JD's Library: Such a Silly Baby!

A few days ago I was reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to JD and I realized that he was no longer trying to eat the book; he was actually looking at the pictures and examining the pages. So, this brings me to one of my many 2010 to-do list items: Build JD, his own home library. JD already has lots of books and I’m always finding new ones to add to his collection, so why not go all out and build him a library (in the next few months), with bookplates and all. In the meantime I will continue to add to his collection, starting with this little gem of a book.

  Such a Silly Baby!

By Steffanie Lorig

and Richard Lorig

Illustrated by Amanda Shepherd

Such a Silly Baby! - Bursting with bright illustrations and a rollicking text, this boisterous book invites readers to hoot, neigh, snort, and giggle along with a very silly baby.

Retail: $15.99

I paid: $6.00

(on eBay, with shipping)

Laurel Denise 2010 Planner

January is here and staying true to my yearly custom, I sought out to find the perfect 2010 planner. I know many of you are crinkling your noses (hubby) at the thought of a planner made of actual paper, but I can’t live without one, I just can’t. Well, I found one, “I Love It” and I got it for under 10 bucks at Borders and here it is.

 

 

This 2010 Laurel Denise Yearly Planner is definitely a planner for those who like a good, simple design.  From the typography, to fresh and contemporary layout, it's probably the most beautiful planner I've ever seen. It is super-functional, with handy lists, including perforated shopping notes and lists that you can tear out. It also has inserts to help you manage your schedule on a daily or weekly basis.

Peek-Squeak Monkey

My dad gave me a Barnes & Noble gift card a few months ago and I finally had a chance to do some online shopping. Well, I ended up in the baby toy section and once again I couldn’t help myself, and bought JD something too! This toy monkey is absolutely adorable and I’m hoping (praying) that it will help JD with his teething.

Peek-Squeak Monkey by Manhattan Toy

Barnes & Noble

$12.00

(with promotional discount)

This stroller-sized pal features a bead ring, crinkle paper, hidden mirror, squeaker, and magnetic banana that encourage a child’s development of fine motor and sensory skills. Peek-Squeak Monkey was named a Babytalk Editor’s Pick for its whimsical design.

Food Network Magazine: Almost-Famous Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I just received my Food Network Magazine and they have turned my Tuesday frown, upside down. I enjoy almost anything with bread, and the ultimate bread pairing in my opinion is broccoli cheddar soup. Well, FN Magazine has figured it out, Panera Bakery’s mouthwatering Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a Sourdough Bread Bowl and they’ve featured it in this month’s issue, on page 58. I can’t wait to make this soup tonight and I’m even more excited that the recipe calls for the use of my new Dutch oven! Just in case you haven’t picked up your copy of FN Magazine yet, below is this yummy recipe.

Almost-Famous Broccoli-Cheddar Soup

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 4 7-inch sourdough bread boules (round loaves)
• 4 cups broccoli florets (about 1 head)
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 2 1/2 cups (about 8 ounces) grated sharp white and yellow cheddar cheese, plus more for garnish

Directions:

Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook until golden, 3 to 4 minutes, then gradually whisk in the half-and-half until smooth. Add the chicken broth, bay leaves and nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, until thickened, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the bread bowls: Using a sharp knife, cut a circle into the top of each loaf, leaving a 1-inch border all around. Remove the bread top, then hollow out the middle with a fork or your fingers, leaving a thick bread shell.

Add the broccoli and carrot to the broth mixture and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Puree the soup in batches in a blender until smooth; you'll still have flecks of carrot and broccoli. Return to the pot (Or puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender) . Add the cheese to the soup and whisk over medium heat until melted. Add up to 3/4 cup water if the soup is too thick. Ladle into the bread bowls and garnish with cheese.