Super Yummy Broccoli Soup Recipe

I found this recipe last month on one of my favorite recipe sites...allrecipes.com. You can really rely on this site if you stick to highly rated recipes. This recipe was rated 5 out of 5 stars by over 220 people so I figured it had to be good...and it did not disappoint. Great for cold winter nights with sliced sourdough bread and butter. YUM!



INGREDIENTS
•3 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli
•3 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
•6 tablespoons margarine
•1 onion, chopped
•1/2 cup all-purpose flour
•2 cups milk
•Half a block of Velveeta (about 3/4 lbs.), cubed
•1/2 lbs. mild cheddar, cubed
•1 pinch ground white pepper (tastes fine with black pepper as well)

DIRECTIONS
1.In a large pot over medium heat, simmer the broccoli in the broth for 15 minutes. In a separate skillet over medium heat, melt the butter or margarine, add the onions and sauté for 5 minutes, or to desired tenderness.

2.Add the flour to the onions and stir well, forming a pasty substance. Gradually add the milk and stir until thick. Add this mixture to the broccoli mixture in the pot and stir well. Then add the cheese, stirring until melted. Finally, add the pepper.

Note: Be careful not to let the soup boil, or the cheese will break down.

Record Low in Colorado Springs

Well, we had a blast of arctic air this weekend and ended up waking up to a new RECORD LOW in Colorado Springs for this day in history. We hit -8 degrees this morning. Woo Hoo! When Riana went to school this morning at 8:45 am (no delays for Colorado schools - EVER!) it was still -4 degrees outside. Just a bit chilly. Not much snow associated with this storm but the cold temps are supposed to hold out for several more days. Hopefully our wonderful Colorado sun will be able to warm us by Thursday and clear the roadways. The dramatic drop in temp was especially obvious since we enjoyed a mild 54 degrees on Saturday. Steve was VERY cold this morning shoveling the walkways.

Baby Potluck

Steve and I were fortunate enough to be showered with baby gifts this past weekend. One of our friends, Heather, hosted a co-ed baby potluck to celebrate Alyson's pending arrival. The food and company were outstanding! We had a great time and really racked up the baby booty. Thank you to all who came and shared their favorite dish with us. I am hoping there will be opportunities in the near future for more potlucks as they are seriously the best!

Bishop's Castle Trip

Last weekend Steve took the fam on a little adventure in the San Isabel National Forest. The destination was Bishop's Castle...a castle in the middle of the forest (i.e. in the middle of nowhere) built by one man for the past 40 years. It was both a very unique and cool site as well as super scary. Riana evidently is fearless, as she was cruising around the castle and climbing to the very top of the towers to the round cage and all over the balconies. Steve went with her to the tower but stayed away from the cage which moved while someone was in it. Steve did brave one of the balconies for a pic opportunity. Me on the other hand...I was the one taking the photos...from the ground level...where nothing moved under my feet. I think I would have done much better if the castle had passed a building inspection.

Here is some history on the castle and it's creator:

For 40 years, Jim Bishop has been building a castle on a mountainside in central Colorado. "Did it all myself, don't want any help," he says mechanically as he unloads a pile of rocks that he's hoisted to the 70-foot level on one of the castle towers.

Every year since 1969, Bishop has single-handedly gathered and set over 1000 tons of rock to create this stone and iron fortress in the middle of nowhere. Bishop calls it "a monument to hardworking people" and "America's biggest, one-man, physical project." "I always wanted a castle. Every man wants a castle," Bishop continues, his voice a broken record, answering the same questions he's obviously been asked thousands of times before.

All in all it was a very fun family adventure!

Preggo Update

Steve took this photo to document the growth of my belly. Little Alyson Kathleen is at 6 months in the womb in this photo.

Our first post...

Well, Steve and I are finally participating in this whole blogging phenomenon. We were feeling like slackers for not having done it sooner...but I guess it is better late than never. Do we get brownie points for finally wising up?

Welcome to all of our friends and family! We will try to keep you updated regularly as we get the hang of blogging. We look forward to the adventure!

Love to all -
Tracy

Labels: The Adventure Begins - November 2008