Simple and Satisfying...

Sometimes I crave nothing more than homemade soup and a fresh sandwich! Not the most complicated meal but it is one of those yummy comfort foods we all love. I love to make a batch of fresh soup and it is the only way I can get Little David to eat vegetables!




It is simple...
1. Buy a cooked roaster from the food store. Break in a couple pieces and place in a pot of water.

2. Add any veggies you like (whole). I like Zucchini, Onions, Carrots, Celery. Whatever looks fresh at the food store!

3. Add whatever seasoning you like. I like a fresh bay leaf and some Italian seasoning usually.

4. Boil for a while. Presto! Fresh chicken broth! Strain it keeping the liquids (obviously, thats the broth. haha)

5. Then cut up the veggies and chicken and throw back in.

6. I like to add a can of diced tomatoes with mild green chiles, but add fresh or another flavor... I promise you, You CAN NOT screw this up :)

7. Then I season with Salt & Pepper, Toss in some small pasta and stir in chopped fresh spinach. Cook until pasta is done and there you go, Fresh homemade soup, better tasting and better for you than anything you can buy at the store.

**I like to serve it with Veggie Paninis. Crusty Fresh bread, Portabello Mushrooms, Bell Peppers, Zucchini, Cheese (I like Mozzarella or Sharp Cheddar). There are a million different variations**

You can't beat this combo for a satisfying & simple meal.

The 4th in D.C.

Here are some pictures from our 4th of July in D.C.
We saw the parade, grabbed a quick bite at the Old Post Office and wandered around the Natural History Museum. Then hopped on the Metro back home. It was rainy so we skipped fireworks and watched them on TV instead.

LD on the Metro... Watching out the window...


Better view of the parade from Daddy's shoulders...


"The Big King" lol. Trying to stay out of the sun for a bit...


Exploring...


Snacktime.



Yum! Fishies!



David loved watching all the big floats and listening to the music...



















When we stoppped to grab a quick bite in the Old Post Office (lunch was a mix of Indian and Turkish with the exception of a classic hamburger), LD met a little buddy in the arcade and they enjoyed playing race car games.


Wandered around the city just enjoying the architecture and obvious patriotism...








Dave slepted on the Metro the whole ride home... Wish LD would do the same!

busy. busy.busy.

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I have so many things I just haven't had a chance to post yet... 4th of July in D.C., Yummy Gelato in Bethesda... Dave graduated the Police Academy. I got to pin his badge on him yesterday. Today was the big graduation celebration. I've been cooking and baking and cleaning and all that busy work that comes with having lots of company. My company left an hour ago, the baby just went to sleep and I don't even have anything packed for Wildwood and we're supposed to leave tomorrow morning... Anyway, I'll try to get something up here when we get back. For now I will leave you with a clip from Officer Sottile's graduation :)

thats amore...

Last night Dave made me dinner. Pizza! Technically I made the dough and gathered all the toppings... But He did the rest. All the forming, assembling, CLEANING!



Two were margherita pizzas... Fresh mozzarella, Basil, Tomato.


One was SouthWest Chicken with cheddar. Incredible!


The pizzas were awesome. Better than anything you can get around DC/MD. Not quite Taconelli's or Dad's Brick Oven, but it blew away everything else.



Then after the baby went to bed, we rented a movie & made popcorn. This whole weekend has been like that... Perfectly relaxing & low key!

Avid fisherman at age One..

Yes, David comes from a long line of accomplished outdoorsmen. Father, Grandfathers and so forth. True Hearty Mountain Men... And if you don't believe me, Take one look at my dad after a PA excursion: Facial Scruff, Hasn't taken a shower in days, Beaming because he will now be making Deer Chili for months to come. Yep, LD has quite the lineage, but does he have the natural talent you ask? The kid caught 6 fish on his first outing! And even though they were barely bigger than his hand, I think he has raised the bar for the fishermen of our family

















And the he resumed being a toddler and stabbing holes in the bridge with sticks. lol.

tiny dancer

He's got rhythym... & I can proudly say He did not learn these particular dance moves from me :)

cheap fun

LD & I frequented one of our favorite afternoon hot spots "Rio."


Walked out to the pier and saw the brave paddle boaters...



Ignored the signs and fed the ducks...


Played on the playground...




"Rock climbed"...


Played "Mr. I'm great at fixing things that aren't broken"...


Searched for rare bugs...


Collected vast amounts of wood chips :)


Then crashed trains and read books in the kiddie section of Barnes and Noble...
Best yet... we didn't put out a dime for an afternoon's worth of fun...

we all scream for ice cream...

Yes it has been ridiculously hot here! And that leaves no other option than... Vanilla soft serve with rainbow sprinkles!

memorial day memories

I've been so busy lately that I have not been able to post! So here is a stream of memories from our Memorial Day weekend...



David playing outside. Sun in his face. Water on his hands. Dirt on his clothes. Perfect afternoon.






Playing. Running. Smiling. Makeshift drums of sticks and metal.







Quiet walks.


Strawberry Picking. Chicken Feeding.


Flags in flight.






Lots of Laughs.


Relaxing.



Poolside pairs.








Nights with friends. Andrea's band.


hugs goodbye.