Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Sweet Potato

My middle son wanted to make foccacia bread today, and I thought I'd make some soup to go with it for dinner, which works perfectly with the cold and blustery weather we're having.  Three ginormous red peppers in the fridge and a large sweet potato were all I needed to be inspired!  Here's how I made it:

First heat up your broiler.  Halve the peppers, pull out the seeds and pith and place them skin side up on a non-stick or lightly oiled baking tin.  Put them under the broiler for about 15 minutes (check frequently) until the skins are blackened all over.  Take them out and let them cool off until you can handle them without getting your fingers burnt.  Peel the skins off and remove any remaining seeds and stems.

While the peppers are broiling, roughly chop an onion, a celery rib, and three cloves of garlic.  Peel and cube a large sweet potato.  Sautee the onion and celery in about a tablespoon of olive oil in a soup kettle til soft.  Add the garlic and sweet potato, and sautee another minute or so.  Now you can add your roasted and peeled peppers to the pot, along with 5-6 cups of vegetable stock, 2 Bay leaves, a pinch each of dried rosemary, thyme and summer savory, a dash of tumeric and some freshly ground black pepper.  Bring to a boil and then simmer gently until the sweet potato cubes are soft.  Remove the Bay leaves, blend until smooth with an immersion blender and check the seasoning.  Enjoy!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

So glad I didn't see this last summer!

This happened in July 2011 - a year later, we stayed at the same area (Canyon) and hiked there - with bear spray but I was nervous the entire time about running into a bear.



Yellowstone is gorgeous and I am so glad we went there, but it is wild and potentially dangerous.  So tragic for the man who lost his life and for his family.

Friday, January 18, 2013

One more week...

...to seeing Aimee live in Gent. This is one I love:

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!


From our house to yours,
a very merry Christmas
and all the best in 2013!


Friday, December 7, 2012

More Snow!

A big snowstorm was predicted to hit us in the middle of the night.  So the boys and I took our precautions - I made sure the car was filled up and my oldest set his alarm 40 minutes earlier.  But when we looked out the window at 6:15 this morning, there was nothing to be seen.  Slight disappointment but I was mainly relieved, and crawled back into my warm bed.  Fifteen minutes later, however, it started!  Big flakes coming down in a flurry! 

Amazing how efficient we all are in mini crisis mode - we managed to leave the house at 7:15 and the boys were at school well on time.  The traffic coming back wasn't even too terrible, since I was so early.  Phew!  And in the meantime the snow has slowed down quite a bit - I'll be able to get out and shovel my sidewalk, just as soon as I've finished my coffee (priorities, right?)

Monday, December 3, 2012

Snow!

This is what it's doing this morning.  The boys noticed it as they got ready to leave for school.  You tell them to be careful, because the roads will be slippery, and then you hope they make it to school okay as they clatter out of the house.  And then it's so quiet and peaceful as the snow falls down, and you sip your coffee, watching out your back window. 

The first one of the season is always the best.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Nice!

This reminds me of one of my all time favorites, "Where in the World is Matt"...check it out - and take a vacation from your life for just a minute:

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.