In a Few Hours - Another Month Begins

As I look back at this past month - there were times that seemed the worst, but mingled among the worst times were good times too! A short trip to get out of town spending time with my precious sister and niece; lunch with best friends, dinner with special friends that were celebrating both sons landing awesome jobs. Great burgers and homemade ice cream! Only one person would have made it all better - but I am finding out that when the reality of life hits our expectations, we have to look up, and just do the next thing. I had read this recently and then on Wednesday night the Video Series by Jeff Henderson, "Climate Change" this was Jeff's lesson for the night. I am truly trying to do that! Even though being home by 7:30 on Saturday night does not seem like the next best thing. It is lonely and sad! Just coming home to an idle pickup sitting outside and an empty house just breaks my heart over and over again. One of my best friends will have surgery next week and the results just have have to be good! There has been enough bad stuff this year to last a long, long time! Well enough of "poor pitiful me" and about you! Hope you are having a great spring with great vacations in the works! Have you seen Monumental Men yet? IT is a great movie! There are occasionally some great movies that are decent! There is so much good that needs to be done and I hope that each one that reads this blog just looks around with open eyes and sees someone needing help, hurting, or lonely and reaches out to them! Now it is time I share another recipe that seems to be readily accepted! MINESTRONE SOUP (My copy-cat version of Olive Garden's) 3 Tablespoons Olive oil 1 small minced white onion 1/2 cup chopped zucchini 1/2 cup Italian green beans (I just used fresh green beans cut into pieces) 1/2 cup minced celery 4 cloves minced garlic (I pressed mine) 4 Cups vegetable broth (1 - 32 oz. box is perfect( 1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained 2 cans (15 oz.) red kidney beans, drained 2 cans (15 oz.) great northern white beans, drained 1/2 cup shredded carrot 2 tablespoons minced parsley (I used fresh (but dried would work) because I have tons of parsley and nothing to use it in) 2-1/2 Tablespoons dried oregano 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 tsp. dried thyme or any Italian herb mix (Penzey's has a great one) 3 Cups hot water 4 Cups fresh baby spinach 1 Cup mini shell pasta 1 Can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies (Optional - I added this and it gave it just the right taste!) Measure olive oil into a large stock pot and heat on medium. Add the onion, celery, green beans, and zucchini into the pot and saute' for about 5 minutes or until the onions become translucent. Add the vegetable broth, drained tomatoes, beans, carrots, hot water and spices to the pot. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes. Add the spinach leaves and the pasta, and Rotel, and cook an additional 20 minutes. Enjoy!!! Have a blessed evening!