Broccoli & White Cheddar Soup

Every year, about this time, I start wondering if it's too early to start doing the "fall thing". Fall is my favorite time of year and I'm just so anxious to get out my decorations and start making some cooler weather dinners. Usually, though, if I start wondering now, I convince myself that it's too early. So I wait. But then life gets in the way and, before I know it, I'm putting up my fall decor super fast in mid-October so we have time to enjoy it before it's time to take it down and put up all the Christmas stuff. Well, I asked my son, Michael, last night what he thought and he said we should jump in! So here's my first colder weather recipe of the season: Broccoli & White Cheddar Soup.

Usually I avoid things like this because I don't have an immersion blender and every recipe I find calls for one. Well, yesterday I got smart and used the awesome KitchenAid blender my mom gave me. It was just one extra step, transferring the soup to the blender and back, but getting to taste this delicious soup was totally worth it!

Broccoli & White Cheddar Soup

1/2 c. butter or oil
1/2 an onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, peeled & chopped
salt and pepper
1/2 c. flour
5 c. chicken broth
1 1/2 c. milk or cream (or mix of both!)
3 c. broccoli florets
4 c. sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded

In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, salt and pepper, and sauté a few minutes until onions are clear. Stir in flour and cook for one minute. Add broth, a little at a time, and works out any clumps. Then add the milk and stir. If your skillet is getting too full at this point, transfer the mixture to a soup pot. I had no problem with mine---I think it's a 12 c. skillet. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat and then add broccoli. Simmer until soup has thickened a bit. At this point, either use an immersion blender to break up the vegetable chunks, or transfer the soup to a blender, half at a time, to smooth it out. Return soup to the skillet and simmer another five minutes or so until it's the thickness you want. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese until it's all melted.

Enjoy!

What Women Really Want or {Neatly Trimmed and Clean Shaven} #SmoothSummer #shop #cbias

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

What do women really want? Oh, the age old question! Well, that list is infinitely long, but when it comes to faces, this woman prefers the clean-shaven look to the scruffy. That's why I make sure Jamie is never without a good razor. Recently, I went out and bought the new Gillette Flex Ball Razor for him to try out.

I found it at Walmart and spent a little too much time at the display! They had this fun motion-activated display where the razor would start moving whenever I got close to it. (Check out my Instavideo...I recorded for y'all) There were both manual and power versions. I grabbed a manual one.

When Jamie and I first got married, I didn't want him to grow any facial hair. The idea gagged my 18-year-old self and I really pitched a fit when he said he was going to grow a mustache and goatee.

At first, I didn't like it. But, over time, it started to grow on me. (Well, not literally...that would be weird). Now I really like his mustache and goatee---when they're nicely trimmed. Anything past that is yucko! I know yesterday I said we were into Duck Dynasty---but I'm thinking they can keep their super long beards and we'll just stick with short and neat here!

After using the Flexball razor, Jamie said he was really impressed with the close shave. He told me all about how the razors work to pull the hair out and cut it off, leaving no itchy stubble. He said the razor really appealed to a guy with all that shiny chrome-look and how it's all gadgety. He said it had a good weight to it, like it was something of substance. It makes me feel good to know I made a good choice and bought something he finds useful.

As a professional working in a professional environment, it's important that Jamie doesn't waltz into work looking like a hillbilly bum. (No offense to all my hillbilly bum friends) A clean-shaven face with a neatly trimmed mustache and goatee looks classy and masculine. Yes, I must admit, I do prefer this look to the old, for sure!

Check out this Pinterest board for more Smooth Faces of Summer:
Follow Hairspray and HighHeels's board Smooth Faces of Summer on Pinterest.
#SmoothSummer
#CollectiveBias

The Homemaking Party: New Writing Opportunity

Welcome to the Homemaking Party! I'm so excited to announce my newest project: Belle's Library!

I've just begun a literature blog and would love to have some contributors! You can make a one time commitment, or sign on to submit regularly. I'm looking for any kind of writing on books. You can submit commentaries, essays, book reviews, book memes, quizzes, author fun facts...the options are endless! Would you like to submit an essay, commentary, or book review for publication on Belle's Library? Visit the Writing Opportunity tab above for details.

Speaking of books, I'm participating in two reading challenges and am keeping a running list of what I've read here. Here's the info on the challenges I've joined---in case you're wanting to join too!

Since August 1st, I've finished these books:
French Lessons by Peter Mayle
Persuasion, Captain Wentworth, and Cracklin' Cornbread by Mary Jane Hathaway
Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo

Today I'm reading, Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits by Mary Jane Hathaway. Love her!

Here are my plans for Simply Audra Marie's Friday "It Begins with SUMMER" challenge:

S---Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel (will read in September)
U---Undone (will read in September)
M---Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart (done)
M---Motel of the Mysteries (will read in September)
E---Emma, Mr. Knightley, and Chili Slaw Dogs (will read in August)
R---Recipes for Easy Living (will read in September)

What are you reading?

Thanks for stopping by the Homemaking Party! Have a blessed night!