Cheesy Vegetable Soup

Happy New Years to All! I can't believe how fast this year flew by. I know that is so cliche to say but it is so true! Having a new baby around, building a house and moving in, and starting a new job kept me so busy that I didn't even realize the months were flying by on the calendar (my porn for women calendar... amazing by the way if you haven't seen one, you need to check it out here). Anyway, 2010 was honestly one of the most joyful years of my life so far. Don't get me wrong, I have had many years of fun but this was a year of joy. I can't believe how gratifying and rewarding motherhood is. It's hard to even remember life before my sweet Travis joined us. I love him with all my heart and continue to love my sweets even more every day, just when I think my heart's capacity has maxed out. 2011, you have some big shoes to fill! So far though the year has treated me well.

I had a fabulous time with my family on New Years Day. My mom has kept up a tradition that Grandma Tecla started of homemade scones for breakfast. We all lounged around my parents house that morning enjoying scones, bacon, sausage, ham and fresh fruit. My sisters and I went to see Inception, which was incredible (if you by chance are the only other person in the world besides me until last week who hasn't seen it). My sweets and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary on the 2nd. He surprised me with a gorgeous bouquet of red roses and lilies. Flowers sure make a girl feel special.

Being the perfectionist type A personality gal that I am, I typically create a mile long list of resolutions each year that I intend to knock out one at a time... and then I beat myself up when I don't do them. SO this year I have decided to be realistic. My single goal this year is to finish a project I have started before I move on to the next one. There. I said it. Now I not only have myself to report to, but you lovely readers. May I ask in advance however that you kindly pretend not to notice if I slip up? I do promise I will do my best. What are your goal(s) this year?

For dinner tonight, I made a delicious Cheesy Vegetable Soup. The recipe came from one my favorite cookbooks, Pinch of Salt Lake, with a few adaptations of my own. We all downed it, even little Trav. He especially loved it since he is learning to serve himself with a spoon like a big boy.

Ingredients

***Monterey jack cheese and milk got left out of the picture...sorry! ***

1 large head broccoli florets (cut off stalks), chopped into bite sized pieces

2 cups diced potatoes

1 medium onion, diced

3 diced carrots

3 diced celery stalks

1/4 cup butter

2 cans chicken broth

2 chicken bouillon cubes

2 cups milk

1/2 cup flour

3 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup grated Monterey jack cheese

1 tsp dry mustard

2-3 shakes hot sauce

salt and pepper to taste

shredded Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions, carrots and celery and cook for about 3 minutes or until onions are translucent. Add broth, bouillon, broccoli and potatoes. Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until veggies are tender. In a small bowl, slowly mix milk into the flour and blend well with a whisk until smooth. Slowly pour milk mixture into soup, while stirring gently (to avoid mushing up the veggies). Do not allow the soup to boil once you have added the milk mixture. Add grated cheese, dry mustard, and hot sauce. Stir until cheese has melted.Season with salt and pepper as needed and top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

I served our soup with some toasted cheesy bread. I always freeze one loaf of my French Bread when I bake it, so it makes it very convenient to just defrost and pop in the broiler with some butter and Parmesan cheese whenever we want some.

Enjoy!