Smoky Blue Cheese Mashed Potato Soup

I just tried this soup for the very first time

-but- it was definitely love at first bite!?!

Smoky Blue Cheese Mashed Potato Soup

Serves 4

4 bacon slices
1 medium onion, diced, about 2 cups
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Two 14.4-ounce cans low-salt chicken broth or 3 1/2 cups homemade broth
3 cups mashed potatoes (see recipe below)
1/2 cup Blue cheese, crumbled, about 3 ounces

Garnish
4 scallions, minced
1/4 cup smoke-flavored Blue cheese, crumbled, about 1 1/2 ounces

Cook bacon in heavy, large pot over medium heat until brown and crisp. Transfer bacon to paper towels. Crumble bacon and set aside to use as a garnish. Spoon off all but a tablespoon of bacon drippings from pot. Add onion, celery and garlic, season with salt. Sauté over low heat for 10 minutes or until onions are golden, but not brown. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5-10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Blend in the mashed potatoes and Blue cheese. Puree soup in batches in a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the pot. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish each bowl with Blue cheese, bacon and scallions just before serving.

Mashed Potatoes
2-3 large potatoes, about 1 1/2 lbs
1/2 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Peel the potatoes and cut into small chunks, place in a pot, cover with cold water. Boil until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain the water, then add the butter and milk and mash with a potato masher in the pot. Season with salt.

Today I am extremely thankful for cheese!?!

7 Layer Dip

Getting ready for a Superbowl Party don't forget the...

7 Layer Dip

Sure to be a big crowd pleaser!?!

Ingredients

• 16 ounces refried beans
• 1 (1 ¼ ounce) packages taco seasoning
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup guacamole
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup lettuce
• 1 cup Mexican blend cheese
• 4 ounces sliced olives
• 1 cup tomatoes

Directions

1. Layer in this order.
2. 16 oz refried beans mixed w/ 1 package taco seasoning.
3. 1 c sour cream.
4. 1 c guacamole.
5. 1 c salsa.
6. 1 c lettuce.
7. 1 c Mexican cheese.
8. 4oz sliced olives.
9. 1 c tomatoes.

Today I am thankful...!?!

Albuquerque Sunrise

Beautiful Albuquerque, NM sunrise!?!

Today I am thankful for my eyesight!?!

Dill Pickle Lip Balm

All I can say (that I am willing to post here) is Y-U-M-M-Y - this stuff is so good!?!

Today I am thankful that I am not normal - lol!?!

Philipians 4:13

Some days I just have to keep repeating this verse to myself ...
over -&- over again!?!

Today I am thankful that I answer to a Higher power!?!

Cajun Style Sausage -&- Rice

This crock pot recipe makes a great comfort food meal.

What You Need:

8oz Kielbasa sausage, cut in 1/4″ slices
1 -14 1/2oz can diced tomatoes with liquid
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium green pepper, diced
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
1 tbsp chicken bouillon granules
1 tbsp steak sauce
3 bay leaves or 1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp sugar
1/4 to 1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce
1 cup uncooked instant rice
1/2 cup chopped parsley (optional)

How To Make It:

Combine sausage, tomatoes, onion, green pepper, celery bouillon, steak sauce, bay leaves, sugar and hot pepper sauce in a medium sized crockpot.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
Remove bay leaves; stir in rice and 1/2 cup of water.
Cook an additional 25 minutes.
Stir in parsley if desired.

Today I am thankful that I love hot things...mmm, mmm, good!?!

Denny's Skillet Cookie a la Mode

After a long day with getting a chance to eat today - we stopped at
Denny's for dinner!?!
And, after the meal was consumed we decided to share a desert -&- all I can say is the devil must have created this one - because it was so damn good it was evil!?!

$4 NEW! Skillet Cookie a la Mode

Chocolate?!? Say no more!?!
An oversized s'mores cookie made with real Hershey®'s Kisses®, topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream -&- drizzled with hot fudge!?!
Served in a skillet warm and all deliciously gooey, it's every chocolate lover's dream come true!?!

Serving Size - 8 oz
Calories - 820
Fat - 37
Calories From Fat - 330
Trans Fat - 0
Saturated Fat - 20

Cholesterol - 85
Sodium - 480
Carbohydrates - 115
Fiber - 3
Protein - 23
Sugar - 83

Today I am thankful that I had someone to share this with - otherwise I'd have eaten the whole thing myself!?!

FLESH

The picture tells the whole entire story!?!

Today I am thankful - just thankful - that is all!?!

BBQ Meatballs

For the meatballs:
2 lb. ground beef
1 c. bread crumbs
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 packages onion soup mix
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 eggs

For the barbecue sauce:
2 onions, chopped
2 cans tomato paste (12 ounces total)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 c. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sweet pickle relish
1/2 c. beef broth
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. dry mustard

How To Make It:
Combine first 6 ingredients and in a large bowl and mix well.
Shape into meatballs and brown in a skillet with 1 tablespoon of oil.
Drain well and dry on paper towels.
Add all sauce ingredients to a medium sized crock pot and stir well.
Add meatballs and cook, covered, on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3.

Tips:

Serve from the crock pot if you have a “keep warm” setting.
This recipe makes about 50 to 60 meatballs depending on the size of each.

Today I am thankful for meatballs - cuz I love meatballs!?!

Sweetzer Mountain Range

Today I am thankful that I was able to get such a good picture of such a beautiful location!?!

The Change-Up

Pretty good movie that I watched the other night - it is kinda crude with a lot of language -but- a good watch none the less!?!

Growing up together, Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) and Dave (Jason Bateman) were inseparable best friends, but as the years have passed they've
slowly drifted apart.
While Dave is an overworked lawyer, husband and father of three, Mitch has remained a single, quasi-employed man-child who has never met a responsibility he liked.
To Mitch, Dave has it all: beautiful wife Jamie (Leslie Mann), kids who adore him and a high-paying job at a prestigious law firm.
To Dave, living Mitch's stress-free life without obligation or consequence would be a dream come true.
Following a drunken night out together, Mitch and Dave's worlds are turned upside down when they wake up in each others bodies and proceed to freak out. Despite the freedom from their normal routines and habits, the guys soon discover that each others lives are nowhere near as rosy as they once seemed. Further complicating matters are Dave's sexy legal associate...

Cast:

Ryan Reynolds as Mitch Planko
Jason Bateman as Dave Lockwood
Leslie Mann as Jamie Lockwood
Olivia Wilde as Sabrina McArdle
Alan Arkin as Mitch Planko, Sr.
Mircea Monroe as Tatiana
Sydney Rouviere as Cara Lockwood
Lauren Bain as Sarah Lockwood
Luke Bain as Peter Lockwood
TJ Hassan as Kato
Fred Stoller as Movie Set PA

Today I am thankful that I've never experienced that "Change Ups" I
thought I'd like!?!

16 Types of Facebook People...

Today I am thankful that I am none of "these" people...LMAO!?!

Prosciutto-Wrapped, Boursin Cheese -&- Bacon-Stuffed Chicken Breast

This is heavenly!?!
When on a low-carb diet, I am so used to using chicken thighs and drums so I get that yummy, juicy fattiness that replaces the rice, pasta, or potatoes I so very much miss!?!
But this is such an amazing way to use chicken breast!?!
The creamy Boursin cheese oozes and the bacon is apparent in each bite!?!
Carbs who?!?

Ingredients:
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 pckg. Boursin cheese (Note: I used the herb and garlic flavor. You can also use a packed herb goat cheese.)
4 slices thickly cut bacon
4 slices prosciutto
1/2 lemon, juiced
Salt and pepper
1 c. chicken stock
10-12 cherry tomatoes

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil the bottom of a deep oven pan, like a rectangular or square cake pan. Place one piece of the chicken breast on top of a piece of Saran wrap. Cover with another piece and gently beat it with the rounded end of a metal ladle or just a meat tenderizer (I use a ladle to keep from making holes). Do this until chicken breast is large and fairly thin. Repeat with other piece. Generously spread Boursin cheese onto each chicken breast. Lay 2 slices of bacon across each, cutting if necessary. Roll from the short side in. Wrap two pieces of prosciutto around each chicken roll, making sure not to overlap too much. Place into lightly greased pan. Season with lemon, salt and pepper. Pour chicken stock into bottom of the pan, toss in cherry tomatoes. Bake on middle rack for 55 minutes. Make sure to spoon juice onto tops of chicken every 15 minutes or so. Slice diagonally and serve with sautéed veggies.

Today I am thankful for BACON!?!

Happy Chinese New Year

Today I am thankful for the "Year of the Dragon"!?!

Scrammble Egg Pizza

Ingredients:
2 to 4 tablespoons cornmeal
1 can (13.8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated classic pizza crust
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 oz)
1 cup cooked real bacon pieces (from a jar or package)
1 cup sliced grape tomatoes
3 scallions, chopped
4 eggs
1/4 cup water
4 fresh basil leaves, sliced

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 425°F. Sprinkle 16-inch pizza pan with cornmeal (to prevent dough from sticking to pan). Unroll dough on pan; starting at center, press out dough to edge of pan, building up edge slightly. Brush with oil.
2. Sprinkle cheese over dough; top with bacon, tomatoes and scallions. In small bowl, beat eggs and water with fork or wire whisk until well mixed; pour over top of other ingredients. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until crust is crisp and eggs are set in center.

Today I am thankful for delicious things!?!

Denver Sunrise

Today I am thankful -&- just amazed at all the beauty that God created!?!

Tony Justice

If you love awesome country music you really need to check out my friends first CD!?!
On The Road by Tony Justice
You can find in the Pilot Flying J Truck stops all over the country!?


Here is a sample of his great music:





To learn more about Tony...visit is his Facebook page...HERE!?!

Today I am thankful for the great music that Tony makes!?!

3-2-1 Cake

I love this recipe - it is so easy to make - so easy to store -&- quickly takes care of your craving for cake without all the hassle of baking one!?!


Ingredients:
1 angel food cake mix
1 any flavor cake mix
2 tablespoons water

Directions:
1. Mix Angel Food cake mix and your choice flavor cake mix.
I used devils food.
Put both in zip lock bag and mix well.
2. When ready for your quick cake snack attack, take 3 tablespoons cake mix. Put in microwavable small ramekin or bowl.
Mix in 2 tablespoons water.
Mix well. Microwave on high, 1 minute.
Cool and top with whipped cream or icing of your choice or just eat it plain.
Just enough for that quick fix, snack attack!?!

Today I am thankful for easy -&- delicious microwavable recipes!?!

~Racism - Eminem~

Today I am thankful that life has less racism that years past!?!

Crayfish Pizza

At first I was a little leary of "Crayfish" -but- I decided to dive in -&- give it a try -&- boy am I glad that I did ... because it was LOVE after first bite!?!

Spicy Cajun crawfish and white sauce topped with green onions, spinach and roasted garlic!?!



Ingredients:

1/3 lb cooked crawfish tails

1 tablespoon green onions

1/2 cup spinach leafs

roasted garlic to taste

1 1/2 cups white sauce (see recipe below) blackened seasoning

1/4 cup pizza cheese blend

pizza dough (use frozen pizza dough)

1 lemon (sliced) for flavor

Directions:

1. Blend 2 teaspoons of blackened seasoning into the 1 1/2 cups white sauce.

2. Place sauce on stretched pizza dough.

3. Assembly toppings (crawfish, green onions, spinach and roasted garlic) accordingly.

4. Wet the crust with water and sprinkle lightly with blackened seasoning.

5. Sprinkle pizza cheese on top.

6. Cook on a pizza stone at 500 degrees for 20 minutes or until dough is golden brown.

__________________________________

White Sauce

2 tablespoons canola oil

2 tablespoons flour

2 cups milk

1. Heat the oil over medium heat in a heavy medium saucepan.

2. Stir in flour, and cook, stirring, for about three minutes until smooth and bubbling but not browned. The paste should have the texture of wet sand. 3 Whisk in the milk all at once, and bring to a simmer, whisking all the while, until the mixture begins to thicken.

3. Turn the heat to very low, and simmer, stirring often with a whisk and scraping the bottom and edges of the pan with a rubber spatula, for 10 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and lost its raw flour taste.

4. Strain while hot into a heatproof bowl or a Pyrex measuring cup.

Yield: Makes 1 1/2 cups

Today I am thankful that I was willing to try something new other wise deliciousness of Crayfish would have been lost to me forever!?!

Martin Luther King Jr Day!?!

Today we celebrate a man who did a lot for civil rights -&- who was a hero in his own right!?!
Martin Luther King Jr.

To learn more about MLK Jr. please go here!?!

To learn more about how you can help celebrate today please go here!?!


"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
– Martin Luther King, I Have a Dream Quote

To learn more about the speech or read it in its entirety please go here!?!

Today I am thankful that MLK Jr. had a dream...!?!

Colby, KS

Rolling across Kansas on I-70 the other night on our way to the Mile High - we stopped right outside Colby for a moment for a quick pit stop -&- this was the view of Sun just beginning to set...I was able to capture it at just the right moment!?!

Today I am thankful that God has created such beauty for us to partake in on a daily basis!?!

Bacon Beer Dip

This dip is extremely easy -&- as delicious as is sounds!?!
Mmmmm, what could be better than beer, bacon -&- cheese!?!

Bacon Beer Dip


Ingredients:

2 packages (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup beer
1 packet (1 ounce) dry ranch dip mix
1 1/2 cups finely shredded cheddar cheese
6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 chopped scallion (optional)

Directions:
With a mixer, beat together cream cheese, dip mix and beer until smooth.
Stir in cheese, bacon, and scallions.
Chill for at least 2 hours.
Serve chilled with pretzels.

Today I am thankful with a little ingenuity that I can make this delicious dip in the truck!?!

The Living Proof...

The other day I posted about blog about the movie "The Help" ...the following is the song that is played in the end of this spectacular movie...take a minute to listen to the song -but- after that to get the full effect read all the words...feel them, embrace them, ponder on them...it is well worth the journey!?!

The Living Proof...Mary J. Blige

It's gonna be a long long journey It's gonna be an uphill climb
It's gonna be a tough fight
It's gonna be some lonely nights But I'm ready to carry on I'm so glad the worst is over I can start living now, ooh I feel like I can do anythin'
And finally I'm not afraid to breathe Anything you say to me
And everything you do You can't deny the truth
Cause I'm the living proof So many don't survive
They just don't make it through
But look at me ooh I'm the living proof
Oh yes I am Thinkin' back life's been painful
Yes it was Took a while to learn how to smile
So now I'm gonna talk to my people
About the storm oh about the storm
Oh so glad the worst is over I can start flyin' now oh
My best days are right in front of me And I'm almost there Cause now I am free
Anything you say to me And everything you do
You can't deny the truth Cause I'm the living proof
So many don't survive
They just don't make it through
But look at me I'm the living proof
I know where I'm goin' hey
Cause I know where I've been oh I gotta few stars that showin' hey
I'm gonna stay strong keep goin'
That's the way that I will Anything you say to me And everything you do
You can't deny the truth
Cause I'm the living proof
oh So many don't survive
They just don't make it through But look at me yeah yeah
I'm the living proof
Nothing about my life's been easy
But nothings gonna keep me down
Cause I know a lot more today Than I knew yesterday
So I am ready to carry on Oh Lordy mmmm

Today I am thankful for awesome people who make amazing music!?!

My Name Is Michele...

...not Michelle or Micheal - just an FYI it is...

(This is Michele in Chinese - kind of a cool idea for a tattoo!?!)

Today I am thankful that my parent didn't name me Mildred!?!