How Did I Miss Reading This Gem?

I'm stumped that this wasn't on my radar this year especially during Read Across America Week.  I suppose it's better late than never!  John brought it home for me last week and I immediately brought it to school to read to my Firsties.  It was a hit!  It tells the story that we all know how Dr. Seuss was challenged to write The Cat in the Hat and explains how Green Eggs and Ham was written as well.  I love how it stresses the fact that he could only choose words on THE OFFICIAL LIST.  This just adds to the importance of nailing those sight words down!  I think this is a must for a First Grade classroom.  I'm happy I have my own copy but if I didn't, I'd be sure to check it out of the library mid-February next year so I had it for RAA.  Did you read it this year during RAA?  If so, lucky you!

And finally, I have to leave you with a link (click pic)for such a delicious recipe that is easy to make and bursting with flavor: SKILLET HONEY LIME CHICKEN.  Yum!!!!!  Seriously, it's that good!

Have a lovely Sunday! 

Return to School With Yummy Potato Soup!

Going back to school after break is hard, isn't it?  

Getting back into the swing of things takes time but we don't have the luxury of time.  

Nope. The kiddos are there waiting for us.  

For an easier transition, make a pot of soup!

It will last the whole week.  I bring it every day and switch out salad and breads to keep it interesting.
(White soups never look too good in pics but I promise this is delish!)

Here's a tasty Potato Soup recipe from my friend Sue:

* 4 cups diced (unpeeled) Yukon Gold potatoes (Any will do but these will retain shape.)
* 1 stick of butter
* 2 cups finely diced onions.  (yellow onions are preferred. Sweeter.)
* 1/2 cup flour
* 1 box of chicken broth (I use sodium free since spices added later make up for taste)
* 1 and 1/2 cup potato flakes
* 2 cups heavy cream
* 2 cups milk
* 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (I don't like spicy but this is perfect)
* Salt, pepper, garlic powder and dried basil to taste.  (I add a lot of basil and garlic)

1. Cover potatoes with water and boil then reduce to simmer for twenty minutes.

2. Saute onions in butter for ten minutes.  Add flour and mix well until absorbed.

3. In different pot, heat broth.  Add potato flakes and seasonings.  Stir well.  Add this to onion mixture.

4. Add milk and cream and stir until smooth.  Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

5. Add potatoes.  EAT and ENJOY!

Click here for another great soup recipe.

Hope you had a great break.  I worked on a few products and finally posted them:

 

Again, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here's My Sunday Scoop! (And Yummy Soup Recipe!)

Thanks to Teaching Trio, I'm sharing my Sunday Scoop today:

Booking a hotel room is a must!  Sarah's accepted student day To Syracuse University is in April.  She gets to participate in "Own the Dome" and stay in the Carrier Dome overnight.  

How cool is that?  John and I hope to book the Sheraton on the campus.  Fingers crossed! NOTE: I've ALWAYS pictured Sarah at a much smaller campus...not one with a hotel on it and a 55,000 Sports Arena ON campus.  Hmmm...should be interesting!

Want an easy and amazing soup recipe?  Got it years ago from Better Homes and Gardens. It was their "Recipe of the Year." It is a "throw together" soup but everyone loves it.  I don't have exact measurements anymore, but trust me,  you can't mess it up:  

Tortellini Soup

1. Put two "boxes" of Chicken Stock into a pot.
2. Add two jars of Ragu Alfredo Sauce.
3. Pull all the meat off of a Rotisserie Chicken and add 4. Cook a bag and a half of tortellini (tri-colored)  
5. I put in a small jar of chopped up sun-dried tomatoes.  The recipe said NOT in oil but I use the ones in oil for sure.  Drain most of the oil.
6. After simmering for a short time, I put at least a cup of Parmesan cheese in and stir.  
7. Before serving, you can put in fresh spinach leaves.  (I usually don't.)

Really good.  Last for days.  YUM!

Quick Question:  Am I the only one who has lost 3,632 umbrellas in my lifetime? UGH! 

Okay- gotta go!  Matthew's first game starts at 8.  Thank goodness for turf after 5 more inches of snow on Friday.  Boo to snow.  Yea to soccer!

Want to link up?  Click on the button!  Looking forward to reading about your scoop today!

Have a great day!

My Sunday Scoop!

Happily linking up once again with Teaching Trio.  Who knew this little link-up would be a great motivator for me to focus on a few important tasks I had to- or simply wanted to- accomplish each week?

Taxes?  'Nuff said!

Stickers?  Okay, I've never been consistent with stickers but this year, my class actually asks for them.   So, I found a beautiful red box and put some cute ribbon on it and moved it to an area that THEY could access and get their own when deserved.  If left up to me, I'd never actually pass them out.  What's hot in my class?  Googly eyed stickers like this:

Because of their love of them, I instituted a little challenge each day, The "row" that packs-up the quietest wins a sticker.  I've been doing this for two months now and you'd think I'm handing out tubs of Lucky Charms or ice cream cones!  If you came into my room at 2:20 each day, what would you hear? NOTHING...for ten whole minutes! 

Now I admit I do like me some chitter chatter when unpacking in the morning.  It's a great time for them to interact, get to know each other and foster a sense of community.  But by the end of the day, well, I need it to be quiet so we all do what we need to do...  

I can't process why they're so set on winning a sticker but boy, they are so focused on that prize.  So, I am trying to kick it up a notch with the coolest, smelliest, glitter-filled stickers I can find.  Larger stickers truly seem to tickle their fancy!  Hey, whatever floats your boat, kids!

Downton Abbey is simply a fantastic show and if you've never watched it, I suggest you start at Season 1 and binge watch on your next snow day.  Amazing!  Here's some fun for you...what's wrong with this famous DA Publicity shot?  Answer at end of post IF you can't figure it out! 

I love The Good Wife just as much but it's been MIA for so long and doesn't come back until March 1.  Can I say how much I hate this newish strategy of shows taking long winter breaks?  Stupid. Annoying.  

I'm committed to using more of the recipes I find on Pinterest...not just Pinning and forgetting about them.  I found this recipe on Pinterest and used it for for both pork and chicken. My kids loved it.  Easy.  Fast.  The chicken was delicious.  Pork was okay.  (And I love pork!)

I think we are officially the last family in America to own a GF Grill.  It's not even new but it's never been used before.  It has been tucked away in my parents' house for years and I finally swiped it a few weeks ago. I'm not picky but I really just want to be able to grill super skinny pieces of chicken to put in salads for school.  Anyone know how to make a tasty thin piece of chicken like that?  Seriously, I'd so appreciate knowing and hope George shows me the way...

Okay, in the period piece DA photo above, there's a WATER BOTTLE in the picture.  When this happened, it was WATERGATE all over again. Who did it?  Why?  LOL!  Love the way the cast responded.

They linked up this pic to WaterAid, an organization that helps provide access to clean water all over the world.  Cool, huh?

Want to link up?  Click on button to hopon over to Teaching Trio's blog and find out what to do!  Hoping to read your Sunday Scoop today...

Have a super week!