Broccoli Cheese Noodle Soup

It's hunting week and I just got two of my boys back home from deer camp. 

In the same clothes they left in. 

Three days ago.

If my washer could talk, well, she'd probably cry right now.

Anywho.  I am taking advantage of the first snow and the absence of my dear lactose intolerant hubs to make one of my favorite soups.

This recipe comes from the Haught's Chapel cookbook that my Nan had for years.  I'm talking decades.  You know it's a good cookbook when it's stained and falling apart. 

This soup recipe originated with Sherry Haught, who is my cousin.  My second cousin.  My mom's cousin's wife.  I've never been great with math or genealogy but suffice to say, we're related.  She was an awesome cook and this is my favorite recipe of hers by far.


Here's what you'll need:

1/4 cup butter
1 c. diced onion
1 c. diced carrots

Saute together in large stockpot

6 c. water
5 chicken bouillon cubes
2 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder

Add to stock pot and bring to a boil

4 c. thin uncooked noodles
2 packages of frozen chopped broccoli

Add, then cook until noodles are almost done.  Stir in about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds American cheese.  Velveeta works great.  Stir until cheese melts, then add 6 cups of milk.  Heat until hot enough to eat.  Total cooking time is about 30 minutes. 

If you really want to be a dinner rock star, make some rolls to go with it.

A total hit.  Unless you're lactose intolerant.  (Sorry Ronnie).

There is nothing wrong with a homemade birthday cake!

Tis the season of birthday's around here.  Two of my kiddo's have birthdays within a month of each other.  Which brings me to today's thought: 

There is nothing wrong with a homemade birthday cake!

Not every birthday requires a trip to the bakery.  Well, except mine.  I personally have much love for Linda's carrot cake from Cakes with a Personal Touch Plus.  It's the best cake ever.  And Ronnie isn't much of a baker. 

Anyway.....  I thought I'd give you a little peek at some of the cakes I've made for family and friends over the years.  I did take a beginner's cake decorating class with some girlfriends a few years ago, but most of what I make is easily copied, found on Pinterest, or purchased on Ebay in regards to the icing sheets.  It's another easy way to have a great party, feed a truckload of guests and not break the bank.

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Bundt cake for baby shower.

Candy Cake.

Spiderman.

Baseball cake.

Dora cake for Hannah.

Ice cream cake.

Frog cupcakes for church.

Mickey Mouse cupcakes.

Donut cake.

 

Superhero Squad.

Angry Bird cupcakes

Our Minion Army.

Why I Serve.

You see that lady right there?

That's my Nan.  We started attending Trinity decades ago.  She modeled many things
for me but one of the biggest things she modeled was having a servant's heart.

Cake needs baked?  No problem.
Dishes need washed?  OK.
Some one needs a ride? I'll be there.  (Although in all honestly they didn't ask that one
very often.  She wasn't a great driver).

I grew up seeing these things done and helping from a young age.  It's a good thing. 

I read the book Hometown Tales by Phil Gulley years ago.  In it he said "Jesus never went
out of His way to help anyone".  I remember being a little shocked at that statement. 
But you see, he went on to explain that Jesus never went out of His way to help anyone
because helping people was never out of His way.  Helping others was just part of His life,
not something He had to add to the schedule. 

I hope my kids see that.  I hope that one day they can say "Mom never went out of her way
to help anyone".  I hope that just like my Nan showed me - helping out, serving others, serving
our church - it isn't out of the way.

It's just what we do. 

The Well Planned Day Planner Review