Perfect for Fall - Butternut Squash Bisque

Ryan found this recipe a year or two ago on Allrecipes. We had it again on Sunday. It takes some time, but you have to try it - you won't be sorry!

Look at that pretty color.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup diced onion
3/4 cup diced carrots
4 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash
3 cups vegetable stock
salt and ground black pepper to taste
ground nutmeg to taste
1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat the oil and melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir the onion in the butter and oil under tender.
2. Mix the carrots and squash into the pot. Pour in vegetable stock, and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until vegetables are tender.
3. In a blender or food processor, puree the soup mixture until smooth. Return to the pot, and stir in the heavy cream. Heat through, but do not boil. Serve warm with a dash of nutmeg.

Independence

Dressing themselves. I love it.

Just Like Me

As a teenager, my dad would say, "when you have children, you'll probably have one just like you."

Lately, I'm finding that to be so true! Not necessarily with just one of the kids, but it makes me smile.

Example #1:

Last year I had this comment left on my blog from a gal that I knew growing up in Canada. It isn't something I remembered, but figured I was about 3 or 4 years old. Here's a snippet:

I was thinking about you and I remember a funny Honey story. When you first moved to Calgary me and my mom stopped by. You stepped on my mom's foot and asked, "Does that hurt?" She said no. So you did it again harder and asked again. Again she said no. The third time you did it really hard, I think you jumped on it and my mom said, "Yeah, that really hurt." You shrugged your shoulders and walked away as if, "Mission Accomplished".

Nice. As a mother, I'm embarrassed thinking "what a brat!" but then I laughed to myself and thought "I could totally see Kaycee doing this."

Sure enough, only a few months later, Kaycee did it. To poor, unsuspecting Uncle Spencer.

Example #2:

I did this A LOT growing up (any wonder how we've both managed to break BOTH our arms?)

Example #3 - This one really made me smile.


This Sunday, Rylee will sing her first solo in the Primary program at church. Would you believe that she's singing the same song - Beautiful Savior - that I sang as my first solo in a Primary Program?! I was a couple years older than she is and she sounds amazing! Wish you all could hear it.

Example #4

Did you ever play church or primary growing up? Reecy and I always did. We'd sit in our pew (the bottom wooden step) and hear/say the talks. Then move to the fireplace for Primary.

Just this past week, I could hear Lucy and Kaycee playing. When I came to sneak a peek, Kaycee was up on the fireplace teaching and leading the music - ah, such fond memories. (The picture was taken on a different day, when they were dancing.)

I never did this, but wanted to include this picture of Olivia. I was at the sink rinsing off dishes getting ready to load the dishwasher, when I turned to see this. What a helpful girl!

She's One!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Like "One Bad Apple. . ."

"spoils the bunch",

CRAYONS in the dryer -

ruin a bunch of clothes.

But, I won't say who left crayons in their pocket. . . :)