When we first got married I would make homemade bread all the time. Then... I stopped. I had to stop because a new loaf would come out of the oven and Michael and I would down the entire loaf while it was warm. I love carbs and bread too much. Not to long ago I went to one of those parties to try and sell you stuff, beer bread was one of the items that we had to sample and I fell in love with it. I did not want to pay the high price for their mix, so I went on a mission to find a cheaper version:

Beer Bread

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9″ x 5″ x 3″ inch loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Using a wooden spoon, stir the beer and honey into the dry ingredients until just mixed. 

Pour half the melted butter into the loaf pan. Then spoon the batter into the pan, and pour the rest of the butter on top of the batter.  It will look buttery, which is obviously a good thing!

Place the loaf pan on a cooking sheet (in case any butter drips while baking) and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until top is golden brown and a toothpick/knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Enjoy! Let me know what you think.

Oh my, where has the time gone!? I can hardly believe that my not so little baby is already 6 weeks old!  It feels like yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital. I cleaned out her draws today of all the clothes that she can no longer wear. I thought that day would never come. (I loved some of those sweet little clothes too) Of course now is my favorite time of the season and time for fall clothes. Thanks to Grace's Uncle Oliver and Aunt Callie Grace has some clothes for the season. 

We just recently moved. What we did not know when we moved was that we moved to the best neighborhood! One of our new neighbors made baby Grace the cutest outfit that of course deemed a photo shoot. 

Grace did such a good job holding up her head! She had not held it that long ever.  Isn't she cute!

I have been a mom for a month now and have learned a few things along the way. Here are a few items that I have found come in really handy with a newborn. 

Cheeseburger Soup 

1/2 pound ground beef
3/4 c chopped onion
3/4 c shredded carrots
3/4 c diced celery
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
5 Tablespoons butter, divided
2 cans chicken broth
4 cups peeled, diced potatoes (I used unpeeled red potatoes)
1/4 cup flour
2 cups (8oz) Velveeta, cubed
1 1/2 cup milk
3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup sour cream

In a 6-quart saucepan, brown beef; drain and set aside beef. In the same saucepan, sate onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 2 Tablespoons butter until vegetables are tender (about 10 minutes). Add broth, potatoes and beef; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, in a small pan, melt remaining 3 Tablespoons of butter. Add flour; cook and stir for 3 minutes or until bubbly. Whisk into soup; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add Velveeta, milk, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream. Makes 8 servings.

Enjoy! Let me know what you think?