curry soup

It's that time of year again when homemade soup sounds sooo good. I had a sick one home so there was time to make soup. I did cheat a little with the CurrySimple sauce, but oh, this soup was goooood-and SPICY!!! Serves four.

You need:

2 boneless chicken thighs cut into one inch chunks

2 boneless chicken breasts cut into one inch chunks

1 tbsp olive oil

2tsp curry powder

2tsp cardamom

2tsp ground coriander

3 cups chicken broth

carrots cut into 1/4 inch rounds

medium red onion, coarsely chopped

red bell pepper, chopped

pineapple, chopped (optional)

curry simple base (see picture)

cilantro

2 limes

Peel carrots and par boil until firm, but slightly soft. Slice into 1/4 inch rounds set aside. Chop onions and bell pepper coarsely. Set aside. Cut up chicken, and salt and pepper. Heat oil in simmer pan or large pot over medium heat. Add chicken and cook about 5 mins until chicken is brown turning to get all sides. Then add the spices and saute another minute until fragrant. Add chicken broth, carrots, onion, bell pepper, pineapple and the CurrySimple. Simmer about 20 mins. Finish with fresh lime juice and serve with limes and cilantro for garnish. Be careful, it's spic-Y!!!!

cabernet

yes, the cab grapes are FINALLY in!!! We can't wait to get working on our first batch of Napa cabernet. The Chilean cab/syrah/malbec grapes are all aging nicely. This week will be a busy one of fermenting, punching down the grape skins and waiting. Lovely smells will be floating around our house. I can't wait!

what a day

The other day I was out to shoot the "H" kids. Mom went off to do some errands while the kiddos and I had some fun with my camera. Earlier that day I was concerned about the weather-a grey day, but then the sun popped out just in time for a spectacular golden hour.

bee-u-t-ful!

I'm still processing images from snap shot sessions. Loving the fall colors, beatiful "tweens" and the time of year! Cannot believe we are almost to Halloween. Where does the time go? It is exactly why you should document your loved ones!!

beautiful thing

Yesterday I kept noticing a little activity near the window as I was tidying up the house. I glanced quickly several times trying to figure out what the activity might be this time of year. "Must be bumblebees" I thought. Then the activity seemed to intensify and as I looked closer could see hundreds of little "beetles" flying around. I quickly opened my door to investigate. What did I see?? Thousands of beautiful ladybugs flying around landing on our house. It truly was a sight to behold. I guess they are supposed to bring good luck. If so, we will be one lucky family!!!

home remedies

I like simple, functional home remedies. Like putting powdered dishwasher detergent in your dirty pots and skillets to remove stuck on food....and like toothpaste to get rid of a pimple. I used the old toothpaste remedy last night, seeing an opportunity while hubby is traveling to really load up the toothpaste to get rid of a stubborn bump....most likely the result of a chocolate binge I had this weekend. This morning was filled with the usual activities, lunch-making, child -waking and organizing. One of the children missed the bus so I threw on my "gym attire" to take her to school. Rushing through the rest of the morning I quickly gathered up my "to do" list and headed out the door for some much needed groceries. I stopped in at our local Starbucks for a little caffeine lift and the server had a nice smile. He just kept looking at me. "I must have a glow" I thought. So, as I buckled my seat belt in the car, I checked myself out in the rear view mirror-to my horror.......that toothpaste remedy still firmly in place. UGH!!!! And it's only Tuesday. Note to self. DO look in the mirror no matter what before you head out for the day!

we did it!

yep. it took two days and 15 hours, but our team walked over 39miles to help put an end to breast cancer. I have never experienced the kind of overwhelming emotion I felt when I crossed the finish line with our 9-member team. It was simply awesome. Now I am going to rest up a little before he holiday flurry of activity begins. Some new holiday cards in the works. xo

getting ready

for the AVON two day walk! I can't believe it's almost here-and I can't wait. All those hours training and walking.....they will hopefully come to fruition in my ability to finish the 39.3 miles! Thank you to all my friends who have donated to the Avon walk in support of this great effort. Our team has now raised over $30,000! I am so proud of the women in our group, they too have trained and fundraised and together we have helped to fund mamograms for underpriveleged women, raise money for research to help wipe out this terrible disease. HOORAY for Wilton's Save the TaTa's!!!! Go Girls!

can't wake up on a "9"

This morning I did NOT want to get out of my warm, soft, fluffy bed. It was 39* outside for crying out loud! AND I am still suffering from staying up so late at a Yankee game at the new stadium for my son's tenth birthday. That Yankee stadium is AMAZING! Anyway, back to the "9". My husband has been torturing me all week, slamming the lights on full brightness to try and wake me up. Sure, he was helping-but did those lights need to be so BRIGHT????? Anyway, when I looked at the clock, I told him I still had one more minute because I don't like to get up on the "9". He laughed at my logic........but I got one more minute in that warm bed!!