Like Old Times

It was sweet to have a day off school yesterday and have both kids home.  They were both really sweet, enjoyed having each other and were excited about the stuff we could do w/o school.  Peter is now a "busy body" (I think the extrovert in him) and wants to go places.  So we went to the library.  We leisurely read and enjoyed ourselves.  Aren't they SO cute?!  Lily's perfectly accessorized outfit (her doing) and Peter just a handsome little man.  

It did us good to step out of the routine for a day.

 They could hardly wait to read their books some more so sat down on this bench to read.

Five Thirty on a Thursday

This isn't typical for us.  Its usually the witching hour, like I think it is for lots of moms.  When Mike gets home from work b/t 6 & 7 and asks how the day was, I usually say "It was good but now its the end of the day and I'm d.o.n.e."  Some switch takes place and I just hit done and have nothing left.  

I think because I had an extra cup of coffee (didn't do my chemo course b/c there were children to attend to and dinner to make) AND because snow was coming down, there was a little more excitement in the air and it made this eve a little sweeter and less grumpy.

Peter found The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe on our bed that he'd been wanting to read.

My little Picasso is at work

 Peter finishes his reading and comes in to make some guys.... 

knights, heroes, and fire fighters.

 Tomato Soup is on the Stove

Favorite Tomato Soup

¼ cup olive oil

1 onion, diced or sliced

baby carrots, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced (or more!) (I use the garlic in a jar.)

¼ cup all-purpose flour

3lb can of diced tomatoes

¼ cup tomato paste

3 cups chicken broth (or something similar)

¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil (or dried, to taste)

1 tsp sugar

1 c milk

salt & ground pepper

cheese or garlic croutons

Grated Parmesan cheese

In a soup pot over medium heat, heat the oil, then add the onion & cook about 3 mins.  Add the carrot & celery & cook until the veggies begin to soften, about 4 mins.  Add the garlic & cook one minute longer.

Sprinkle flour over veggies, reduce heat to low & cook about 1-2 mins longer until flour is incorporated. 

Add the tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, basil, and sugar.  Raise heat to medium, partially cover & cook until veggies are tender & flavors are blended, about 20 mins.

(I don't do this part-->) Transfer the soup to a blender & process to puree, leaving a little texture.  Return to pan over medium heat.  

Add the milk & stir.  Season to taste w/ salt & pepper.   

After serving, garnish with croutons & Parmesan cheese.  

Enjoy!!

the scene on my couch

~ Sweet snuggles ~

~ Laughs at Wacky Wednesday! ~

 Happy to have an extra morning this week that we don't have to rush off to preschool!