Cheesy Chicken and Potato Chowder

I know...I go nearly 3 years with nary a soup recipe and now here I am with 2 recipes 2 weeks in a ROW!

But..guys...it's been SO COLD (I don't even wanna talk about the fact that another winter storm is happening today. I am OVER this winter). I need comforting, warm, food!

Michael loved this soup so much that he declared, "I'm kind of sad-everything you make from now on is just downhill, because this soup is THE PINNACLE."

I've already made it twice, and it was only a few weeks ago that I made it for the first time.

This soup really has it all: it's like the popular kid who's also really nice and smart and well rounded and genuinely gets along with everyone, and who gets all the best superlatives in the yearbook and goes on to have an amazing life.

This soup is that person.

This soup is pretty darn easy to make-the only things that take time are chopping the veggies (gah I hate chopping) and cooking the chicken (but if you already have chicken or buy a rotisserie, hey, look, that's done!). It's chock full of veggies so I get all proud of myself for eating it. AND it is so lusciously creamy and cheesy and flavorful...it is just the perfect balance of all things. It could not be better. Not possible!

We ate the whole batch in about 2 days. So...brace yourselves. Maybe do a double batch. I dunno but, whoever you feed this soup to will become your new best friend. Use this power wisely.

Pierogies Au Gratin-Mrs. T's Pierogies Review

 I participated in a campaign on behalf of Millennial Central for Mrs. T’s Pierogies. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Hey! What about that Super Bowl yesterday...I mean...it was....right? Yeeeah.

...I don't know what happened.

You know what I do know things about? TV shows. And movies. I've already made it clear that I'm super into the idea of my bachelorette party being a big slumber party where we watch movies. Really, if I'm hanging out with my friends, that's all I need. The rest is just details...well...except for the food. The food is like the most the 2nd most important part of a get together.

Whether I'm sitting down to watch Orange is the New Black (or whichever show) by myself, or with my buds, Mrs. T's Pierogies are always there for me.

Now, you know me. I'm not generally into eating frozen food. But-I AM NOT KIDDING-when I was approached to work with Mrs. T's...I already had 2 boxes in the freezer. For myself. They're my solution for when I need something quick for myself. Or, something still-pretty-quick-but-slightly-less-quick, for entertaining.

Such as pierogies au gratin.

But before we spiff em up, let me explain what Mrs. T's pierogies are all about, if you're not familiar. They're yummy whipped potatoes combined with additions (Mrs. T's has 11 varieties-including whole grain and mini kinds-so some of these additions include onions and cheddar) and then they're "gently folded" in a pasta shell. There are SO many different ways you can prepare the pierogies, and different ways you can use them! Honestly, I usually bake em and then serve with a little butter. Easy and delicious. However, if you wanna do something special, there are so many ways you can use 'em! I went on to Mrs. T's website and looked through the recipe ideas before stumbling upon the pierogies au gratin. I tweaked the recipe just a smidge and it turned out DELICIOUS-beautifully cheesey and just so comforting. Nothing not to like. It's like if macaroni and cheese and potatoes au gratin got together and had a baby. A delicious baby....that's not an actual baby. Just pierogies n cheese. Calm down. And also, check out Mrs. T's facebook and twitter pages while you're at it!

Something Saturdays (2/1/14)

I am ANXIOOOUS today--today my mom is taking the deposit over to our hall to book them for the wedding. So, by this afternoon, we'll gave a definite date for the wedding! EEEE!

I know this is way long overdue, but I present to you a collage with some highlights from my Disney trip:

(left to right, top to bottom: Epcot; Me, Josh, and the Geis girls-our godsisters-in front of the tree at Disney's Hollywood Studios; Tower of Terror; New Fantasyland with Eric's ship and Beast's castle; Josh and I on Dumbo; Dinsye + Mickey in front of Cinderella's castle; the castle lit up at night; Animal Kingdom; Christmas fireworks; Josh and I in front of Cinderella's castle)

My fave is that picture of Josh (my brother) and I in front of the castle. Love! :)

Wanna waste an hour giggling your head off? Yes? Great! Then go and become as obsessed with this tumblr as I am--let's just say it's a bunch of ridiculous looking Disney dolls having hilarious antics...*teehe* 

This video makes me happier than words can say: