Ah. Delightful, restful, peaceful Saturday. How I love thee. I can spend the whole day with my “emotion-regulator” –my husband. This is the day of no rules, no where to go, nothing to do except be together.
While the kids rested, I actually watched an entire show in bed with Rich sound asleep next to me, a cat curled up at my feet, a magazine in my lap, and with a bowl of homemade soup to eat! Luxury.
It’s a rainy day. The kind of day meant to do this:
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My 4 year old
David is so sweet. Put him to bed for a nap in an empty bedroom and he cannot sleep. But, put him in the living room on the couch with Mommy and Daddy making soup right next to him in the kitchen and out he goes! Sound asleep, no worries.
(we two)
God bless this house and all that’s in it.
A garden of flowers
some books for the hours
good health
and love, glorious love
what is making your saturday wonderful? tell me.
Good to be Home 
Did I see FACIAL HAIR on Rich? ha ha ha! : P
When is it I will get to taste your wonderful soup, via RECIPE??!! I think it is your evil plan to take it to your grave. : D
We have freezing weather and an ice storm today. I am cracking the whip over the children to keep working on their studies. D came early and is cooking Peruvian for me. I hurt all over now and can barely move. So I am sitting here drooling about your soup and envying my Purple friend!
WHAT KIND OF SOUP???
Oh my goodness. OK—here’s the recipe:
Winter minestrone
2 T. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 oz. thinly sliced pancetta, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound Swiss chard, stems trimmed, leaves coarsely chopped
1 russet potato, peeled and cubed
1 (14.5 oz) can of diced tomatoes in juice
2 fresh rosemary sprigs or 1 t. dried crushed rosemary
1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 (14 oz) cans low-sodium beef broth
1-oz piece of parmesan cheese rind
2 T. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Heat the oil in a large, heavy pot over med. Heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, pancetta, and garlic. Saute until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the Swiss chard and potato; sauté for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes with juice and the rosemary sprigs. Simmer until the chard is wilted and the tomatoes break down, about 10 min.
Meanwhile, in a food processor (OR BLENDER! J), combine ¾ cup of the beans with ¼ cup of the broth, and blend until almost smooth. Add the pureed bean mixture, remaining broth, and Parmesan rind to the vegetable mixture. Simmer until the potato pieces are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Stir in the remaining beans and the parsley. Simmer until the beans are heated through and the soup is thick, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Discard rosemary stems (the needles will have fallen off)
Ladle soup in bowls and serve.
From: Giada’s family Dinners, by Giada de Laurentiis
I LOVE THIS COOKBOOK!! EVERY RECIPE THAT I HAVE TRIED IS SO GOOD
So your a devoted mommy, photographer, poet and cook too Does your husband know how blesed he is!
btw~ your saturday sounds heavenly
What a wonderful sounding day. So peaceful and content. You asked what is making our Saturday wonderful? Well, the thing most full of wonder today is the snow falling outside. It is graceful and beautiful. Other things not so wonderful are the laundry that is overtaking my bed waiting to be put away and my youngest son who is coming down with something. But I am planning homemade bread and yummy meatloaf for dinner tonight. So, that makes it all better! Thanks for asking!
hi there…glad you had a nice relaxing day with your hubby…I know you needed it!
The first half of my Saturday was great! The kids were soooooo good this morning and I had much pleasure laying on the couch and just watching them play together nicely. They read books together and did several things……Jeremy wasn’t home and it was great how they behaved nicely. Abigail was a big help picking up things for me, helping David, and just delightful…..then nap came…..and after nap time…….Yikes, Abigail became fiesty and David was whinny all unitl bed time! We did have a glimmer of time at family devotions which has become my favorite time of the day.
Anyways……well there is my life for you! The baby is dropping and he feels heavy!!! YIKES.
well talk to you later.
B
sounds like a good day!!
What made my day wonderful: waking up next to my husband, rocking my daughter in the rocking chair, a new cookbook to pour over, my daughter’s belly laughs, my son’s open-wide smile, hugs and kisses from my hubby, baking food for my family, watching my baby boy fall asleep… 🙂 RYC: I love cats too, although only have one right now… she is huge, about 14 pounds! I love doing different things with Abby – I love to see her reaction to something new. Love, Heather
I had a good Saturday too! Sorta lazy, managed to do one load of laundry. I love the weekends.
I’m glad you had a good Saturday. Sounds wonderful. Did you happen to get the message I sent you? Just curious. I hope you have a good night.
my saturday was wonderful because I got to spend it with my sisters and almost sister ‘Martha, three other friends and we scrapbooked ALL DAY long!! 🙂 it was sooo nice to be all togehter and talk the hours away while we worked on our albums without the kids and just enjoying the fellowship. 🙂
YOU have a beautiful family! What a wonderful day, may you always be blessed! Thank you for your sweet comments on my blog. : )
I like your post. It made me relaxed. And the cookie recipe from Friday – super super sounding.
Have you ever met a child who didn’t like baking and working in the kitchen with mom? I will be sad when these days end. Great job encouraging the kids to get in the kitchen and work with you.
As for a good Saturday, it would not be rushed. Yesterday was super but my husband was working part of it. The kids and I took it slow – that is my goal in life – slow mornings. 🙂 And then Target – 2 hours in Target can make any woman happy and calm. Popcorn and a coke takes at least an hour with a 2 and 4 year old. The ending to my Saturday was phenomenal – my husband’s work dinner downtown overlooking the river – a meal that seriously could knock your socks off. Peaceful, great food, good table discussions with a couple from Siberia, a man from Jordan, and one from London. And a super sitter with the kids.
Your happiness comes from within and spreads to all with whom you come in contact. What a blessing!
Oh, I am refreshed just reading your post!! I really am. I love a hard working women who takes a restful day and enjoys it instead of feeling guilty or needing to justify all the previous accomplishments rather, just enjoy what God has given you and take a (much needed I am sure) restful, peaceful time. Lovely post!!
(I hope this sounds right when you read it….sometimes things sound different on ‘paper’ than what you are trying to say- what I am trying to say is I am glad you could enjoy some peaceful moments…. :D)
Have said it before, but I’ll say it again. I LOVE your blog!!!!! Are you a scrapbooker, can’t remember.
My Saturday was special….because my husband and I were able to leave our children for the first time without a baby sitter and go out for coffee! Just for an hour, but it was wonderful!
Sounds like you had a great Saturday. Mine was good too!
I love your book recommendations!!!
as always, beautiful pictures.
Your day sounds so wonderful and relaxing. I spent time just staying inside and snuggling up with my family. We had a nice day together. Today, we are playing Monopoly and baking cookies.
Steve making a late breakfast, of eggs and sausage and coffee and toast.
The kids watching cartoons and us leaning on the counters talking before I leave to be with my sisters.
Being with a room full of girls, working on art projects and eating chocolate.
Coming back home to my husband, my best friend.
Washing off the makeup.
The whole family working together to clean everyones bedrooms – without a lot of complaining. The kids with their now clean rooms have places to play away from the living room!
My sister calling to say she wanted to drop by and see dad – and offered to watch the girls while Rog & I went to the store.
Ordering pizza for dinner when we got home – but adding a tossed salad made at home.
Kids playing dress-up and putting on their own made-up plays.
Watching a DVD with my hubby on the couch after the kids were in bed.
This sounds wonderful….*happy sigh*…. I love days like that!
Thanks for posting the soup recipe! I can’t wait to try it! I have an ill friend and she requested Minestrone soup. You would think that me being Italian I would have a good recipe for that! LOL
Last Saturday we were getting my dd21 ready for the Houston Marathon! I felt like I was getting her ready for labor and delivery! Ha ha! That evening she had requested a bland meal with lot’s of carbs. So we had chicken breasts in the crockpot with a light gravy, stuffing, and green peas.
Thank you for that sweet comment…oh…how it did my heart good. Have a blessed day with your sweet family. : )
Thank you for your sincere compliment… I am truly blessed. Your banner picture is absolutely priceless. What amazing gifts our children are! I love your rememberance of that moment with your mom. Enjoy your day! Love, Heather
I LOVE days like this! My kids do the same thing, btw. The couch is always the preferred napping zone around here. Hope the rest of your week is this peaceful.
We had a wonderful Saturday too ~ didn’t get dressed until noon. Supper with friends.
I *love* days like that! How sweet that your son feels so safe and comfortable once he’s in your presence that he can go right to sleep. The picture of you and your husband is so nice. You both look so happy together.