Bad News and Good News

So, first the bad news. I haven't gotten the changes to my blog done...not in the least.

I do however have a bit of good news that I really want to get posted, so pretty new blog be darned.

It's my birthday today. The big 35! Wahoo!

And because today is my birthday and because I love comments I have something to offer you.

I mentioned that I am going to be a guest blogger on Due Maternity's blog, right? Well, because of my relationship with Due Maternity. I would like to offer you, my readers a $25 gift certificate!

Since finding out I was pregnant, and if I am being totally honest before that, I have been obsessed with slings. I never used one with either of my sous chefs, why I have no idea. But, this time around I am so doing it. Even if they are in it for only 3 months....I'm rockin that sling just you wait. Luckily Due Maternity totally satisfies my sling obsession.

This one I LURVE...

Due Maternity doesn't just sell Maternity clothes (which by the way are fantabulous). They also have a wide line of skin care products including my favorite line: Mambino. They also have the coolest diaper bags around...I am loving the Storksak Emily Bag right now.

How do you win? Just leave me a comment with something that you would get from the Due Maternity site.

Would you like an extra entry?
1) Follow me or subscribe to my blog
2) Follow Due Maternity on Twitter
3) Become a friend of Due Maternity on Facebook

Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.

I will randomly select a winner on Saturday, October 31st.

So, maybe you aren't pregnant or don't know anyone pregnant. I do accept gifts. Just putting that out there. Or, sign up to win and if you do pick up something to donate this holiday season! All I'm saying is. It's my birthday people, just give me some comment love and I'll love you forever.

Best Laid Plans

I hate my computer sometimes. Each time I tried to get on to do some blog work, Firefox wouldn't respond, Internet Explorer would just cut out. It was maddening. But, you did come here to listen to my complaining.

I did spend a lovely portion of my day cleaning out the sous chef's closets. Boxing up the old, getting out the old to #1/new to #2 stuff. Good times!

I really want to get back on the blogwagon...ha, get it? So, I thought I'd start with my soup tonight. I've been meaning to make this soup for a long time and I am so glad that I did! It was hearty and delicious and really besides the baking of the potatoes took no time at all.
Total comfort food.

Chunky Baked Potato Soup
3 large (about 3 pounds) of baking potatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup chicken broth
3 cups skim milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper
cheddar cheese
bacon

Preheat an oven to 425 degrees, scrub your potatoes and poke some holes with a fork. Bake for 1 1/2 hours.
Meanwhile, you can go ahead and prepare your bacon (if you dig on swine). Place a wire rack on a baking sheet. Lay the bacon strips on top of the rack and bake in the same 425 degree oven for 17-20 minutes (depending on thickness and desired doneness). Set aside to cool, cut into small strips.

Once the potatoes are cooked, set them aside to cool. You can do this the day before even.
When ready to prepare the soup, cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the potato out with a spoon. I just gave mine a rough chop, but you can do whatever you wish. If you like a smoother soup, just mash the potato.

In a large sauce pan over medium-high heat, add the butter and oil. Once the butter is melted, add the onion and saute until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds or so. Add the flour and stir to coat the flour in the fats. Using a wisk, slowly add the chicken broth. Once well combined, slowly add the milk, continuing to wisk. Once everything is combined, add back in the potatoes and heavy cream. Salt and pepper to taste. (The bacon I had was kind of salty, so I went easy on the salt). Stir to combine and keep over medium heat. Do not let the soup boil.

Before serving, I added the bacon and a little bit of cheddar cheese to the soup, stirring to combine. This is totally optional. You could just add them as toppings or leave them out all together.

Serve with a side salad, crusty sour dough bread and enjoy!

Big things to come...

I know, I know. It's been a month since I last posted. I even missed my one year blogaversary! But, since I haven't been blogging for a full twelve months, I'm not gonna count it. So, November 11th is the date, agreed? Good, I am glad we got that settled right out of the gate.

Rest assured, I am good. Just a little tired.

I have been given an amazing opportunity to be a guest blogger with DueMaternity.com. AND, with that I have the opportunity to have giveaways, ya'll! However, now I am riding this line between my cooking blog and really what would become something a little different. So, I am trying to navigate my place in the blogging world and what I want to do in this next year. With that, I am working on some big changes and I promise by the weekend I am going to finally get going again.

Thanks for sticking around.

Amy