by Alexis -

Purple cauliflower and root beer floats

This is another very deep post. It’s all about soup. My love for it and passion to try new recipes out. I’m actually thinking about making Saturdays soup nights. 🙂

I have this compulsion to always have soup in my house. Homemade soup. ESPECIALLY in the freezer. I makes me feel reassured that there is always the soup to rely on.  Travis reminds me about it when I’m freaking out about what to make for dinner.

All that to say, I got this magazine from 2010’s Taste of home- and it’s all about soup. Different kinds, cheat tricks, all kinds of meat options, noodles, broths and other exciting options. I’ve already dove tailed many pages with the intent on trying some new recipes out. I’m really interested in trying out cold soups- for the summertime.

(I am partial to cream soups, which just so happen to be the opposite of my lovely meat eating husband. It’s like…cheesy broccoli marries chunky meaty stew)

I may be overly optimistic here, but I found this recipe for creamy cauliflower soup and I’m sure he’ll like it. Ooo, maybe I can find purple cauliflower! How pretty would that be?! …But I’m thinking I’d have to add some form of meat with it for Trav if I’m making him eat purple soup. hehe

I’m going grocery shopping this coming Tuesday and I have a list of items to buy. Excited!

****************************************************

On another subject, yesterday was a root beer float day. Just like today.

None

So I have sad news. Trav will be gone for Valentines day in Chicago. I have a plan though to help me through it. 🙂 Stay tuned for what that looks like.

by Alexis -

Spring and fashion

None

Have I mentioned Spring is here?! I am looking outside through our windows into a blue sky, the sun (that’s a big deal in Portland in February) and it’s warm!

I just love the color version of this.

None

I am so thankful. Thankful for the weather, my family, friends, that I am literate, that we’re able to visit family far away, thankful we can travel and thankful for my fleece purple robe.

There are a lot of things I wish I had, and I could list them. Oh could I list them. But I choose to see the things I actually have in front of my face.

On an oppposite but somehow same thought:

I’m thankful fashion week is this week! 🙂

I don’t know which I like most. The ruffles or the long flowy dress with the cropped jacket. Will do that for sure. Um, now to get a pretty long dress.

If I were a princess, this would be one of my favorites! Heck it’s a favorite now! Could you imagine this in white- for all you engaged ladies.

by Alexis -

Teeder Todder

None

We went to Laurelhurst Park and had a great time. Even though it was chilly, it wasn’t the frigid temps a lot of you are getting. Us here in the Pacific Northwest are spoiled with pretty mild weather. I’m typing this with the window open to get in fresh air even though it’s been sprinkling on and off.

Fresh spring air is special. Although I guess it’s too early for spring- it’s only early February.

None

by Alexis -

Spring+editing pictures=happy Alexis

None

~I’ve not been feeling well and so spent a lot of time today photo editing= fun.

~ I’m in love with how Emma says ‘milk’ in Polish. She calls it ‘melko’. Pretty cute.

~Spring is here. Slowly but surely. Sooo happy when I saw these blossoms.

None

What did you do this weekend? Super Bowl party? Lounging like us?

by Alexis -

Today

Today is just one of those days…

None

~ It’s a  ‘we’re not goinng anywhere day so she might as well wear her princess dress-pj combination day.

~ It a rainy, chilly ,snuggle in the covers and nap while Emma naps day. (also cause I’m not feeling well)

~ it’s a mix coffee with ice cream, drink it WAY TOO FAST and then get a coffee buzz day.

None( one of my favorite mugs. plain. white. classy. simple.)

~ it’s a miss my brother and sister day.

DSC_0405.JPG

~ if anyone else is interested in joining our Jane Austen book club you have probably one week to let me know. I would love to have you join!

~ It would be a massage day if we had tons of money laying around.

~ it’s a laundry day. boo.

~today is a book reading/kindle day.

~it’s a scarf wearing day. (I should do a post on my collection. I have a scarf obsession.) And yes, I meant wearing them inside, not just with a coat.

~today is a make your own banana splits’ after lunch day.

~ it’s another day to learn and teach Emma Polish words.

~it’s a wear a chunky warm sweater day.

~today is a perfect family day…

None

What did you do this Saturday?

by Alexis -

color

I’ve decided I need more color in my life. So…this helps. Thoughts I needed to write down somewhere anyways. Creative random thoughts: if you have nothing else to do continue reading…

Who wants to start a book club with me?! Can you say Jane Austen?

I’ve decided I’m going to rip/tear/cup up one of Emmas shirts to make those rosettes necklaces. Should be easy.

I’ve mastered making lasagna. Travis likes it, Emma likes it and I love it. Booya.

None

Our family has been into watching Star Trek. Emma now knows what a starship is. She likes the different aliens, especially the colorful ones. 🙂

None

Peace out

by Alexis -

Contributing

I had a hard week last week. Nothing happened. No horrible meeting or hurtful conversation. It was more a dialog and feelings inside myself that tarnished the week.

I mentioned in earlier posts that I go to a womens bible study group and really like it. I am really glad I am apart of it and look forward to it every week. Last Thursday was different. I came looking to see the same women I have grown to love, but ended up feeling emotionally disconnected from them. It was odd to me and I decided to clam up and listen. Which is just me pulling away. Very mature huh…I felt more validated because I was more and more annoyed by, what I felt was ‘shallow talk’.

The women weren’t meaning to go in circles and not go very deep, and I really want to show them in a right light. However, in the place I was then, I was just frustrated and felt like I couldn’t relate with any of them.

I ended up not contributing to the dialog in the group. Which I usually have something to say about anything. We all have opinions- I voice mine. Or try to at least.

I came this week trying to come without expectations or hesitations. And for the most part I did well in that. The group went well, I gave some vulnerable thoughts, others opened up, some challenged and contributed too. I left feeling like it was a productive and worth while morning.

The thing is this: God challenged me in my thinking. He asked me, was today a productive/possitive day because you contributed to the discussion? Do you always have to be heard and validated by others to make you feel good? (speaking to my insecurity)

It was a surprise and I thought about it. The truth is, I think, the people who needed to talk, talked last week at womens group. I cannot base the rest of my day on feelings/emotions. Yes they happend and should be talked through with God, but I allowed the awkward group time to alter the rest of my week, making me more shy and pulling the vulnerability back. Which I am so working on.

That’s all I guess. This post is more for me than you. It helps to write out as I process. So, I guess you get another glimps into my mind/emotions/walk with God.

by Alexis -

Chocolate treats

None

(* none of this is homemade but store bought. I just decorated a teeny tiny bit.)

I’m not sure what you’d call these. Maybe ‘super chocolate brownie fudge bites’. It’s my turn to bring the dessert in our small group and I was able to create these. I’m not a chocoholic like most females, but I’m sure they will be eaten.

I sure hope so, I won’t eat them. Is it bad to bring something you would never want to eat? I’m not too bothered by it. (I’ll bring fruit snacks in my purse for my dessert)

I’m really liking the blue platter though. Love wedding presents.

None

Do you like chocolate? What is your favorite combination with chocolate? Mint? Fruit? Nuts?  I, if forced to eat it, prefer it with peanut butter. And after convincing myself that I had to at least try one before allowing other to ingest them, I ate one. With peanut butter.

None

What is the most amazing dessert you have ever had? Big question I know. Go ahead, I’ll wait a few minutes for you to think about it.

(time elapsing with ‘Jeopardy’ soundtrack playing)

Mine is a grasshopper pie I had as a child. ‘Tippins’ was the name of the restaurant in Kansas City. I remember it tasting so amazing. Nothing compared since that. And probably won’t since my memory as a child can be kinda off.

Happy Thursday

DSC_0954.JPG

by Alexis -

Pico Berry

None

A group of friends and me went to try out a new frozen yogurt place in Fairview Village. That’s the east side of Portland. And if you’re in the neighborhood you should go and check it out.

You know those chic places that are very modern…and pretty…this one painted their walls lime green and bright pink…and serve treats? If not they’re all over Europe

. This was a little like that, or at least it reminded me of it a bit. The place was called Pico Berry which means ‘spend all your money here’.

OK, not not really.

It was actually really cheap and had tons of choices. peanut butter, white chocolate, cake batter and other fancier ones I can’t remember. Emma and my yogurt together was $3.50. Awesome. Emma was interested in the pink ice cream (strawberry)…surprise surprise.

None

Mine was the boring one. Cake batter and strawberries. Same thing I get at Cold Stone.

Why no, I’m not unadventurous…um, I’m consistent. Here are our creations:

None

Emma and Rylee decided about 2 bites into it that they would rather have the free tiny lollipop the register person gave them.

None

Which turns your tongue colors. Which they loved.

None

And lastly, the friend who organized it all. She is obsessed with frozen yogurt. Bless her heart. Thanks Amy for organizing this, we’ll all have to make this a summer ‘must’ .

None