Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Brown Paper Packages...

tied up with strings. This is my "signature Christmas gift wrap". Ever since we've been married, everyone on our gift list gets the brown paper package...every year, the ribbon and "trimmings" have differed, but the brown paper always remains the same.

I love that you get SO much paper on a roll...I love the rustic look that can be dressed up...and I love being able to buy it any time of year! (and not pay more because it's Christmas paper!) I have so much fun planning how I will dress it up...I've done simple red and green raffia, Christmas tree tags, painted metal "Merry Christmas" signs (my very favorite year!), stamped Christmas tree images...this year I chose twine and rustic jingle bells that I found at Target! I think they turned out pretty cute.

And the best thing about the packages under the tree is that, as of this past Monday, they're on their way to family! (which is very good since yesterday we had snow and ice and today I have three sick kiddos at home. Nasty colds and stomach bugs!)

(And as you can tell in the above photo, I do own "normal" Christmas wrap...which I use for my nieces, Christmas gift exchanges, etc. But that roll of striped wrap you see above is fabulous...I've had it for over three years...it's from Hobby Lobby...and it still has a ton of paper left! Great quality too!)

As for a recipe...it's been awhile, huh? I had this soup recipe a few weeks ago at a friend's house and proceeded to make it a few nights later. It's delicious, and is cream based but doesn't "seem" heavy when eating it. Really really good with homemade bread too...so pull out your bread machine or loaf pans and get busy! (and make sure to note the "half a package" of frozen spinach. I accidentally used the whole thing, and while it was still great, the consistency was a little different.)

Chicken Artichoke Soup

1/4 cup butter
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 14 ounce cans chicken broth
2 cups half & half
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, diced
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 can artichokes, sliced
1/2 package frozen chopped spinach
1 4 1/2 ounce Brie

1. Saute carrots, onion and garlic in butter until tender. Add broth. Bring to a boil and then simmer 15 minutes.

2. Mix half & half and flour until smooth. Stir into soup. Cook until thick and bubbly.

3. Add chicken, whipping cream, artichoke, spinach and Brie. Stir over medium heat until Brie melts.

Enjoy!

p.s. Happy 31st Anniversary, Mom and Daddy! I love you!

6 comments:

Laura Fiore said...

Oh, what pretty packages! I love the look of Kraft paper for Christmas too!

I'm thinking I need to make your soup, it is dang cold here!

Hope your family gets well in time for Christmas!

*reyanna* said...

I love brown paper packages tied up with strings too! :D It's the best. Though this year, The Container Store has a line called "Merry and Bright," and I couldn't pass it up. LOL. It's too cute. :)

Great job on the wrapping. Those gifts look great!

*Paula* said...

Love the packaging -- I think I might have to appropriate your idea ;)

Shawna said...

i love the paper idea b/c it makes me want to sing "Brown paper packages, tied up with strings... these are a few of my favorite things!" :) You are one of my favorite things.

I'm sorry you are dealing with the evil cold in your family as well.

vtpuggirl said...

Your tree pic is so pretty, love all the packages!

sarah corbin said...

you have the greatest ideas. i may steal them for next year! ;) I'm jealous of the snow and the cold weather...it was 71 degrees in charlotte yesterday.
that soup looks good. i think i may need to make it soon! now if only the weather would cooperate.

will I get to see you when we're in oklahoma? I sure hope so! the party is for the whole family...don't know if the invitation conveyed that.

 

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