My Second Inclination.

Registration has opened for The Red Barn Outdoor Market. In six days, there have been 27 brand new Vendors who have registered. It's been pretty amazing.

I've always thought to myself that as long as I find the process of planning, preparing for, and executing  this thing enjoyable, and along with my family's desire to support me through it, we'll keep it up. I'm excited to see where it goes and what God does with it.

Because of the blessing of growth, I'm also reaping the other wonderful "blessing" of dealing with numerous citizens of the Public. The Public can be extremely kind and encouraging. The Public can be super helpful in suggesting really great ideas that benefit everyone.

There are some who are citizens of the Public who happen to think the Earth is actually physically revolving around them, meaning that then obviously the Market does as well. And my first inclination is to immediately think of the blog post that I'm going to slander them in.

The enemy and the wickedness that brews in my heart, allow me to create a great story full of wit that will make people literally chuckle out loud (I use chuckle instead of laugh as I don't want to give myself TOO much credit...) but also include how I took the high road in my response to this specific citizen (making people whisper to themselves, "She is so amazing.").

But then all of a sudden I feel something. It's something bigger than my enemy and it covers the pungent stench of my wickedness... even though I don't want it to.

I ignore it and continue on because obviously I was given this opportunity to point out someone else's shortcomings so that others will learn from it.

Ugh... I feel it more. And then somehow the thoughts that I was having about this OTHER person thinking the world revolves around them, suddenly turn on me! Suddenly those chuckles and whispers are completely gone and a strange, very strange feeling creeps in and all of a sudden I think of the nicest, most kind way that I can word something in response to what I would consider an outrage (okay, outrage may be taking it a little far) to make this person feel heard and understood.

Ugh! Bleh! Blaaah! What is going on here?!?!?! This isn't going to make a good blog post AT ALL.

I'm learning that my Trainer loves to create the most intensive and extensive exercises for my being so that one day I reflect Perfection. He gives me hurdles to jump in the form of making time for relationships; He gives me a mind puzzle book to read while simultaneously having me climb steps in the form of this mysterious thing He called marriage; and LOTS and LOTS of the most mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually DRAINING but at the same time insanely AWESOME cardio through three of the most unbelievable creations on this Earth, aka The Littles. So, a little contact with the Public should really be a piece of cake... and I'm not usually one to pass up on cake!

"For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard..." Colossians 1:16, 17, 21-23

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Do some good on this lovely day.

LOVE is: Love Notes

I love getting love notes...

LOVE is: Daisies

Even though I already have fresh flowers in the house right now; even though these will soon die as well (as any logical thinking mind will attest and why would you spend money on something that is just going to die???), my Love brought me Daisies.

LOVE is: Reading

All those dreamy blue eyes...

LOVE is: Holding Hands

The Daily DIY: Mercury Glass

You'll need:

Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint

Vinegar

Any Glass Jar

Music: Generator^First Floor by Freelance Whales

Depending on how thick you spray the paint on and how much vinegar you let sit, will decipher what look you end up with. I like the way this turned out because it looks a bit aged now, but it's subtle.

This is such an easy way to add a little "antique" to your decor even if you don't have the real thing.
Have a lovely day!

I'm ALIVE.

Last Tuesday, I wasn't so sure. I have been SICK. I laid in bed last Tuesday, staring at the ceiling and called a priest to come read me my last rites (I'm not Catholic, just dramatic). It was SO terrible. It was horrid. It was by far, the most horrifying state of sickness my body has ever been through.

It was, however, much needed.

I'm not one that... um, slows down. I get going and going and usually that works for me. Until it just doesn't.

After the Fall Red Barn Outdoor Market, I was still doing pretty well. Okay, laundry would get washed... but never put away. Meals were kind of planned... but not really. To some, this may be your everyday, and that's okay. It's not okay for me. I just don't function well in this environment. I need a routine, I need a schedule.

And my hormones were off... like really off. I just wasn't functioning as my normal self. So, I decided to do a cleanse and see what happened. It worked great, I wrote about it. There was, still is, more than a week could cure though. That's still in the works. However, having my hormones off just did not add to already being out of sync.

Then December came. Birthdays, Christmas, Anniversary, just a lot going on. After our anniversary, I just felt tired. I was looking forward to my birthday, and how I could just spend the day by myself, relaxing, doing whatever I wanted to. One week before my birthday, I started feeling REALLY tired and like I was trying to fight something. The next day, I woke up feeling fine. That evening (New Year's Eve) I laid on the couch wrapped up in a blanket most of the night. Tuesday morning, I could not move. Thankfully, Jacob was still off work and cared for me.

Actually he didn't just care for me. He saved me. He, along with the One who knows my every need even before I do, saved me. I needed to shed that independence of just being able to handle everything. I needed to be completely dependent on him... and knocking me down physically was the only way that was going to happen. I really did just lay in bed staring at the ceiling with tears streaming because I was in so much pain, and so utterly helpless. And my Love loved me. He embodied LOVE in such a way that it just humbled me. He ended up staying home for two extra days that week, as I tried to kick it and as my little ladies began to get it.

The day that he did go back, I asked my Book Club girls to be lifting me up throughout that day as I was still so sick, and was scheduled to take pictures that day. Within minutes of posting that request, one of them was headed to my house with tea, Emergen-C, homemade chicken broth, and other flu fighting sources. This act of love from a friend brought me to my knees. She packed up her three children just to care for me. Who does that? Sure we all throw out there the "If you need anything, just let me know!" phrase, but seriously... I'm not going to just let you know if I need anything. Because I don't want to feel as though I bothered you or inconvenienced you in any way. I don't want to have to place dependence on you. She heard my need and just took care of it. Another friend saw the post and brought us a meal. It was made up of morsels of mercy and grace. And it was kind of hard to swallow.

While my body was physically battling a nasty little virus, my soul was battling... itself. A scary battle to be in. Yet each time I thought I was being knocked down, I was actually being lifted up. Each act of love and grace that was shown to me was used as a band-aid to heal something that I hadn't even known was wounded... because I just kept moving and never took time to feel.

Each night when my husband comes home he makes his way to me (usually in the kitchen where I'm preparing dinner chaotically) and kisses me. I've asked him to not only continue doing this, but also to make me stop what I'm doing and embrace me. Hug out all the independence that was placed on my shoulders throughout the day of running a household and caring for and training the Littles. In this physical act of leaning on him, it triggers something in me to mentally let go and distribute some of the weight of life.

So, when I say "I'm ALIVE.", I feel it. I feel life again. I feel freedom. And I'm excited to see how this freedom will be used.

ONE DECADE

Today, I'm out with my Love celebrating the last decade of our lives.

It's unbelievable to me that we're here. A decade sounds like so long, and yet I feel like it was just last night that I saw him across the room, had my friend casually "run into" him and introduce us, and I was gone. The moment he smiled at me... I was gone. I knew immediately that I would be his wife (it would take him a bit longer to figure that out... but I've figured out that's just his way...), but I had no idea what being a wife, HIS wife, would involve at that moment.

Because when you're young and looking into a pair of dreamy blue eyes, you're blinded... and that's good. If you knew, in that moment, all the ways your heart would be stretched and pulled, and trampled on, and lifted up, and held and hurt... you'd run. And with good reason!

Marriage is good... and hard. There are times when I've thought I was actually going to bust because  I love him so much. There are times when I've felt like I could seriously hurt him. He has made me laugh so hard I couldn't breathe. He's made me cry, too. He's held me; he's walked with me. He's amazing.

He is SO amazing.

He's my anchor. He keeps me from floating and he keeps me from sinking. I'm allowed to dream because he stays grounded.

I love him.

Something Special.

One week ago, we were laughing and eating and carrying on with one another.
Our Thanksgiving meal was over and families began packing up ready to make the trip home. My Thanksgiving has always included a short hour's drive down to Ark City to fellowship and eat with my Grandma's 12 brothers and sisters and their families.

As we leave town, we usually stop at the town's park which includes an old train engine and play around for awhile before we head home. And this year, we did the same.

One of the little ladies and myself had stepped off the engine to play on other parts of the playground, and soon my dad joined. My Love, the eldest little lady, and the little Mister along with my Grandma stayed and played on top of the engine. You can't see from this picture, but just to the right is another part of the engine where you can climb up... high, really high. And they did.

And then I heard my husband yell. And then my dad. And then the entire playground full of people let out the most horrific scream in unison. I turned around... knowing it was one of the kids. My husband was flying off the train and I looked down and saw my baby laying face down in gravel. And then he was in my arms. As I write this, I ache, finally FEELING the miracle that we witnessed that day. 

His mouth was full of blood, which I soon realized was from him biting his tongue. My husband called the police and an ambulance was there immediately. They were concerned, but not really acting TOO concerned. And then one more person asked again, "Where exactly did he fall from?". Jacob showed them; and then they were moving. One Paramedic kept saying that we had in fact witnessed a miracle that day and he just could not believe it.

My little baby was then strapped to a board, holding my hand tightly like a grown person would. I don't know why that struck me the way it did, but it did. He held my hand the entire way to the hospital, as we sang, "This Little Light Of Mine" and I whispered over and over to him how brave he was being. 

My Husband sent the girls home with my dad and Grandma, and then followed us to the hospital. Our oldest daughter was quite concerned with where her little brother was going (I later found out Grandpa consoled her and the sis with some ice cream!). 

The doctor and nurses looked the little guy over and over. A few scratches on his forehead and chin. No bruises; no broken bones; there was nothing visibly wrong. They had him walk by himself and he took a few steps, limping, and then stopped and began to cry. X-rays were taken and showed nothing. He was walking by himself hardly limping at all by the time we left the hospital. The fact that he was alive was amazing to me... but nothing wrong? That's Grace... powerful, wonderful, Grace.

Throughout this week, my Husband has said several times that our little boy is something special. And as parents, I think we all have that thought... but then every so often we get an opportunity to witness just how special they really are and how our Creator and Savior has His Hand cradling even the smallest of souls each and every moment.

And in that we are humbled with thanksgiving.

"I Made That Monday!": A Productive Week

I found myself in project mode last week.

Two pillowcase dresses for two little ladies.

These are not actually pillowcases, but SO simple to create.

I have STACKS of fabric pleading to become

the wears of the tiny fashionistas around here.

I may even get really crazy and make myself one.

A leather flower.

Oooh, this has been a dream in my mind since I began creating these hair pins,

and I have to say that this one is my favorite yet.

That mustard color and those white vintage gems together make me smile...

every time I look at it.

Arm Candy.

I had seen a wrap bracelet in a local shop here and SWOONED over it.

It was so incredibly beautiful.

It was also $40.

I could not spend $40 on a bracelet.

Fortunately, a few weeks later,

some fellow crafters and I worked our magic little fingers to the bone

to create our own.

I BEGAN the bracelet one evening,

worked on it for a good hour and a half to two hours,

and finished it a few days later after spending at least another two hours on it

(Granted, I am a perfectionist.).

That wrap bracelet I saw in the local shop here...

worth every single penny.

Custom Canvas Art.

This is so simple, 

and such an easy way to create words throughout your home.

I had originally seen it done here,

and then began seeing it all over Pinterest.

The original one I saw is actually a Paint-By-Number painting picked up at a thrift shop,

with Vinyl lettering placed together to make the quote and then painted white.

Mine is actually a canvas,

painted with colors that I chose,

Vinyl lettering over that to create the quote

and then spray painted with a glossy white paint.

Let the paint dry for the afternoon, or overnight,

and then peel away the letters.

My Love created a video of our life together put to the music of "Stand By Me";

this will hang in our room.

I may be going overboard with these soon.

Also, plans have begun for the 2012 Fall Red Barn Outdoor Market.

The musicians are lined up;

The food Vendors are tweeking menus;

and the Vendors are registering and preparing.

If you are local, come!

(and even if you're not... ahem... Becky! It's worth a little weekend trip.)

It is magical.

Get creative today!

How We Spent Our Weekend...

Gratitudes: Day 17

Today, I am thankful for dads.

My dad made my childhood magical;

poured wisdom and truth into me as a teenager;

does everything he can to drive me crazy as an adult...

my heart just about busts when I think about how much I love this man.

My father-in-law has the most genuine heart of anyone I've ever known;

his corny jokes crack me up;

my husband is growing up to be A LOT like him...

and I love that.

My step-dad loves my mom in a way that no other does...

and that makes my heart happy on so many levels.

His eagerness to live life with us just makes me smile.

My brothers and my brother-in-law...

my heart skips when I see them with the little loves of their lives.

They're naturals.

And my husband...

the way he tenderly loves our daughters makes me melt;

the connection he has with our baby boy leaves me in awe;

I knew he would be an amazing dad,

but seeing that potential turn to reality is mind-blowing.

He is so incredible and

I'm so thankful to be the one by his side through this season of life.

"I Made That!" Monday: Bead Bunting

Bunting is EVERYWHERE these days...

and I love it!

This bead bunting is a simple way 

to add loveliness anywhere.

You'll need:

Any kind of THIN Twine

Large Beads 

I already had twine, but picked up my beads at 

Hobby Lobby in the Jewelry section

where they just so happened to 

be 50% off that day.

I love it when that happens.

1. Measure out the twine to the length of bunting you want.

(I had ten beads and measured out 15 feet of twine

so I was able to have a bead every foot and twine 

leftover to attach)

2. Find the spot on the twine where the first bead will go and tie a knot.

(I ending up tying two knots as the holes in the beads were a bit larger 

than just one knot)

3. Slip the twine through the bead and then tie another knot to secure.

4. Repeat this with each bead.

See? Simple.

And look how lovely!

And...

This was my Love's dinner last night

after our littles were nestled in bed;

after he constructed a shelf in our kitchen

next to the dishwasher which he installed Saturday;

after he chainsawed through some very thick 

wooden stumps that made their way home with me;

after he then bolted the wooden discs to wooden stakes

(lots of projects going on here, people!);

he's really so good to me.

Nine Years of Lovin'

I saw my Love across a crowded room...

and I knew I was going to marry him.

I had a mutual friend of ours

"run" into him and introduce us.

I was just his friend

for a good 

TWO MONTHS

before he caught on that some girl liked him.

And when he finally did

get up the nerve to make a move...

I laughed at him

and changed the subject.

(hehehe)

That night we made decisions.

We held hands

(Aaagh! And it was glorious!!).

We were in love.

We took a week 

and didn't talk to each other;

we talked to the Writer of our days,

and sought His wisdom and guidance;

then we saw each other again

and we both knew that our short stories alone

 were meant to conjoin and become
one of the greatest tales of love ever told
(okay, maybe it was just ME thinking this...
I'm a bit of a Romantic.)

And then he told me he loved me.

Five months later,

he asked me to marry him;

and I laughed again,

but I didn't change the subject

and obviously,

I eventually got a "YES" out.

Four months later,

we made a covenant

to love one another.

We've loved each other through lost jobs;

through college;

through more lost jobs;

we've loved each other through lives ending;

we've loved each other through lives beginning.
We've loved each other as though there was no one better on earth;

We've loved each other when we've hated each other.

We've loved each other through both physical and mental pain;

we've loved each other when there

wasn't anything else we could do

except just that.

He is my biggest source of laughter;

he is my best friend.

He makes me better.

And I love him.

"What greater thing is there for two human souls
than to feel that they are joined for life-
to strengthen each other in all labor,
to rest on each other in all sorrow,
to minister to each other in all pain,
to be one with each other in silent,
unspeakable memories."
George Eliot

Handmade and a Little Bit of Charm.

Man, December 1st first hit and we were off!

Our month has already been so full of wonderfulness,

and it's only the fifth day!

One of the blog's I follow

decided to host a handmade gift swap this year.

I, of course, was in on this pretty much

as soon as I was finished reading the post.

We were sent an email with five others

names and addresses

from around the US

(and actually I think it may have 

been open internationally if you didn't mind

paying the shipping!)

and instructed that it just had to be handmade.

So... here are some of the gifts I made:

And I've already received two gifts so far

that are awesome!

In fact, one of the crafty ladies has an

awesome site that you should check out:

{mrs-alanas-miscellany.com}

only after you've finished reading what I've written,

of course.

Let's see...

oh, yes, photos.

That last weekend of photo sessions was a

great opportunity for quick thinking and 

using my charm.

Both days were COLD and WINDY.

Great for snuggling up under a cozy blanket

watching movies and drinking hot cocoa...

not ideal for asking people to sit and pose

until I get the best shot.

Thankfully, an eclectic little local shop

and a newly renovated hotel here in town

obliged my requests of them

and allowed us in.

This week brings a birthday for 

the-one-I-love-most-in-the-whole-entire-universe,

my Love, my husband.

Nothing too crazy planned,

just mushy little things letting him know 

how thankful I am

for his life...

which, of course, he'll love.

And next week brings

A WEDDING!!!

Oh... I love weddings.

Enjoy these magical days! 

Give thanks

Sometimes there are moments

when I forget that this is not my home.

And sometimes I forget that

my Maker 

had even THOSE moments written for me...

with purpose.

So, today,

I'm thankful for hope;

for overwhelming joy;

for opportunities to actively exercise 

LOVE;

for undeserved grace;

for humility...

ah, yes, even humility.

I'm thankful for the new little 

purposed life that made her entrance 

into this incredible world

with a full head of jet black

Betty Boop hair;

for brothers who make me laugh;

for sisters who literally stop what 

they are doing and come rescue me;

for parents who taught me how to 

encourage others

by encouraging me...

always;

for getting the opportunity to 

not only know my grandparents,

but to actually live life with them;

for friends to love and be loved by:

and for big blue eyes

that make me melt.

Give thanks, friends.

I've gone MAD!!!

I imagine that in the next few weeks felt flowers and bows 

will not only be adorning our heads around here,

but everything in sight!

I am addicted.

To say I have an addictive personality is an understatement...

 a HUGE understatement.

Thanks to you that have given me your feedback on this little venture.

I really, really do appreciate it.

I told my husband that I was thinking about selling my little lovelies...

actually, let me just recap the conversation for you:

Me: "I think I might start selling these."

My Love: "How are you?"

Me: "What do you mean?"

My Love: "I mean how are you going to sell them?"

Me: "Well, I could probably just sell them on my own, 

and also there are a few boutiques around here that I think would."

My Love: "Would they actually sell them?"

Me: "Oh, yeah.  There are two that I know for sure would."

He then proceeds to pick up some that are laying out in front of him.

Puts two in a pile off to the side and the other four in a different pile.

My Love: Pointing to the pile of four

"I would buy these."

Me: Pointing to the pile of two

"Okay. Why wouldn't you buy these?"

My Love: "I don't know, I just wouldn't."

Me: "Okay, but WHAT about them makes you not want to buy them?"

I can't remember exactly how the rest of the conversation went,

something about them not looking good 

and one had a string hanging off of it (which I was fixing!),

however he did tell me that he has an eye for this kind of thing.

Me: "You have an EYE for girl's hair accessories?"

My Love: "Yeah, things in general."

So, that's what I'm working with over here.

He actually does have a really great eye for things...

I mean, that's pretty obvious from who he married (it was too easy...).

But really he does,

so it's nice to have his gorgeous blue eyes around here.

Here are a few I recently added to our collection:

That little bow is the perfect accent for little ladies getting into mischief... so sweet.

Also, over the weekend I had a fun session with some superheroes.

My cousin and her family were needing some updated pics, so I came to the rescue.

Her sons are around the same age as my girls,

so I had a good idea of what to look forward to.

Pretty much every shot I took eventually ended up in a superhero stance...

which, of course, made me laugh... every time.

Here are my faves:

And because I couldn't get enough...

Oh mercy, those little faces KILL me!

I'm off to the madness!

A lot of this and a lot of that...

Baked... check.

Painted... check.

Ate soup in bread bowls... check.

 Pumpkin Patch... check.

The cool weather made me so giddy this last weekend that I accomplished my entire 

Autumn To-Do List in two days!

Just kidding.

I DID bake and go to the Pumpkin Patch.

The painting and the bread bowl soup were done last week sometime... worth sharing though.

First...the recipes: 

Sweet Potato-Apple Crisp

2 Large Sweet Potatoes

2 Large Apples

Olive Oil

1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon Cloves

Topping:

1/2 Cup of Flour

1/2 Cup of Oats

1/2 Cup of Brown Sugar

1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda

Candied Walnuts*

Preheat oven to 350.

Slice potatoes and apples into small chunks and place in a roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil and add cloves and cinnamon; mix together. Roast until potatoes are soft and the sugars in the apples begin to caramelize, about an hour or so. Prepare topping; mix all ingredients except candied walnuts. Once potatoes and apples are nicely roasted, remove from oven and place into a 9x9 (9x13 would probably work just as well). Pour topping over potatoes and apples. Place dish in oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until topping gets crunchy. Remove from oven and sprinkle candied walnuts over entire dish.

*You can make your own candied walnuts by toasting about a cup and a half of walnuts in the oven (350 degrees) on a baking sheet; while these are toasting, pour 1/2 a cup of sugar in a saucepan and cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar caramelizes and becomes liquid.  Remove toasted walnuts and pour into saucepan; stir to completely coat walnuts. Once coated, place walnuts back on baking sheet to cool. Sprinkle a little coarse salt on them for a nice little surprise when you bite into them.  Or don't.

We ate this as a side dish, but you could eat this as a dessert with a little vanilla ice cream... ooh, yum. Although if you have a sweet tooth, you may want to add a bit more sugar to the recipe as it's not a super sweet dish, as desserts should be.

Loaded Potato Soup

2/3 Cup of Butter

2/3 Cup of Flour

7 Cups of Milk

4 Cups of Potatoes

4 Green Onions

10-12 Strips of Bacon

1 Cup of Sour Cream

Salt and Pepper to taste

Bread Bowls*

Melt butter; stir in flour until smooth.  Gradually stir in milk until it thickened. Add potatoes and green onions. Stir constantly until soup bubbles. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until potatoes are soft. Mix in remaining ingredients and serve in bread bowls.
This recipe will feed 4 to 6 people. Sometimes I half the recipe and sometimes I just freeze the leftovers.

*I used the same dough recipe that I used here but shaped into four large balls instead of rolls. Once baked you just scoop out the middle and pour the soup in.

Second... the painting:

I'm sloooooowly redecorating my room 

(as in I have pieces that I want to put in there all over the floor and dressers, but haven't put them up!)

and wanted a shelf.

So, I made one from some wood 

(from MY stash of wood in the garage, Husband!)

 and some old iron brackets that I've used several different ways throughout the years. 

I am loving that translucent glaze on EVERYTHING, so it received a coat of that, too.

And I love it.

I found that baby cradle at my Dad's house... 

and just took it.

(Other people go to their parent's houses and just take what they want, right? Oh... just us? Hmm...)

It had pink sheep just kind of frolicking around on it... not really my style.

Hey, frolicking sheep are great, if that's your thing... it's just not mine.

So, it received a little TLC, a coat of gray paint, and a little sanding to beat it up a bit because it's going to get beat up anyway... believe me.  

My daughters are kind of baby crazy... they MIGHT get it from me.

We inherited those chairs (plus two more matching ones) from my in-laws when we were first married.  They're stained in a dark wood and, again, just not really my style.

And they needed to match this table:

(more on this to come)

And now they do.

And finally... 

(Yes, this post WILL have to end sometime... just keep telling yourself that!)

The Pumpkin Patch:

Like the Fair, 

I love everything about the Pumpkin Patch.

And we were the very FIRST ones there this year;

which means we did the zip-line first, slid down the slide first, jumped on the bouncing pillow first, ran through the corn maze first, rode the little train first, and had first pick of the crop

(Whoa...please remember I'm a first-born-only-girl-in-my-family brat as you read that last sentence).

It was awesome.

Aaaaaaand... we had lunch at Arby's afterwards 

(that one's for you, Becky!).

Perfection.

The conversation that started it all...

This is part of the actual conversation that took place when an attractive, charming young stallion finally got the guts to make something happen with me.

First, I ignored the comment.

I patiently waited two months for that moment, so I was going to really enjoy it.

Then he said it again.

Then I may have laughed. Who am I kidding? I'm sure I did.

But at some point, I agreed with him.

And love grew.

And life was just better with him around.

And it just keeps getting better.

Whatever your story is, take some time and just remember how it began.

Tomato Soup

When I was dating my husband, I had lunch with his family every Sunday.

(His family included a dad, a mom, and FOUR brothers, yeah that's right, FIVE BOYS total...more on that some other time!)

And one Sunday, his sweet mother made tomato soup.

I had never had tomato soup.

I didn't grow up eating it.

The only soup I remember eating from a can was Campbell's Chicken Noodle, and that's just because that's what you eat when you're sick.

I think maybe one of his brothers had asked me if I liked tomato soup and I answered that I really didn't know because I hadn't ever had it and they were shocked.

And when I took my first bite, all eyes were on me, waiting in anticipation for my reaction.

I gulped it down. I really did not like it.

And when that same charming brother asked me how I liked it, I believe I replied,

"It tastes like tomatoes.".

Fast forward a few years, I'm married and thinking that maybe I would like tomato soup if I made it myself (I'm kind of snobby like that).

And I did.

And I still do.

So, here it is:

Tomato Soup For Snobs:

Three to Four Tomatoes Diced OR Two Cans of Diced Tomatoes

One Medium Clove of Garlic

1 Teaspoon of Basil

1 Cup of Chicken Stock or Broth*

1/2 Cup of Milk or Cream (whatever you have on hand, both are good)

Salt and Pepper to taste

In a pot, combine tomatoes, garlic, basil, and chicken stock; bring to a boil.  Let boil until tomatoes are soft then remove from heat.  Pour mixture into a blender and blend until smooth.  Pour mixture back into pot and add milk.  Let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

Grill yourself a Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

I like to add a little dollop of sour cream and a little more basil on top. It looks pretty, it's delicious, and it makes me feel a little fancy. 

Eat it and raise a fist in honor of tomato soup snobs everywhere.

*Stock is made with bones; Broth is made without bones.  I use both, but I think I may prefer Stock.