Zuppa Toscana Soup!

I'm taking advantage of all this rainy weather and continuing on with lots of soups on the menu. Right now my kitchen smells like Zuppa Toscana soup. No I did not order carryout from Olive Garden. My Zuppa puts that to shame. Here's the recipe.

Zuppa Toscana Soup

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp finely chopped garlic
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
One large onion diced
1 lb Italian sausage (I get mine at the Fareway meat department)
2 boxes Vegetable broth (I use Swanson 32oz. 100% Natural no MSG added)
10-15 small red potatoes sliced into rings
12 oz. Heavy cream (I use Picket Fence Creamery)
1 or 2 big bunches of fresh Kale, chopped to bite size
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot cook olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, onion, and sausage, stirring often to ensure even cooking. Add in vegetable stock and sliced potatoes. When potatoes are cooked through add cream. Add chopped Kale right before serving.
I like to pair this with some yummy bread or toasted baguette topped with Parmesan and fresh basil. YUM!

Spring is in the air!

I am SO happy that spring is finally here! I'm not sure how much longer I could be stuck inside with hyper kids and not go insane!
Last week we put up the trampoline and we've had tired kids every night since! Most nights they are out in about five minutes after putting them to bed!
It's been raining this week but we did have one very warm day. Most of the day Monday I was down to one kid! Reagan and I went on a "date" to get flower seeds to plant around the house and I got a few things to finish a spring project I've been wanting to do for a while.

I found this on Pinterest a long time ago and thought it was So adorable.

Here's mine. I found this old umbrella at Goodwill last week and knew right away what I was gonna do with it!

Bare feet and a big stack of seeds! Hope they actually grow!

Spring is making the chickens much happier too! In just one week we went from getting 2 eggs a day, sometimes even none, to 6 eggs as of yesterday! Soon we will be back up to 8 a day! Can't wait to see some of those flowers growing around the coop!

Easter

Here's my Easter brats. The love between these guys was not felt this Easter. It was frustrating for this momma and lots of candy got thrown away because of it.
At least they were dressed cute.

Here a fight begins. Didn't realize I was getting it on camera until much later. A thumb getting bent back in this one.

Notice the fist and the sore tummy. A punch happened a few seconds before this picture was snapped.

The outcome. Stinky looks, tears, and pointing the blame. Wow. The need of a Savior on full display. What a lovely Easter morning.

"You'll never hear my say this again. EVERYONE JUMP ON THE COUCH!" said Mom, giving grace.

My buck tooth Easter bunny.

Adoption update...or lack there of.

Unfortunately I have no update for you as far as when kids are coming home. There is still the investigations to go through which we are still being told they COULD take up to 6 months in the worse case scenario. We are praying it is much sooner, but also know that God's timing is best.

We did find out that our baby girl is now in the same foster home as Mr Easton and that makes us happy.  We are STILL trying to figure out a baby name. I've had a long list and Jason hasn't liked most of them. Punk.

I had fun getting a care package ready for her! Here's what we sent.
Lotion and soap, pacifiers, a puppy (got two, one to keep here in case this one doesn't come home with her), clothes, a blanket that smells like us, a picture album, and a scarf for the foster mom.
It was strange buying baby stuff! I'll have to keep my eye open at garage sales this year since we got rid of our baby things a few years ago!