Olivia's Red Beet-Potato Soup

This is a recipe I actually found while surfing nickjr.com with my son.  He loves the show Olivia and HATES any form of veggie (unless you count pickles).  When I saw this, I was actually looking for a pink/red recipe for Valentines.  I decided it was worth a shot.  Believe it or not, my picky eater LOVES it!  I've made it three different times now and have decided that is is a little bland, so add a few more leeks and a bit of onion powder and it spices it up a bit.  Also, make sure to go sparingly with the sour cream.  It's easy to add too much and deflate the flavor.

Olivia's Red Beet-Potato Soup
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 medium leeks, chopped and rinsed well
4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 box (32 oz.) vegetable broth
1 tsp. fresh thyme OR 1/2 tsp. dry thyme
2 cups water
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 Tbsp. sour cream, for garnish

you'll also need:
a plastic Ziplock bag or an icing bag with a small piping tip

1. heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add the leeks and cook, stirring frequently until softened, about 7 minutes.  Add the potatoes, beets, vegetable broth, thyme, and water.  Bring the mixture to a boil  over high heat.  Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30-45 minutes.

2. drain the vegetables from the broth, keeping the broth in the pot.  Working in batches, puree the vegetables in a food processor or blender, until smooth.  Return to the broth and stir well.  Add the cream and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

3.  return the broth to a simmer and spoon into soup bowls.  Place the sour cream into a ziplock bag. Snip a small corner from the bag and pipe shapes on the top of the soup with sour cream. (I did hearts)

Mandarin Chicken

This is a recipe I found in one of my mom's cookbooks.  It's titled "remedies for the 'I don't cook' Syndrome" This is a favorite with my family.  It's really simple and is great for company.  We just triple the sauce, add more chicken and use a 9 by 13 inch pan.   The only downfall with it at all (and if you actually plan ahead (which I don't) it's not one at all) is the fact that in needs to marinate overnight so it calls for some prep work.  I also love this recipe because it saves on dishes.  I usually just mix the sauce right in the pan then add the chicken and flip it in the morning.

Mandarin Chicken
1/4 cup Soy Sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup catsup
4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2-3 cups cooked rice

In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, and catsup.  Place chicken breasts in 8 inch square glass pan or similar dish.  Pour sauce over chicken breasts.  Cover and marinate 24 hours in fridge.  Bake, in sauce, covered 45 minutes at 350 degrees and an additional 10-15 minutes uncovered.  Serve on rice.

The reason why

As I slowly approach the age of 25 (I still have over a year), I have had one constant thought running through my brain lately.  That is I'm getting so old and haven't done much with my life that I wanted to.  Call it what you want, but Scott has started to call it my "Quarter life crisis."  I'd argue with him on the name, but he is right.  All of this prompted me to write a list of goals I want to accomplish before I actually hit that mile marker.

    My Quarter Life Crisis
1. Be in a 5k
2. Read the Book of Mormon (again)
3. Attend all the LDS temples in Utah
4. Get a facial (just to say I have)
5. Start a blog
6. Have a weekend trip with just Scott and me
7. Start school again

Which brings me to item number five.   That is why I'm doing this.  I have had so many friends with really nice blogs showing how crafty and creative they are so I thought 'why not?'  If it fails,  I'm not really out anything, just some time.
Those that know me know that I have two wonderful little kids (the oldest is under 3).  As much as I love them, they keep me homebound a lot of the time.  Thus, this blog is my way of making new friends, reconnecting with old ones, and if nothing else, feel like I'm not just talking to myself anymore.  Anyway, if you are reading this, thank you for taking your time to do so.  You let me know that there is life out there.