I can take no more SNOW and Frigid Temperatures! That's it, I'm done with winter!

That’s it, winter is over!  I can take NO MORE!

I am determined to will spring here soon!  I know I am early, but the negative temps today clashed with the extreme brightness and sunny factor out in Crown Point, Indiana today. 

I’m just fed up with winter--- isn’t anyone else?  I am happy to have experienced it, but I am so ready for spring, its not funny.  I want to feel the warmth, smell the flowers and even can’t wait for fresh cut grass! (gasp).

I’m looking forward to not wearing long johns under my clothes for all showings, making sure my extra handwarmers and all emergency packs are in the car I have--- the water in my bottle is not frozen.  Although I love an excuse to get a hot tea at Speedway or even splurge on a Hot Chocolate at Starbucks, I am finding my warm drink middle of the day excuse to become a bit pricey at this point, because I am driving by homes for bpos or meeting clients at showings almost daily.  Hey, its my job, but I just want it warmer.  I’m not picky—maybe start with a 30 degree day?

Recipe: Easy Cream of Potato Soup

This recipe is super easy, and really perfect for winter weather.  It uses stuff you probably have lying around your house so you don't have to go to the store when its cold and nasty and wet outside!  Enjoy!

Easy Cream of Potato Soup

Ingredients:

• 3 Tablespoons Butter (or bacon grease)
• 3 Tablespoons Flour
• 1 small yellow or sweet onion, diced small
• 1-2 russet potatoes or 3-4 small red potatoes, cooked and cut in 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 can reduced sodium chicken broth, homemade broth or veg. broth
• 1 cup milk
• salt and pepper to taste.

Total Time: about 30 minutes
Directions:
Melt butter (or bacon grease) in medium sauce pan over low heat.  Add onions and sauté until translucent.
Add a pinch of salt and the 3 T flour.  Combine and mix well.  Cook about 2 minutes to really cook the flour.  The color should be a golden hue. Don't let it get too brown.
Add broth slowly, turn heat up to achieve a simmer, and constantly stir to incorporate the broth into the flour/butter/onion mixture.  As it starts to bubble and simmer, it will begin to thicken.  Add milk, stir, and let it continue to cook until a simmer is reached.  Add cooked potatoes, and salt and pepper to taste.  Reduce heat to low and continue to cook for about 5 more minutes. You don't want to boil the soup after adding the milk.  After you get that initial simmer--reduce the heat to just help warm the potatoes.  Soup will thicken as it cooks.
Variations:  try adding cooked carrots or cooked crumbled bacon with potatoes for different flavors.  Also, you can add 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese with potatoes for a cheesy potato soup!  Possibilities are endless.  Enjoy!

2014 isn’t messing around!  We are looking at -15 degrees today with a windchill of 40 below.  Last night we were in a state of emergency, and I believe that is still in effect this morning.  No internet, so I am writing my blog entry the good old fashioned way.  It reminds me of the snow days when I was a child.  It’s so quiet out right now.  It stopped snowing (for now), but the sun is out and the foot of snow we got yesterday is sparkly and reflecting light everywhere.  But its so cold, Frank is boycotting outside pottys.  He is trying to hold it as long as possible, poor boy.  I wrapped him up really good, using an old sweater (I made for my dog when I was a child) as a scarf for the boy.