Bacon Corn Chowder!

So with all of this frigid cold weather in the past week or so I had been wanting to make a new soup. I remembered that a former lifegroup leader of mine had mentioned trying a new recipe for bacon corn chowder and I also remembered how good it sounded. So I went to All Recipes and typed that in and up popped 16 different ones. Wow, how do you pick? Well, after reading several of them I realized that I didn't really love any of the recipes as they were. So I took my favorite things about 2 of them and then added a couple of additional things that I just thought might be good...and we ALL LOVED it!!! Even the boys said it was delicious! So I thought I would pass along this recipe in case you are looking for something new as I was. Enjoy!

1/2 - 2/3 pound of bacon (or ham) - cut up in small pieces and cooked 'till crunchy
1 medium onion (diced size of corn & saute'd in bacon drippings & 1 tablespoon butter)
2-3 large carrots or 12 mini carrots (diced the size of corn)
2 small potatoes (diced the size of corn)
1 can creamed corn
1 can whole kernal corn (white or yellow)
2 cans chicken broth
2 cups half and half (or milk)
3 tablespoons butter (2 for the liquid mixture and 1 to saute onion in)
salt, pepper, nutmeg and sugar to taste
corn starch (mix with water and use to thicken soup)
finely shredded mild cheddar cheese

Saute the onion, then add with rest of veggies to the liquid mixture (milk, broth and seasonings) and cook on medium to low heat for about 45 minutes, thickening with corn starch after about 30 minutes. Serve with cheese and bacon pieces sprinkled over the top of each bowl. Serves about 5 full bowls.

Nifty Thrifty Designs Update and Link!

Just a quick update. As many of you know, I am beyond blessed and thrilled to be able to have a small home business, Nifty Thrifty Designs. It has been a dream in the making for quite a few years! God has carried me this far and my prayer is that with everything I do in this business I would glorify His name! It's just not even worth it if I don't! I started a new blog a few months back and updated it today so go and check out my new designs when you get a chance! http://niftythriftydesigns.blogspot.com/

Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We really did have a wonderful Christmas and New Year! I pray that each one of you did as well! Here are just a few pics from this Holiday Season...I posted a bunch on facebook if you want to see more! It's hard for me to believe how big the boys are getting...Corbin started Kindergarten this year and the other boys preschool! A huge change for us and it's going so well! We have some big changes in store for us this year as well (we are praying to buy our first home!!!) and can hardly wait to see what God has in store for us. He has always been beyond faithful and good and we know He doesn't change! Love you all!Khris & LeAnn, Isaac & Stephen (my brother and his sweet family!)
Baking cookies w/ Aunt Kallie
Chris & Brenley, our new niece!
In the snow on Christmas Eve!
Cohen LOVES the snow!
My Grandma Roberts and four youngest siblings...Kevin, Kendra, Kallie & Keith
Cousins at Grammy & Grandpa's
Our FIRST White Christmas!!!
Picture w/ Santa
Christmas Eve

Our Silly Skinny Man!

So the other day, I asked Callen to put his jeans on and this is what he did. He starts giggling and says "look Mom". I turned around to see that he had BOTH of his legs in ONE pant leg and pulled all the way up and was zipping them. Seriously, who can do that? I know none of the rest of us can, that's for sure. Honestly, I can say I've never seen that before and maybe never will again. It really was so funny and we just had to take pics and share. :-)

Resale Shop Deal of the Day!

So, I normally don't post about shopping but I just have to share!!! If you normally don't shop at these type of places you might want to read this and reconsider! :-) First, I only go to these places when I know they are having a sale (off of their normal resale shop prices) because being the deal shopper I am anyway, I can normally find new clothes for less than what they are selling used stuff for. BUT...on a day like today when they are having a bag sale (all the shoes/clothes you can fit in a trash bag, that's right, not a grocery bag, for $12), you just can't get much better than that! Now, you have to understand, I'm pretty darn picky when it comes to used clothes!!! I only buy things that look barely worn and that are a nice brand that would be hard to find for that inexpensive. So, the hunt begins...and that's something that you have to be willing to do. Well, today it was SO well worth it!!! Funny thing, I had my trash bag and only had it about 2/3 full of clothes but really did not want to buy junk clothes just to buy them so when I got up to the front the guy says "are you sure you don't want to go get some more to fill up your bag?". I told him that I had looked through everything and really needed to get home so that was ok. He looked at my basket, which had some toys and Christmas stuff in it (all of that stuff was going to be 75% off too!) and said "you know what, just take all that you've got for $12."! WooHoo!!! I got 24 articles of clothing (Banana Republic, Urban Outfitters, Gap, Old Navy, Express, Harold's and Charlotte Russe...some for me, my husband and for Corbin to grow into), a pair of adorable black wedge shoes, 6 toys (all brand new), a display stand for my business, 3 frames and some fun Christmas stuff. I added up the total original resale price (not regular store price)...$130. So I paid $12.99 (90% off of their resale price!!!) for LOTS of fun things and could not have been more pleased with my trip. I would post pics but there really is too much stuff! So, for those of you who have never tried this, you might try it sometime, it's fun!