"Danny and Annie" from StoryCorps

I pray I love my husband well. Love isn't always easy...and certainly loving one person for a lifetime is not easy.
I pray I love enduringly, unendingly, simply, profoundly. This is a beautiful, sweet story of love. Simple, enduring love. Love that says, "I have given all of me to all of you."
here is one sweet love story:

spicy zucchini soup.

Got this recipe my sister-in-law Jennie introduced me to. I've yet to try something I don't like from her site,so I highly recommend Simply Recipes. Last night I made spicy zucchini soup and it was YUM.

Spicy Zucchini Soup Recipe

{If you are using extra large zucchini, scoop out and discard the seeds first. And if the skin is thick or tough, peel it and discard the peels.}

Ingredients
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1/2 jalapeno chile (seeds, stems and ribs removed), chopped
3 chopped garlic cloves
2 pounds chopped zucchini (skin on), about 5-6 cups
1 1/2 cups chopped day-old bread
3 cups chicken broth (use vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
1 cup water
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed, chopped
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, loosely packed, chopped (optional)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Salt
Pepper
Method
1 Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and jalapeno chile and sauté for 4-5 minutes until the onions are translucent, but not browned. Add the garlic and zucchini and sauté for another 3-4 minutes, stirring often. Sprinkle with salt.

2 Add the bread, broth, and water, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 20 minutes.

3 Remove from heat. Add the mint and cilantro (if using). Purée in a blender or food processor until smooth, working in batches if necessary. Or use an immersion blender.

4 Return the soup to the pot. Add the lemon juice, and salt, and pepper to taste.

Garnish with lemon wedges and sprigs of mint or cilantro.

Serve hot or chilled. Keeps for a week in the fridge.

soups on.

Last night I attended a techniques class with my friend Allison at our local Williams Sonoma. It was on dairy, and it was GREAT. Pamela, {our teacher} was very knowledgeable and did a wonderful job. We learned how to make our own ricotta, butter, bruchetta, and got to sample a few wonderful items using a lot of Jaime Oliver products. {of which I bought the product above...it is AMAZING}

Allison and I have also taken a class {that we paid for} at a kitchen/bath design firm with a wonderful chef. That class was also beneficial and very hands on which is very enjoyable.

If you enjoy cooking I HIGHLY recommend checking out cooking classes in your area...first off starting off by scoping out your local W.Sonoma for a free class that may interest you.

So, while we are on the subject of cooking... I've deemed it soup week at my casa, with the exception of Wednesday night as we are having dinner with our church body.

Last night was CHILI. I don't know if that technically counts as a soup, but I'm going to go ahead and go with it. Most recipes usually call for more beef but I personally like more beans, but you can certainly add another lb.or two.{plus it may last longer}

Anne's Chili {an adaptation of recipes from my Mother and Mother-in-law}

[ these are the brands I used]

1 lb. grass fed beef {or turkey or buffalo would be great too}
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1 can baked beans {I've added 2 when I want LOTS of beans}
1 can garbanzo beans
1 1/2teas. cumin
1 teas. oregano
1 teas. chili powder
1 teas. chipotle powder
.5 teas. cocoa powder
1/3 teas.sugar

brown beef and onion {drain excess liquid}
pour in all ingredients in pot and mix well. Simmer on low for two hours to make everything tender. Test your chili and add more of whatever you like. All my measurements are rough as I tend to just pour in without measuring and adjust accordingly.


Mix with sour cream if you'd like {that's a biggie in our casa} and top with some fresh grated cheese. We also sometimes like to mix some macaroni pasta in with our chili. YUM.
ENJOY.

On the menu Tonight: Spicy Zucchini Soup

6.

{born 6 years ago, weighing in at a whopping 10lbs.1 oz}


10 months {June 2005}

2 years old {October 2006}


3 years old {September 2007}


4 years old {September 2008}


5 years. {march 2010}

{a GREAT big brother !} June 2010

June 2010

July 2010


August 11, 2010 {you love your baby brother Liam}

Maxwell Jared,

SIX years old and in the first grade?! Can it be?! It's true what they say, time does fly. Six years ago after 38 hours of labor you were born. You were HUGE. I remember when you came someone proclaimed" This kid should be walking!!" You were big,but you were so handsome. So sweet. Your Dad and me didn't know how life changing having a child would be, but we wouldn't trade all the highs and lows for anything. There were a lot of tears shed those first few weeks, we had NO IDEA what we were doing and after the long labor and delivery with NO sleep we were beside ourselves with stress and anxiety. Lucky for us, both of your Grandmother's stepped in and were a tremendous help to your Dad and I those first few weeks of your life.

It's hard to believe that was so long ago, and now, six years later we are living in another state and you have two younger brothers.

Being the oldest you are the leader of the pack of our boys. Evan and Liam look up to you for everything and you are so compassionate to them both. It's sweet to see you care for them, your love for them. You keep the peace and rarely fight with them. You are considerate and caring.

We are so thankful for you, and you have so many in your life who love and care for you deeply, who pray for you as you grow into a young man. We pray that you will have a desire to love, honor and serve the Lord with all your heart.

Happy 6th Birthday Skippper.

xoxo

your Mama

1st day of 1st grade.

4.

today you are 4.
{taken 8.7.2010}

I bought some diet coke in glass bottles to celebrate. You were thriled.

I remember when you were born, all the doctors and nurses proclaimed how big you were. You are still the smallest babe I've had,weighing at 8lb. 8oz at birth. Your Daddy and I laiughed because you were so small to us, compared to Maxwell.

We moved to Kentucky when you were just four months. It seems the crazy move we made from moving rubbed off on you as you are a very adventurous child.

{Your first Birthday} You have a tender side, you like to snuggle with either Dad or I when you are worn. You have an award winning smile and big brown eyes to melt anyones heart. You can be such a handful at times but I wouldn't trade all the hard times with you for anything.

{July 2010} You are a sweet boy, and today you are four years old. We cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for you as you grow and our prayer is that your heart desires and longs for our Savior.

We love you Evan John.

xoxo

Mommy

July 2010.

1980....30 years later.

the cake. Totally rad right? My friend Gina did it. She is like totally awesome.


some rockin' chicks. Gina, Allison, Me, Carrie, Lindsey, Beth.


like totally hot guys. {Kieth, Kevin...OH MY WORD he is ridiculous with that pose}, Anthony, Justin, Paul and Ryan}


Just & I.


the radical kiddos. {Silas, Ruthie, Caleb, Max, Clay, Evan, Aubrey, & Faith}


the totally awesome dudes again.


the radical chicks again.


group photo op.

Like TOTALLY!