Happy New Year

New Year's Eve is not one of my favorite holidays. Like the 4th of July (not a fan of that one either), I don't find the potential for disaster worth the possibility of a good time.  Combining fireworks with alcohol is never a good idea, adding the heightened emotions frequently found on such milestone events only escalates the situation and allows for a helluva lot of drama.  For years I sat at home on the last night of the year, sometimes only with a significant other, others with family & close friends.  Either way, I stayed off the road and away from danger.  This year, Beren and I decided to venture out just a bit.  Around 10 pm we headed toward our favorite beach bar, but not before I programmed AAA's Tow-to-Go Program's number as well as our local cab service into my phone, just in case. We were prepared to ring in the new year safely, responsibly, and joyously. And that's just what we did!

As soon as the clock struck midnight, I kissed my sweetie, sipped my champagne and then made my way onto the beach where I stood barefoot in the sand and watched fireworks bursting over the ocean.  After the grand finale, we went home, had one more class of bubbly on our back patio and headed off to bed. A fitting ending to a tumultuous year, perfect beginning to the fresh, new one.


Happy New Year, dear friends.  Here's hoping that 2012 brings us more peace, joy & love than we could ever imagine.

Rapunzel~

Happy Birthday, Kali!

 Wishing my beautiful, amazing daughter a very happy 27th birthday!!

I love you, sweetie!

xoxoxo

Mom

The Great Pantry Challenge: Day Three

Tuesday is Pizza Night here at the Castle, so no cooking for me that night.  Last night I dug around in the freezer, came up with a bag of tortellini and a package of spinach, knew I had to make an old favorite: Tortellini Soup. I used diced tomatoes because that's what I had on hand, and served homemade meatballs & garlic bread on the side.  I doubled the recipe, making a really big pot of soup, thought I'd freeze some for later, but just in the nick of time Kali and a few (hungry) friends showed up to help me out with that! Wish I'd taken a picture of this group, sitting on my patio sipping red wine and gobbling up their dinners.  They were so appreciative, and enjoyed this simple meal so much, it warmed my heart!    

Photo courtesy of Hackroym

                
                      Tortellini Tomato Spinach Soup

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  1         tablespoon  olive oil
     1/2           cup  minced onion (about 1/2 small onion)
  1              clove  garlic -- minced
  4               cups  broth -- chicken or vegetable (4 to 6)
  1                can  whole tomatoes -- (14-ounce) crushed through your fingers or coarsely chopped
  1            package  fresh tortellini or 4 servings dried tortellini -- (9-ounce)
                        Coarse grained salt and cracked black pepper
  10            ounces  fresh or frozen spinach -- defrosted and chopped
     1/4           cup  freshly grated Parmesan -- very loosely packed

In a 3-quart soup pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Saute the onion and garlic, stirring often until onions are translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Add broth and tomatoes, turn heat up to high, and bring to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook according to package instructions. When tortellini is almost done, add spinach and taste, adjusting seasonings with salt and pepper.

Serve immediately. Garnish each serving with a sprinkling of Parmesan.

Makes 4 Servings




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 Enjoy!

Rapunzel~