During the Christmas break I was folding laundry on my bed and heard a faint buzzing. I thought I was imagining it but then I followed the sound to the bathroom. It was definitely coming from there but I couldn't pinpoint it. 

At first I couldn't think what would be making a sound like that. It wasn't the toothbrush or water pick. Phil hadn't left his razor on accidentally; I could see it on the counter. What could it be? Then it hit me. 

Oh shit. 

Did Tyler find "it"?

What was he doing poking around in here?!

Why didn't he ask me what "it" was? 

Thank God he didn't ask me what "it" was!

Do I say something?

I don't want to say something!

I was about to reach down into the cabinet to turn "it" off, but as I bent over the sound got louder as my head passed by one of Phil's drawers. Turns out, it was just his nose hair trimmer. Crisis averted.

But since then I've been thinking. Should I move "it"? I don't want to bury "it" too far because then "it" isn't, uh, convenient anymore. 

So now I'm asking you. Where do you keep "it"? Have your kids ever found "it"? How did you respond?

Redbook, Food Network: Cheap Magazine Subscriptions

Good deal alert: Amazon has a few good offers on magazine subscriptions. Right now it's only $5 for a 2 year subscription to Redbook and 1 year of Food Network Magazine for $10 with an instant $5 credit at checkout. There are a few other titles that also offer the $5 credit.

I like Food Newtwork Magazine but still prefer Taste of Home and Rachel Ray. Taste of Home is a Best Deal Magazines - Deal of the Day Offer for $4.69 for one year.

When my Gramma was here we made chicken noodle soup and ranch mac and cheese from Taste of Home and both turned out really well. I've never thought to add ranch to mac and cheese. Tyler loved it.

Taste of Home 30 Minute Chicken Soup

* 4 cups water

* 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth

* 1-1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast

* 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted

* 3/4 cup sliced celery

* 3/4 cup sliced fresh carrots

* 1 small onion, chopped

* 1-1/2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes

* 1 teaspoon reduced-sodium chicken bouillon granules

* 1/4 teaspoon pepper

* 3 cups uncooked egg noodles

Directions

In a Dutch oven, combine the first 10 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in noodles; cook 5-7 minutes longer or until noodles and vegetables are tender.

Taste of Home Ranch Mac and Cheese

* 1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni

* 1 cup 2% milk

* 1/4 cup butter, cubed

* 1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix

* 1 teaspoon garlic salt

* 1 teaspoon garlic pepper blend

* 1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning

* 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

* 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Colby cheese

* 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

* 1/2 cup crushed saltines (I left this out*)

* 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, combine the milk, butter, dressing mix and seasonings; heat through. Stir in Monterey Jack and Colby cheeses until melted. Stir in sour cream.

Drain macaroni; stir into cheese sauce with the saltines. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

*We tried breadcrumbs so the mac and cheese would have a browned crust. I mixed crumbs, butter and Parmesan and sprinkled it over the top. I baked it for awhile but it didn't brown. I'm not sure what I did wrong but it still tasted really good.

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