Thought I'd share a few things.

The best recipe for Minestrone Soup. My kids love this soup, and it's very filling.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 5 carrots, sliced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 4 cups tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 cup canned kidney beans, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can green beans
• 2 cups baby spinach, rinsed
• 3 zucchinis, quartered and sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup seashell pasta
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese for topping
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large stock pot, over medium-low heat, heat olive oil and saute garlic for 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion and saute for 4 to 5 minutes. Add celery and carrots, saute for 1 to 2 minutes.
2. Add chicken broth, water and tomato sauce, bring to boil, stirring frequently. If desired add red wine at this point. Reduce heat to low and add kidney beans, green beans, spinach leaves, zucchini, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, the longer the better.
3. Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until tender. Drain water and set aside.
4. Once pasta is cooked and soup is heated through place 2 tablespoons cooked pasta into individual serving bowls. Ladle soup on top of pasta and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Spray with olive oil and serve.

I also added some diced potatoes. It made a really good meal. And the kids asked for it for their lunch the next day. I'd say it's a winner!


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Making a dolls head out of clay...

A very odd process. But it was strangely satisfying. I have not perfected the technique, but it made for an interesting hour or two. You can find instructions here about how to do it. Obviously I didn't have glass eyes...so I stuck with uh...well...trying to accomplish something that didn't work out so well. But hey! I learned something new! That's always good:)


~~~Just a short note....I copied and pasted the recipe in from another place....some weird things are showing up when I publish my post, that are not there when I am in edit mode. Sorry if there are things on here that don't make sense. I'm still trying to figure it out!