Family Update for October

Well, it has been an eventful month. I dropped my phone one to many times and had to get a new one. Jeff naturally had to get one if I was getting one. So we already have our Christmas presents which happen to be shiny iphones, not the 4s but it they are still pretty nice.

I haven't gotten much knitting done since I have been feeling under the weather most of the month but I did finish up a little Christmas present I was making for Jeff's sister. I absolutely love how it turned out and am excited to see how she likes it. I will post pics after Christmas of the things I'm making as gifts for people. I am also making some things as Christmas decorations that I will be posting once I get them finished.

We have some great news on the baby front. As of yesterday we know we are having a boy! So we will be welcoming Elijah Greyson to our family come March. Jeff had a dream a few weeks ago that we had a boy and he told Jeff his name was Greyson. It made me laugh because it reminded me so much of Fiddler on the Roof when the husband convinces his wife to do what he wants because of a dream. So the baby's name is a compromise. I chose the first name and Jeff chose the middle name. I will be calling him Eli, Jeff will be calling him Grey. You can call him either as well. :) Also, Jeff's parents graciously offered to provide our cloth diapers when we visited them this month! That is such a huge blessing for us. It especially makes Jeff happy because it's one less thing I have been stressing about.

I have started to feel little Eli moving around and he feels like all elbows and feet. I don't mind too much. I'm starting to get used to it but it makes working a little difficult at times when he is squirming uncomfortably when I'm trying to get things done. But I will probably be quitting work after Thanksgiving and even sooner if they can find a replacement for me. Cleaning the school and growing a person is very draining on my body. But I know I will be bored out of my mind with nothing to do at home. Maybe at least I might catch up on my knitting.

Jeff has been doing pretty well. He decided to prestige on Call of Duty again (I know that is big news for him). Also, he has picked up his camera a few times this month which makes me happy. He took some shots along the trail we live beside. It has been so nice to get out and enjoy the trail with the leaves turning colors. I also love looking out our front windows at the thicket of trees. They have been so pretty this whole fall and I can't wait to see them covered in snow! The pic at the top of the page is one Jeff took of the pond along the trail, and here is a view we have of the golf course from just off the trail.

Now that the colder weather has come upon us I have been making more soups. This week has been especially full of soup meals. Today I made one of our new favorite soups. The recipe comes from Taste of Home Magazine and I just have to share it with you all because it is so satisfying and yet so easy!

Here is the Recipe if you are interested. And as a side note, the recipe calls for chickpeas which I don't like. So I have used just a handy can of beans.

Sausage and Kale Soup

Ingredients:

• - 3 med. Yukon gold or red potatoes chopped
• - 2 med. onions chopped
• - 1/2 c. Kale or spinach with stems removed chopped
• - 4 garlic cloves minced
• - 1/4 tsp pepper
• - 1/4 tsp salt
• - 2 bay leaves
• - 1 can (14 oz)diced tomatoes undrained
• - 1 can chickpeas or pinto beans rinsed and drained
• - 1 lb smoked kielbasa or polish sausage cut into 1/4 in slices
• - 4 cups chicken broth

Directions:

1. 1. In a dutch oven over medium-low heat cook potatoes and onions in oil for 5 min, stirring occasionally. Add spinach and garlic; cover and cook 2-3 min or until spinach is wilted.
2. 2. Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 9-12 min or until potatoes are tender. Discard bay leaves.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! It is really good with cornbread or just a loaf of French Bread. And it cooks pretty quick and makes 3.5 quarts. 


I think that is about all that is going on with us for now... that I can think of anyway. Until next post I will leave you with a pic we took at work last night. That's right, it was a double rainbow across the sky. What does it mean?!