Cheesy Potato Soup

4 medium potatoes (chopped into medium size chunks)
1 onion (diced)
2 cloves garlic (chopped fine)
5-6 celery stalks (chopped)
3 medium size peeled carrots (chopped small)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon season all
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon basil
½ cup butter
1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream
1 Knorr Homestyle Chicken stock concentrate
6 cups water

Chop your onion, celery, garlic and carrots and sauté in the butter in a 5 quart pan. When your celery is just about done, add the 3 ½ cups of water and the Knorr Chicken stock concentrate. Stir until stock is completely dissolved. Add your spices and chopped potatoes (I leave the peels on, feel free to peel yours). Add the heavy cream and remaining water and bring to a boil. Once it is rolling, put on a lid, turn it down to a simmer and let it go for about 35 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 2 hours. Bring to a slow boil once more and thicken with the cornstarch (mix cornstarch in 1/2 cup cold water add slowly to the soup). Once thickened, remove from heat and add your shredded cheese. IMPORTANT – add cheese AFTER you thicken otherwise it will all go to the bottom and not blend correctly.

Of course you can modify this recipe to be less fattening by using half and half or even skim milk in place of the heavy cream. You could also omit the butter and use extra virgin olive oil in its place.

Kohls Coupons

Speaking of coupons, I have a Kohls card and I get deals in the mail and in my email all the time. Recently, I did some summer shopping with the kids and after using my Kohls coupons I still saved over $170, spending slightly less than that. And the best part is that I got Kohls Cash back. And, on top of all that, I just got another 30% off coupon in the mail! So now, I can use my Kohls Cash and my coupon and get me some summer clothes. It’s great because it’s kinda like shopping with free money. I get to buy myself something and don’t have any mommy guilt. Love it!

What's Coming Up

Cache Valley Yogurt Dips. OMGEE they're delicious!

flipflop wines. I got whites. My taste buds are in wine heaven!

A contest! For a furniture shopping spree! Everyone wants new furniture! Details soon!

Law School! Yes. I'm getting excited. Start day is August 15th. EEK! I'm going to need more wine and dip I think.

Wordless Wednesday 115°

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flipflop wines - I heart them

The below mentioned products were given to me at no charge for review. I am not being monetarily paid for this review (other than receipt of the free product). I will give my honest opinion and thoughts regarding said products.

I was asked if I'd like to review a few flipflop wines and since my neighbors and I have an ongoing Friday night date - that includes letting the children run wild in the streets while we sit in lawn chairs in someone's driveway observing said children so as to avoid all physical injuries and property damage - where we enjoy a bottle of wine or a pitcher if Margaritas and chat.  And by chat I mean complain about our kids and spouses and jobs.

Of course I was all over the opportunity.  Seriously.  Free wine?  Shipped to my door?  Who would say no to that?  Wine that it turns out is darned tasty and affordable too.

I am still acclimating, or training my taste buds, to the red wines. And I'll be honest, everything I know about wine I read on the back of the box.  Back in the day when wine was purchased in a box, then mixed with sprite or ginger ale over ice to make a "spritzer" because that was the cool way to drink wine without actually drinking wine at all because back then, wine was for old people.

Don't hate.

I've changed.  I buy wine in bottles now.  Because I'm mature.  And that's what grown-ups do.  Know what else we do?  We buy stuff we can afford. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to drop a crisp hundred bucks on a really nice, smooth bottle of wine and share it over a meal with my husband.  Except he doesn't drink and I can't fathom spending that kind of money on a beverage.  That is part of the beauty of the flipflop wine line.  They offer "good wines that complement the everyday casual lifestyle" according to David Georges, flipflop wines Vintner (Vintner = wine merchant).  Each flipflop wine retails for about $7US. I tried a Merlot, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Like I said before, I'm learning to like reds because whites are traditionally my favorite (ever since I started a) buying my own wine; and b) purchasing wine in a bottle). 

A few things I appreciate about the flipflop line is that they were designed to be great tasting and affordable to all.  I especially appreciate the screw top. I'm no wine snob, and I like the idea of a traditional cork, but I like the practicality of putting the lid back on and saving the rest of the bottle for another time.  I also appreciate that flipflop wines has partnered up with Soles4Souls to help them achieve their goal of gathering 11 million pairs of shoes in 2011 for children and adults in need. Each bottle of flipflop wine sold sends a pair of flipflops to someone who doesn't have shoes. 

I most appreciate the philosophy behind flipflop wines - "to each, their own."  Because I don't prescribe to traditional wine drinking, I don't pair my wine with my food and stick with a strict this  + that = tasty. I am learning to like new things, but in the meantime, I'm still drinking Zin with nearly every food I eat. I'm a rebel.