Easy Veggie Soup

So recently I had a run where I didn't have anything for lunch - or I should say anything easy to throw together for lunch.   We have a cafe at work but I either make bad choices (hamburger and fries) or it doesn't settle well in the tummy.   So I decided to make veggie soup.  I know that sounds crazy for summer but lets be honest - its a very cool summer here in Oregon (not that I'm complaining) and where I work its freezing.  I had some homemade chicken stock in the freezer that wasn't getting any younger and a fridge full of celery, carrots, and squash so I was set.  The pictures aren't terribly exciting but I took them so they will be posted - ha!

Carrots, red onion, and celery with a little olive oil

4 cups of homemade chicken stock defrosting in the micro

After the carrot mixture cooks for a while I added the squash

Aftere the veggies cooked for another while I added the broth and the other stuff.  This is where you can get creative and add whatever other spices and herbs and such that you want.   My go to for savory dishes- as you may or noticed - is curry powder.

Recipe:

2 Carrots - rough chop

4 Stalks of celery - rough chop

1 Red onion - rough chop

3 Zucchini - rough chop

4 Cups chicken stock/broth

Seasoning to taste:  I added House Seasoning & Curry Powder

I cook the carrots, celery and onion with a little olive oil to start.  Once they soften a bit I add the zuchinni and cook for a little while longer.  Then I add the chicken broth and let the whole thing simmer away for about 30 minutes or so.  You could add some pasta or rice but I wasn't feeling that this week - and I have a tendancy to add to much and it takes over the soup.  Keep in mind my broth/stock was homemade so it wasn't really strong - just right in my opinion.   If you use store bought you may or may not want to add water as well - totally up to you.

Once completed I put it out in dishes for the week.  As the week came around I could add stuff to the soup.  For instance one day I added some leftover corn and chicken from the night before and another day some left over beans.  So I didn't get bored with it throughout the week.  I'm not going to do this every week but it was nice to have easy lunches for the week that were healthy!

I know this is super easy and almost seems silly to post but everyone needs inspiration and maybe this will inspire you to make some soup for your family or lunch for an upcoming week!

Aloha Friday

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Hello Friday I've been waiting for you all week!   The NFL lockout is over so football sesaon will go on as planned and I'm going to do some canning this weekend.   And for an extra bonus the weather is supposed to be darn near perfect! 

A hui hou kakou malama pono

What I'm Reading

picture via here

So I was tired of reading the 99 cent stuff and although I've read some good books over the last year the last book I read irritated me beyond belief at the end.  So I've decided to read some classics.  I started with The Great Gatsby.....sigh......that didn't go well - although I have not given up its just not a book for right now.   I looked into my classic folder in my kindle and came across Dorian and the rest as they say is history.  I had no idea what the book was about - I do now (thanks Berta) - but I am enjoying it!  

Wednesday Wisdom

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Weekend

This last weekend was a fun one - the sun was finally out and it appears that Summer has arrived.  Although she is a little late I think we can all agree we are glad to see her.

Family Room

The redo continues - although in a completely different direction than was stated here - still love those fabrics but not willing to pay premium prices for them.  So the fabric is on hold - although I'm still looking and I have moved onto the furniture.  Step one - new desk!  

This is the old desk which I have had since BG (before Gerry) and to be honest I've never liked it.

Thank goodness G is handy!   The guy at Cost Plus said this was the hardest one in the store to put together but G but it together in no time ( I helped a little)

And here she is!  Don't worry that chairs not part of the final plan.  Berta assures me she has something I will like that will just need a little TLC.   Will update with more pictures as I accessorize

Painting

Did a little painting this weekend - some which was successful and some well not so much.

The lanai furniture needs a fresh coat of paint.  It's three years old and when we purchased this I knew I would be able to repaint it as need for sprucing up.  I don't think G was convinced but he was golfing and I was left to my own devices.  I just started with a couple of pieces like this coffee table but consider it a success and hope to tackle the other pieces this weekend.



Don't worry this color isn't final.  It's Martha Stewart Sea glass - should be perfect right?  Wrong.   Looks way to ice cream stand, pepto bismal (yes I know that's pink but you know what I mean).   I love this frame but not sure it has a place now.....will have to see how things progress

Friends

Finished off the weekend at our friends the Smiths.  They recently bought a new house and although I had heard grand things I had not been up the hill to see for myself.   Words can't really describe how wonderful this house is.   Let me just give you with a picture of the view from the pool area in the backyard.



The Levy's were there as well and Miss L. loved the pool!   But then what 5 year old (or 4 and 3/4 old) little girl doesn't.  As Sean pointed out - Amy was born to entertain and I must say I agree.   The meal was fabulous!

 

Great dinner!  Pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon and butter with bacon for the roasting corn!



All in all a good weekend!   Looking forward to this weekend as well - its supposed to be nice again!

Aloha Friday

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As normal as this week turned out there were some big bumps in the road along the way this week.   I don't feel the need to go into the details but let me just say this as corny as it sounds:

Appreciate each day, life is a gift.   Tell everyone you love that you love them when you tell them good-bye for you never know what the future holds.  Have compassion for people.  You may not know their struggles but they - just like you - have them every day.  Also, slow down and breathe - big deep belly breathes.   Remember.....we are human beings not human doings.

A hui hou kakou malama pono

Wednesday Wisdom (formally know as Wednesday Quote)

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The Island

Last summer we went to Whidbey Island.  Not sure why but it seemed close enough that you could drive there and I could be by the water and try something new.   We had a wonderful time and have always wanted to go back.....and so we did.  However, this time instead of staying in an Inn we stayed in a little cottage and took the furry one.   Let's just say that we can't wait to go back again next year.   And we hope to go to the same place but stay for a week instead of 3 nights.   I guess that means we had a good time.......

The Cottage........
......was wonderful!

The View
The sunrises were amazing!   And when it was clear you could see all the way across the Saratoga Passage to the Cascades.  

The Food, The Drink, & Langley
We ate at some wonderful places!  
Homemade chicken noodle soup and salad at Pickles and the bread was wonderful as well.  Will be a new go-to on the island for us.

Tasting room in Langley for Ott & Murphy

 

 No vacation is complete without my Skinny Girl

Prima bistro is probably one of my favorite restaurants.   Had some amazing clams and G had the smores dessert which we had last year as well.

  

 This is the wonderful apple sausage corn chowder from The Braeburn in Langley.  I had a caprese sandwich to go with and it was all wonderful.

The Deck......

.....was perfect for reading, relaxing, and playing cards. 

The Beach.....

.....was serene.   I collected some fun rocks and beautiful shells to take back as a little slice of the island.  Also, found a walking stick that I had to take home.   Also accomplished one of my top ten!  I know it says ocean and technically this is the sound but I think it all counts.

The Ferry......

.....is part of the adventure.   Just a quick 20 minute ride across the sound.   It was so windy on the way over you couldn't go outside without your sunglasses getting blown off but on the way back it was more peaceful.

The Golf.....

.....you didn't really think we would go on vacation without some form of golf being mentioned did you?

This is what the refer to as pasture golf.  This place was too funny for words.  We didn't play because the day we drove out there the weather was less than ideal but I think the pictures are worth thousands of words.

Island Greeens

The Wildlife.....

.....drove the furry one insane.   She learned a new word on this trip "bunny".  

And last but not least.....if you are looking for a vacation home word on the streets is this one is going for a good deal.   Was right next door to us so you know it has a great view.  Just needs a little TLC.....