Good morning everyone! The BINGO word for today is: Dancing BINGO Words: 1. Romance 2. Forever 3. Dinner 4. Diamonds 5. Love Birds 6. Arrows 7. Infatuation 8. Candles 9. Valentine Doves Love Letters Boyfriend Kisses Pink Cupid Girlfriend Dancing SENT and REC'D: vina (flowergirl34) sends to carol (veeja11) **SENT** carol (veeja11) sends to annie (canyonwind)**SENT** annie (canyonwind) sends to margo (smitties) margo (smitties) sends to sue n. (suegardens2) sue n. (suegardens2) sends to treasa (uptreasa) treasa (uptreasa) sends to vina (flowergirl34) shirley (brittneysgran) sends to rose (rosemctier) rose (rosemctier) sends to em (hostarookie) em (hostarookie) sends to maryellen (mellen) maryellen (mellen) sends to beth (beth_b_kodiak) beth (beth_b_kodiak) sends to mavis (mavis07) mavis (mavis 07) sends to jeanne (sandlapper_rose) jeanne (sandlapper_rose) sends to shirley (brittneysgran) **SENT** I had a wonderful morning yesterday! :) I managed to get 150 jiffies sown. It was so wonderful...there definitely is such a thing as 'dirt therapy'. I feel all recharged!! I still have a bunch more to do...but now that its started...I'm on a roll. I'm so sorry about having the last mailing date on a holiday. I was not even thinking that far ahead...just try to mail when you can. :-) Have a great weekend! vina

Lou, yes, you get a gold star. Linda C -- Thank you so much for the suggestion of broccoli cheese soup. I just dropped some off for Amy. We had a little of it, and it's great -- too fattening for the regular rotation, but a treat. Here is the recipe I used, based on SweetFoodie.com's recipe which is in turn based on EatingWell's. I didn't put any cayenne in because I am not sure that Amy wants even that tiny bit of spice, but I put it in my own bowl. Also I didn't get around to making the croutons, which would make it even better, I'm sure. Mmmm! Broccoli-Cheddar-Corn Chowder SOUP: 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 1 large carrot, diced 2 stalks celery, diced 1 large potato, peeled and diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 14-ounce cans vegetable broth 8 ounces broccoli crowns cut into 1-inch pieces, stems and florets separated (or buy a bag of pre-cut crowns)(I used one regular bunch of broccoli) 1 cup shredded reduced-fat (I used regular) Cheddar cheese 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream (I used Tofutti, as I had some) 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 can of corn, drained (I used frozen) CROUTONS: About 3 cups of your favorite bread, cubed. (I had pumpernickel on hand) 1/4 cup olive oil 1 1/2 tablespoons whole grain mustard 1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt Soup Recipe: 1. Heat oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat (I think medium would be better next time). Add onion, carrot and celery; cook, stirring often, until the onion and celery soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add potato and garlic; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in flour, dry mustard and cayenne; cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. 2. Add broth and broccoli stems; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in florets; simmer, covered, until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes more. 3. Using an immersion blender or blender, puree the soup. 4. Stir in Cheddar and sour cream; cook over medium heat, stirring, until the cheese is melted and the chowder is heated through, about 2 minutes. 5. Mix in the canned corn 6. Season with salt 7. Serve with a sprinkle of cheese and a handful of croutons (see recipe below) Crouton Recipe (make while the soup is cooking): 1. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees 2. Put the bread cubes in a large bowl and toss with the olive oil, mustard and salt until evenly covered. 3. Spread the cubes evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 10 - 20 minutes, or until the croutons are golden and crunchy. Toss them once or twice with a metal spatula along the way.

Oh Nancy your banana cake roll looks just wonderful. I love banana cake. My aunt used to make a really good one with a caramel icing. Hi Diane (Craftyn)....nice to see you here again. And you sure have been busy in the kitchen. I'd also love some of that chicken pot pie! David....the lady in my photo is a former tennis champ from Barcelona and is now one of our Pilates trainers. Yes she is petite with a cute hairstyle like our Renee (Bubbe). She's also very vivacious and clever. Ann your pink, brown and olive green make a lovely warm colour combo for a dining room. I would also take Caesar salad two days in a row. Yesterday was busy so I opened a package of frozen white fish in Italian sauce...35 minutes in the toaster oven and it was ready. On the second shelf of the oven I did roasted potatoes and yellow yams. Steamed carrots and spinach finished the meal. We're sitting inside in the dining room at the moment as it's still a little chilly outdoors here. Sharon (Chase) I have put the recipe for the Chicken Supreme over on the Recipe Forum. (You're right....it is so baaaaaad!) SharonCb

Sharon, that soup looks good and I'm sure it is if started with some your canned tomoatoes. I have two jars left from last year as my canning efforts this year were not all that great. Ann, I've been a fan of your greek ribs for many years now and I'm glad to see that salad too...I know salad is not on the top of your list. Sol, great to hear from you! I know you are making some killer treats for the holidays...maybe Mr. Thumper can borrow me a few romeos to bribe santa with....I've been bad..LOL Annie, I know you and Elery have been more than busy...we have our office party this Friday.....should be an interesting selection...hopefully no mw popcorn...seems to be their favorite thing. Dixie, our secret....even though I see you are headed to the state that claims the name... LOL! Hope you get the chance to check out Elery's Stepmom's place. I was roped into babysitting my DN tonight...we decided on take out from a chinese place. Fried rice and cho cho beef sticks with some fried wonton chips for a side. Ironic that Dixie had the same take out tonight too. Works for me and she is currently playing in the tub with her dolls. Three days with no school...she has been bored and a handful to say the least. David