Saturday night was the Relief Society broadcast. Somehow someone always says the perfect thing I need to hear......its so nice to have little reminders of the things that are really important.

We had dinner before it started and of course there was so much delicious food and dessert!! We had Broccoli Cheese Soup, Spicy Gumbo, Taco Soup and I brought Tomato Basil and the biggest salad I've ever made! Salad for 40 people?? I didn't even know where to begin, I wanted to make sure we had enough.....and we ended up with a little extra....I've had 5 bowls of salad in the past 2 days, and there is still some in the fridge. 40 people don't eat quite as much salad as you might think?? At least we didn't run out!

Creamy/Chunky Tomato Basil Soup

6 celery ribs, diced
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium sweet red pepper, diced
1/4 C. butter
3 cans(14.5oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 T. tomato paste
3/4 C. fresh basil leaves, chopped
3 t. sugar
2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1 1/2 C. heavy cream
(I use half and half instead, I've made it both ways and they are both just as delicious)

In a large saucepan saute celery, onion, red pepper and butter 8-10 minutes or until tender.

Add tomatoes and tomato paste. Heat through. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 40 minutes.
Remove from heat, and stir in basil, sugar, salt and pepper. Cool slightly.

Transfer 1/2 of soup mixture (or more depending on how chunky or creamy you want it) into blender, gradually add cream or 1/2 and 1/2. Process until pureed.

Return to pan and heat through, do not boil.

(This one is not my picture, I found one online that turned out way prettier and more delicious looking than mine did...still working on the food photography)

Today I got up early and got the husband out the door with a bagel, a sack lunch and a kiss. Tomorrow is already his last day of his first rotation. He has loved it and it went way too fast.
Then I lazed around on the couch for a bit watching a few shows he taped and thought I might like (no fancy DVR here...we're still rockin the VCR) H8R, pretty hilarious, and the new show Ringer, with Sarah Michelle Gellar.....one episode and I'm already hooked. It also made me want to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer, loved that show.
Got trapped on Pinterest for like an hour, maybe more.....
(dang you sister, Candace and Hillary B.)
Finally got my butt up off the couch and went on a walk. It was gorgeous outside. Little specks of red and yellow are popping up everywhere. I LOVE this time of year.
And here I am sitting on the couch once again, this time watching the TV guide channel go round and round....the rest of the day I'll probably sit some more and watch a little Food Network, clean and get dinner going, Basil Coconut Curry over brown rice is on the menu for tonight!

I love Saturdays......
Hillary and I went out for a scrumptious lunch, we were in absolute Sushi heaven.

We tried so hard...but we couldn't even take
one.last.bite.

We also saw The Help. Loved it!!
Good Food. Good Friend. Good Movie. Good laughs. Good Cry. Good Day.

(Time to go do the rest of the things Saturdays are unfortunately also really good for.....cleaning and laundry and dishes and grocery shopping and......blah.blah.blah.)

Louisiana Chicken Pasta
(from Annie's Eats)

(Oops! I forgot to take a picture of mine, so I used hers)

Ingredients:
For the chicken:
1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Salt and pepper
Cajun seasoning

For the pasta:
8 oz. bowtie pasta
Kosher salt

For the sauce:
1 T. butter
1 T. olive oil
1 red bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped(I cut all the peppers smaller than the ones in the picture)
1 green bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
1/2 of a yellow onion, chopped
3/4 t. kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1T. minced garlic
1/2 t. Cajun seasoning
1/4 t. ground cayenne pepper
11/2-2 C. half-and-half (It called for 1 C. Half and Half, 1/2 C. Heavy cream, but I just used Half and Half)

1 t. cornstarch
1 t. water
3 green onions, chopped

Directions:

(next time I make this I will grill the chicken)
To cook the chicken, heat a small amount of butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, and a generous sprinkle of Cajun seasoning. Add to the skillet and cook until lightly browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the cooked pasta and set aside.

Meanwhile, return the skillet to medium heat and heat the butter and olive oil until the butter has melted. Add the bell peppers and onion to the pan. Mix in the salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning, and cayenne pepper. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 6-10 minutes. Add garlic, and cook another minute. Add the half-and-half to the pan and bring to a simmer. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water, and add to the skillet once the cream mixture has started to bubble. Allow to cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.

When the sauce has thickened, add the cooked pasta and chicken pieces to the pan. Stir well to combine and cook at medium-low heat just until the chicken is warmed through. Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning if necessary to suit your tastes. Stir in the scallions. Serve immediately and top with additional Cajun seasoning, if desired.

We loved this......a lot.

Ten years have passed.....

Joel and I went to a gathering at our local fire station to remember all those who lost their lives 10 years ago, all their loved ones whose lives were changed forever and to honor those who fought so hard to save them, and in turn lost many of their own.
We were privileged to hear Greg Manning speak. He was one of the many brave firemen at the twin towers September 11th 2001. He lost many he knew and loved. It was very humbling to listen to the emotion in his voice, and to see it in his eyes, as he told us all he remembers from that tragic day. Right there, in the middle of it all.
Almost everyday this past year I have worked with and gotten to know some really great firemen. They have an incredible love and passion for what they do. They are ready at any moment to drop everything and rush to the aid of anyone. Even risking their own lives to help those they don't know.
To all the brave men and women and to my 3 favorite firemen. Thank you for everything you do!!!