I have endured some of the most stressful  weeks of my life.  It all started back in the middle of August.  The renters moved out and I began to work on our new place.  I am now somewhat of an expert on wallpaper removal.  Save yourselves time and money and buy DIP blue gel.  It costs about $6 a bottle and works great.  I tried fabric softener, vinegar, a borrowed steamer, and several other brands of wallpaper remover.  But the finished results were worth the effort.  Paint is amazing stuff.  I am now on my third 5 gallon bucket of "Swiss Coffee."  We finally moved on Friday, two weeks later than we had planned.  The bathroom, utility, 2 upstairs bedrooms and hallway and kitchen cupboards and trim still need to be painted, but they will have to wait.  I would have loved to finish everything ahead of moving, but time is running out.  My sympathies are with those of you currently in building or remodelling phases.  Thanks to those of you who prayed for me, helped paint (Sharon is awesome!!!), brought meals, and encouraged me.  I still need to clean out my pantry, but we are mostly moved.

Quote from my husband:  "It feels like we are staying in a hotel."

Here is my favorite recipe for using up ham.

CHEDDAR CHEESE SOUP

4 cups water     1 cup diced carrots

1 chopped onion     4 cups diced potatoes

1 cup diced celery

2 tea salt     1 tea pepper

1 cube butter or marg     1/2 cup flour

4 cups milk     4 cups grated cheese

2 cups cubed ham

Combine water, vegetables and seasonings in a large kettle.  Boil 10 minutes.  Make a white sauce by melting the butter, then add the flour and stir until smooth.  Slowly add the milk.  Add the white sauce, cheese and ham to undrained vegetables.  Heat thru.

This soup is good with bacon or without meat.  I use freshly grated Tillamook cheddar cheese.  Enjoy!

Even though your fridge may need cleaning out, I hope your spirit has been refreshed anew by the message of Easter.

At our house it's the time of year for birthdays and anniversaries.  In the space of 17 days my mom, husband, brother-in-law and myself have birthdays.   Did I think it would be romantic to have our birthdays and our anniversay within 15 days?  Actually no.  We planned our wedding when my cousin and best friend, Rosie, could come.  So this is a look at what I did this week.  Monday was DH's birthday.  Ran errands for him in town and got grocery items for Mom's birthday luncheon.  Picked up supper at the Shedd Market.  (They have really good sandwiches.)  Richard went to a meeting at church after supper.  I baked mini cheesecakes for party.  Tuesday I got up early and had lemon bars baked before breakfast.  The church has pretty glass plates, cups and decorations.  All I brought was food and teacups.  I was starting to panic as one hour before the party, but a couple of people came early and I put them to work.  Thank you!!!  We had cucumber sandwiches, turkey, provolone & sprout crossiants, cheesy potato soup, breadsticks, lemon bars, mini cheesecakes, cinnamon butter pound coffeecake, and fudge brownie bites.  It is hard to believe my mom is 70 years old.  Took Trenton and Aubrey to the library to wait for Cameron to be done with kindergarten.  Reached up to adjust glasses and the frames broke.  Got tape at library.  A bummer lamb arrived right as I got home.  Decided I was too tired to go to town to get glasses fixed.  Husband busy.  Found bottle and fed lamb.  Wednesday I went to school in the morning to help in the classroom.  Then went to Costco and they don't carry my frames anymore and no openings at Eye Dr. and my prescription is outdated and sometimes it takes 2 weeks to get your glasses back.   A nice guy at Costco did suggest maybe a jewler could fix them.  Went to Binyon's.  No Dr. on site anymore.  As I was in the mall, I went to the jewlery stores.  At the third store a guy saved the day by fixing them.  Now I have an appointment next week.  Thursday was sewing.  Normally this is a highlight for me, but by now I was just ready to stay at home, but I am on the kitchen committee and I am also the secretary/treasurer.  I got home from sewing and attacked my mountain of dishes.   In between all this I am helping my in-laws get ready for their tour to Israel.  They leave on Tuesday.  They have hardly ever traveled and right now I think it would have been a lot simpler if I would have just went along.  This morning I slept in!!!  Now it is time to go feed the lamb.