Warm Fuzzies...

That's what I get when I think of this soup...
make this soup...
and most definitely when I eat this soup.

Tyler's Ultimate Chicken and Dumplings

I had saved the episode when he made this probably over a year ago.
But time and energy weren't at their best last winter
so I waited for the cold to set in this year to give it a try.

I've made it twice since...




The chicken stock that you make is more than enough for two kicks at this recipe.
I just froze the remaining stock after making it the first time.
For the second time around...
thaw the stock...
and take skinless/boneless chicken breasts, trim them and butterfly them,
then simmer them in a pot with water/salt/peppercorns/thyme/bay leaves for about an hour.

Also... mine didn't thicken enough with the flour that he called for,
so I made a little flour/stock solution to add for a thicker consistency.

Bah! Boots...

Every winter I begin a new great debate...
what do I warm my toes with?
And every year...
I don't end up buying anything and my toes suffer.

Not this year...
I've found a few options I'm considering...

These little cuties are from Sorel

The obvious Hunter boot
(if I'm being honest... these aren't even in debate... I just need to go and get them)
(and invest in some warm wool socks)

I just love the hunter plaid on these ones I saw in the new Jcrew catalog.

I technically wouldn't have considered these winter/snow boots...
but because they have the cozy top, I've thrown them in the mix.
They are from lovely and dependable Aldo.

Now (in no offense) I'm not usually a UGG boot fan...
but these may have won over my heart a tad.

As for these boots...
to each their own on what you want to sport this winter,
but don't expect a sympathetic look from me if you slip and break a hip...

I'm starting to hear the bells...

Christmas is not going to catch me by surprise this year...
so I just started my Christmas music downloading.
To kick things off...
I bought these two albums.

One for mellow time...

And one for Christmas dance parties with the kidlits.
(Mags is going to die for Deck the Rooftop, We Need a Little Christmas and Jingle Bells)

Love this book...

.... and so does Joel and my kiddos.
Grandma Sharon got it for Anderson's birthday, and the whole family has been getting a kick out of it.
(especially when I really get into the drama while reading)
It reminded me so much of when I was little (and my Mom will know exactly what I'm talking about)
The story is just adorable and the illustrations are hysterical.

I might just have to get this one for Christmas...

The Great Debate

It all began with this cover over a year ago...
a year ago.

I thought "hmmm... maybe I should cut a soft subtle bang"
and it's turned into a year debate of...

to cut or not to cut
to cut a lot or not cut a lot
to cut short or not cut short

you get the idea.

In the mean time... I haven't done anything.

I feel tortured by it, and I'm sure my friends do too...
I can bet money they wish I'd stop bringing it up and just do something...
but what?


The subtle bang?


The short side swept.


The long side swept.


Joel rarely has an opinion, but he may have begged me not to do a heavy blunt bang.
And really, what's the point if the guy that matters the most likes it the least?
I feel like it's a big decision...
there's nothing worst than regretting cutting hair that you can't immediately get back.
I've witnessed some bad bangs in my day.

Well...
time will tell... I mean more time... because obviously time has already gone by...
like a lot of time... but I'm on the brink of a decision... I can just feel it...
really... like next hair cut there will be a final decision.