:homemade tomato soup:

Not everyone can enjoy the awesomeness of a vegetable garden. I am lucky to have the space in my yard to grow pumpkins, strawberries, yellow crookneck squash, three varieties of tomatoes and cantaloupe. I picked this yesterday:



About a week ago, I had a ton of freshly picked tomatoes to use up so I pulled out one of my favorite recipes for tomato soup. It's so easy, and so delicious. Whoever you make it for will say "wowza, that's good", trust me, that's what Daniel said as he was eating it. And that, my friends, means alot when you aren't that great in the kitchen. This works really well with fresh tomatoes as well as canned. The first time I made this recipe I used a bunch of canned diced tomatoes, canned whole and peeled tomatoes, and tomato sauce that had been sitting in my pantry forever. The other night I used fresh and canned, so whatever you got will work. Just make sure all the measurements are right.

4 cups diced canned tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
Season to taste (garlic, basil, salt and pepper)

In a large saucepan, heat tomatoes until boiling. Remove from heat; Pour stewed tomatoes into blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pour back into saucepan and add remaining ingredients. Return to heat and cook on medium until butter is melted and soup is heated through.


Look at the color!

When using fresh tomatoes make sure they are peeled and seeded before they are blended, the texture is much smoother. I usually add whatever spices I like so go crazy. Goes great with grilled cheese, bread bowls with cheese melted on top, a spinach salad, or just plain garlic toast. Let me know if you like it ok?

Patience Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

This post is to all of you who get really annoyed at people who never update their blog, don't worry I am working on it. My life has been craziness this past month and a half, but I promise the posts are coming. In the mean time. . . .check out this picture of my hollyhock:

Westward Ho

Sorry about the absence, I have been preparing for my very LONG, much needed vacation to this place...



My finals went well-I ended up with much higher grades than I was expecting and I think I have finally caught up on my sleep. Thanks everyone for the encouraging words.

Here is a list of things on Dan and I's to do list while in Oregon

Spend a day helping my mother and mother-in-law at girls camp
Go skim boarding at the Oregon coast
Attending a Shakespeare play at the famous Elizabethan theatre
Swimming, swimming, swimming
Restauranting in Ashland
Eating a real home cooked meal
Watching movies on the outdoor projector in Dan's backyard
Helping my Mom and Dad in the garden
And sleeping in to the late hour of 9 o'clock (we are most anxious for this one to start)

Be back soon- I'll try to squeeze a post in here and there.

you know it's finals week. . .

When you start having nightmares about your final projects getting smashed, eaten, torched, trampled, scratched, smeared, dropped, slamed in your car door, or carried up in the 25 mile an hour winds engulfing Rexburg. You name it, I've dreamt it.

When every single room in your house is in shambles- books, papers, binders, markers and everything else schooly is scattered everywhere.

When you fall asleep at 7 pm and stay asleep until 7 am

When you try to go to sleep at 7 pm and you lie awake until 3 am thinking about what you might be forgetting or about that one question that you thought you did well on but now you are having second thoughts. And then you remember the correct answer and stay awake for another hour angry at yourself for not remembering that earlier.

When simple everyday things are forgotten. For instance- the laundry. Isn't it the worst when a load of clothes is left in the washer for like a day and a half and you are wondering what that funny smell is coming from the laundry room. Then it hits you. Drats. Then you start the load again for the third time. Extra soap this time.

When there are three empty pizza boxes stacked by the back door.

When everyday i look like I rolled out of bed 10 minutes ago. However anyone who knows me knows that that is actually what I do everyday regardless if it's finals week or not.

When plans have been made for the "book buy back" money.

When flashcards are strategically placed throughout the house for any extra study time- the kitchen table, the computer desk, my bedside table and the coffee table.

When your car turns into your locker. FYI- Daniel pulled six pairs of my shoes out of the car today. Man, I was wondering where all those went.

Count 'em, three days left until July 18, the last day of school. Wish me luck.

:before and after:

Big changes people- big changes. We stared with a nightmare, and ended up with a dream! The before picture was taken in June of last year. The after picture was taken about three days ago. What do you think? I love my new front yard!

:independence day:

I had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend with the Yates family who came all the way up to Rexburg to visit. Thanks Emily, Tim and Claire for being such wonderful guests, even though there was no air conditioning in our house :) We had the best time laughing and being together, cooking outside, enjoying the outdoors, making treats and playing with Claire. Here are some fun pictures of our weekend.





We hiked to beautiful Mesa Falls in Idaho- Dan and I love going there.



My sister and I at the visitors cabin enjoying a seat on the veranda



Delish- need I say more? I think Emily's eyes say it best.



Claire and her Dad getting settled in her new hiking backpack.



At the Rexburg parade Claire loved to walk/run around the park while we watched the rodeo queens do some fancy tricks on their horses. Whoa- nice baby biceps Claire!



This is Claire eating 2nd or 3rd breakfasts. Hey Mom, what about elevenzies?

We love you guys, come back soon!

:michelle and steve:

This past weekend, my dearest friend got married in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. Everything was wonderful. She looked amazing and I had the best time being with her and her family. I saw old friends and made new friends- it was a perfect day. My awesome husband Daniel was such a good sport throughout the whole thing. He let me spend the night with Michelle the night before the wedding, he drove back and forth between Provo and Salt Lake to make it to all the festivities, and he let me buy a new shirt and shoes for my bridesmaid outfit. Thanks Dan, you are the best.