I’m having an obsession with homemade soup. This is the first of three soups that I’ve made. I am a huge fan of The All New Good Housekeeping Cookbook. I have enjoyed everything that I have ever made out of this book. It might have something to do with the fact that it isn’t afraid of good old fashioned fat, but every recipe lists caloric amount, protein, etc. Everything in moderation.

Minestrone with Pesto

Prep: 20 minutes plus soaking beans       Cook: 1 hour

8 ounces dry Great Northern beans (1 1/3 cups), soaked and drained

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

2 stalks celery, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 ounces pancetta or bacon, finely chopped

1 pound all-purpose potatoes (3 medium), peeled and chopped

2 medium zucchini (8 ounces each), each cut lengthwise into quarters, then crosswise into 1/4-inch-slices

1/2 medium head savoy cabbage (1 pound), thinly sliced

1 large garlic clove, crushed with garlic press

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes

2 cans (14.5 ounces each) chicken broth

1 cup water

Pesto (homemade or store-bought)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1. In 4-quart saucepan, combine beans and enough water to cover by 2 inches; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender, 40 minutes to 1 hour. Drain beans.

2. Meanwhile, in nonreactive 5-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots, celery, onion, and pancetta; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions begin to brown, about 10 minutes. Add potatoes, zucchini, cabbage, and garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until cabbage has wilted. Add tomatoes with their juice, broth, and water; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.

3. Meanwhile prepare pesto.

4. In a blender or in food processor with knife blade attached, puree 1/2 cup beans with 1 cup soup mixture until smooth. Stir puree, remaining beans, and salt into soup; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes. Garnish with dollops of pesto.

Makes about 13 cups or 6 main-dish servings.

Each serving with pesto: About 444 calories, 18g protein, 53g carbohydrate, 20g total fat (4g saturated), 9mg cholesterol, 1,204mg sodium.

Vermont’s state horse, the Morgan horse is a beautiful creature. They have a very distinct body shape, with long curving necks, short ears, and a wonderful temperament. No better place to visit them than UVM’s Morgan Horse Farm. Parker is very used to seeing horses among the Colorado landscape, but doesn’t get the chance to get up close and personal too often. Although he has seen the Budweiser Clydesdales, and has been to the Draft Horse Show.

Even though we are beyond Christmas I still wanted to post these. I took Parker to see Santa and his reindeer at Bath Garden Center this past year, and the only thing he wanted to do was chase the little train back and forth. He would have stayed there the entire day if I’d let him.

I’m so happy that we have such a large yard for her to play in.

She is such a silly dog.

Jack Frost came to visit last night.

Parker is certainly enjoying his Christmas gifts, as well as Skylah. More pictures to come, but for right now I’m featuring the alligator oven mitts that I made for Parker. Don’t worry, he won’t be grabbing anything out of the oven for me yet, they are just fun for him to put on when mommy is using the oven.

I think she likes her new toy.

Wishing everyone a happy holiday!

I would like to post at least one photo every week. Here is the first of many, which is part of a Christmas project.

I am also happy to announce that I have finally changed to look of my blog.

Parker and I enjoyed a wonderful trip to Vermont. We did many things while we were there, and one day my mom and I took Parker to the Echo museum in Burlington, Vermont located on beautiful Lake Champlain. They provide a wonderful mixture of aquatic creatures, as well as fun scientific displays with a lot of hands-on activities. There was also a playroom for young children and Parker had a blast on the slide. It was pretty funny to watch him running around from one thing to the next, and then back again, and around again. The only thing he didn’t enjoy was the stamp that was on the top of his hand; it really bothered him that he couldn’t get it off.

Snow makes me feel at peace. We were graced with a healthy blanket of the fluffy stuff and Parker, Skylah and I have really been enjoying it. There’s just something about the way it makes the world feel peaceful and quiet, and it always deserves its own special attention. It’s quite a production to get Parker suited up in a snowsuit, with boots, mittens and a hat. There is usually at least one item he refuses to put on, then when he realizes it would help him to have on every article he really shines. Hopefully I will have some pictures of him in it before all of the snow melts.