I made this delicious soup tonight. I don't like tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce or tomato soup, but I really liked this. Robert was not too excited it, managing to put it off a couple of times when I'd planned it over the past week. But he liked it too and had two or three bowls. The cheese changed the texture; I don't know that I'd add it next time, unless someone else wanted it in there.
Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup
2 (14 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with the juice
1 c. finely chopped carrot
1 c. finely chopped onion
1 c. finely chopped celery
salt and pepper to taste
1 t. dried oregano
1 T. dry basil (I used three frozen basil cubes)
4 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. flour (I used brown rice flour for GF)
1 c. parmesan cheese
1-1/2 c. half and half (I subbed 12 oz. can of evap. skim milk)
The original directions were for the crockpot. I didn't have time for that tonight.
Stovetop:
Heat 1 T. oil in a large pot. Add carrots, celery, onion, and saute until soft but not browned, 10 mins. Add salt and pepper to taste, tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, and basil; bring to a boil, and then turn down and simmer for an hour, covered.
Prepare roux. Melt butter on stove, whisk in flour, and cook, stirring, over medium heat. While making roux, smooth soup out by using a blender or food processor. This isn't a perfect science; I used a metal measuring cup, filled it, tilted it, and let the liquid run out before dumping it in the blender. It took me three or four batches to blend all of the soup.
When thickened and light brown, whisk into soup. Stir in parmesan cheese and evaporated milk. Heat gently; serve.
Crockpot:
Add carrots, celery, onion, salt, pepper, tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, and basil to crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours until flavors blend and vegetables soften. Process broth in blender to smooth. Prepare roux and add as directed above. Stir in cheese and milk; cover and continue to cook on low for 30 more mins.
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I made Trevor a rustic grilled cheese sandwich to go along with the soup: Country bread with slices of cheddar in between. I was worried it'd be boring, but he thought it was great!
Friday, February 28, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Tuesday
Yesterday morning in Fairfax.
What I really wondered, was where were all the students? It was 11 o'clock in the morning, and school wasn't closed.
Yesterday morning in Daleville.
I prefer my weather, but I think Holly preferred hers.
What I really wondered, was where were all the students? It was 11 o'clock in the morning, and school wasn't closed.
Yesterday morning in Daleville.
I prefer my weather, but I think Holly preferred hers.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
A different kind of soccer post
Trevor earned his Referee certification today through the U.S. Soccer Federation (the official governing body of U.S. soccer). It was a pretty big deal.
He had studying to do ahead of time and attended a one day course today. With my crazy work week, it wasn't until last night that I remembered the class was today.
The class was at Roanoke College, a block from my office (where I no longer have an office). At lunch time, I brought him a burger and fries from a restaurant we frequent during the week. Robert and I did some shopping in the afternoon and picked Trevor up at the end of class.
As a certified referee, he qualifies to officiate for youth and adult teams affiliated with USSF. He'll begin as a line judge, and he'll get paid big bucks even at that level. This is an opportunity God put before him quite a while ago (he's been paid as a line judge for our hs rec league for four seasons already). Great job, kid!!
(Yes, pun intended.)
He had studying to do ahead of time and attended a one day course today. With my crazy work week, it wasn't until last night that I remembered the class was today.
The class was at Roanoke College, a block from my office (where I no longer have an office). At lunch time, I brought him a burger and fries from a restaurant we frequent during the week. Robert and I did some shopping in the afternoon and picked Trevor up at the end of class.
As a certified referee, he qualifies to officiate for youth and adult teams affiliated with USSF. He'll begin as a line judge, and he'll get paid big bucks even at that level. This is an opportunity God put before him quite a while ago (he's been paid as a line judge for our hs rec league for four seasons already). Great job, kid!!
(Yes, pun intended.)
Boat Show!
Memories of childhood:
Mom says, "We're going to do something FUN!! It will be a nice family time together!!
No one really gets excited any more (they haven't in six years), but I don't give up. We went to the Boat Show yesterday. It was close, small, and cheap (free). And it was something different.
Several boat dealers from Smith Mountain Lake were there with ski boats and pontoon boats.
Robert and I tried out a few. :)
I reminded Trevor that Lori and I had spent a lot of time on boats and done a lot of waterskiing as kids. He turned to me, incredulous: "Don't you need balance for that?"
Whatever, kid.
It was an easy and fun thing to do on Friday afternoon.
Kota was so glad to have us back home that she actually sat in Trevor's lap.
Mom says, "We're going to do something FUN!! It will be a nice family time together!!
No one really gets excited any more (they haven't in six years), but I don't give up. We went to the Boat Show yesterday. It was close, small, and cheap (free). And it was something different.
Several boat dealers from Smith Mountain Lake were there with ski boats and pontoon boats.
Robert and I tried out a few. :)
I reminded Trevor that Lori and I had spent a lot of time on boats and done a lot of waterskiing as kids. He turned to me, incredulous: "Don't you need balance for that?"
Whatever, kid.
It was an easy and fun thing to do on Friday afternoon.
Kota was so glad to have us back home that she actually sat in Trevor's lap.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Visit with Holly
I drove up to see Holly yesterday. I brought her tons of food, lasagne, frito pie, corn pudding, strawberries. We went to lunch at Q-doba, and then to the mall where she spent some of her Christmas money on clothes. We quickly ran into Walmart to grab a few things for her. We even had time to grab coffee back on campus and walk around a bit.
I left just in time to beat the DC traffic out of the city. I'm not up there much during the week, so I don't think about it until I'm actually IN it. I need to remember to bring Trevor so I can drive in the HOV lane.
It was a really nice trip, and I appreciate the extra daylight as we move towards spring. It was drizzly a bit on the way up, and I drove through a little rain storm as I left; otherwise a perfect drive.
She got her new housing assignment today for the upcoming school year. The girls went in as a group of four, and Holly is thrilled with the new room--a three bedroom, one bath, apartment with it's own family room and full kitchen--in another almost-brand new building.
Two more weeks until Spring Break!
I left just in time to beat the DC traffic out of the city. I'm not up there much during the week, so I don't think about it until I'm actually IN it. I need to remember to bring Trevor so I can drive in the HOV lane.
It was a really nice trip, and I appreciate the extra daylight as we move towards spring. It was drizzly a bit on the way up, and I drove through a little rain storm as I left; otherwise a perfect drive.
She got her new housing assignment today for the upcoming school year. The girls went in as a group of four, and Holly is thrilled with the new room--a three bedroom, one bath, apartment with it's own family room and full kitchen--in another almost-brand new building.
Two more weeks until Spring Break!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Trev's desk
Trevor built that awesome computer and had no where to put it. For the past month, it's been sitting on the floor of his bedroom--not optimal, to say the least!
While he's been gone, we decided to surprise him. We looked both online and visited more than half a dozen stores--we spent two of the nights he was gone running around! It was worth it.
Robert set everything up for Trevor, and we didn't breathe a word to him. He first saw it when he walked into his room.
It's big and sturdy, looks great in his room, and it fits in the space where Trevor wanted it. The top is deep enough so he's further away from the giant monitor (a tv), and it has a slide out drawer for his keyboard. I was not so thrilled about setting a computer up in his room, but there isn't adequate, workable space in the family room. The way our house is set up, it's not like he's super isolated--so we still see him occasionally, haha.
While he's been gone, we decided to surprise him. We looked both online and visited more than half a dozen stores--we spent two of the nights he was gone running around! It was worth it.
Robert set everything up for Trevor, and we didn't breathe a word to him. He first saw it when he walked into his room.
It's big and sturdy, looks great in his room, and it fits in the space where Trevor wanted it. The top is deep enough so he's further away from the giant monitor (a tv), and it has a slide out drawer for his keyboard. I was not so thrilled about setting a computer up in his room, but there isn't adequate, workable space in the family room. The way our house is set up, it's not like he's super isolated--so we still see him occasionally, haha.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Trevor's week at TeenPact
Trevor ended up in the picture TP posted from Monday night. I recognized him immediately but couldn't see enough to be positive. He's second row back, on the aisle.
On Tuesday, Trevor received word that our state senator, Steve Newman, was requesting a personal meeting with Trevor in the senator's office that afternoon. As part of his pre-homework, he had written a letter to Senator Newman, inviting the Senator to visit the class if he had time.
Trevor was understandably a little nervous, but he was accompanied by Peter Martin, the TeenPact CEO. TeenPact's headquarters are in Richmond, so we've been blessed to know the Martin family. In fact, I remember meeting one of the boys the very first time that Holly attended TP four years ago. Mr. Martin is a favorite of Trevor's: he specifically looked out for Trevor when Trevor was sick and came home early three years ago; and he impressed Trevor quite a bit last summer at NC by remembering both Holly's and Trevor's names (out of 600 kids). TP runs for two weeks in Virginia, and this year, Trevor chose to go the week that Mr. Martin was scheduled to be the Class Director. So having Mr. Martin along was a wonderful encouragement.
Senator Newman spent quite a bit of time with them, inviting them to come to two different committee meetings where he casted votes, and then for a private chat in his office.
This was the photo on TP's FB page. I saw it in my feed and was thrilled! I commented, "Hey, that's my kid!" and received this response from Peter: "Your kid did a great job. He was respectful, polite, thanked the senator for his work, answered his questions, and represented home schooling very well. It was a pleasure to have this opportunity." Praise God, this was just really a great and memorable experience!
Senator Newman also posted a photo on his FB page, including the comment:
"I was pleased to meet with Trevor McGowan, a constituent from Daleville, who is participating in TeenPact Virginia II this week at the Capitol and TeenPact Leadership Schools CEO Peter Martin. It is always a pleasure to talk with students who are taking an interest in their state government."
It was a really large class this year, with 60 students staying at the camp and an additional 20 staying offsite! Trevor's not in this photo, but I'm posting it because he was there and enjoyed remembering the name of everyone in the photo.
Due to the snowstorm, the students ended up staying at the camp an extra day. They did additional work for their class and had an epic snowball fight, with graduation postponed until the following day. We've always made TeenPact a priority, and while the kids have always enjoyed it, Trevor, along with many of the other students, declared this the "best EVER." A really amazing week, so thankful to be a part of this group!
On Tuesday, Trevor received word that our state senator, Steve Newman, was requesting a personal meeting with Trevor in the senator's office that afternoon. As part of his pre-homework, he had written a letter to Senator Newman, inviting the Senator to visit the class if he had time.
Trevor was understandably a little nervous, but he was accompanied by Peter Martin, the TeenPact CEO. TeenPact's headquarters are in Richmond, so we've been blessed to know the Martin family. In fact, I remember meeting one of the boys the very first time that Holly attended TP four years ago. Mr. Martin is a favorite of Trevor's: he specifically looked out for Trevor when Trevor was sick and came home early three years ago; and he impressed Trevor quite a bit last summer at NC by remembering both Holly's and Trevor's names (out of 600 kids). TP runs for two weeks in Virginia, and this year, Trevor chose to go the week that Mr. Martin was scheduled to be the Class Director. So having Mr. Martin along was a wonderful encouragement.
Senator Newman spent quite a bit of time with them, inviting them to come to two different committee meetings where he casted votes, and then for a private chat in his office.
Trevor and Senator Newman
This was the photo on TP's FB page. I saw it in my feed and was thrilled! I commented, "Hey, that's my kid!" and received this response from Peter: "Your kid did a great job. He was respectful, polite, thanked the senator for his work, answered his questions, and represented home schooling very well. It was a pleasure to have this opportunity." Praise God, this was just really a great and memorable experience!
Senator Newman also posted a photo on his FB page, including the comment:
Mr. Martin, Trevor, Senator Newman
"I was pleased to meet with Trevor McGowan, a constituent from Daleville, who is participating in TeenPact Virginia II this week at the Capitol and TeenPact Leadership Schools CEO Peter Martin. It is always a pleasure to talk with students who are taking an interest in their state government."
It was a really large class this year, with 60 students staying at the camp and an additional 20 staying offsite! Trevor's not in this photo, but I'm posting it because he was there and enjoyed remembering the name of everyone in the photo.
Due to the snowstorm, the students ended up staying at the camp an extra day. They did additional work for their class and had an epic snowball fight, with graduation postponed until the following day. We've always made TeenPact a priority, and while the kids have always enjoyed it, Trevor, along with many of the other students, declared this the "best EVER." A really amazing week, so thankful to be a part of this group!
Thursday, February 13, 2014
:/
Robert brought me my favorite candy last night. I ate half the box.
A few hours later, after seeing pictures of a friend, I commented, "I really wish I were as skinny as Debbie; she looks great!"
This morning, I ate the other half of the box for breakfast.
Sigh.
A few hours later, after seeing pictures of a friend, I commented, "I really wish I were as skinny as Debbie; she looks great!"
This morning, I ate the other half of the box for breakfast.
Sigh.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Nights with Robert
Robert and I have had some quiet nights with Trevor gone to Richmond this week. We puttered around the house and made easy and light dinners, and we went out to eat one night with a gift certificate that we'd been saving.
It was nice to run out together for errands; we do it sometimes but not often enough. Pretty nights to be out driving.
It was nice to run out together for errands; we do it sometimes but not often enough. Pretty nights to be out driving.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
TeenPact time again!
I took Trevor to Richmond yesterday for another week of TeenPact. I snapped this when we stopped for lunch at Taco Bell. It looks like a cologne ad; a friend commented that it looked like an album cover!
I love seeing the kids all dressed up!
He was just a little bit nervous at first, but saw several friends right off the bat, making him very happy. Last night, I got a text that said, "Best TP day EVER!!!!" with no further explanation. It was good enough for me!
Now I can sit home and try not to worry about the "up to 14 inches" of snow the area is supposed to receive Wednesday night. We're planning to pick him up on Thursday. On a positive note, I just realized that some of the TPers stay over Thursday night for an additional day on Friday--and if we can't get there on Thursday, we won't be the only ones. :)
He was just a little bit nervous at first, but saw several friends right off the bat, making him very happy. Last night, I got a text that said, "Best TP day EVER!!!!" with no further explanation. It was good enough for me!
Now I can sit home and try not to worry about the "up to 14 inches" of snow the area is supposed to receive Wednesday night. We're planning to pick him up on Thursday. On a positive note, I just realized that some of the TPers stay over Thursday night for an additional day on Friday--and if we can't get there on Thursday, we won't be the only ones. :)
Saturday, February 08, 2014
Simon
Meet Simon, my new betta fish. I figured, that if we were going to be living in a fish bowl at work, I should get a fish. No one (meaning management) cares if I have a fish. We are allowed to have all kinds of fancy things in our workspaces: Keurigs, boomboxes, 4' tall light up snowmen, and fancy heater-fireplaces, for example. Besides, Holly got a fish (two) for her dorm, and that made me want one too.
Everyone in my office likes Simon. They come to visit him, and they try to feed him when I am not there. I had to hide his food. Our job is to feed people, not office pets, and one or two of them get a bit carried away.
Simon likes his blue bowl, and he likes my (non-)office. He's very friendly, which is hard to believe, because it's definitely cold enough that he should be halfway hibernating for the winter.
Everyone in my office likes Simon. They come to visit him, and they try to feed him when I am not there. I had to hide his food. Our job is to feed people, not office pets, and one or two of them get a bit carried away.
Simon likes his blue bowl, and he likes my (non-)office. He's very friendly, which is hard to believe, because it's definitely cold enough that he should be halfway hibernating for the winter.
Friday, February 07, 2014
Banished to freakin' Antarctica
This was my happy little office right after I hung my pictures and before I got my second monitor. It was such a sweet little office, small but sweetly isolated, next to the main door but at the edge of the rest of my team. I loved my office, and I always appreciated that I could close the door, and the wonky floor's heating system would toast my office right up. In fact, I would warn clients who came in that it would get hot quickly, but I never complained. It was kind of like my own little heaven.
Due to the wonky heating system and the leaky (and moldy, nasty, disgusting, probably poisonous) ceiling, we've been moved off of the fifth floor.
And into the basement. Okay, it's not really the basement. It's the ground floor, but I always think of it as the basement. The dungeon. Where there is no heat. And freezing, ceramic tile flooring. And no walls.
Six foot high, burlap covered, portable walls, three panels per person, if you are lucky. Other barriers consisting of file cabinets and tall shelves and short shelves. No doors. No privacy.
(To be completely honest, my amazing boss did an amazing job with what she had. I can't complain about that. She really IS amazing.)
This is my thermometer. I've had it for 12 years. It's accurate. And it reads 57 degrees. It sits on my desk. Just in case I didn't feel cold enough already.
Building maintenance turned the thermostat up to 80. We brought in small, portable electric heaters--and blew the fuses on our floor. Repeatedly. It still wouldn't get above 60 degrees. We are very blessed to have two great supervisors who continue to go to bat for us and do every single thing they can to make work conditions tolerable. They aren't accepting any of this "wait until next week when it warms up" crap.
Eddie has one of the coldest spots on the floor, at the corner of two glass walls. He brought in a very cool (lol) heater--and it actually BLOWS heat out of the sides.
It's been a couple of weeks now, and two things have happened. It's warmed up, usually now about mid 60s inside. But not always. And we've become accustomed to being cold. I wear my coat while I work sometimes. It kinda sucks. I'm a little nervous, wondering how extreme it will be during the summer heat, although my brain is a little too frozen to worry about it much.
Due to the wonky heating system and the leaky (and moldy, nasty, disgusting, probably poisonous) ceiling, we've been moved off of the fifth floor.
And into the basement. Okay, it's not really the basement. It's the ground floor, but I always think of it as the basement. The dungeon. Where there is no heat. And freezing, ceramic tile flooring. And no walls.
Six foot high, burlap covered, portable walls, three panels per person, if you are lucky. Other barriers consisting of file cabinets and tall shelves and short shelves. No doors. No privacy.
(To be completely honest, my amazing boss did an amazing job with what she had. I can't complain about that. She really IS amazing.)
This is my thermometer. I've had it for 12 years. It's accurate. And it reads 57 degrees. It sits on my desk. Just in case I didn't feel cold enough already.
Building maintenance turned the thermostat up to 80. We brought in small, portable electric heaters--and blew the fuses on our floor. Repeatedly. It still wouldn't get above 60 degrees. We are very blessed to have two great supervisors who continue to go to bat for us and do every single thing they can to make work conditions tolerable. They aren't accepting any of this "wait until next week when it warms up" crap.
Eddie has one of the coldest spots on the floor, at the corner of two glass walls. He brought in a very cool (lol) heater--and it actually BLOWS heat out of the sides.
It's been a couple of weeks now, and two things have happened. It's warmed up, usually now about mid 60s inside. But not always. And we've become accustomed to being cold. I wear my coat while I work sometimes. It kinda sucks. I'm a little nervous, wondering how extreme it will be during the summer heat, although my brain is a little too frozen to worry about it much.
Sunday, February 02, 2014
100,000 miles
My car hit 100,000 miles yesterday, appropriately when on our way home from visiting Holly. We bought it in the summer of 2009. It's been an awesome car. I never would have chosen it, but Robert and Holly liked the way it looked, it was a Toyota, and I appreciated not spending $$$ on gas. At 50+ mpg, it's saved us a LOT of money, and I'm looking forward to the next 100,000 miles. I'd buy one again in a heartbeat. It's easy to park, and the kids like how much room is in the back seat. The only bad thing I can say about it is that it's the kind of car a liberal would drive.
We went to lunch at Chili's, thanks to a contribution by Holly for our lunch. It was a lovely day, cold, still snow on the ground. For whatever reason, it was one of the best times I've had up there, and Trevor and I had a great drive home too.
Trevor and I looked away for a minute too long, but he snapped the picture at 100,001 miles!
We went to lunch at Chili's, thanks to a contribution by Holly for our lunch. It was a lovely day, cold, still snow on the ground. For whatever reason, it was one of the best times I've had up there, and Trevor and I had a great drive home too.
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