Swans

I gave in on Thursday.  I hate to give in.  However, the sore throat from hell was back.  So I conceded and went to the doctor's office.  I was diagnosed with acute pharyngitis and prescribed prednisone.  Currently, I am in what I refer to as a state of prednisone induced mania.  After an unbelievable redness on my face and neck subsided Saturday morning, I went straight to manic phase.  I have gone, done and seen a lot.  In a very short period of time. 
I got my glasses fixed (broke them Friday morning), worked out on my elliptical, walked the dogs several times each day, walked to the airplane field twice (came back and took a nap each time) and then decided I needed to do more.  I decided I would go down to the Lake.  I am so glad I did. 
It calmed me down. 
Even the ride there was relaxing. 
I saw a little girl horseback riding.

 The lake is beautiful...

And so were these two right here...

I am pretty sure they are trumpeter swans...

They are big. 
Here they are cleaning themselves...

This one was off by his/herself... 

I think it is a mute swan given the fact that he has an orange beak.
He/she was even bigger than the other two.

I sat right down on the beach and watched them for about a half hour.
They were so peaceful.
And it relaxed me.
It was just what the Doctor ordered.

Weekend Recap

Even though I spent both Saturday and Sunday sick (and today for that matter), I did manage to capture some images of my weekend.  

I baked some pumpkin bread on Saturday...

Picked up a pot of tulips for $3.99 :)

Repotted my umbrella plant...

Wouldn't let DJ have pumpkin bread unless he let me take his picture...
Oh, the power of pumpkin bread :)

Enjoyed  the sunshine with my friends...

I am almost afraid to write this because I don't want to jinx myself, but we have had a wonderfully sunny winter...

Cooked up a big pot of rigatoni along with some Texas toast...

Made turkey meatloaf for later this week...

Picked up, snuggled in, watched football (I still can't believe the Ravens lost)...

and fell asleep :)
Not real exciting, but not bad for being sick either.
Would have been better if I would have at least stayed up to watch Once Upon a Time.
Love, love, love that show.
Oh well, guess I will have to watch it on computer today.

It's Not Whether You Win

or lose that matters...

It's how you play the game that matters most.
And, it's about hanging with (and picking on) your dorky sister...

 

 and doofball son...

Because at the end of the day, no matter how short your bangs are, they are family and they love you.
And, you love them too :)

And, at end of the day, that's what really matters the most:)
Great game Tigers!!!

Blue

I went for another walk yesterday.  I know, big surprise.  It was cold, but I bundled up and went away.  This time, I decided I would go up my road and down to the airplane field.  I haven't been on that route since the time change in November.  It has either been too dark when I get home or I was busy preparing for the holidays.  The days are now longer and the holidays are over so I had no reason not to go yesterday.  So I went.  It was so well worth it.  The skies were an amazing blue and worth sharing.

I often comment that I dislike winter tremendously.  However, I am beginning to rethink my position on the season.  There is much to love about winter - the colors, the peacefulness, the solitude and the fact that I only had one car pass me the entire walk.  Definitely worthy of a rethink :)

Sunshine

Remember the song, "Sunshine on My Shoulders" by John Denver?  It is one of my favorite songs.  Not only does it remind me of my childhood, but it also reminds me of my dear friend who has been stricken with Alzheimer's.  She absolutely loves John Denver.
Sunshine in my house makes me happy.

To sunshine, John Denver and my dear, dear friend.
You make me happy :)

It's A Cheesy Potato Soup Kind of Day

As you can tell from the view out my picture window...

the fact that I am wearing both slippers and socks...

Thank you Brenda - the slippers are really, really, really warm!!!

the fact that DJ is dressed appropriately for the weather and cleaning off his car - NOT!!!

Note the warm jacket and gloves :)

It is colder than a witch's t.t out today.  Temperatures are in the teens with single digits tonight!!!
So I said to myself, "Self, what are you gonna do?"
And within the next moment, I knew.
I was going to make Cheesy Potato Soup. 
And Stripes knew it too because I told him so.

OK Mom.  Whatever you say :)

And so it was.
I dubbed today Cheesy Potato Soup Day.
I used the recipe from the cookbook, Farm Chicks in the Kitchen.  I doubled it because I am going to have a house full of boys tomorrow watching football games and I know they are going to love it as much as we do.  I even took pictures of the preparation process.
What's that?
You didn't?
I did.
You're good.
I know :)
Enough nonsense, let the cooking begin.

Melt one tablespoon of the butter in a large pot over medium high heat. Add carrots and cook until softened (approximately four minutes).

Add broth, potatoes, basil, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for approximately 20 minutes (or until potatoes are tender).

In another medium sauce pan, melt remaining butter.

Stir in flour and cook for approximately one minute.

Slowly whisk in milk and simmer until slightly thickened (approximately two minutes).   Add cheese, stir until melted and thoroughly combined.

Gradually pour sauce into the soup and stir until blended.

Heat through and serve.

Smart alack remarks aside, this soup is honest to goodness delicious.  You should make it.  I have posted the recipe on my recipe page.
And from the rest of my family...

Snoop

Violet

Suzie

to yours - keep warm, be safe and have a good night.
Good night John Boy.
Good night Mary Ellen :)