A mere three years ago, we had a family meeting where we announced we’d be splitting our time between the north and south, actively looking for a place in Arizona to spend winters with our horses. Then, life changed and our family’s needs changed, and it became clear there would be no leaving. Not now, and not ever.
There was a bit of a relief in that because we actually love our home, and we even love it in winter.
And again, there is some relief in it. We can give our uninterrupted focus to the home we so love.
It has also been a mild winter, which has allowed us to hike and explore.
I’m still on that soup kick! Last night I made homemade pasta (egg noodles).
Our grandson helped and we had so much fun together! We turned half the batch of noodles into beef stroganoff soup. Yum. And the other half, cut to fettuccine size, will be for a fresh herb and lemon pasta tonight.
I also tried a new recipe for Hungarian Mushroom Soup this week.
The tradition of cooking with kids is a long one in my family. My mom did it with me, I did it with mine, and now the grandson is at our side chopping and mixing.
When you’re surrounded by people and animals you love, there is, truly, no place like home and everyday is a vacation.
Those soups look yummy! I love beef stroganoff, but haven't had it as a soup. And hey- there is no place like home- no matter the weather!
ReplyDeleteThe great thing about that soup is the noodles soak up the broth and it does become a more traditional stroganoff on the second day.
DeleteI love soups. That looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteThank you. All the soups have been pretty yummy so far.
DeleteWe are more about Staycations, but I have been told traveling gets old. I am glad you are having a mild Winter and able to get out and enjoy your beautiful area. Many of the rest of us are in an extended deep freeze.
ReplyDeleteThe photo of your grandson making pasta is priceless!! Making pasta is one of many things I would like to try in the kitchen. Everything homemade is so much better.
The last soup I tried making for the first time was Winter Vegetable Soup with Split Red Lentils. I loved it, sadly my hubby did not. I enjoyed leftover's and froze single servings. It will be part of my soup rotation regardless. I have a few tweaks in mind that I think may change his mind.
Traveling isn’t easy, especially when you have as many obligations at home as we do. I heard about that freeze. Yikes. Don’t send it our way. Stay safe!
DeleteHomemade pasta is easy, especially with the KitchenAid attachment we have that rolls it out. It melts in your mouth after it’s cooked. Yum.
That soup sounds wonderful!
Good to know about the pasta attachment.
DeleteHere is a link to the soup recipe I used: https://www.abeautifulplate.com/slow-cooker-winter-minestrone-with-split-red-lentils/
Thank you, Aurora. 🙏
DeleteI love where we live, and I've poured my heart and soul into it, but I also love traveling. In fact, Jay and I are headed out to Scotland in April and we're so looking forward to it. Coming home from a trip feels like returning to a sanctuary, and well, like HOME.
ReplyDeleteSoups ... I do love them. There are a couple on this week's menu: chicken gnocchi that Jay is making for dinner tonight, and beef green chile stew on Wednesday. I never liked soup as a child, but I think it's because it was all pretty bland and essentially the same texture. As an adult, I've realized that there are so many different varieties, all with different flavor profiles and textures. I can't get enough of them through the winter.
While cooking together wasn't really a thing in our house growing up, we all learned how, and can cook well, it's not a treasured memory. Learning to cook was, well, a lesson, and not something we did as a family. Baking, however... now that's where our family traditions come from. I can't wait until the gremlin is interested in baking with me. I've tried getting him interested in cooking, too, but he's pretty meh about it.
Cam has his own set of cooking tools, and that seems to inspire him. Although, grandma misplaced them, and he had to use a butter knife to help chop onions last week. He enjoys chopping and throwing things in the pan. He liked the pasta night, too. I’m sure your gremlin will find something fun that he likes to “help” with in time. I’ve seen some of your baking traditions at Christmas and they look fun.
DeleteScotland! Wow!! That is on our bucket list, should we travel again. Life just hasn’t been conducive to it with the help that is needed to raise Cam. That will be a wonderful trip for you guys. There is something very freeing about getting away and leaving your responsibilities behind for a moment.
I never liked soup either. This is the first year I’ve experimented and found all the different varieties. I’m a soup newbie and totally hooked. Both of yours sound delicious!
I also bought the gremlin his own cooking implements. He prefers to stir the soups and plate the food. Actually prepping and cooking the food is a whole different story. lol.
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