iMagiNe cReAtiVe nAme hERe

::every day in February:: day 3: 'soup...'

I made a new soup recipe yesterday that I found via Pinterest a couple weeks ago. While it went over very well with my family (even the boys!) & will be repeated,  it made a lot (!) so I won't be making it again too soon. Next time I will probably half it or make it when I need to do a meal for someone else too. I added my tweaks below. The instagram photo makes it look more red than it really was. 

 Spinach Tomato Orzo Soup

 Ingredients

 1 large onion, chopped
 2 cloves garlic, chopped (I added an extra one.)
 1 lb spinach, fresh or frozen, defrosted (I used frozen.)
1 – 15 oz can diced Italian tomatoes (with oregano and basil) (I actually tripled the tomatoes & added a tsp or so each of basil and oregano. )
1 lb package orzo pasta (I added all this time but next I might go to half.)
2 quarts chicken or vegetable stock (I used Imagine brand veg stock.)
2 quarts water (I cut back on the water by about 2 cups.)
olive oil
I added many grinds of fresh black pepper & several generous pinches of kosher salt. We also sprinkled parmesan cheese on the top - yum!

Method

1. Preheat a large soup. Drizzle with olive oil. Add onions and saute until tender. Add garlic and saute for 2 – 3 minutes. Add canned tomatoes, spinach, chicken or vegetable stock and water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium.

2. Add orzo cook for 12 – 15 minutes, or until orzo is tender.

You'll want to eat this right away since the orzo will absorb a lot of the liquid as it sits. I was thinking of cutting up some turkey meatballs to mix in with a bowl of soup for lunch today. 

 

::every day in February:: day 2: 'my boys...'

When faced with a glorious afternoon and time to wait for an older sister, the park beckoned...

::every day in February:: day 1: '2012 addition...'

Happy February 1st!!! Yay, I remembered to start "every day"! I just did a quick browse through my previous February postings and saw a lot of ~s~n~o~w~! Since we are currently experiencing a mild winter, I will try not to dwell on the lack of snow or the immense desire of my children  (okay, me too) to have at least one "official-missing-school-because-of-snow" day this year. See, not dwelling at all...

A recent kitchen project I did has really saved my sanity. I give you my new spice drawer! Ta da!

I got the idea recently somewhere out there in the ether and can't put my fingers on where at the moment (of course). I used the smallest canning jars, the labels that come with them, & my trusty sharpy marker. I love being able to put my hands on the spice I need so quickly (this drawer is right by my stove/oven). I still have some spices in their orignal containers if they are sprinkle only or have a grinder on top, but this is the bulk of my cooking spices. My baking spices are a whole 'nother story... ;) 

So, anyone else out there in blogland doing "every day in February?" Let me know in the comments cause I would love to follow along! 

Update: Eureka! I remembered where I got the spicy inspiration: over at 3191 Miles Apart (1-13-12). Thanks Stephanie!

warming up...

Oh man, where did the time go??? I didn't mean to take such a looonnnggg break from blogging (again)...sigh...SO are you ready? It's almost time for Every Day in February again!!! Yes, I know, you doubt I can hack it this year but a girl has to try! I need to dust off my real camera too and take some better photos. I have really gotten into the iphone camera habit and the photos might be fun & timely, but they are not printable most of the time. Like this one of my cutie pie Lukas who was a happy camper to get his new mama-made orange sweater at last! (Ravelry link -yes, it took me a YEAR to knit it...)

Anywho...get ready for some February blog action! Excited?!!!

Happy 2012!

A new year makes me feel reflective and hopeful...a time of renewal. What do I want to change/start/do in 2012? Well, one thing I am doing is challenging myself to read more. I met my 2011 reading goal by reading 63 books (goal was 50) so this year I am challenging myself to go for 75 books. I love using Goodreads! One of the reasons I started blogging was to keep track of the books I was reading each year. If your ever on Goodreads look me up and friend me. 

friday love...

Got the idea for this post from Lisa Leonard-thx Lisa! 

Scenes from this week...

1...Santa Lukas!

2...true adoration!

3...tried a new brew & loved it!

4...Santa Timothy!

5...garter square mitts-love them!

6...spied the cutest baby legwarmers ever!

thinking...

I'm sitting here huddled up with a hot mug of coffee. Just back from waiting for the school bus and then a quick walk around the block with the dog. It is truly feeling like winter now. So cold out there this morning. I need to unearth my gloves and mittens cause these fingerless mitts aren't doing it for me now. Inside, yes, they work great since our heat is set quite low. Enjoying the silence that follows everyone leaving in the morning. Ahh... Thinking about the day before me and the weekend ahead. There will be knitting for certain. A party, a dance (for the middle schooler), time for "elfing" about, and gumbo making...but the silence has me right now...enjoy.

blogiversary month...

I've been blogging here since Nov. 2003!!! Woot! Happy 8th  blogiversary to me! :) To celebrate I will try to come up with 8 *new* things about me (thx, Elle!)...

1. I finally gave up sugar in my coffee this past summer. Go me!
2. I put Frank's hot sauce in my grits.
3. My current favorite beer is a local one: Victory Headwaters!
4. I think the movie Elf is hysterical.
5. This BBC version of Sense & Sensibility is sublime & haunts me (music, scenery...ah).
6. I believe that dust bunnies should roam in peace... (I may have mentioned that one before...)
7. I now have two dishwashers. Their names are Lydia & Frances.
8. I am learning to play the ukulele. Yes, really.
9. BONUS: I like to knit at the roller derby.

family...

How Lukas sees his family...

The real deal taken the Friday after Thanksgiving...

so much better than squid...

I love Great Harvest bread! Right after my husband and I were married we lived a couple blocks from a GH bakery. I have such fond memories of wheeling a baby stroller down there for a free slice and a chat. So happy to find another one not too far from me that just opened this past summer. The best part? It's right next to a wonderful yarn shop!!! It's the little things in life...