Simple Soup

FROM allrecipes.com

Italian Vegetable Soup with Beans, Spinach & Pesto

By: USA WEEKEND columnist Pam Anderson

"This convenient recipe makes getting two meals on the table a snap."

Rating: Read Reviews (26)

Rate/Review | 1,204 people have saved this

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, cut into small dice
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 3 medium celery stalks, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1 medium bell pepper (red or yellow), stemmed, seeded and cut into medium dice
• 1 pound all-purpose potatoes, unpeeled and cut into medium dice
• 1 (16 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
• 2 (15.5 ounce) cans cannellini or other white beans, undrained
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth in can or carton
• 7 ounces loosely packed baby spinach
• 1 cup frozen green peas
• Salt and ground black pepper
• Prepared pesto (found in grocer's refrigerated section)

Directions

1. Heat oil in a soup kettle over medium-high flame. Add onions, and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add carrots, celery, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, bean and chicken broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until vegetables are just tender, about 15 minutes. Add spinach and peas; continue to simmer until spinach wilts, 3 to 4 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls, adding a spoonful of pesto to each serving of soup.
2. For lunch, pack soup in separate leakproof containers. Warm soup in microwave and top with pesto.

Preparing for Valentines

Mama craft time...

Another baby block in progress

Tate is home sick today. After doing a bit of decorating, we had little heart shaped sandwiches with some soup. I used the Creative Cutters from Pampered Chef. (I use them ALL the time:)

Living Simply

Here in the UK, we do not get the brand new Oprah shows. This episode was on today, inspired by the article "Back to Basics" in her Oprah magazine.

http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Meet-Followers-of-the-Simple-Living-Philosophy/1

It was really good.

In our house, we try a little simply living, combined with my love of (new) fashion and crafting, Paul's love of People and OK magazines, and Tate's love of Mister Maker (a dude on children's TV that makes stuff.) We bake bread and our own pizza dough, love thrifting, limit TV, and try to play outside as much as we can. Everything in moderation, I suppose.

Recipe Day

These were amazing. The recipe can be found on Food Network's website and I highly recommend it. Yes, you have to knead the dough instead of popping open a tube, but it is worth it (and actually relatively easy).

Any ideas for quick dinners this week?

Pink and Gray

Today when I got dressed, it was snowy outside. It is still in the middle of winter here, but I am over the black and brown of pre-New Year. I put on my favorite gray sweater (that I wear entirely too much) and some pretty pink makeup... I love the combo. Just enough Spring to my blend with my Winter.

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And a craft used for a snow day...

Baby Names!

Soooo...I have posted a poll. Feel free to vote, and anonymously weigh in if you would like. I am also open to new names, as I get bored with looking online, and I don't have a baby name book.

I like unique names. I like nature. I like something that kind of jives with Tate. I don't want anything that is crazy crazy like "Blanket" or "Prince Paul". (I do love MJ, but just not the names he picked for his kids...)

(** Since someone asked..Soleil is pronounced "So-lay" and means sunshine.)

UPDATE: I've met a sweet boy named Kai and a newborn named Tabitha this week... A sign, but in which way??

SNOW DAY!

• baby snowmen
• homemade pizza
• room clean up (obviously didn't get to make the bed...)
• child singing musical style about how much he didn't want to move his puppet show

(Any suggestions on the room, photo #3 of room series? It looks a tad cluttered, and needs art work or something...)

One Small Change

Hip Mountain Mama is hosting a campaign, which I think is very cool. Make one small change...well make 4 small changes in your life that are helpful to the planet between now and Earth Day.

She makes it fun, by specifying specific dates to blog about your progress as well as giving you a few ideas....

Here is the link:

Hip Mountain Mama

Mine first one is BRING MY OWN BAGS TO THE GROCERY STORE. (I always forget them...)

Last Day of Winter Break

He did this...While I did this...After being cooped inside for days, we went on a nature walk. Here is Tate's updated nature table:
And back to the ROUTINE. Loving it....

Order, predictability, clean house, nice and boring...

However, I miss my little sidekick, Tate. He was soo excited for school this morning.

Winter 09/10 Inspiration

In the bathroom at "Moon and Sixpence" in Bath.

I want to wear her outfit.
As I eat this... (prosciutto, salami, pastrami, parmesan, tomato)
I found a few cool things in the magazines I read at Jika Jika (our fav cafe in Bath.)

Another outfit I want to wear:
Love the bright colors to left and in background.
Will definitely use this page as some scrapbook inspiration.