Momma' s Lentil Soup

It's getting cold in New England, thus the perfect time to make tonight's dinner.

Momma's Lentil Soup.

If I'm honest my first attempt at this soup, which my Mom makes to perfection, was a huge FAIL. But, in true winner's fashion, I am going to try, try again.

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 celery (I omit these because they sick me out), chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

Salt and Pepper

1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 pound of lentils

11 cups of chicken broth

2/3 cup elbow pasta

1 cup of grated Parmesan

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Add the garlic, salt and pepper and saute until all the vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices. Simmer about 8 minutes. Add the lentils and mix to coat. Add the broth and stir. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer over low heat until the lentils are almost tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in the pasta and simmer for another 8 minutes. Sprinkle with Parm and serve.

I happened to look up Lentil Soup on the Food Network website and except for a sprig of thyme, this is Giada's exact recipe too. Hmmmm......Either Momma is a cooking phenom or she is rather handy with a computer. I will go with the former for Momma's sake.

Birthday Girl

Happy Thanksgiving!

But more importantly,

Happy 1st Birthday Cameron Brooke!

Although I couldn't be there, I made sure to provide the party dress,

and the party hats.

Who says you can't be part of the party if you're not there?

Cameron, Happy Birthday, we love you so much!

Crappy Day?

You're Welcome.

Yes, that's the hubs circa 1990-something.

I'm not sure what's better, the hideous shirt he think is so cool or the fact that he is doing the 'Captain Morgan' pose unknowingly.

This kid is oozing confidence and don't think for a second that it's a coincidence that he is wearing sunglasses inside.

His future is just too bright.

Obsessed

I may be the last person on the planet to have heard of 'Band of Horses'...

But, better that than never. I am officially obsessed.

Wear It Starbucks.

This is a public service announcement from yours truly.

I have officially found the Coffee-mate holiday flavors at my grocery store. Cartwheels ensued and I almost broke out dancing to 'Do You Love Me' when it came on over the load speaker in the store but that's a whole different story. Okay, okay, the cartwheels were in my head but cartwheels were performed okay?

I purchased, 'Pumpkin Spice' and 'Sugar and Spice' (not sure what this tastes like but it had a cookie on the bottle so it promptly ended up in my cart. And apparently I like some spice in my life). You can also find 'Gingerbread Latte', and 'Egg Nog' and 'Peppermint Mocha' (!!!!!!) A little tip for ya, spend the $2.50 on this instead of your Starbucks and you can have approximately 882 more of your favorite holiday coffee drinks.

I'm a Basirico, and if you weren't already aware, bargains make us really happy. I mean really, really happy, to the point where we do cartwheels in our heads.

Insane in the Membrane

I've gone insane and have no brain.

I have decided to do a 30 day Bikram challenge.

Yoga every day for 30 days.....at 6 in the morning.....in 110 degree heat.

If it sounds like I'm complaining, it's because I am.

"Why are you doing it then", you ask? Because I am insane in the membrane. And I like a challenge...even though I hate it when my alarm goes off at 5:25am.

And when I am doing 'awkward pose'.

And standing head to knee pose.

And....standing bow pose.

And when my teacher sounded like the the 'clear eye's' man today...you know the one.

Besides that though, I'm super pumped about it. Only 21 days left. If you don't see anymore blog posts though it's probably because I have melted.

Death by yoga.

Happy 90th Grandpa!!

Today is my Grandpa Sal's 90th Birthday! I wasn't able to make it to his 90th Birthday celebration in Vegas but we made a date that I would be there for his 100th.

I consider my sister, brother, and me the luckiest of the grand kids because we had the privilege of growing up with Grandma Cora and Grandpa Sal living in the same place. These are just a few of the reasons I adore my Grandpa Sal so much.

1. My Grandpa taught us to chant, "Grandpa's great, he let's us each chocolate cake!"... and he would, whatever we wanted, like pudding pops for breakfast.

2. He is the most quick-witted person I know, he always has a one-liner that makes the whole family crack up. Example, when my Grandma Cora used to be talking on the phone for a long time, my Dad would say, "Who is she talking to?" and Grandpa would reply, "Wrong Number."

3. The goodbye hug and handshake in college where he would slip you a rolled up $20 dollar bill.

4. He was always at every one of our events, whether it was a sporting event, play, graduation; he has been there for every. single. thing. That means my Dad's basketball games too, can you imagine? He also never misses a birthday or anniversary.

6. His favorite vacation spot is VEGAS!

7. Whenever my Dad excitedly asks who wants to play Racko after dinner at our house, Grandpa gets up and says, "well that's my cue."

8. You always want to go to Church at the same time as Grandpa because you get to go out to Breakfast with him afterwards.

9. Some of my favorite childhood memories were staying at my grandparents' house in Long Cove. We went to the pool, fished in the pond in the backyard, rented the latest Benji movies and there was always an endless supply of candy orange slices in the pantry and whoppers in the refrigerator.

10. He is a great dresser. Not because he likes to shop but because we are always searching for the perfect gift for Grandpa and when all else fails he gets some new digs.

11. Pretty sure he is the only 90 year old with an IPad. Please refer to number 10, thanks Chris and Judy....Thanks.

12. I've been vying to be his favorite grandchild my whole life, and he tells me I am...until another grandchild walks in the room. He also likes to tease me when I call him and say "It's your favorite grandchild!" to which he replies, "Kristi!"

13. He knows what he likes. If you want to go to dinner here are your choices: Frankie Bones, The Boathouse, Stellini's, or Il Carpaccio.

14. He is the patriarch of our wonderful family and every one of us is madly in love with him. Especially me.

I love you Grandpa! Have the best 90th Birthday ever!