To Do: Make Cheesy Corn Chowder

There is something about the cold and snow that makes me start craving my favorite soup. And since I have plenty of extra time today thanks to another snow day, I decided it was time to make up half a batch. I would have made it yesterday but didn't realize I was low on milk and trust me...milk is not easy to come by in Arkansas when snow is forecasted! Plus, I needed an excuse to use my new stock pot. I sort of got it for Christmas. It was on my wish list--does that count? I used my Wal-Mart gift card from work to buy this Paula Deen pot. I doubt I ever make that much soup, but it sure looks pretty.

Anyway, I'm sharing with you today one of my favorite recipes. I got it from the Taste of Home magazine in 2008. If you like corn, potatoes, and cheese, you will love this too. Don't let the word chowder scare you off.

I am sharing the original recipe. I generally only make 1/2 since Matt refuses to try this.

• 6 bacon strips, chopped
• 3/4 cup chopped sweet onion
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 2 1/2 cups cubed peeled potatoes (I used 1 can of diced potatoes and added after carrots cooked)
• 2 cups sliced fresh carrots
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
• 3 cans (11oz) gold and white corn, drained
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 7 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 5 cups milk
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Velveeta

In dutch oven or stockpot, cook bacon and onion over medium heat until onion is tender (I also cook till bacon is crisp). Add the water, potatoes, carrots and bouillon; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are tender. Stir in corn and pepper. In a large bowl, whisk flour and milk until smooth; add to soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened (I think it takes more like 10 min). Reduce heat. Add the cheeses; cook and stir until cheeses are melted. Yield: 15 servings (3-3/4 quarts)

YUM!

Where?

Watching school closing scroll across the bottom of the t.v. reminded me of a blog I've intended to write up for months. There's nothing like seeing Flippin schools and Dumas that makes you laugh about some of the town names in the great state of Arkansas!

It's not that Illinois doesn't have crazy names. I mean I lived just miles away from Boody! Arkansas reminds me of home when I see: Urbana, Salem, Clinton, Farmington, Jacksonville, Hillsboro, Cerrogordo, Batavia, Belleville, Danville, Mt. Zion, Elgin, El Paso, Morris, Monticello and even Albion (who knew there was more than one Albion in this world...though Illinois' is surely one-of-a-kind!). And to really remind me of home, there is Decatur and Meridian (the name of my high school)!

If you are looking for a baby name or want to get your picture by a sign with your name, then you may want to visit all the towns named after people: Alexander (the town where my address says I live), Carson, Emerson, Marshall, Jordan, Curtis, Byron, Lacey, Marianna, Cecil, Dixie, Noland, Harriet, Quinn, Leslie, Rudy, Rupert, Allison, Ben, Bruno, Rhea, Jericho, Douglas, Ida, Alicia, Burdette, Aubrey, DeAnn, Nathan, Jerome, Ivan, Delaney, Hector, Norman, Jean, Joy, Immanuel, Elizabeth, Kirby, Leonard, Leslie, Chester, Marie, Marcus, Joan, Elaine, Jennette, Wesley, Taylor, Morgan, Lynn, Shannon, and Jericho. Whew--That's a lot of people! Some people are extra special and got their name within the town, such as Billstown (sort of selfish!) and Carroll's Corner (I'm intrigued to know if there is more than 1 corner in this town). Wait, I forgot to mention that Barney originated here. Maybe not the show, but 800 people call it home. There also is town for the famous cat, Garfield and yet another, Dora.

There are towns named after animals: Bear, Beaver, Deer, and Fox.

I've got so many places around the world to see, but in the meantime, maybe I need to just travel to: Jerusalem, Palestine, London, Paris, Havana, Scotland, Vail, Tokyo, Little Italy, Sweden, or Moscow, Arkansas.

Which town would you choose?

• Pansy or Daisy or Tulip?
• Heart or Romance?
• Petty View or Pitts?
• Combs or Nail?
• Calamine or Healing Springs?
• Almond or Tomato?
• Snow or Hot Springs?
• Manila or Blue Mountain?
• Calmer or Delight?
• Marked Tree or Big Fork?
• Hooker or Cash?
• Ozone or Process City?
• Bragg City or Okay?
• Camp or Casa?
• Center or Center Point?
• Guy or Reader?
• Bragg City or Ratio?
• Brightstar or Bright Star?
• Strong or Success?
• Samples or Ratio?
• Wiseman or Quitman?
• Butterfield or Possum Grape?
• Whistleville or Plumerville?
• Dogpatch or Stamp? (for all you Bingo fans!)
• Gin City or Busch?
• Barber or Bald Knob?

Some people think Arkansans can't count, but at some point they got to Figure Five, Fifty-Six, and Number Nine. Seriously?

But finally, I leave you with my awards for the top 10 towns in Arkansas:

10. Beverage Town--I'm betting it's not in a dry county.

9. Waldo--We looked all over the dang world and all along Waldo was hiding in Arkansas!

8. Greasy Corner--Who wouldn't be dying to visit this place.

7. Hicks Station--I bet they get laughs when they tell people their address out loud.

6. Gassville--I would think you would just be paranoid to fart here!

5. Best--Hi. My name is Sara and I live in the Best town in Arkansas. Ha!

4. Sweet Home--Can't believe they didn't write the song to say "Sweet Home, Arkansas!"

3. Weiner--Weiner is just one of those words that still makes one giggle even past age 8.

2. Blue Ball--Again, speechless!

1. And my favorite town....Nimrod. --No matter how smart you really are, no one will believe you!

Gotta love Arkansas!!

To Do: Work Christmas party

When I tell people that I work for Girl Scouts, 98% of the time they reply "Oh, that would be so fun!" Fun--not always! But yesterday it was fun. We had our first all-state work party at the bowling alley. For a non-profit, that's a big deal! Rarely are all 75 of us in the same room, let alone having fun. This picture is of my co-worker Melody who shares the same job as me. We spend a lot of time on the phone and emails but rarely in person.

And even though there was lots of us, I ended up spending most of the day hanging out with the Little Rock peeps. I work with a crew!

This is my friend Kendall. I think we are friends for 1 reason, okay maybe 2. Because one of us is likely to be the last one to work. I won't name names, but one of us usually beats the other (because I try not to be late...ok if I'm last, but not late). Kendall is also to blame for getting me into this blogging bit. We also share a love of rustic decorating, work gossip, apparently scarves, and Saline County. We do not share a love of her dog (her dog is just ok--She thinks differently), apples, and belts (Kendall loves her belts!)

Usually you will catch Kendall and I catching up....just as my boss, Anna Beth (below in her fancy pink bowling shirt--her wardrobe is unlimited) always walks by. And more times than not, Chastity (aka Kris Allen's friend) is also in the room. Anna Beth, I can't help it! They come to my office and I just can't escape! :) And she never believes us when we try to explain that we just started talking minutes before she walked by!

If Kendall's busy, I usually wind up with the other membership staff. Unfortunately for them, Katie and Sally have the next closest office! Here are the three of us (Katie on the left, Sally in red), along with Mindy (the class clown of the office should we say) and Leslie from the Jonesboro office. We all bowled together.

Note: Katie is demonstrating the "sorority pose" as she calls it. Don't be concerned with her posture.

Anyway, back to the party. So we decided to play the 10 rounds of silly bowling. It was a hoot!

No, I'm not laying an egg--that's bowling with 2 hands.

Nice view Leslie! You did just as good throwing backwards as with your left hand!

Lazy man's bowling--harder than it looks!

Bowling while holding hands sends the wrong signal!

Turn your head to the side and you'll see how we risked our lives (ok legs) on this challenge

Not to brag or anything

So apparently Sally beat me by 1, but I see no evidence to prove it!

The day ended with skits made up by teams within each office. This is my team singing a song about mom driving around finding the perfect spot while all the kids whined in the car. The "mom" is of course our CEO...with her frisbee horn with it's Taboo horn.

It definitely was a fun day! Just hope that since some have to go back to work (not me...I'm off for the next 2 weeks---WAHOO!), I hope Chastity doesn't go "postal" without me around!

To Do: Plan for Christmas 2011

I often am accused of having big dreams. But, I'm a realist too. For example, every Sunday I make this next-to-impossible mile long to-do list. I spend Friday doing nothing (because I deserve that!) and Saturday thinking about everything I have to do. By Sunday, I know I better start chucking out some results, because come the work week I rarely get much accomplished around the homefront. But even though I KNOW the list is impossible, I still really think I'm going to get it all done. I don't know why I bother to add "make cards" (just so one day I won't have to scramble to assemble a birthday card for a birthday that is tomorrow)...making cards rarely gets crossed off the list.

Anyway, my point is this: I know that not a whole lot more is going to get accomplished for Christmas 2010. I know the gifts will get wrapped, but not quite like I had visualized them a month ago. I know I will find that last minute gift that meets my criteria. (Yes, I put a lot of thought into every gift-do me a favor and tell me it is the best gift you got!). I know I will deliver a tray of goodies to Matt's co-workers, but one likely won't turn out and the tray will not be as amazing as I had dreamed (like they care, I know!). But....for next year, maybe I can accomplish these:

Done: Change Blog Background

Here's just a quick shout out to a college friend, Kimberly Bartlow, for letting me copy your adorable blog background! You have good taste, my friend!

Done: Decorate for Christmas

Welcome to the Ervins! Welcome to Little Rock. So glad you can come and join us for Christmas.

Red letters spell Christmas.

Love the irony of flowers with Christmas decor. One of the great perks of the South...pancies till May!

So, my entry table needs a little more umph. I have great intentions of wrapping a box in brown paper with a big bow. Just try to picture that. How many days till Christmas?

All this decorating just wore Shadow out!!

And finally I leave you with a view of our neighbors' (and sweet friends) house wishing you a Happy HOGidays!

To Do: See my plot

Nope. I'm not kidding. The Girl Scout Motto (I think) is: BE PREPARED!

While we were home for Thanksgiving, we got to talking around the kitchen table one day at my in-laws about our grandparents funerals. Matt and I both lost a grandparent (about 6 weeks apart) last fall. And the only time I had ever been to the cemetary in Blue Mound was for Matt's grandparent's funeral. But oddly enough, that is where I will be buried. After his grandma passed, the whole Ervin clan decided to go pick out our plots. It seems like I was still in South Carolina, but I really can't remember the reason. I just know that Matt picked our site for us. And it had never really crossed my mind to go see this special spot until last weekend. Ready to be jealous with envy? Here it is:

No pretty trees. No sunny skies. Just cold and gray. That's ok. Sure I want you to add some tulips, but please no hideous wind sock. Here is a different, more glamourous view. We are in the back row--seems like us, doesn't it?

And just so you know...Matt & I would like to request that the following be at our visitation:

Sara: Chocolate fountain with Girl Scout cookies

Matt: Ice Cream machine (of course)