Vanilla Syrup

½ cup butter
½ cup buttermilk
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon karo syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla


In a large saucepan combine the butter, buttermilk, sugar and karo syrup. Bring to a boil then remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla.
***When you add the baking soda, the syrup will foam up. Make sure you have a large enough saucepan to allow this to occur.***

New Bathroom Tile

Since Josh has a couple weeks off from school and nothing to do, we decided to replace the linoleum in the bathrooms with tile. We purchased everything we needed on Christmas Eve, and Josh and his dad started working on it on Christmas day. I know that sounds crazy, but they love doing home repairs and didn't mind spending Christmas day doing tile.

Taking Down the Wallpaper

Cutting Tile

Downstairs Bathroom

Master Bathroom (the area in front of the sinks was carpeted - we decided to take it out and replace it with tile)

Christmas

Josh's brother recently bought Rock Band and we can't seem to get enough of it. We spent Christmas Eve with some of Josh's family playing games, but headed up early and played Rock Band with Josh's brother Alex. On Christmas day, Josh's family came down and we played Rock Band while Josh and his dad worked on putting tile in the bathrooms.

Alex

Josh

Sue - Me - Alex

Potato, Cheese and Broccoli Soup

This is a recipe I got from my mother-in-law.

7 white potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 1/2“cubes)
1 yellow onion, diced
3 stalks celery, sliced
1 stalk broccoli, chopped
12 oz velveta cheese
8 oz grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 can evaporated milk
salt
garlic salt
pepper


Place potatoes, onion and celery in a large pot and cover with water. Add some salt and boil for about 30 minutes. Turn heat to low and add broccoli. Stir in evaporated milk, velveta cheese, and sharp cheese. Stir frequently, until cheeses have melted. Season with garlic salt and pepper.

Christmas Tree

I was lucky enough to be given a Christmas tree this year by my mother in law. She has decided to get a new Christmas tree and gave me her old one which I LOVE. I purchased some simple decorations and got it all put together this past week. I really like how it turned out.