Until last week — when trying to come up with something for dinner, I realized I had all the basic ingredients for that yummy soup: ground pork, bacon, potatoes, kale, and heavy cream.  We had zuppa Toscana for dinner that night.

ZUPPA TOSCANA

1 lb. Italian sausage (or ground pork seasoned this way)

1 small onion, chopped

2 slices bacon, diced

1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/4 tsp. garlic powder)

4 c. chicken broth (homemade is best!)

2 potatoes, cubed

2-3 c. fresh kale, torn into small strips

1/2 c. heavy cream*

Remove sausage from casing and crumble into a large skillet; cook over medium heat until browned.  (I used ground pork seasoned according to the recipe link above.)  Set aside.

In large saucepan over medium heat, saute onions and diced bacon until bacon is browned, 10-15 minutes.  Add garlic and saute for another minute. 

Add chicken broth and potatoes; simmer 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.  Stir in kale, cream, and reserved sausage; simmer 5 more minutes or until kale is slightly wilted.  Serve and enjoy!

*Depending on prices and sales, I usually buy either organic heavy cream OR non-organic, rBST-free cream that is ‘pasteurized,’ NOT ‘ultra-pasteurized.’  Sinton’s rBST-free heavy cream is one of the few ‘pasteurized’ brands I’ve found. 

A lower level of pasteurization means that the cream retains more of its original protein structure as well as its good bacteria and enzymes (and cream that is pasteurized at a lower level simply tastes better than its “ultra” counterpart!)  If I could get my hands on some raw cream, we’d definitely be using that instead!

Hope you enjoy!

-Abby

But for the next few weeks, I’m thankful for these consistent morning moments with my Sustainer, a cup of hot tea, and a few great teachers.

(By the way, I highly recommend D.M. Lloyd-Jones’ Studies in the Sermon on the Mount.  I only read 2-3 pages at a time, but those few pages give me so much to chew on for the day.)

Visit GraceLaced and see how others are finding grace in their everyday…

Last week Eric and I were blessed with a date night!  We ate at Stagecoach Inn (such a cozy, old-school restaurant) in Manitou Springs.  I ordered fish & chips (totally a pregnancy thing) and we actually enjoyed some unhurried, quiet conversation.  (Aaahhh.)  Then we saw the latest Mission Impossible at the IMAX.  (Loved it.)  It was a fun, relaxing evening.

This was after we left the theater -- we didn't eat at the Asian Bistro...but we thought it would make a fun (fuzzy phone) picture.

My mother-in-law came for a quick visit over the weekend.  We had a wonderful time!  (The kids were especially excited when they learned that their Lao-Lao would be sleeping in their room on the bottom bunk.  Sleepover parties are the best!)

Sunday afternoon we all walked around the outdoor 16th Street Mall in Denver (a fascinating place to people watch.)  We happened to run into Robo Mike (who apparently is quite famous in these parts) and he kept us laughing for a good while.

You probably can't tell, but the kids were slightly terrified. It took a few minutes of coercing to get them to stand right next to Robo Mike! (His character was a bit unnerving, I have to admit!)

I finally had my tooth pulled earlier this week.  I’m so happy to have it out of my mouth (and I’ll be even happier when my jaw stops aching!)  The procedure was surprisingly bearable, and it (you know, the gaping hole in my gums) seems to be healing as it should.  Thankful!

At my midwife appointment yesterday, everything checked out fine.  The baby is head down and still kicking like crazy!  My blood pressure is still ridiculously low and I’m measuring right on track for 34 weeks.  I’m grateful to be blessed with another healthy pregnancy.  And I can’t believe how quickly it’s going by.  (Although the kids says it’s taking “soooo long!”  They can’t wait to meet their new little sibling!)

Speaking of little siblings, Boulder Boy is getting four new teeth!  I didn’t notice until a few days ago, when he couldn’t keep his fingers out of his mouth and seemed a bit cranky.  I’ll try to get a picture of his TEN little chompers sometime soon.

That’s all for now!  Hopefully it won’t be another week and a half before the next update.

-Abby

Although we don’t have any trouble plowing through pounds and pounds of oranges just by peeling and eating them, I like to use oranges in cooking and baking too.  Quick breads are one of my go-to breakfast items, so I thought I’d try incorporating some citrus into one of my standard recipes.  (I was inspired by these Orange Mini-Muffins with Brown Sugar Glaze from The Pioneer Woman.)

I’ve made this recipe with both wheat flour and Pamela’s Gluten-Free Baking Mix, and it’s delicious both ways.

ORANGE QUICK BREAD (adapted from this recipe)

1/2 c. butter, softened or melted

2/3 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. buttermilk (or 1 T. vinegar + enough milk to make 1 cup)

1 orange, juiced and zested

1 3/4 c. flour (I prefer white whole wheat)

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

{Or you can use 2 c. gluten-free baking mix in place of the flour, soda, and salt.}

1/2 c. brown sugar (for the glaze)

• Preheat oven to 350 F.  Grease a 9 x 5″ loaf pan. 
• Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl; add eggs, vanilla, buttermilk, and orange zest and mix well.  Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture.  Mix just until combined.
• Transfer to the greased loaf pan; bake 50-60 minutes, or until golden-brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
• While bread is baking, combine brown sugar and orange juice in a small bowl.  A few minutes after removing the bread from the oven, transfer the loaf to a plate.  Poke a dozen or so holes in the top of the loaf with a toothpick.  Drizzle glaze all over the bread.
• And then be sure to eat it warm!

If you need more ideas for using up all that citrus fruit, check out my Springs Bargains post: What To Make With What’s On Sale: Oranges!

-Abby

I’m excited to be joining my sis-in-law, Ruth, at GraceLaced for Grace Laced Mondays.  We’re sharing our stories of grace at work in our lives.  I think all of us could use encouragement to intentionally look for how God covers us with His lavish grace in the everyday moments!

Last night as I was rocking my littlest boy to sleep (which I’ve been doing more than usual lately — he only has 2 more months as the baby! *sigh*) I was thinking about the past week.  To be honest, it was difficult.  Nothing specific was wrong; I’m just feeling clumsy, tired, and hugely pregnant these days, and keeping up on simple household chores is becoming a challenge.  And for some reason, it seemed that the kiddos were extra-whiny and extra-destructive this week.  I found myself in the ugly cycle of reacting to their behavior with a bad attitude of my own (and we all know that this only makes things worse.)

Saturday morning, I had a few moments alone with the Lord before the rest of the family woke up.  I asked Him specifically for grace and patience toward my kiddos.  It was a small request, made with a teeny-tiny amount of faith.  But WOW, He answered swiftly and abundantly: we had an amazingly simple weekend of fun family togetherness, and I enjoyed my kids more than I have in a long time.

I bought a box of Cutie clementines on Friday, and for the last several mornings the kids have enthusiastically enjoyed their early morning snack while I finish up breakfast preparations.

**Here’s a short video of my little  Cutie Eaters **  <— (Click the link to watch the video!)

I’m humbled by God’s work in turning a seemingly insignificant weekend into an incredible blessing for me and my hubby.  (One example: the five of us spent 2 1/2 hours at Souper Salad after church yesterday, enjoying a leisurely meal while Eric and I marveled at the unique personalities of each of our children, revealed in something as simple as eating at a buffet!)

I’m an imperfect mama in serious need of grace, and God’s answer to my prayer over the weekend has encouraged me more than I can really explain.  I look forward to serving my family with joy this week.  As Spurgeon reminded me this morning…

If there be not a holy cheerfulness to oil our wheels, our spirits will be clogged with weariness.  The one who is cheerful in his service of God proves that obedience is his element; he can sing, ‘Make me to walk in your commands; It’s a delightful road.’

How have you seen God’s grace at work in your life lately?

-Abby

I didn’t take many pictures over the last couple of weeks, but here are a few from our gift-opening sessions, first at my parents’ house on Christmas Eve, and then at our home on Christmas Day….

We were watching "Elf" and paused it while we opened gifts. I've seen that movie at least 20 times and never get tired of it...

Calla loves her new (old) school desk! The last homeschooler to use it was her Uncle Jonathan, more than 5 years ago!

The Christmas M & M's were a hit with the kiddos (and their Mama)

After we came home from church on Christmas Day, the kids opened their gifts from Eric and me, as well as from their grandparents in California. Boulder was just a little excited!

I’m starting off the new year with a trip to the dentist this afternoon (the first time in 5 years!!) for a super annoying toothache.  I’m not looking forward to reclining in the dentist’s chair with my ginormous belly, but I’m so ready to take care of this painful problem.

I’m also feeling ready to meet our newest little one!  Thirty-two weeks along now…we’re getting close!

Happy New Year!

-Abby

…and all through the Chou House…

…cookies were being decorated…

…hot chocolate with whipped cream was enjoyed after breakfast…

…Christmas carols were being played (but not sung…I try not to subject my family to my singing) …

…the 6-foot Christmas tree (that we rescued from our apartment complex dumpster 5 years ago) was making little hearts happy…

…ornaments from my grandparents were twinkling…

…and the excitement of Jesus’ birth — and anticipated return — was felt by all…

Here’s wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas!

-Abby

Like these Irish Cream Truffles…

I wouldn’t usually choose to include Irish cream in my cooking and baking…it’s not my absolute favorite flavor.  But, we do happen to have two large bottles of Baileys Irish Cream in our pantry.  (Eric’s boss is, shall we say, fond of alcohol, and his yearly Christmas gift to his employees is a gigantic bottle of Baileys.  I’ve done my best to work through those bottles, one fudge/coffee cake/brownie recipe at a time…but we still haven’t opened last year’s bottle.  And we’re about to get a whole new bottle in a week or so.  Does anyone have a fabulous Baileys recipe to share??)

My recipe is based on Martha Stewart’s Rum Balls.  I basically just reduced the flour and sugar in the recipe, and I substituted Bailey’s for the rum.  The results are still calling my name from the fridge!

IRISH CREAM TRUFFLES (adapted from this recipe)

3/4 c. unsalted butter

6 oz. semisweet chocolate chips

3 eggs

1/3 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. salt

2/3 c. flour

1/4 c. Irish cream liqueur

Coarse sugar, powdered sugar, and/or baking cocoa for coating truffles

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Melt butter and chocolate in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.  Set aside.

Whisk together eggs, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in a mixing bowl.  Stir in the chocolate mixture.  Add flour; stir until fully combined.  Spread into greased pan and bake 12 minutes.  Allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack.

Break up the brownies and transfer to the bowl of an electric mixer (the paddle attachment works best.)  Turn on low speed; slowly pour in Irish cream.  Mix until crumbs start to form a ball.

Shape mixture into 1-inch balls, and roll in coarse sugar (or powdered sugar, or baking cocoa).  Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate, uncovered, until firm.  Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Yield: approximately 2 dozen truffles

Enjoy!

{And in case you didn’t get enough chocolate with this recipe, check out Ruth’s Coco Cocoa Kahlua Truffles.  Oh my yumminess!}

-Abby

(Please excuse all the fuzzy phone pics!)

We celebrated with a little family get-together.  Meatloaf and mashed potatoes to eat, uncles and grandparents to play with, cake and ice cream to enjoy, and a few special gifts from family near and far…there’s not much more that our little boy could ask for.

Toy guns are his “thing” right now, so I put together a birthday cake in that theme.  My original plan was a cowboy cake, but I wasn’t able to find a single cowboy-related prop after combing the toy aisles in two different stores!  So this is how the cake ended up…

It was a bit more hardcore than I’d planned, but of course Hudson loved it!

The last three years with our little man have been a blast, really.  There’s so much to love about him: his mellow personality…his goofy sense of humor…his affectionate snuggling…his “hippie” hair…his ability to fall asleep (and stay asleep) anywhere and anytime!

I took this pic sometime last week. I'm not kidding when I say he can fall asleep ANYWHERE!

Happy happy birthday, Hudson!  We’re extremely blessed to be your parents, and we look forward to going through life with you and seeing how God works in your heart.  We love you, sweet boy!

-Your Mama & Baba

Several nights a week, our family enjoys homemade hot cocoa after dinner.  I typically make this drink with cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, and it’s quite tasty.  (I’ll share that recipe sometime.)  But occasionally I like to splurge and make hot chocolate.  Melted dark chocolate, milk, & cream = bliss.

My recipe for homemade hot chocolate is what I’m sharing today.  Try it.  Please.  Pretty please, with whipped cream on top?

HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE

3 c. milk (we prefer whole milk)

1/2 c. cream OR 1/2 & 1/2 (or just use all milk if you want to cut down on the richness)

6-8 oz. dark chocolate* (this comes out to appx. 3/4 cup)

pinch of salt

2 tsp. vanilla extract

*I often use a combination of whatever dark chocolate I have in the house.  In the following photos, I used dark chocolate baking chips and Andes mint baking pieces.  It made a delicious peppermint hot chocolate drink!

Heat milk and cream in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring every minute or so, until heated through.  Meanwhile, chop chocolate into small pieces (or use chocolate chips to save some time and effort!)

When milk/cream is hot, gradually whisk in chocolate until completely melted.  Stir in salt and vanilla extract. 

Serve topped with whipped cream or mini marshmallows, and maybe a bit more chocolate!

Yield: 4 servings

Enjoy!

{This post is part of the Raising Homemakers Homemaking Link-Up}

-Abby