What's Happening At My House

I am trying to write this post at the same time I have a sleeping kitten in my arms.  If my camera was nearby, I'd take a selfie of us both even if my hair is plastered to my head from perspiring with the heat this kitten is generating.  He may be very comfortable...me not so much.  

The things we do for our furkids.  He was banished to the basement after knocking a plant off a table and all the soil ended up on my carpet.  Now a few hours later, he was let back upstairs and I think he is trying to get back into my good graces.  Or maybe he just wants to know he is still loved.  Little stinker.  He is cute but a handful.  He will be going to live with my daughter when she gets moved into her new home.  Whenever that may be.  Sissy is actually her cat, so she will be moving, too.  I'm not sure how that will play out as the two don't exactly get along.  

I have a recipe to share.  I've decided to clean out the cupboards and freezer before buying more groceries as I have lots of food on hand.  It's just too easy sometimes to grab something at the store, but I've been noticing some expiration dates are looming so I need to use what I have.  As high as groceries are getting to be, I hate for good food to go to waste.  I made a delicious Broccoli Cheese Soup for supper with some odds and ends of cheese and a package of broccoli that needed using.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

6 TB butter
1 onion, diced
1-14 oz pkg frozen broccoli, thawed (I chopped it up more finely)
4 cans chicken broth (I made my own using chicken base)
1-1 lb. loaf Velveeta (or shredded cheddar cheese)
2 cups milk (I used 1 pint half and half)
1 TB garlic powder                   

2/3 cup cornstarch
1 cup water

Melt butter over medium heat in dutch oven or large pan.  Saute onions in the butter until softened and then stir in broccoli and cover with the chicken broth.  Simmer 10-15 minutes until broccoli is tender.  Stir in cheese on low heat until melted and then stir in garlic powder and milk.  To thicken soup, mix cornstarch in the water and add as much as needed.  Very easy and quick to make and very tasty!

Note:  I made my own chicken broth with the chicken base, about 1 heaping teaspoon per 2 cups water.  Also, I only had about 1/4 lb of Velveeta left, so I cubed that and added enough shredded cheddar to make 16 ounces.  Lastly, I only needed about half the cornstarch mixture to thicken.  We love this soup and my daughter says it's the best broccoli cheese soup she's ever eaten.

Today is National Lineman Appreciation Day.  I would like to thank my lineman hubby and all the men and women who work across the country keeping us in power during all kinds of weather.  They will work all night long or as long as it takes until the electricity is restored.  And often in very hazardous conditions.  

My hubby is still going strong at 66 years of age and wants to work at least 2 more years when he will have in 40 years as a lineman.  That is him on the pole in a photo taken last year.  

I recently read an article in the latest Rural Missouri magazine we get about a man who retired last year at age 77 after working as a lineman for 54 years.  I asked BG if he had seen the article and he got a gleam in his eye as he said that he had.  I said "Don't even think about it!"  lol!  I don't think he'll want to work that long...at least I hope not!  But, I do appreciate all the long hours and hard work he has done.  And I love that he loves his job so much.

We have had more rains and there seems to be a chance of rain nearly every day this week.  April showers bring May flowers, they say.  I can't wait to get started on planting flower pots.  I have seen beautiful flowers at the shops but have resisted buying yet.  Soon!

Happy Monday to you!
xo Cheryl