Let it snow! Let is snow! Let it snow?

Just today, it started snowing outside, and I thought, "Okay, I think I'm over this."  But in December, I was loving the snow. There's something romantic and whimsical about those big, white flakes at Christmastime.  

Jer and I went out the day after Christmas to grab a few shots at her parents' house.  It was so beautiful. I wanted to get outside and enjoy the day.  

And after that day, I think it might be time to invest in some snow pants. Jer sure looked smart in hers, and I have a feeling Baby Girl will be wanting to enjoy the snow more next year too!

Above: The view of in-law's back yard.

During one of the snows, Hubs and I went outside to take a few pictures and play while Baby Girl was taking a nap.  It can be so much fun to be a big kid!!

When I took these pictures, I remember thinking that if it was going to be cold then we might as well have the beauty of the white snow. But I think I've gotten spoiled with some nicer weather recently, so I'm more than ready for spring now!  

2012 Christmas Decorations

I know it's February, but before I go forward, I want to share a little Christmas JOY! I always enjoy putting out the decorations, and by the time Christmas has come and gone, I'm ready to put them away for the year.  This year, we got a new (to us) camera. So, it was fun trying taking pictures of our house all decorated for the season. 

Above is the view of the tree from Baby Girl's room.  I wondered what she would think of all of the lights and decorations.  She's so darn observant of every sound and person around her.  But, honestly, I don't think she even cared about them.  She would look at the tree if I stopped and looked at it with her. But otherwise, she was too busy to notice.

And we had so much fun buying presents for our little girl, and celebrating her first Christmas with her. But the best was Christmas Day. Hubs was so excited. He got up early so I could sleep in. He fed Baby Girl and made breakfast. So, he was a little disappointed when he realized that Baby Girl wouldn't be up again until noon.  He just wanted to open presents with her and PLAY!! 

 

I couldn't resist getting a new ornament for Baby Girl.  I mean, it is an elephant (my fav) after all.

And I couldn't resist getting a new one for me too!

It seems so long ago now. It's hard to believe this was only a couple of months ago.  Our baby girl has changed a ton too.  Sleeping, eating, crawling, sitting, MORE teeth...how she plays and who she trusts.   I'm so thankful for what God has brought us through and taught us (and continues to teach us!).

Ho! Ho! Ho!

With this Christmas being Baby Girl's first, we have been so excited to share all of the fun of the season with her.  And this included a trip to have her picture taken with Santa.

We were concerned at first with how she would react. Hoping she wouldn't cry the moment that we sat her in his lap, it made me laugh out loud to see her give him "the look."  She pretty much gives everyone this reaction.  So, I shouldn't have been surprised.  But it was still funny to me that even Santa got that face. 

We captured a good pic of them together on our camera too.

This was such a fun day.  Hubs took the day off work, and we had a family day.  Being together as just the three of us, we went to the mall and played around.  Then we spent a fun evening together at home.

I think someone loves his little girl. 

This is a great recipe to add to your collection for winter soups.  I got this recipe from my mom and her friend.  You can find it here at allrecipes too. I've made it a couple of times, and it is delicious.  

My mom's friend makes a couple of suggestions for changes, which I will include at the bottom**.  

I didn't follow all of them.  I added a few more potatoes like she suggested, and I used fresh kale or mustard greens (whichever was available at the store) instead of spinach.  I also used Bob Evans Original Sausage instead of Italian.  The pepper flakes give it a good kick.

Super-Delicious Zuppa Toscana RECIPE

Ingredients

1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage 

1 1/4 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 large onion, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
5 (13.75 ounce) cans chicken broth
6 potato, thinly sliced
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 bunch fresh spinach, tough stems removed  (Use Kale or Mustard Greens instead)

Directions

Cook the Italian sausage and red pepper flakes in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crumbly, browned, and no longer pink, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Cook the bacon in the same Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain, leaving a few tablespoons of drippings with the bacon in the bottom of the Dutch oven. Stir in the onions and garlic; cook until onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Pour the chicken broth into the Dutch oven with the bacon and onion mixture; bring to a boil over high heat. Add the potatoes, and boil until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the heavy cream and the cooked sausage; heat through. Mix the spinach into the soup just before serving.

**Double it. Substitute Kale in place of spinach. Just buy kale in the bag that's already chopped and use about 1/2 to 3/4 of bag. Use 50% more sausage. Buy the "Italian" sausage roll, not HOT and just add more red pepper flakes for more heat.  Put like 2 or 3 more potatoes in than it calls for.

Enjoy!