RECIPE: Loaded Potato Soup

Here's another favorite at our house. We actually had it tonight. YUM!

Photo By Real Mom Kitchen

LOADED POTATO SOUP

2 large baking potatoes 1/3 cup butter 1/3 cup flour 3 cups milk 1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper 2 green onions, chopped 6 slices bacon 1-1/2 cups cheddar cheese 1/2 cup sour cream

Peel and chop potatoes into small pieces. Boil in water until tender. Set aside. Cook bacon, drain and crumble. Set aside. In a dutch oven, melt butter and whisk in flour. When combined, pour in milk. Stir over high heat until a roux is formed. Reduce to low-medium heat. Add salt, pepper, onions, bacon, cheese and half of the potato chunks. Mash the remaining potatoes and add to the mixture. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream. Garnish with extra onions, bacon, cheese, and sour cream if desired. Serves 4. Can be doubled.

FREE Finance Software to Start The Year RIGHT!

Last year about this time I was introduced to Mint.com. I tried it for a few weeks and I loved it. You can read what I had to say about it here but I was anxious to come back and review this program after a year.
Mint has been a HUGE time-saver for me! My favorite features include being able to set up my own categories and budgets that are specific to our family. I also love all the visual tools they have available. A quick glance on the bar graph lets me know if we are on track with our budget for this month or not. I also really enjoyed looking at the data over a year's time to really see where our money goes. What can I say, I'm a sucker for pie charts. ;)
One of the neatest features is being able to "split" a transaction. Let's say I'm at Target purchasing household items and also picking up a birthday gift. Instead of me having to "split" the transaction at Target, I can do it with a click of the mouse at home and designate just how much of the purchase should go into each category. They also have apps for iPhone and Android, so you can check it on the go.
It's the start of a new year, which is the perfect time to get your finances in order. I hope that you will love MINT just as much as I do. Did I mention that it was FREE? Check it out for yourself.


Mint.com also comes with some amazing reviews from Time, PC Mag, and Money Magazine who give it extremely high marks for security, functionality, and ease of use!

Shutterfly Winners Announced

Well, our big family picture day is tomorrow. I'm saying a prayer now for Grace over at Clearly Photography who has the honor, priveledge, task of capturing our extended family crew of 14 on digital media to be preserved for all time. Bless her. Luckily, the weather is going to be delightful so we do have that going for us. :) I can't wait to get the pics and order our cards from Shutterfly.

And, I'm pleased to announce the winners of the Shutterfly giveaway who have won 25 holiday photo cards. Drum roll please......

clgleaves@

jennysue1538@

loriquesinberry@

Congratulations! Your photo codes will be sent to the email address you provided within 72 hours.