Suzi Homemaker's Cream of Potato and Bacon Soup

Ever since my husband and I first met, we have acted out these characters for each other when either of says or does something profoundly stupid or embarrassing that warrants immediate, but loving, ridicule. I like to refer to his character as Bobblehead Steve who speaks in a condescending tone while bobbling his head from side to side (we won't address my character as it is not pertinent to this story). I don't know how we got on the subject, but Bobblehead Steve threw down the gauntlet recently.

"You know it's not that easy to make a good cream of potato soup."


Now, come on...I am Suzi Homemaker. Of course, Cream of Potato Soup comes naturally to me as does just about any other soup recipe you could possibly imagine. In some social circles, I am often referred to as the Soup Nazi or Soup B---h--titles that I don't take lightly. I will attribute my husband's momentary lapse in confidence to some kind of backhanded ploy to get me to make him some soup.


Well, here you go, Bobblehead Steve, and anyone else who wants a simply delicious and easy Cream of Potato and Bacon Soup Recipe.


1. In a large pot, melt 1/2 stick of butter or margerine.
2. Add one medium onion, diced, and brown.
3. While cooking the onions, microwave seven strips of bacon (either regular or turkey).
4. When bacon is done, add one to two tablespoons of bacon grease (or you may wish to eliminate the grease altogether) to butter and onions. Set bacon strips aside.
5. Peel and dice 5 large potatoes and add to onion mixture. Salt and pepper to taste. Saute until potatoes are translucent.
6. Add 32 oz. of chicken or vegetable stock.
7. Bring to boil, reduce heat and then simmer potatoes until cooked through.
8. Add 1 pint of half and half (you may substitute skim milk or soy milk).
9. Simmer a few minutes more then add crumbled bacon strips.
10. Serve with crusty rolls and topped with shredded cheddar cheese.

Can you believe that after I made this delicious soup nearly a week ago that Bobblehead Steve had the nerve to say I could never do it again? We had Cream of Potato and Bacon Soup for dinner tonight and it was quite delish--even better than the first time! Why must we play these games, Bobblehead Steve? If you want the soup, just ask for it!

Suzi Homemaker teams up with Grandma Rocks

A little while back, I received an email from Robin from Grandma Rocks about teaming up with her and Grandma to develop some personalized gifts for Grandmas and their grandkids. If you are not familiar with Grandma Rocks, you must visit the site and learn more. Grandma Rocks is a CD of 13 children's pop songs that were written and created by Grandma (EMMY AWARD-winning composer Elissa Oppenheim Schreiner), and performed by Grandma and other well-known (and some not so well-known!) instrumentalists and vocalists.

According to the website, Grandma set out to make an album that would entertain both children and adults alike. She found that adults become almost immune to some children's songs by artists that utilize the same sound for every song. Although those songs are easily identifiable by children, adults become bored and tune out the music, creating a disconnect from what otherwise could be a positive musical experience with their children.

To overcome that disconnect, Grandma created a more adult sound with different rhythms, and used lyrics that everyone can relate to resulting in a mixture of sounds that represents many different musical genres.

I don't know about your kids, but my kids can DANCE! They are particularly fond of shaking their little dupas (Czech for bottoms or butts) in time to the beat. Whenever I have Grandma playing on my computer they stop what they're doing and come into my Dojo and start to MOVE! So you not only have my endorsement of Grandma's music but my kids', too, and we all know that that is what is most important.

So be sure to check out her site and sample some of her tunes, and then pop into Grandma's Shoppe and pick out some great gifts for Grandma and grandkids alike.

Suzi Homemaker giveaway on Mom Made That

Amy from Mom Spark has been working hard (while everyone else has been partying!) creating a brand new site called Mom Made That which is designed to promote Mom-owned businesses, especially ones where the moms make the products themselves! What a noble cause, huh?

I was lucky enough to get in on the very first giveaway for a monogrammed overnight bag from none other than moi! All you have to do is visit my retail site, look at all of the hip, fashionable and highly-personalizable stuff, then cruise over to Mom Made That, and leave a comment about what items you like on the site and you will be entered to win an overnight bag of your choosing. Extra entires also are available by tweeting about the giveaway, following Mom Made That, and signing over your first-born child (kidding, of course, but there are plenty of chances to win). Contest ends January 11 and the winner will be announced on January 12. I will be in Atlanta on those dates (shopping the latest trends at the Atlanta Gift market!), but I promise I will get your prize stitched up and on its way to you once I get back!

Good luck!

Suzi Homemaker logo now is officially trademarked!!!!

The other day I received a Certified Letter from my attorney's office (always a scary thing even though I hired him to file my trademark paperwork--had to think whether or not I had paid my bill recently!). The envelope contained a Certificate of Registration from the United States Patent and Trademark Office--my Suzi Homemaker logo is now a recognized Trademark!!!

I filed for the trademark in March 2007 after the girls at Eden Design Co. finalized the design. Now, almost two years later, it's official!

What's next? Well, my big dream is to start a franchise for SAHMs or WAHMs who have transitioned from the corporate world to stay at home and raise their families. That's a ways down the road (after I win the Lottery!), but for now, I'm content knowing that I have left my mark in this world!!!

Merry Christmas

Whew!

I am just finishing up my last internet orders and packaging them up to take to the Post Office. I cannot believe how much business I have had since Dec. 1! I did not know what to expect this year with the dismal economy, but I am thrilled to report I had my best retail month since I began my business over two years ago. Thank you to everyone who has supported me in my little stitching endeavors--I so appreciate each and every one of you!

The hottest selling item this season by far was the collapsible market tote. One customer bought five of them and told me she will be coming back for more after the holidays. Another one received her order for three and promptly ordered three more! I still have some left in stock and also have found a new vendor who makes the same totes but with a drawstring closure on top of them so nobody can peek at what's inside your basket!!!

Now I must confess what an awful mother and wife I have been for the past few weeks. We still do not have our tree decorated--we put it up on Sunday to find it is only partially lit. I had to go to Target to get more lights. My house is in ruins because I have Babycapes and product strewn about, yet I continue to yell at the children if they leave their socks or toys on the floor. I did manage to get some Buckeyes made the other day, but only after Sophie had been begging me for weeks to do so. I still have fudge to make for Mr. Brown at the Post Office and the ladies in the office at Sophie and Max's school.

Christmas cards? Let's just say the picture you see here was from last year's "Holiday Card" that never made it in the mail. I have been using them to write lunch box notes to Sophie. Cookies? Hopefully this weekend. Presents wrapped? Santa does not wrap presents in our household. Pumpkins removed from front porch? Maybe next year we'll have a pumpkin patch in our front yard. Santa's lap? Tomorrow or Sunday.

One thing I have accomplished (which I am so very thankful for!) is I have found a church for our family to attend. We had been shopping churches all summer and finally attended a service with a neighbor several weeks ago. It is Covenant Baptist Church in Shepherdstown. The first service I attended I knew I had come to the right place! The music was INCREDIBLE--it moves me to tears each week! And the Pastor is very down-to-earth. We feel at home there and the children are fitting right in. We asked Max what he did in Sunday school a couple of weeks ago and he said, "I prayed and prayed and prayed!" Sophie is learning a lot and has a lot of questions about God. And Carly...well, we take crayons and doodle pads with us and take turns running her to the water fountain.

All in all, it has been quite a year. We had some rough patches, but our family is as strong as ever. I am praying for a safe, healthy and Happy New Year for all! Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!

Max-ism #489: The cotton candy is controlling me!

On Sunday, I had taken Sophie to The Parade of Horses in town while Steve set up our Christmas Yard Art and tree with Max and Carly. On the way home, Sophie convinced me to buy a bag of cotton candy.

When we got it home, she graciously shared it with Max and Carly. A little while later, Max was getting a little rowdy. When Steve told him to settle down, Max stuck his tongue out at him and blew him a raspberry. Steve picked him up and carried him up to his room where he sat for several minutes. When Max's timeout was finished, Steve went up to talk to him.

Steve: "Max, you know you're not supposed to stick your tongue out at people, especially Mommy and Daddy."

Max: "I know. Something got in my head. It's the cotton candy. It's controlling me!"