Birthday in Review

Well I had a wonderful birthday!

Thanks to everyone who called, sent cards/messages and gifts.

Top 10 things about my birthday:

1. One of my students made chocolate chip cookies for my class on my birthday 

because she knew they were my favorite.

 My students were extra good & extra excited to celebrate my b-day with me.

2. My room mom had the kids sneakily make cards for me 

when I was out of the room one morning.

They wrote the funniest things...

My favorite thing about Mrs. Jordan's class is...

 Mrs. Jordan, she makes "grate" cookies, we always have fun.

Mrs. Jordan love it when I...

 help her organize, focus, do things on the first request.

If I could get Mrs. Jordan anything for her birthday, I would get her...

 another cat, the most expensive diamonds!!, 

a lifetime supply of cookies, a lot of Notre Dame tickets.

Mrs. Jordan is the best teacher because...

she is awesome in every way, she gives us cookies, she never yells, she's far out.

 3. I had lots of fun presents to open.

 4. My cats loved celebrating with me.

 5. I wasn't the only one who loved getting balloons on my birthday!

 6. Kevin got me Sweet Tooth Fairy cupcakes.

 7. I can't wait to wear my new birthday clothes & accessories.

 8. My sister made me a pennant - now I just need to figure out where to hang it.

I'm thinking that it would brighten up my classroom.

 9. I have a few gift cards to spend and got some new stationery. 

 10. I got a new Santa for my santa collection

and he has polka-dotted gloves!!

31 is going to be a great year!!

WIWW

Here are my outfits for the week:

1. Heading to School

dress & belt - thrifted

scarf & ring - gifted

boots - DSW

button earrings - Polka-Dotty Place etsy store

 2. Hosting a Shower

top & blazer - TJ Maxx

belt - Michael Kors

skirt - thrifted

boots - DSW

earrings & brooch -Macys

3.  Floral Palooza

dress - vintage

necklace - gifted

belt & tights- Macys

booties - DSW

I'm linking up with Lindsey

Bakin Bacon

Did you know that you could bake bacon?

I'd heard this legend before but never knew if it was true.

I pinned the instructions on Pinterest and gave it a try.

Line a baking sheet with foil.

I did two sheets of foil to ensure that the the grease didn't run under onto the pan.

Lined my bacon up.

Baked for 20 minutes at 400.

 After baking, needed a few more minutes because I like my bacon c.r.i.s.p.y.

 It came off the foil really easily and I let the grease cool.

 I put it on paper towels to soak up the grease.

 Super easy clean up and nothing leaked through.

 My oven wasn't splattered with grease either!  It all stayed on the pan.

Excellent way to cook bacon.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

I'm trying several new recipes from my

"I'd like to try this" Pinterest board and have a new favorite to share.

Here's the original soup recipe link: girlcooksworld

My version of

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

 4 large baking potatoes

6 Slices of bacon

2 T butter

2 c chicken broth

2 cups whole milk

2 cups cheddar cheese plus extra for topping

1 t chili powder

1 T cornstarch

1/2 c chopped green onions

Bake potatoes.

I couldn't find four large so I did 8 medium sized ones.

I cut mine in half so that they'd cool faster.

Peel all put one potato if you'd like a little potato skin in your soup.

Scoop out the insides and mash. 

Leave one potato chunky so that you can have bites of potato in your soup.

Fry bacon and save left over bacon grease.

Crumble.

Melt butter in soup pot.

Add chicken broth, milk, potatoes and stir to combine.

Heat thoroughly but don't boil.

Add cheese, stir and add salt, pepper & chili powder to taste.

Put cornstarch in a small bowl.  Add water to it then add to soup to thicken.

Top each bowl with shredded cheese, bacon bits & green onions.

Yum!   

Serves 4-6 people and could easily be doubled. 

Mountainy Monday

Happy Monday to you!

Utah is a winter wonderland.

31 Years

Happy 31st Birthday to me!

 We are both in the 31 club now.

The plan for my day:

Bring chocolate cupcakes to my students,

have 26 children loudly sing to me,

go out to lunch with friends,

work,

open presents,

do some birthday shopping,

a dinner date with my hubby.

and some cake.

It seriously feels like we were just celebrating our 21st birthdays...
where does the time go?

I've got a good feeling about the year to come 

and am pretty sure that this is true.

 via aestheticoutburst