Thanksgiving: The Wrap Up

Ok, so JStarr & I have been in Jersey for over a week now & we head back to the Atl tomorrow. I have really enjoyed this trip, this has been the longest we've visited since she's been born. We arrived a day before my youngest Sis's Bday( Twink turned 20!), and stayed through Thanksgiving. I must say that traveling to spend Turkey day with family is bittersweet. It's always great to hang with the extended family- but the lack of Turkey day leftovers is a total letdown. Mom,Twink,Duckie, JStarr & I drove to Maryland for Thansgiving dinner with the extended family. It was great spending time with my Nana, Aunts, Uncles, cousins that I haven't seen in a year or two. There was lots of laughs, catching up, pictures being taken and of course there was football on the TV in the background.
The laughs alone were worth the three hour ride each way, the lack of Turkey and the late start of dinner. I really can't complain- I enjoyed my Thanksgiving and I'm reminded that I have ALOT to be Thankful for. I am truly Thankful for my Family and ALL thet bring to the table ;> !

Soup's On!

Ok, so it's Fall and I've been thinking about making all kinds of soup. My first venture was a Chicken, Rice & Vegetable soup. I varied my one pot chicken stew to include more broth & Viola! It's Soup!. I've always wanted to make my Granna's vegetable soup, but my one attempt was a poor, poor excuse for soup of any kind ;> Hopefully during my next trip I can get the REAL full recipe from her. My wish list of soups to make is ever growing, but since I bought two bags of potatoes on special last week I've been fantasizing about making a potato soup. And low & behold I ran across a quick & easy enough recipe over at " $5dollardinnermom.com. The recipe called for miso soup as well, but I made mine with what I had on hand: homemade chicken stock- roughly 2 cups; 4 medium size potatoes, part of an onion, salt, pepper, thyme, a little milk & some water. I peeled & cut the potatoes, then cooked them in the stock along with the onion. When the potatoes were cooked throughly I put it all in the blender along with just a touch of milk for creaminess, seasoned to taste & Viola! It's Soup!
The results are very tasty if I do say so myself :> After a busy rainy day, this soup hit the spot for me.
Next I want to try Carrot, Butternut Squash, and tomato- Oh I am excited to stretch my culinary muscles!