.:Leslie:.

Dear son, (14), got up early this morning.

And cooked me breakfast (biscuits) so I could eat before I go to work . . .

And after they were baking, he remembered I didn't have work today . . .

Yes, dear reader . . . I ate them cold, and they were the best damn biscuits I've ever had.

I have proof.

( Crocs ARE good for something. )

WICKED COOL: If you've got SOME ingredients on hand, you can enter them at this site and it will give you recipes. NIFTY! [Super Cook]

As a side note . . . it's been raining a while, but the bean tree scent is wafting in the open windows. Smells SO good.

Excellent article: 29 Free or Low Cost Ways to Save Energy & Money. Interesting suggestion: use bubble wrap to insulate windows. That idea really sounds good . . . our front and back door have no storm doors (odd sizes and expensive to have made). I need to remember this tip.

---

So now that we've gotten rid of the van, we have room to put junk out for the 'boom truck' pick-up. Maybe the basement will get cleaned out this summer. Just maybe. And maybe I'll have a yard sale to make money from some of the crap I have.

---

Just ran across this huge list of surveys you can get paid for taking. Not all are US only, but some are men only. Have fun!

It's official. I'm obsessed. Be sure you pick all the colors. The black square makes more bubbles.

This morning, I went to re-wake up my 14 year old . . . I hadn't heard him get out of bed.

He was laying there with his eyes open . . .

I said "Having trouble getting up, honey?"

He rolled his eyes and said "The spirit is willing but the flesh is WEAK."

...

I laughed my way downstairs. A good reply earns you 10 extra minutes around here . . .

Home sick today.

Sore throat woke me up @ 1am.

Right ear's screwy too. Sounds like water in there with occasional shooting pains. Hot & Cold . . . fever anyone?

This is SO not working for me.

Josh said I sounded like the penguin on Toy Story . . . you know . . . broken squeaker?

Food. Medicine. Bed.

Places that buy books: Blue Rectangle, Cash4Books, and BookEmporium.

I've got a lot I wouldn't mind getting rid of. Cash4Books even pays shipping. Cool, and WAY easier than eBay.

This post on beingfrugal.com lists several others.

Okay, you guys know I often become obsessed by a recipe in a magazine, and therefore, HAVE to make it. I will make this very, very soon.

( Quick Beef Bourguignonne from Real Simple magazine )

Read elsewhere on the 'net: Blogging is cheaper than therapy.

Discuss.

INGREDIENTS:
1 stick butter (it really DOES matter . . . makes the soup a LOT creamier.)
2 medium onions, finely chopped
30 oz bag frozen, shredded, uncooked potatoes (usually sold as hash brown or country style)
6 c. water
2 c. milk (whole milk will make soup a lot creamier, but I normally use 2%)
3 c. potato flakes
1 T. salt (I know it's a lot, but I promise, with all the potatoes, you need it)
1/8 t. ground celery seed


INSTRUCTIONS

1. Using a large pot (I use a stock pot), melt the butter and saute the onions until cooked.


2. Add the potatoes & water, bring to a boil, then turn down the heat.


3. Add milk and potato flakes. Stir constantly while adding flakes so soup is creamy, not lumpy. (If you like a thinner soup, add less)


4. Add salt & celery seed, stirring well


5. Allow to simmer at least 10 minutes, stirring frequently.


6. EAT! (I serve with finely grated cheddar & crumbled bacon.)

My daughter & husband just ate their bowls full, and they pronounced it "PERFECT"! So I've got the recipe written down, and now you can have it too!

Please post if you make it, I'd love to hear what you think, or if you make any 'adjustments' (I might want to try it too!)

I'm also making this my first public post in a very long time.