Riley's Halloween Costume Contest

Which is your favorite?  Help us choose Riley's costume for Halloween in the poll above...

Broccoli & Cheddar Soup

provided by: grouprecipes.com

One of my and Brenton's favorite soups.  Found it searching Panera Bread's recipe.  Not sure I'd say it is a match but definitely tastes like Broccoli & Cheddar from a restaurant.  And, pretty easy to boot.  Mmmm!

(Thought it was initially a bit strong and softened it with a little extra chicken stock.  Also, careful with the salt, as it really isn't needed.  I added a little more pepper to cut our the stronger nutmeg taste.  I might go a little easier on the nutmeg next time... just being technical but it truly was amazing.) 

Ingredients

1 tbls. butter, melted
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 cups half & half
2 cups chicken stock
1/2 lb. fresh broccoli
1 cup carrots, finely chopped
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
Salt & pepper, to taste
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

Directions

• Saute onion in 1 tbls. butter
• In another pan, cook melted butter and flour , whisking over medium heat for 3-4 minutes
• Slowly add half & half while continuing to whisk
• Add chicken stock, while continuing to whisk
• Once it starts to simmer, let simmer for 20 minutes
• Add broccoli, carrots and onions
• Cook over low heat until veggies are tender
• Add salt and pepper
• Pour in batches into blender and mix or use immersion blender
• Return to pot and over low heat, add cheese, stirring until well blended
• Stir in the nutmeg

Acorn Donuts

photo & recipe provided by familyfun.go.com



Ingredients

Chocolate Frosting or Peanut Butter

Donuts

Crumbled Toffee

Pretzel



Instructions

1.Frost a third or so of a plain or glazed doughnut hole with chocolate frosting or peanut butter.

2.Roll the frosted top in crumbled toffee (look for it in the baking section of grocery stores), then add a small piece of a pretzel for the stem.

Giggle Giggle Dada

Craft of the Season: Waxpaper Fall Leaves

Cutest, easiest and cheap fall craft.  Here's for the next rainy day or to those of you who have kids that get bored easy.  Just click on the following phrase, fall leaves, and you'll get step by step instructions.

Posers

Here is our little poser who has learned how to get attention.  She giggled and smiled everytime the flash went off.  Her latest, she laughs at the most opportune moments and always in the car.  Then we laugh back and on she goes, giggling away.  We just had our 9 month appointment; Riley now weighs 21.2 lbs.

And Lexi, she is long-suffering these days.  She sniffs Riley's bottom when she has a dirty diaper and bathes her any chance she gets.  However, when Riley comes her way or starts babbling, Lexi leaves the childish play to go nap upstairs.

Featherbrained Nonsense

I was at a prayer meeting with our young adult group this week as I have been trying to get more involved with church, and Brenton is often busy in the fall.  And to have an outlet, a means of purpose.  Our young adult meets weekly through a variety of activities.  This week was our monthly prayer meeting in place of bible study. 

First off, I was stupid in staying up until 4am the night before, so I went wishing I could stay at home with my man and baby.  And, side note, for those with children, I do realize that stupid is no the new "s" word as our daughter begins to understand our words.  Yikes!!!  This is going to be a journey.  And so I wondered how on earth I'd be able to stay awake with my eyes closed for an hour plus.  Amazingly, the Lord helps you focus when you're willing to spend time with Him.  I didn't fight the "zzzz's" until I got in the dark car to go home!

How I wish I was more faithful in really devoting good chunks of time to the Lord in prayer.  What a renewing and refreshing evening.  I went home rejuvenated and so peaceful.  Even still, what stuck with me was confession time as we went through ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication).  A wise, seasoned lady prayed, "God, forgive me for not being more self-controlled with my emotions in the way they affect those closest to me."

I had just prayed, "Lord, forgive me for trusting myself more than You, and for often trying to keep hold of the reigns to my life."  And, yet, when I heard this prayer on self-control, I thought how pertinent it was to my life also.

Isn't it ironic that we rely on ourselves and trust our instinct more easily than the Lord and His infinite wisdom?  What is more ironic, I just agreed through prayer that I lack self-control and, yet, I find myself trusting in my own control more than the God of the Universe.  What is wrong with me? 

I sat a little befuddled and amused at the featherbrained irony of my thinking and actions, and grateful at how often the Lord chooses means to remind me who really needs to be steering my life in the right direction.