Red Potato & Corn Chowder

My husband found a similar recipe somewhere on the internet when he was preparing to do a version of the Daniel Fast. I tweaked the recipe to make it more flavorful, and this was a hit at our house! Clete's words were "we've got to add this to the menu" and we all know when the husband approves it usually counts for a win!

ingredients

(1) 32 oz. carton organic vegetable broth

2 lbs. baby red potatoes, diced

1 small onion, finely chopped

4 stalks of celery, finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk

1 tbl. black pepper

1 tbl. Creole seasoning

dash of garlic salt

parsley for garnish

instructions

1. Rinse potatoes and then dice.

2. Combine vegetable broth, potatoes, onion, garlic, celery, 

and seasonings in a large pot and bring to a boil on stove.

3. Once potatoes are tender, remove two cups of only 

potatoes and blend with milk in a food processor.

4. Pour blended mixture back into pot on the stove and stir.

5. Let simmer 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are completely soft.

6. Garnish with parsley and serve.

notes
This would also be great with shredded chicken breast added.

9 months old

Mac is 9 months old today! Where has time gone? What happened to our sweet 9+lb baby? It'll be just 3 more months and he will be turning a year old. (Ahh, mommy has got to get to planning!) Time is flying by!

These past 9 months have been so much fun! It's now hard to imagine life without Mac. He is a pure bundle of joy! Mac is now crawling and getting into everything. He's very curious, and ALL BOY! He's getting quick at moving, and has started to pull up. He will try to pull up on anything he can. He still likes sitting and jumping in his bouncy, but his new favorite toy is his big truck Santa brought him. He would ride around in it for hours if we'd just continue to push him. He loves to eat, and sit in his high chair. He's eating baby food twice a day and also a little table food. The boy still loves his bottles though! He got some sippy cups in his stocking and likes drinking water from them. He also loves his puffs and yogurt melts for snacks. Mac still adores his daddy, but he also loves his mama. He loves watching Mickey Mouse, and the biggest smile comes across his face when he sees Mickey. Mac loves to laugh. His belly laughs are the best! He is talking lots and making all kinds of noises and screams, but we're still waiting on real words. He likes to play, and loves anything he can get in his mouth. Mac has recently upgraded to a big boy convertible car seat, and he loves it! He is sleeping around 11 hours at night, and still has 6 teeth but I think he's trying to cut some new ones. He is wearing size 4 diapers, and his clothes size varies between 6-12 mos and 12-18 mos right now. He's a happy boy, but can throw a mean fit when he's mad.

Mac,

It's hard to believe that you're already 9 months old. These past 9 months have been the best months of mommy and daddy's life. This past month has been very exciting since you've started to crawl. You are moving all over the place, and getting into everything. You have the best personality, and are such a happy boy! We love you more than you'll ever know, and we love watching you grow. Mommy prays for abundant blessings over your life, and for God's perfect plan. You are our bundle of joy! We love you to the moon, and are so thankful that you're our little nugget!
xoxo,
Mommy

Your Best is Good Enough.

I've only been a mother for a short almost 9 months, but I've learned a whole lot more in these 9 months that I ever thought I would. You see, I have always wanted to be a mother. I knew without a doubt growing up that I wanted babies of my own. It was no question between Clete and I that one day we would have a family. Becoming a mama is the most difficult and the best task I've ever been given. I'm perfectly satisfied with having the label, Mac's Mom. It has the perfect ring to it! ;) However, being a mama this day in age is often overwhelming. Everyone has to put in their two cents on Facebook, or voice their opinion on why they think it's better to breastfeed or use cloth diapers, etc. But let me tell you, don't compare yourself to others because your best if good enough.

There aren't too many things that make me more upset than when I hear women judging how other mothers choose to do things. If anyone should know how us mamas need encouragement and support it should be another mother. I believe we as women should lift each other up and encourage one another. A mom should be the very last person to criticize another mom for how she does things for her family. Some of us breastfeed and some of us use formula; and then there are also those of us like myself that wanted to breastfeed and even tried to but encountered problems so we chose formula because it was what seemed best for our babies. Some of us choose regular diapers, and others of us choose cloth diapers. Some of us opt for pain meds during the birth process, and others of us go all natural, but either way we're all brave. Some of us co-sleep, and others of us let the baby cry it out; some of us stay home with our babies and others of us send them to daycare while we also have a career. Some of us let our babies eat food out of a jar or pouch, and others of us make everything our baby eats. No matter how you may do things, know that your best is good enough mama.

Your best is good enough. Don't you let anyone, not one single person tell you anything different. Your best is good enough, always remember that. Whatever works for me and my family may not work you, and that's okay. My way only needs to work for me. Every baby is completely different. There are no two babies that are alike. It's all about finding whatever works for you and your little one. Your happy medium only has to work for you, no one else. So the next time your little one looks up at you with their sweet smile let it be a reminder that your best is good enough. You will always be super mom in your child eyes!

New Year, New Goals!

Happy New Year, friends! We are welcoming 2015 with open arms, and can't wait to see what all is in store for us in the year that lies ahead. Just like most of you, the new year brings about new goals and resolutions for me. I sat down during my time off over Christmas and made a list of my goals for 2015. I have several different goals, but my ultimate goal is to be able to mark each of these off my list before we bring 2015 to a close. I may elaborate on this list of goals in a later post, but for now I'm just going to list them out. I know what they mean, and that's what really matters. 

Goals for 2015

1. Grow closer to the Lord.

2. Save more, spend less.

3. Eat healthier (clean). 

4. Be more active.

5. Blog more regularly.  

6. Stress less. 

7. Not sweat the small stuff.

8. Better life balance.

9. Be a better wife & mom.

10. Unplug for a day.

11. Go on a "parents only" weekend.

12. Become more involved in our church.

13. Eat out less.

14. Not let our ironing pile up.

15. Start jogging.

16. Be a good example for Mac.  

             

I've put my goals out there and shared, so I'd love to hear some feedback from you. What are your goals for the new year? 

iPhone pic NYE 2K15 | Boulevard Lanes | Edmond, OK 

From our family to yours, we wish you a healthy and prosperous 2015! May this year be even better than the last. CHEERS to the New Year!

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