Taking a Sunday Drive

There is so much to love about a drive through the country. Where I live in Eau Claire, all you have to do is jump in the car and drive for a few minutes before you hit the country. Fall is also one of the most delightful times. With the array of crimsons, oranges, and yellows there is never enough time it seams to soak it all in. I snapped a few shots while Josh and I took stopped at a place of remembrance from many months ago.

My finds at Pier 1

Pier 1 is fulled to the brim with inspirational ideas and creative new projects. It inspires me to redecorate my room and add a little creativity. I found these candle holders shoved in the back corner of the clearance shelf and I dressed them up with a little silk ribbon and some craft ribbon. With a little care they turned into a matching set!

The First Day of Snow

Yesterday morning Eau Claire awoke with a fresh blanket of snow covering the ground. Throughout the day the weather added to that, making a few inches. Some might call it an annoyance or a pain, but I call it bliss. If anybody is a Gilmore Girls fan, I have a very similar view of snow that Lorelei has, "I was sure some fairy godmother had done it just for me. It was my little present. Flakes, flurries, swirls, crystals, whatever form it comes in. I’ll take it. We go back, snow and me. We have a beautiful history." as she says. With the roofs of our houses covered, it feels as if a blanket of winter has settled in.

Soup Recipe

With a request for the soup, I'll put up the recipe.
Just a little tip: the soup has plenty of natural salt in the chicken and broth, so make sure you taste it before adding any salt


Tortellini Florentine Soup
1 9oz package of refrigerated 3-cheese tortellini
2 14oz cans reduced sodium chicken broth
1 10oz container refrigerated light Alfredo pasta sauce
2 cups pulled roasted chicken
1/2 cup oil-packed dried tomato strips, drained (optional, I didn't include this particular ingredient)
3 cups lightly packed fresh spinach cut in strips
1 1oz shredded Parmesan cheese

>In a large pan combine broth and Alfredo sauce
>Add uncooked tortellini
>Stir in chicken and optional tomato strips
>Heat just to boil and reduce heat
>After tortellini is cooked add spinach and let simmer
>Cook for a few minuted to heat through and wilt spinach
>Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese
>Enjoy on a wintery day
>Makes 6 servings

The perfect day for soup

Ever since our recent dip in temperature it has been feeling more and more like winter. With the cooler days approaching I thought I would get a head start on experimenting to find a new delightful soup recipe. Even though this was my first batch, I can already feel that this soup is a winner. The recipe that I experimented with was Tortellini Florentine Soup. If anybody would like the recipe, just let me know....

Fall is here, with it's changing colors....

This is a time that leaves are falling,
colors are changing,
scarves and mittens are covering our necks and hands,
there is a tangible crisp feeling in the air,
apple cider is filling the air with it's fragrant smell...

Fall is the perfect time to get out and see the wonderful atmosphere that has been created for us!

Sometimes taking the time to listen to the the stream trickle, watch the birds fly over head or squish the sand between your toes is totally worth it every moment....