,

Cooking, Shopping, and Hanging Out

Cooking together
Not much is going on here. Lots of cooking, some shopping, and much relaxed hanging out together. What a delight it is for us to be able to be in each other's company again!

On Ahren's first night home, we made clam chowder, which turned out delicious. It does not photograph well, but along with a loaf of crusty bread, it was tummy-warming, tasty, and wonderful. It came from the website "Simply Happy Foodie".

Clam chowder
I get so excited talking and visiting that my photos are garbage. I will try to calm down and hold my hands still and compose my shots better, I promise. 

Chicken tortilla soup veg

We were still on a soup kick so we made chicken tortilla soup the next night. I have to say, it was the best I have ever made. We added a pasilla pepper and half a jalapeno and the flavor was amazing. Here is a link to the recipe we used. There were a lot of other great-sounding soup recipes on this site, so I encourage you to take a look. We even fried corn tortilla strips to use as a garnish, which were sensational. I could have eaten those by the handful. Which I might have done…

Serving of tortilla soup
We have no firm plans for this week. Sara will come to visit, but we are just living in the moment otherwise. Hope you are enjoying this last week before Christmas!

36 responses to “Cooking, Shopping, and Hanging Out”

  1. What a wonderful Christmas your family is having. Having loved ones around is just the best. I read your post from a week ago about your nephew – so glad to hear he is doing well. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

  2. What a wonderful Christmas your family is having. Having loved ones around is just the best. I read your post from a week ago about your nephew – so glad to hear he is doing well. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

  3. What a wonderful Christmas your family is having. Having loved ones around is just the best. I read your post from a week ago about your nephew – so glad to hear he is doing well. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

  4. I’ve been making soup too. So easy to warm up. put sourdough bread with butter with it and it is heaven. glad Ahren made it home safely.

  5. I’ve been making soup too. So easy to warm up. put sourdough bread with butter with it and it is heaven. glad Ahren made it home safely.

  6. I’ve been making soup too. So easy to warm up. put sourdough bread with butter with it and it is heaven. glad Ahren made it home safely.

  7. Living in the moment is the perfect way to spend your time while Ahren is home. Sometimes too much planning spoils the fun of just being together. Cook, bake & enjoy each other’s company!

  8. Living in the moment is the perfect way to spend your time while Ahren is home. Sometimes too much planning spoils the fun of just being together. Cook, bake & enjoy each other’s company!

  9. Living in the moment is the perfect way to spend your time while Ahren is home. Sometimes too much planning spoils the fun of just being together. Cook, bake & enjoy each other’s company!

  10. How did I not comment earlier?? Have a wonderful time with your family, having “the kids home” like Jane R said!
    Your soup recipes look delicious and just right for a cool Christmas season supper.

  11. How did I not comment earlier?? Have a wonderful time with your family, having “the kids home” like Jane R said!
    Your soup recipes look delicious and just right for a cool Christmas season supper.

  12. How did I not comment earlier?? Have a wonderful time with your family, having “the kids home” like Jane R said!
    Your soup recipes look delicious and just right for a cool Christmas season supper.

  13. What a lovely gift to have your kids with you at Christmas!!!
    Have a wonderful and fun holiday with your family (and Archie!🐶)

  14. What a lovely gift to have your kids with you at Christmas!!!
    Have a wonderful and fun holiday with your family (and Archie!🐶)

  15. What a lovely gift to have your kids with you at Christmas!!!
    Have a wonderful and fun holiday with your family (and Archie!🐶)