Thursday Thanks Tank #172

Each Thursday I try to make a list of my thankful thoughts. Sometimes I jot it down on paper, sometimes I share that list here, and other times I just highlight one or two things that I am thankful for. This is my Thursday Thanks Tank.

It's been a while since I've posted a Thursday Thanks Tank. The only reason for that is that I haven't slowed down enough to do it during the day and by nighttime my energy (and brainpower) is zapped.

I am thankful for:

1. Basketball: My boys are having fun. They had their first games this week. It was exciting to watch. I love that they are trying something new.

2. Wisdom from a friend: I love when I share my thoughts and feelings with a friend and I get solid advice -wisdom- in response. I especially love it when that friend is my husband.

3. New recipes that delight the family. We tried 3 new recipes last week. My husband and I loved all 3. The kids liked 2 out of the 3. That's a win!

4. Winning: Speaking of winning, I won a $30 Radio Shack gift card from the Frugal Fairy just for commenting on a blog contest. Now, that's fun!

5. Organization in the Kitchen: I'm going on my third week of mega meal planning (I just made up that term) and it feels fantastic. I'm planing, I'm becoming more aware of what I already have, we waste very little food, there is no stress about what we are going to eat, and there are no unplanned trips to the grocery store.

6. Regular Exercise: I've been going to the gym 5 days a week and it feels amazing. As a result, I'm ready for bed (or falling asleep on the couch) about 9:30 or 10, which is a huge switch for me. I think my husband and I are both benefiting from going to bed at an earlier hour.

7. My new gym bag: Don't you love it? It was a gift from my husband. He's not a Bama fan. Oh how I love that man. I love him more than I love Alabama football, which is quite a lot. (Roll Tide to that!)

Well, that's my list for today. Tonight's grocery shopping night and I am trying to finish up my list before the boys get home from school.

Take some time to be thankful today. It will improve your attitude and allow you to appreciate the good in life.

What-in-the-World Wednesday

Yesterday, I decided to dust the table that my son's rock collection was sitting on.

One of these rocks is not like the other.

Yes, that's right- the pink rock is a piece of gum.

Comforting Pasta Fazool

This past weekend we tried a pasta fazool (pasta and bean soup) recipe that turned out quite tasty. It was delightful comfort food. I had gotten the recipe years ago from my good friend Sharon (at least I think that is where I got it) but I had never tried it.

As soon as I gathered the ingredients, I felt certain it'd be tasty- so I took a picture and continued to take pictures while the house filled with the amazing aroma of the soup.

Pasta Fazool

2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/4 pd prosciutoo di Parma, cut into medium dice (double-smoke bacon or italian sausage can be substituted)
1 small carrot, peeled and diced small
1 small spanish onion, peeled diced small
1 stalk celery, diced small
2 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
Coarse salt
freshly ground pepper
1 heaping tablespoon tomato paste
1 quart store bought, reduced-sodium vegetable broth
1 quart water
2 medium baking potatoes, peeled
One 1 pound 13 ouce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup dried ditalini pasta, cooked and drained (I didn't cook and drain it. I just cooked it in the soup.)


1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the prosciutto and cook, stirring, until the prosciutto begins to render it's fat (about 5 minutes).

2. Add the carrot, onion, celery, and garlic. Season with salt and peper and cook, stirring, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the tomato paste, stir to coat the other ingredients, and cook for 2 minutes.

4. Add the broth, water, and potatoes. Raise the heat to high and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the potatoes are very soft (a sharp knife should easily pierce their center, about 20 minutes.

5. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the potatoes to a bowl. Mash the potatoes with a masher or large fork.

6. Return the mashed potatoes to the pot and stir them into the soup. (If making this for another day, let the soup cool, cover and store in the refrigerator or freeze up to one month. Then reheat before continuing with the rest of the recipe.)
7. Add beans and pasta. Cool over medium heat until the beans are warmed through, about five minuets. Stir in the rosemary, crushed red pepper, and cheese.
8. To serve, ladle some soup in bowls. *Top with some more cheese and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. *We forgot to top it with cheese and olive oil and I really don't think it needed it.

My husband and I devoured our bowls of soup. Remarkably, all four of my kids enjoyed the soup, too. I did heat up extra broth, which I added to two of the kids bowls (One doesn't like potatoes and the other is picky about textures.)

Stop by Beauty and Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday to check out more tasty recipes.

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One day she may marry

My mother's wedding dress was beautiful.
As a girl, I admired her wedding pictures. I imagined the day that I would marry. I imagined I would feel like a princess.

When I was ready to marry, I chose to find my own dress.

I love my dress...
and so does my daughter.

This is one of my favorite traditions. (You can click the collage to see it bigger.)

Now, if she get married and wants to pick out her own dress, I have already had the joy of seeing her in my dress.

These are moments I treasure.

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