Suki got a Present!

Grandpa Steve sent the kids and animals presents. Even the kitties. Suki found her gift and started opening it.

She carried it around half opened for about 15 minutes. I have no idea what she is thinking when she does cute things like this.


Finally, a bone!

Piano Recital

She is taking piano and getting much better. She gets a bit nervous in-front of a crowd.


Here she is playing Deck the Halls for all of you to enjoy.

Santa

How long is this line anyway?

Are we there yet?


We're next!


SANTA!

Sisters, sisters

There were never such devoted sisters.....

Lending a Helping Hand

Jonah is on the Student Council this year so he does a little extra around the school.




Here he is helping out with refreshments during a school event.

It's all Fun and Games

While my mom and Drew were visiting we played a few games. Thanks to Freya for taking most of these pictures.

In case you're wondering, playing Apples to Apples is much more fun with a glass of wine.

The Best Potato Leek Soup

I love serving soup. Then I get to yell, "Soup's on!"

This is seriously the best. This soup could be eaten in any fine restaurant. Add the appropriate ingredients even if it sounds wrong.

Ingredients:

Olive Oil
One half a tube of breakfast sausage (like Jimmy Dean)
one half a tube of spicy sausage
5-6 small to medium baking potatoes peeled and diced
3 large leeks cut in half length wise then rinsed and sliced thin
1 large diced onion diced
Enough chicken broth to cover (about 6-8 cups)
3 bay leaves
1/2 cup Heavy cream (or any type milk to reduce calories)
Vanilla
Balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Pour 3 TBS of Olive Oil in a large heavy soup pot.
Brown the sausage. Add your sliced leeks and onion and cook for 5 minutes while stiring. Add bay leaves and your potatoes and enough broth to cover.
Bring to a boil then reduce heat and cook until potatoes are fork tender.

Add cream, and a dash (about a table spoon of each) of vanilla and vinegar. Just do it, you can thank me later.

Salt and pepper to taste.

If you would rather omit the sausage, please add a dash of Tabasco at the end. You need a little spice to even out the sweet.

You can either remove bay leaves or state before serving with a very British enthusiastic voice, "if you get a bay leaf in your bowl, you have good luck for a week!"