In May, our good friends moved here from Charlottesville. When they moved,
Emily told me that she wanted me to start a Greensboro Dinner Swap with her. She had done one in Charlottesville and only had good things to say about it. I have to admit I was hesitant at first- but after having my arm twisted I reluctantly agreed. We convinced two other moms to do it and began this summer.
So... here's how it works... There are four of us and we each make dinner three times a month. But, when we cook we make enough for all four families and deliver the meal to them. So each of us has 12 home cooked meals a month - but only cooked three of them. It's awesome! To only have to cook three times a month and the other nights to have food delivered to us. And, we have been able to try new foods and usually have enough left overs for the week.
Another perk - I only need about 6 good recipes and I can rotate them. So here is what I cooked last week... the recipe is from my friend Kim (a great cook, midwife, mother of five, home-schooler, cool - dresser, and yet does not have a blog!). You should try it- I hate vegetables and even I liked it!
Cheesy Vegetable Chowder
Yield: 2 quarts
Ingredients
1 medium onion, chopped
5 celery ribs,
sliced
3 carrots, sliced
1 large potato, cut into 1/4-inch
cubes
1 garlic clove, minced
3 1/2 cups chicken
broth
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can whole kernel corn, rinsed and
drained
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup
all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 (16-ounce) loaf
pasteurized prepared cheese product, cubed
1 (2-ounce) jar diced
pimiento, undrained
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1/4
teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon paprika
Garnish: celery
leaves
Preparation
Bring first 6 ingredients to a boil in a Dutch oven. Cover, reduce heat,
and simmer 20 minutes or until potato is tender. Stir in corn; remove from
heat.
Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; add flour, stirring
until mixture is smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute.
Stir in milk
and next 5 ingredients. Cook, stirring constantly, until cheese melts. Gradually
stir cheese mixture into vegetable mixture.
Cook over medium heat, stirring
constantly, until soup is thoroughly heated. Garnish, if desired, and serve
immediately.
On the stove... smelled so hearty...
Ready to be packaged and delivered. I sent along baked potatoes and bread!
Seriously, you should try Emily's great idea. It has changed our whole family! We eat out so much less, save money, and rarely have to think through "What's for dinner!".
Well, we got more snow last night. And, I am soooo tired of it. Not because I don't like it, but because when it snows in the south EVERYTHING gets canceled! The first thing to (usually) get canceled is school. Ethan only went to school one day (Thursday) this week. We are all going a little crazy stuck here in the house. The kids are not even asking to go play in it anymore!
Dancing on the table with excitement!
Our back yard... even the cars were all snowed in! We think we got between 6- 8 inches, but all the reports have been different. (We also got an entire day of sleet - yuck).
Watching a movie to pass the lazy day.
Twin # 2 was happy outside for about 1 minute! She is an inside girl (like her mommy). Both of us think the snow is beautiful - from the couch with a hot cup of tea (well okay, hot cocoa for her).
Since all of our weekend plans have been cancelled... I decided to spend the weekend getting Livy's "big girl" room started. I went kind of crazy last night and stayed up until 2am painting her room.
This color is Laura Ashley Petal- and yes it is the twin sister of Pepto Bismol. Even though I do like pink I NEVER thought I would have a pink room in my house. But, when I started to plan out what I was going to do - I asked Livy what she wanted (mistake #1) - and she has been insistent on the room being pink. Every time I suggested something else she said, "Big girl woom pink!". She doesn't talk much, but when she does she means it!
It helps when your best bud is there!
After weeks of talking about all God created, Mrs. Ann his Sunday School, teacher brought in one thing God created. She brought in her teeny tiny dog! As you can imagine the kids were THRILLED! 
Listening about how God made animals (they have never been so attentive!). 
Thanks to Mrs. Ann who has really blessed our child this year. 
On the stove... smelled so hearty...
Ready to be packaged and delivered. I sent along baked potatoes and bread!
Juice boxes and cake...
a dinosaur train cake.
Making a fossil...
Going on a scavenger hunt to look for dinosaur eggs. 
Everyone blowing out the cowboy boot candles. Yeah, John choose the candles.
Opening Ethan's gift... a new wallet.
A shirt from Isaac and Livy for one of his favorite teams.
Little Lady likes to pose for the camera now.
