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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Easiest Baked Potato Soup {promise}

Even though it is around 89 degrees with 110% humidity
I could not help myself from making soup this week.
Hubby is not a huge fan of soup, so I need to pick
wisely on what to make.
This was a WINNER with the whole fam.
Bug and Bean could not get enough, and Hubby even got seconds.

Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients:
- 2 large baking potatoes {peeled, cut in half and thinly sliced}
- 4 cups milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 head of cauliflower {cored and chopped}
- 1 bunch scallions {white and green parts separated and cut thinly}
- 4 slices of bacon
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 sour cream
- salt & pepper

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 400.
On baking sheet lined with foil place bacon in single layer.
In large pot combine potatoes and 3 cups milk and 1 teaspoon salt.
Cover and bring to a boil over medium to high heat.
{careful not to have spill over from the pot}
Lower heat to medium low.
Add cauliflower and scallion whites.
Stir and cook for 10-15 mins, until fork tender.

Step 2:
Once oven is preheated add bacon. Cook for 10-12 mins {I lean more to the 12 mins since I
LOVE crispy bacon}.

Step 3:
After cooking until fork tender add remaining 1 cup milk and 1/4 heavy cream.
Ladle out of pot into food processor or blender.
Blend until creamy, some lumps are good.
Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4:
Pour into bowls.
Top with cheese, sour cream, scallion greens, and crumbled bacon.



Side note:
{when I make this next time I am going to switch out the scallion white for leaks.
Healthier and great flavor}

Monday, September 27, 2010

To sud or not to sud

I am little particular when it comes to hair products.
Having curly hair you kind of have to be.
Two things I DO NOT want to happen when using a hair product:
1. No looking like the BP oil spill happened on my head. A lot of the anti frizz serums are heavy in oil, which can cause MAJOR grease head.
2. NEVER I repeat NEVER do I want to resemble I scare crow with hair so crunchy it looks like
dried up hay.

So my hair dresser is aware of my pickiness when it comes to this.
If she has a new product marketed to curls I usually get a little sample to try.
This last visit was no exception.

I was so excited to try this new product which included a new shampoo.
Got in the shower squeezed a little in the hair and started scrubbing.

But something was missing.
The SUDS.
Then I looked down at the bottle and there it was "No-Poo Zero Lather Shampoo".
Ok so maybe it is my self diagnosed OCD or the fact that ALL the shampoo I have ever used
has produced those white clouds upon my head but this was just plain WEIRD.
I know it is totally psychological but it left me feeling like I had not washed my hair at all.

Sorry people but I happen to like my sham to have some poo in it.
And yes the 100% sulfate free label is appealing to help the environment, but I can not do it cause it is WEIRD I tell you just plain WEIRD!

Mention Me Monday {Sept 27th}

Happy Monday!

I am starting my Mention Me Monday post with what I wish was
piping hot and coming out of my oven right now.
I am a lover of ALL things pumpkin {as I have found out many of you are too}.
And these Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls look like little clouds of culinary heaven.

I am not afraid to say that making these sounds a bit intimating and scary. BUT Good Life Eats has included in the post tips on working with yeast. SO who knows...

Are you thinking about the holidays yet?!
Man I am.
I first saw this DIY on IHOD {Anna again you ROCK!}.
I am think of making them into recipe notebooks. With pockets for clippings...

SUPER cute right?!

If you have been reading my blog for sometime now you might remember my little obsession {my Halloween flowers are currently gracing my table} with Tracy B Designs. I recently found out that her work is in the current issue of Holiday Crafts published by Better Homes and Gardens.


What an amazing accomplishment! Congrats Tracy for this MUCH deserved recognition for your outstanding work!

So there is my three for the week. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Have something to share?! Link up here.


Thursday, September 23, 2010

Mom in the shot Sept 23 {Really?!}

Nothing special about this picture, BUT my hair. HOLLA, it looks hot. LOL
Loving our vertical blinds?
I DON'T but for the life of me can not figure out what I want to do to replace them.
HELP!!

Ok so this morning I got up with Bean around 6:30. Went downstairs and got ready to stick a blueberry waffle in the toaster oven for him {he eats a WHOLE waffle and yogart every morning, little piggy}.
And found this:

Yep, my breakfast from yesterday morning.
Which got me to thinking, "Did I eat breakfast at all yesterday?!"
Hum...


Embrace the camera with Em every Thursday, I do {expect for last Thursday OOPS!}

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

All about my Kiddos

I really hate to ask this BUT if you would not mind voting for Bean in this weeks Cute Kid Contest over at Parents Mag? Voting is open until Sept 26 and can be done once a day.
Thanks!

Buggie got mail yesterday.

XOXO

Monday, September 20, 2010

Mention Me Monday {Sept 20th}

Welcome back from what I hope was a
fantastic weekend!

Have some great things to share today.

First off is this beyond adorable blog to baby book from


Oh my that little smushy face, can it get any better?! This book to me is a wonderful alternative to printing out your blog, which can be expensive. Plus much more creative!

Second up.
I am always looking for easy, inexpensive, but caring gifts for teachers for the holidays. And to me baked goods are always a GREAT idea. So you can guarantee these little mason jar pumpkin chocolate chip muffins with cream cheese frosting are going to be making the rounds at Buggies school this year!


I think This Blessed Nest topped them off perfectly with that little orange burlap. I will be adding a little recipe card.

The topper on my Mention Me Monday sundae is coming from Pugly Pixel.
Katrina makes the most divine FREE clip art files. And lets just say her newest overlays are such eye candy, I am dying to use them....

So run, do not walk to her blog and download ALL her files, you will not be disappointed.

Sidenote:
Still looking for anyone interested in helping Emily out with her adoption. Email me at amyholgersen@hotmail for the details. We have so pretty awesome shops included and would love to have yours too!

As always link up anything you would like to share with us...



Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The days are warm...

and the setting sun has a low hanging effect.
As if to say it is not ready for bed.
There is a slight breeze that lifts your hair off you shoulders and gives you the most calming
feeling.
You find yourself taking a deep breath trying to suck all the love and life out of the air.
You close your eyes and listen.
You can hear the smiles across your kids faces.





These are the days I live for.
I love you Buggie and Jellybean.
Thank you for making me a Mommy and giving me the most amazing life.

Monday, September 13, 2010

A love letter


Dear Publix,
About two weeks ago I was grocery shopping.
Bean was with me munching on a Mum Mum.
Your store does not carry them, so unfortunately I have been purchasing them
at Walmart Marketplace {NOT my favorite thing to do}.
When I saw your store manager Phil, I asked him if he could check on getting them on
your store shelves.
Phil took down all the info and my name and number.

The next week, we get a call.
Phil had found out that the store could not carry them {unfortunately Hubs answered
the call, so he did NOT ask way}, but Phil told Hubs that he was sending someone to
Walmart to buy some boxes.
He was going to keep them in the office and when I was in next I could buy them.

I bought them ALL.
I have been a Publix girl since forEVA {in womb foreva}
Publix your saying is "Where shopping is a pleasure" and I concur.

Love Publix shopper for life,
Amy

Mention Me Monday {Sept 13th}

I hope you all had a wonderfully fabulous weekend!
Mine was just perfect.
Lots of family time, a DATE NIGHT, and a little Ikea thrown in!!!

*So I am a self proclaimed book nerd.
If I have a spare minute, you will find my head in between the spines.
With that said I am HEAD OVER HEELS in love
with this project from Wild Olive.
Now all the downloads she made are ADORABLE, and yes I will
be making and giving these away for the holidays.
But the bacon strip, oh that bacon strip.
That little guy has my heart.
Lets just say "swine is always fine" with me!
Oh and if I can not stand it already SHE MADE HIM INTO FABRIC!
Loves.


**I am girl who loves me some personalized things.
Last Halloween I had the most adorable personalized
notecards made by Olliegraphic.
And lets just say I have been drooling for their plates and bowls for some time now.

A set for Bug & Bean for Christmas?!
Check out the whole Sara + Abraham website, GREAT finds.

***There are blogs that when I see a new post, I get giddy.
Like running down the stairs on Christmas morning giddy.
And let me first credit Anna for sharing Enjoying the Small Things with me.

I do not know Kelle.
But I know when my issue of Parents lands in my mailbox this month,
I am going to smile.
Because in a small weird way I "kinda" do know her and her story.

See you all around this week {we have a Hobby Lobby that opens tomorrow, I am SO there!}.
So there is my three things this week that inspire and are super fun!
Please link up anything you find out there and want to share.
I would love to see.




Saturday, September 11, 2010

I will NEVER forget

Today is not only a day of remembrance but one of education.
My children will hopefully never know the feelings of 9/11/01, but they will
know about the men and women that were the heros that day.
And those men and women who are fighting for our freedoms.
{PS "Pastor" Jones ignorance breeds HATE}

ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS.
UNTIED WE STAND.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Mom in the shot Sept 9 {Want to help?!}

Good morning!
Look at me on top of my Embrace the Camera post today, HOLLA!

{Bug and I}

So Em and I are working on what we both hope will be a HUGE project.
If you are a merchant or just a wonderful crafter and think you might want
to help with bringing home the newest addition to the Anderson Crew's household,
please email me
amyholgersen@hotmail.com
And I will send you the deets.

Have a GRRRRREAT {insert my Tony the Tiger voice} Day!

xo

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookie

I know I have said this before but I weird thing with Rachel Ray.

She is NOT my fav.

But I LOVE her magazine.

And I am going to go out on a limb and say that 99.9% of her recipes are NOT coming from her

but her staff.

This weekend I made a batch of cookies from this months issue. With a slight adaption.

Weirdo factoid about ME.

I DISLIKE nuts in my baked goods.

I know "NUTSO" {insert punch line drum beat}

Last night I ate around the nuts in my sisters b-day carrot cake.

So this recipe called for chopped peanuts, I substituted them with CHOCOLATE CHIPS!



Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter {at room temp}

1 1/4 cups sugar

1 cup smooth peanut butter

2 eggs {at room temp}

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

6 cups miniature pretzels, chopped {seems like a lot but goes quickly}

-Preheat oven to 350. Arrange racks in upper and lower 3rd of oven.

-Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.

-In bowl whisk together flour and baking soda.

-Using an electric mixer beat butter, sugar, and peanut butter on medium speed until fluffy, about 5 mins

-Add one egg at a time mixing well after each addition.

-With the mixer on low speed gradually add flour, until just combined.

-Stir in chocolate chips

-With the chopped pretzels in a bowl, take 1 1/2 in dough balls and coat in the pretzels. Add to cookie sheet {these do not spread to much so you can fit a good amount on each sheet}

-Bake, rotating the pans after 10 mins. Bake a total of 15 mins until golden brown but still soft to the touch.

-Let cool slightly then transfer to cool surface.


ENJOY!

Its getting "batty" around here {DIY}

I loved this DIY.
But since I did not have any black pipe cleaners and did not want to go up to the store,
we changed it up a bit
and made SILLY bats!


What you will need:
- coffee filters
- markers {halloweeny colors}
- paint brush
- yarn
- buttons
- googlie eyes
-hot glue

First things first. Color ALL over your coffee filters with markers.

Then take your paint brush and paint water on the filter.

Let it dry.

Fold it in fourths.

Cut a semi circle off the bottom.

Should look like this.

Cut the filter in half.

Cut a triangle in the center of the filter.

Take your yarn and wrap around three fingers, the more you wrap the better. As Jen had done with the spiders, around 2 1/2inch thick. Then lay it parallel to the filter, in the center. Take a long piece of yarn and tie around the yarn and filter as tight as possible. Then cut the loops on the yarn ball. Shape it up by cutting it into a ball.

Lastly add some gogglie eyes to some buttons and hot glue them to the yarn bat.

I think they turned out pretty darn cute. And Buggie loves doing coffee filter art so it was a great DIY for her to help with.

Happy hanging!





Join  us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap up          party!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Mention Me Monday {Sept 6th}


My little Mention Me Monday folder is filling up quickly.
Asked Bug to help me pick this weeks fun, inspiration, and new things to share this week.


This month came the second installment of this stunning online mag.
Rachelle and her posse of incredible contributors bring
an amazing line up of all things AWESOME for the little people in our lives.

Find the mag on FB, thats where I get all my updates! And another COOL place is Rachelle's blog, Kenziepoo.

Ok the second item is coming from Kara Paslay Designs.
I am sure we all have seen that mason jars are all the RAGE right now.
Here is Kara's original post on how to make your own mason jar chandelier.


And here is the post to one of her followers take on this project.
Makes me feel like I could actually do this to?!

Pretty awesome right?!

Last be not least something coming from over at Under the Sycamore.
Where the I think the mason jar DIY could find a home.
Ok so my FAVORITE thing from this playroom makeover would HAVE to be
that clock.
Clock=Ingenious!

Thats it for this week.
Please link up anything and everything you find inspirational this week.
But lets just limit it to one link per person per week.






And if you would like to be featured on Mention Me Monday please email me at
amyholgersen@hotmail.com
I am looking for shops, blogs, DIY's, pretty much anything Fun!





Saturday, September 4, 2010

Happy LOOOONG Weekend

Plans changed.
This little guy is sick.

If you have or had a 10 month old little boy, you will know seeing them lay down
on their own = SICK.

Last night was no fun.
104 temp, up for two hours {1am -3am} to break it.
So my Labor Day week, will be spent getting my baby better.
Lots of hanging out, hugs and chicken noodle soup.

Wishing you all a GREAT weekend.



Thursday, September 2, 2010

Mom in the shot Sept 2 {HAPPY 90210!}

Buggie behind the lens gets you...

lots of shots with NO FACE. But lets just say, that is A OK with me today!


I needed, wanted, and desired some rib sticking comfort food for din din.
You know the kind.
Something so heavy you feel like you can crawl into a ball and hibernate for at least a week.
So I decided to make this.
I am wee bit nervous about the polenta.
Wish me luck...

If you are new around here {welcome!} you might be wondering what the heck this post is all about.
Check it out there.

Happy 90210 {coolest day EVA!}
Oh and incase you were wondering I am totally team Dylan Mckay.
And maybe I will partake in a Peach Pit Bellini or a Donna Daiquiri!



Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Sling for sale.

Would anyone be interested in purchasing a brand new Sakura Bloom sling?
This sling has NEVER left my house, I still have the beautiful box it came in with instruction booklet. The sling is a neutral storm grey and with its ring design can be worn by both men or women. There is nothing wrong with it, I just did not find myself ever using it.

It retails for $88 +plus shipping & taxes.
I am selling it for $57 {this includes shipping}.




If you are interested please email me at amyholgersen@hotmail.com

Thanks!