3 large red or yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced.
* Olive oil
* 1/8 teaspoon of sugar
* 1 cloves garlic, minced
* 4 cups of beef stock (traditionally the soup is made with beef stock)
* 1/4 cup of dry white wine
* 1 bay leaf
* 1/8 teaspoon of dry thyme
* Salt and pepper
* 4 slices of toasted French bread
* 3/4 cups of grated Swiss Gruyere with a little grated Parmesan cheese

In a large saucepan, sauté the onions in the olive oil on medium high heat until well browned, but not burned, about 30-40 minutes (or longer). Add the sugar about 10 minutes into the process to help with the carmelization.
Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add the stock, vermouth or wine, bay leaf, and thyme. Cover partially and simmer until the flavors are well blended, about 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Discard the bay leaf.
To serve you can either use individual oven-proof soup bowls or one large casserole dish. Ladle the soup into the bowls or casserole dish. Cover with the toast and sprinkle with cheese. Put into the broiler for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F, or until the cheese bubbles and is slightly browned. Serve immediately.