Tuscan Turkey Soup

This is a great winter recipe from a local restaurant here in town. Don't let the pumpkin throw you off-- it's delicious! Nice and hearty and easy to make. It's become one of our favorites so I thought I'd share.

Tuscan Turkey Soup
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. chopped celery
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 tbsp. olive oil
2- 14 1/2 oz. cans chicken broth
2 c. cubed cooked turkey (deli sliced about 1/2 inch thick)
1- 15 oz. can solid pack pumpkin
1- 15 oz. can white kidney or cannelloni beans, well rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried basil
Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Heat olive oil in a large soup pot. Saute onion, celery and garlic until tender. Stir in the broth and add turkey cubes, pumpkin, beans and seasonings. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let soup reach temperature of 160-170 degrees for best results. Serve with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan.

The Big 3-0

So I'm 4 days in to my 30th year and I'm still alive and kickin! Whew! (wiping sweat from brow) Since Jan 25th landed on a Sunday this year, I decided to celebrate the day before. My parents arrived Saturday morning and my mom and I indulged ourselves in 1 hour massages at a local day spa. I highly recommend the Hot Stone Massage to anyone! That evening we had a celebratory dinner at a new local restaurant. I had the macadamia nut salmon-- delicious! Grandma and Grandpa took Austin home shortly after dinner and I had a super fun night out on the town with some great friends. Thanks to everyone for making my day (or rather the day before) so special! I really do feel blessed to be where I am today at age 30. Older, wiser, more beautiful ;0)...it isn't so bad!

Here I am with my good friends and hubby at one of my favorite little spots, Vino Rosso. From L to R: Tim, Jona, Carrie, Me, Brett, Saige, Corey

Christmas 2008

Wow, the holidays went by so fast! We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We sure did! Here are a few photos of Christmas in Boise.

Austin and Maverick, his trusty monkey!

Erik and Jakob.

Ava with her new purse.

Austin with Grandma.

Grandpa with the kiddos and their kiddos.

Gingerbread Houses (Minus the Gingerbread)

I can't remember the last time I made a gingerbread house...or if I ever have. So my trusty assistant at work, Joelle, came over and showed me the ropes. She and her husband whipped up their "Noah's Ark" house in no time. My OCD definitely came out and I got so into it that it took me two nights to finish. I can't take all the credit though, Brett was a great helper. We used graham crackers and meringue frosting.

Here's our creation...

Here's Joelle and Nate's Ark...

Merry Yeehaw!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Winter Wonderland

Winter has finally arrived in Idaho Falls and we are covered in a blanket of white! I love the snow this time of year. It just makes is seem so much more like Christmas. Wahoo!

Our house...

My manly-man with the snow blower...

Our street...

Tater Tot

Brett loves to hang out in the basement and watch sports. Usually Austin is right there with him turning his head trying to find the TV. Grandma Nagel came over one day and said to Austin "Well, since your Dad's a couch potato, that must make you a Tater Tot!" It stuck. So, here are a few recent pictures of our Tater Tot!

Lounging around with Dad on Nov 21st in his Vandal gear! Go Vandals! We still have Vandal pride even though they can't win a game to save their lives!

Sitting in Grandma Nagel's highchair on Thanksgiving. He just finished his sweet potatoes. He's eating solids like a champ and loves squash and sweet potatoes.

This is Austin today hanging out in his Bumbo giving one of our tupperware lids a once over. If it's within his reach, he's going for it!

Another picture today. He is so close to sitting on his own without toppling over! Give him another week and he'll be a sitting champ...and maybe a football star! Okay, give him a few more years for the football thing.