1/4c butter (unsalted),

1 large leek (white and pale green parts only) washed and thinly sliced

1 large garlic clove, minced (I used about twice that)

4 large potatoes (about 2 1/4 pounds) peeled, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

2 large carrots, peeled, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

4c chicken broth

2TBL chopped fresh dill or 1TBL dried

3/4c milk

4oz cream cheese

1c grated sharp cheddar cheese (I use Edam or Fontina because they are milder and don't over power the soup.  Use your preference)

Additional grated cheese

Melt butter in heavy large pot over medioum heat.  Add leek and garlic; saute until tender but not brown, about 4 minutes.  Add potatoes and carrots; saute 5 minutes longer.  Add chicken broth and dill; simmer uncovered until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.  Remove from heat.

Add milk to soup.  Transfer half of soup to blender.  Add cream cheese and blend until smooth.  Return soup to pot.  Add 1c grated cheese and stir over low heat until melted.  Season soup to taste with salt and pepper.  (Can be made 1 day ahead.  Chill.  Bring to simmer before serving.)  Garnish soup with parsley and additional grated cheese if desired.

Makes 8 first-course or 4 main-course servings.

My guys like their soup thick so I double the potatoes and the leeks and I use an immersible blender and just puree the whole pot.  I serve it with homemade bread hot from the oven and a caesar salad.

and no, Mr. P O'Brien, I don't mean being able to put your knee on the back of your head.  Here it is 1:06 PM and I haven't sewn a stitch.  That was my grand plan for the day.  Matthew and I got up plenty early.  The kitchen was cleaned up and the whole house was done before we left for Mass this morning.  Both Matthew and Brett understood that they were on their own as far as school was concerned and that was fine with them.  We got home, emptied the ashes out of the stove and built a roaring blaze in it.  They settled down to their Spanish and then life settled in.  The phone began to ring.  Ian had been up all night plowing the roads for the Town of Vernon, then after only two hours of sleep this morning he had been called back out this morning.  I knew that he would be here as soon as his shift was over and not only would he be cold and tired but he would be hungry. 

There was plenty of leftover chili in the refrigerator but what about later when he had to go out again (it is still snowing and on top of that it is blowing also).  So I set to work checking my stores and making a list.  Then I went to our local grocery to pick up a few things that I needed.  Now I am making a pot of chicken noodle soup with plans for chocolate zucchini cake and bread.  I will take these over to the town barn for the guys to have on hand when they are coming in and out from keeping the roads safe for all of us.  It offends me to think of all those me ordering endless greasy pizzas to keep them going then eating what is leftover cold especially when it is cold and blowing out like it is today.  I think I will also make some beef stew and put it away for another time when we have weather like today's.  So much for sewing.  It is a good day for taking care of my son.

This is what I woke up to this morning.  Granted not as much snow as my daughter got just 20 miles south of here but enough to cover the ground pretty well.  And the wind is blowing which is going to make going out this morning an adventure.  I heard the snowplow or the sander, I don't know which, go through about 4:00.  It is nice to have a son who works for the town highway department. 

Well, in the immortal words of the song "let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....."  after we get home from Mass this morning I plan on sewing all day long until Holy Hour at 4:00 and Matthew has schoolwork to do so we can just stoke up the fire and stay inside.  No laundry to do and no housework either.  Supper is shake and bake pork steaks mommy style with mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli and a big salad.  Quick and easy to prepare so I have the whole day ahead of me to finish my projects.

Friday afternoon I came home from picking MK up from school and this pile of logs had been delivered to the house.  Only I did not notice until my husband asked me about it when he got home from work.  I asked my oldest is he knew anything about it and he couldn't tell a lie.  He and his brother Adam had conspired to order the logs to be cut into fire wood for the house so that his family wouldn't be cold this coming winter.  What kind of men have we raised.  So generous and thoughtful.  And I know a soldier who is coming home on leave in December who is willing to cut and split them into stove size lengths so that I don't have to.  I think that my wood splitting days are finally over for good.  My back and hips can't take it anymore.

MK wanted to do a little trail riding with Rocco in our fields last weekend.  Rocco wasn't having any of it though.  He was acting a little wild and uncooperative so she ended up walking him and having to disciplining him.  She is very patient with him though and one of these days he will get the message about who is boss.

Here is one of the dresses that I have been commissioned to make.  All that is left to do is make button holes and do the hand sewing.

Matthew made himself this jacket.  He even put the zipper in by himself.  I don't do zippers very well so he taught himself.

He made me these slippers so my feet will be warm this winter.  What a good son.

This jumper and fleece is for a little girl who goes to our church.  There are eight children in the family and I had the fabric on hand so I thought I would make an outfit for her to help them out.  I think it turned out kind of nice.

We aren't sitting around here doing nothing.

Adam just called.  He has arrived in the big sandbox called Iraq.  A year ago he volunteered for duty that would take him to Iraq.  He has trained on some weapon.  If I sound not quite clear about what my son is going to be doing that's because I am.  I really don't want to know what he is going to be doing.  I don't have to know to pray for him.  Anyway he is over there now.  He's wearing the uniform of the United States Army since I guess he will be working for  them instead of the Navy.  His dad and I are very proud of all of our sons who are serving in the military. 

Outside my window....... the sun is trying to shine.  The fall colors are past peak but we still have a lovely view out there.  The world is not ready to give over to the grey that comes betwee fall and winter.  The temperature hovers in the low 40's and there is a light breeze blowing.  The weather man is calling for lake effect rain this afternoon and tomorrow he has even thrown the s-word into the forecast.

I am thinking...... what a wonderful weekend we just had.  With both Mary-Kate and Jason home it was almost like having the house full again.  It does a mother's heart good to have at least some of her children together once in awhile.

From the schoolroom......  the sounds of silence as Matthew and his friend Brett take a Spanish quiz.  Biology retest today too so we will be having a lot of silence from those two jokers.

I am thankful for......  a husband who works hard so that I can continue to be here schooling my son and taking care of our home.  There are many husbands who don't sacrifice like he does and who don't see the value in what their wives do at home.

From the kitchen........ I think I will make spaghetti sauce with meatballs today.  Mary-Kate wants some to share with her housemates at school.  Also a pot of Alfredo sauce for the same reason.  It is a good day for cooking I think.

I am wearing.......  Black jeans, white long-sleeved tee shirt, black fleece vest and crocks (this mom needs to stay warm)

I am reading....... The Love Dare (I'm on day 10)  I think that Doug is beginning to notice)

I am hoping....... to finish the current sewing job.  I have the materials and a list for Christmas gifts that I want to get a jump on, especially since I don't have any jobs pending.

I am creating...... a bunch of skirts and vests for little girls with matching bags that will be for sale soon.  I hope that they go over well. 

I am hearing....... Matthew and Brett practicing their Spanish pronunciation.  The quiz must be done.

Around the house....... both washers are going.  The floors need to be swept still and the hearth needs to be swept too.  After school today I think Matthew and I will put away the last of the lawn furniture and the chimney then all that is left is the trampoline which takes four people to put away.  Then I think we will be done for the season.

One of my favorite things....... is having enjoyed so much of this fall season with my family.  The weather has let us take lots of walks and generally spend much time out of doors before we have to be inside for much of the time with the cold of winter.

A few plans for the rest of the week........  prepare some meals ahead for Mary-Kate at school, keep up with Matthew's schooling, take good care of my family, keep ahead of the laundry, and just fulfill the vocation that has been given to me by God.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you......

A beautiful view of the field of buckwheat after it had been combined.  The stalks hold all of the colors of fall.

The Embarrassing Episode of Little Miss Muffet
           by Guy Wetmore Carryl

Little Miss Muffet discovered a tuffet,
(Which never occurred to the rest of us)
And, as 'twas a June day, and just about noonday,
She wanted to eat---like the best of us:
her diet was whey, and I hasten to say
It is a wholesome and people grow fat on it.
The spot being lonely, the lady not only
Discovered the tuffet, but sat on it.

A rivulet gabbled beside her and babbled,
As rivulets always are thought to do,
And dragon flies sported around and cavorted,
As poets say dragon flies ought to do;
When, glancing aside for a moment, she spied
A horrible sight that brought fear to her,
A hideous spider was sitting beside her,
And most unavoidably near to her!

Albeit unsightly, this creature politely
Said: "Madam, I earnestly vow to you,
I'm penitent that I did not bring my hat. I
Should otherwise certainly bow to you."
Though anxious to please, he was so ill at ease
That he lost all sense of propriety,
And grew so inept that he clumsily stept
In her plate---which is barred in Society.

This curious error completed her terror;
She shuddered, and growing much paler, not
Only left tuffet, but dealt him a buffet
Which doubled him up in a sailor knot.
It should be explained that at this he was pained:
He cried, "I have vexed you, no doubt of it!
Your fist's like a truncheon." "You're still in my luncheon,"
Was all that she answered. "Get out of it!"

And the Moral is this: Be it madam or miss
To whom you have something to say,
You are only absurd when you get in the curd
But you're rude when you get in the whey!

Each year I teach poetry to my children.  Most of them have been resistant.  Matthew is no exception.  He resists the concept of learning poetry but not to the fact of learning it.  This week he was told to find five poems in his book and read them over and then prepare the questions to go over them with me.  Of course he did not pick any of the poems that were interesting to me.  (that is all right and not required)  He chose some of the sillier ones in the book.  The above poem, The Embarrassing Episode of Little Miss Muffet was one that he chose and then his poor father was subjected to the bottom line when he called from work this morning.  Now his dad is not too fast when it comes to thinking on his feet so he had no clue what Matthew was saying when he answered the phone and he tended to get somewhat annoyed.  But at least we had a good time instead of having to listen to grumbling and 100 different reasons why learning poetry is unnecessary.  That encourages me for next week when we get out Shakespeare.

I took this picture of one of my piglets because I found it amusing.  She was eating this pumpkin that was as big as she.  Carefully guarding it from the others.  Fiercely protecting it so that she could keep it all to herself.  She was unable to eat the whole thing all by herself, are we surprised?  But aren't we all the same?  I know that I have the same temptation.  I want to control the lives of my children.  I have a tough time letting them grow up.  I do the piglet dance all around them trying vainly to keep the world from getting to them and perhaps hurting them.  But it is all in vain.  It is much more than I can chew.  But not more than God can chew.  My parents have a plaque that hangs in their bathroom that is so appropriate.  Before you go to bed give your cares to God, He's going to be up anyway.  I like that.  How about if you just let Him keep them when we get up in the morning too.  After all His shoulders are way bigger than ours are and He can handle them better.

The prayers of my youth in the language of Holy Mother Church.  What a joy it is to hear the voices of my children raised in prayer.

Pater noster, qui es in caelis: sanctificetur nomen tuum; adveniat regnum tuum; fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo, et in terra.

Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie; et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris; et ne nos inducas in tentationem; sed libera nos a malo.  Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen.

Ave, Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum; benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.

Sancta Marai, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae.  Amen.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen.

Just when I thought that it was healing from my good friend having her miscarriage, I learn that another friend is going through the same thing.  I have been contemplating the fact that a pot of soup and a loaf of homemade bread does little to ease the loss of a child.  Intellectually I know that the thoughts, efforts, and most of all the prayers that they know are coming their way are appreciated and do help.  Yet there is a certain helplessness I experience more and more as I get older.  I want to spare others the pain and suffering that goes along with this type of loss.  I know that it is necessary in the plan of God and that it is by no means something that cannot be born and yet I want to take it all away.  Having gone through it all before I know how paralyzing it can be.  Faith is all that there is that can get you to the other side.  And yet there is really no other side.  This is something that will be there forever.  There is no getting past it or putting it behind them. 

My prayer for both of these ladies is that they accept and use the grace that God sends to them to realize that their loss is for some good and to look for the good in it.  To hold those precious babys in their hearts for all of their lives and to never stop using their intercessory powers.  To remember always that they stand before the throne of God now and that they can petition Him for their needs also.  That our good God will never deny one of His little saints anything because they would never ask for anything that is not for our good.

God's best blessings on both of these families as they weather this storm.