Sunday Soup Supper {Beef Vegetable}

After a whirlwind spring break, we are happy to be home sweet home! We made a lot of memories, learned a thing or two, and (mostly) had a great time. Traveling with kids isn't always a walk in the park! Thank goodness my in-laws wanted to hear all about the trip and invited the kids over for an overnight. Dan and I were able to celebrate a friend's 40th and run a few errands. Most importantly, I slept in this morning! Spring Break 2019 wore me out and I have a busy couple of months ahead! 

One of our most favorite Sunday suppers in the winter is soup. I know it's technically spring but we have winter temps and snow flurries on this last day of March. I had a request for Beef Vegetable soup which sounded perfect on a cold day. Fingers crossed this is the last Sunday Soup Supper until late fall! 

Growing up we would visit my Great-Grandma every Christmas Eve before heading to Mass. She always had a pot of beef vegetable soup and shredded chicken cooking away. Since we had to visit earlier than others, we were always lucky to sneak a bowl or two and a sandwich while we visited and exchanged gifts. She was the sweetest little lady! 

When I found a vegetable soup recipe that tasted pretty darn close to hers, I knew it was a keeper! I've tweaked it a few times over the past 10-12 years and made it my own. I believe the original recipe is from Martha Stewart. 

This time around I decided to speed up the cooking process and utilize my Instant Pot and the beef turned out perfectly tender. I have the 8-quart which is the larger size and works for our family. 

Beef Vegetable Soup

Ingredients: 

2 T. Olive Oil

1.5-2 lbs. stew beef

2 c. diced onions

1 c. sliced celery

1 c. diced carrots

2 t. Italian seasoning

6-8 c. vegetable/beef/chicken broth (use vegetable or chicken if omitting beef - that is the original recipe)

28 oz. can of diced tomatoes w/ juice

1 T. tomato paste 

8 c. mixed fresh or frozen vegetables (corn, lima beans, peas, potatoes, zucchini) 

Directions: 

Use the saute function on the Instant pot or heat oil large stockpot or dutch oven. Add seasoned beef and saute until brown on all sides. Remove from pot and add onions, celery, carrots, Italian seasoning, salt & pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent. Add beef and juices collected, broth, tomatoes, paste and two cups of water. Add diced potatoes, if using. 

Seal the Instant Pot lid, close the valve, and select the Pressure Cooking button for 15 minutes then use natural release for 25 minutes (I lost my patience at 15 minutes and then did quick release). Add remaining vegetables and allow to warm through. 

If using stockpot or dutch oven, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes until beef is tender. Add vegetables and return to a simmer. Cook uncovered until vegetables are tender about 20-25 minutes. 

Note: I only used frozen vegetables this time. I forgot about the zucchini I bought at the store. I would recommend adding any fresh vegetables when you add the potatoes when cooking in the Instant Pot. Also, be sure to read and follow your Instant Pot directions when using! 

I served with our soup with warm bread and butter. It hit the spot on this chilly Sunday! 

The Little Mermaid

The Pleasure Guild of Nationwide Children's Hospital put on their 61st annual production, Disney's The Little Mermaid, over the weekend! The kids and I were lucky to attend with Nana and little Olivia. It was such a wonderful show! 

Ariel, King Triton's youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea. This fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs, including "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl" and "Part of Your World."

Cecilia's favorite Disney princess just so happens to be Ariel so she was on cloud 9! If I had to guess, this is probably why Nana thought to purchase tickets a few months ago. Really, it isn't surprising that Ceci (pronounced CC...we never intended for her to be anything other than Cecilia so when people started calling her C-C we just shortened the first part. I really wish I gave this some thought a decade ago and went with CeeCee. I will blame first-year parent exhaustion but I really didn't think a nickname would stick.) I digress. It isn't surprising that our drama-filled, lover of music, and the one always pushing the boundaries has a favorite princess who loves to sing and is also pushing the boundaries...oh, and she wears a bikini so that's a win in Ceci's book. A match made in heaven! 

The actress who played Ariel was only 17 years old! She had a beautiful voice and was fun to watch on stage. What was most surprising was that she held her own on stage with the famous Nina West who I was thrilled to finally see perform! Nina West as Ursula the Sea Monster was perfection! 

We grabbed lunch at Conadado before heading to the theater. There are not a lot of options for dining downtown near the theaters that I consider kid-friendly that are open on a Saturday afternoon. This was not our first choice but it ended up being a good one. Our kiddos love a good taco and guacamole! 

The Palace Theater is a smaller theater compared to the Ohio Theater a couple blocks away. While it is beautiful, it just doesn't hold a candle to the elegance that is the Ohio Theater. I did adore the sea blue color of the ceiling. This is one of my favorite colors and I am working to incorporate more of this color palate into our home. 

The Pleasure Guild is a volunteer organization focused on raising money for Nationwide Children's Hospice and Palliatative Centers. I love that we got to see an amazing performance in the historic and beautiful Palace Theater all while giving back to a wonderful cause. 

We are already looking forward to next year's performance of Mama Mia! 

"Super Bowl" Sunday Supper: Sausage & Peppers

Our favorite Steelers aren't playing in the Super Bowl this year but we are enjoying a Pittsburgh-style, Dodd family favorite for dinner. Ten years ago for Super Bowl 43, the Steelers were playing and I insisted on making a themed-meal so I tried out this recipe for Sausage & Peppers. We aren't from Pittsburgh so it's possible this isn't really even a thing. I have no idea nor where I got the recipe but I wrote it down on a recipe card and have made it every year since! In fact, every year I wonder why I don't make it more often. It's that good! This one definitely goes in the cookbook I am writing (more on that later!). 

Sausage & Peppers

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 large onions
• 2 green bell peppers
• 2 red bell peppers
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 lbs Italian sausage (mild and/or hot)
• 1 jar marinara
• 1 14 oz. can of diced tomatoes
• parsley, basil, salt & pepper
• Hoagie buns

1. Heat a dutch oven over medium heat, brown sausage links and remove.

2. Add oil and butter to the oven to melt followed by onions, peppers and garlic. Cook until onions get soft (5-7 minutes). 

3. Return sausage to oven and add in marinara, tomatoes, and parsley/basil. (I used fresh basil I had on hand and Italian seasoning.)

4. Cover dutch oven and lower heat to medium-low. 

5. Simmer for one hour.

6. Serve in a hoagie bun with or without cheese on top. 

We always have plenty leftover so I will serve the leftovers with rigatoni later in the week. 

Hope everyone is enjoying the game or the commercials! 

Cheers to Another 40 Years!

40! Wow, I can hardly believe it! Today was a good day. I planned my schedule in advance to spend the day taking care of me. 

So, when Auggie woke up and told me his throat hurt, Dan swooped in and took care of things. We knew strep and the flu were taking kids at school down left and right. He had no other symptoms or complaints but, sure enough, he tested positive for strep. Still, Dan sent me on my merry way! 

I started with one of my favorite classes at the gym which included 1,000 sit ups. I enjoyed a manicure. I got my roots touched up while enjoying a glass of wine. I relaxed and took in a day all to myself! 

With a sick little one, I was afraid we would have to cancel dinner reservations but our amazing babysitter came to the rescue. She was more than happy to see the kids and eat pizza and ice cream with them. 

As for me, I had the best date a girl could ask for with the most amazing dinner! Dan and I grabbed a cocktail at the yacht club before heading downtown to Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse. It was a delicious and amazing meal to celebrate 40! 

Tomorrow my coach turns back into a pumpkin! It's basketball and a swim meet for our Saturday along with our first snow of the season! This is 40 and I've got a lot in mind for this next decade! 

Thanks to all for the sweet birthday messages! 

On the Eve of 40

On this last day in my 30s, I was thinking about how I feel about turning the big 4-0! I have mixed feelings about entering a new decade. Mostly, I am wondering where the last decade went. I was a new mother when I turned 30 and the past decade, in part, feels like a blur. Three babies and a lack of sleep will do that, I suppose! It was an exciting, challenging, and sometimes painful 10 years.

Many things happened in my 30s that I expected and planned and am so grateful to have in my life. Three amazing babies who are healthy, smart, beautiful and full of life. I am married to my best friend and still look forward to sharing our life together. I was able to travel and experience so many amazing things. I am truly lucky!

Looking back, some things took me by surprise. If you asked me a decade ago, I never would’ve imagined running for office let alone being elected to office at the age of 33! I am able to be a voice for children and families which I love doing. I started my own company and have the flexibility to work and do all those mommy things I want to do. I am still on the hunt for my dream job but I love where life is leading me right now.

Certainly, I never expected to go through the pain of losing my sister. Watching my parents suffer through this loss has been the most difficult challenge of the past decade. Hands down. It has made me stronger though. This loss made me stop and reflect and focus on my own happiness and doing what’s best for my family.

Looking ahead, I am so excited for all the next decade has to offer! A little nervous but very excited! 

Wanderlust: New York City

We are headed to the Big Apple and Philadelphia for spring break this year! 

We are excited to spend a few days with Dan's college roommate and his family who live outside NYC. Then we will head into the city for a few days to take in as much as we can. What are the must-do things we should do? Where should we eat? What should we see? 

I love to travel and planning a trip is as much fun for me as the actual visit. Getting suggestions and ideas from others that I can use to research and plan our own itinerary is such a great way to learn about a destination. 

We already have tickets to see Frozen so that will be the one show we see. I really want some amazing Italian food. The girls want to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island so I will secure those tickets soon. 

Dan went to college in Philadelphia so we know that area well and where we want to go and what we want to do. Of course, it includes a trip (or two) to Pat's for our favorite cheesesteaks! 

I can't wait to read all of your suggestions and share are trip with you! 

Award Show Season!

The Golden Globes kick-off award show season tonight! I tuned in to watch the red carpet festivities and see the beautiful gowns, jewels and styles. I am cheering on some of my favorites and realizing I need to get to the movies more often! I watch way more TV than I do movies.

Some of my favorite shows that are nominated for awards include: 
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - Oh how I love this series! The wit, the costumes...I cannot get enough!
The Handmaid's Tale - So twisted but so good. I binged watched Season 1 last winter and couldn't wait for a new show each week this fall. 
Will & Grace - I cannot believe a show I watched in college is back. It is still hilarious! 

What I am adding to my list: 
The Americans - Dan loves it and says I should add it to my list.
A Very English Scandal - Dan started watching this and is enjoying it. 
Killing Eve

The only movie I've seen on any of the lists is Mary Poppin Returns. It was so, so good and I cannot wait to see it again. I doubt it wins many awards tonight but I still adored it. If I get a chance to see a movie without kids in the near future, I think I will see Vice. Can you believe that is Christian Bale as Dick Cheney? Wow! I really wanted to see If Beale Street Could Talk so I hope I can find it on HBO or Netflix soon. I noticed Crazy Rich Asians was on Netflix. 

My house is clean, the holiday decorations are all stored away for another 10.5 months, and I am ready for our first full week of 2019! 

Basketball All Day Long!

The kiddos were back to school Thursday and Friday which was a nice way to transition back into our routines. After two weeks of late nights and sleeping in (well, as much as my kiddos sleep in), the alarm clock seemed louder than I remember! Haha! 

Honestly, they did great until Saturday morning when we had to be up and out of the house by 7:30 for back-to-back-to-back basketball games. 

I managed to get a pic with Auggie and Ceci after their games. I am coaching Frannie's team so a pic was the last thing on my mind. 

Dan and Auggie were lucky enough to head to the OSU game in the afternoon. It was Auggie's first game and he LOVED it! His nut hat was quite the hit too. After each game, the kids are invited down to the court to shoot a hoop or two.

 While the boys were enjoying the game, the girls and I did a little shopping. Shopping with two girls is so exhausting! 

Glad to be back to our sometimes crazy, always busy routine! 

My Favorite: Podcasts

It took me awhile to get on the podcast bandwagon but I did about 15 months ago. Now I am always on the search for something new for my listening pleasure! I am a picky podcast listener though. I don't like the political, opinion, or talk show type podcasts. I've tried and they just aren't my thing.

What I do LOVE are true crime, history and/or storytelling podcasts! Serial? Yep! Undisclosed? Of course! I wanted to share some of these past and current favorites. I thought about listing them all but it would be too overwhelming so I will break this into a few posts over the next few months. 

If you are into podcasts or not, I am sure you you've heard of Serial. This is a great series to start. It was the first podcast I listened to and was instantly hooked. The first season was Adnan's Story about a high school student convicted of murdering his girlfriend. But, did he? The story telling is so good and really makes you think. 

I finished Season 3 this fall and could not get enough! It was a little different from the usual and was all about the justice system in Cuyhahoga County (Cleveland) in Ohio. Being a resident of Ohio, this was even more intriguing. Some of the episodes were jaw-dropping. A must listen to! 

After listening to Adnan's Story, I was really interested in learning more about this story. I was a couple years past the release of Serial so I was able to quickly find Undisclosed. Three hosts, including Adnan's cousin (I think?), research and share information about possible wrongful conviction cases. My husband was part of the first Innocence Project cohort at his law school and I've been interested in the type of work since then. Most of the cases featured on Undisclosed are done in close collaboration with Innocence Projects across the country. Always interesting and always keep me excited for the next episode. I am listening to the current season titled The State vs. Dennis Perry. It is a long season and I am glad because there is so much information to hear! 

Another podcast on my recommend list is Up and Vanished. A cold case about a murder in rural Georgia that ends up reopened and solved. The story telling is a little long and repetitive but it is good nonetheless. 

I hope you will find something new and will share some of your favorites! 

My Word of the Year!

The kiddos are back to school after a two week winter break! It was much needed and fun break but we are all glad to be back to our routine. To be honest, I feel like I am finally getting a break as they head out the door! 

I am so ready to get back to the grind and excited for a new year and new opportunities! I've been planning my year for awhile and looking ahead to what 2019 will bring. One word kept popping into my head as I was thinking about all I want to do, what I want to change, how I want to live: NOW! 

It really is simple for me! Do all those things I want to do NOW! Stop putting it off until another day. Realize goals are reached by starting now. Enjoy the now. So, that's what my 2019 will be about - the now! 

I am a planner at heart so my now will take plenty of planning and goal setting. I know I will often need to remind myself to embrace the now no matter how chaotic, challenging, or exhausting it may seem. I look forward to 2019 and sharing my now! 

I would love to hear what you have planned for the new year - resolutions, goals or a word! 

New Year's Day Menu

One of the things I love most about a holiday is the menu that goes along with the celebration. The perfect menu for many holidays is still a work in progress but I think my New Year's Day menu is set! 

Every year, we make sauerkraut balls to ring in the new year. It isn't the healthiest start but everything in moderation, right? So, that is what I always serve as an appetizer. You can find the recipe here. It's a little time consuming but so worth it! They are so darn good. I don't know why I don't make them more often. 

Dinner is traditional and, mostly, what I grew up with and a few of my favorites added in. 

New Year's Day Dinner

Roast Pork Loin

Mashed Potatoes

Sauerkraut

(Vlasic is my favorite)

Bacon Bourbon Greens

(recipe courtesy of Dixie Delights Blog)

Black Eyed Peas

That's it! I love adding in new favorites to old family traditions. This meal is our perfect way of starting off a new year! 

New Year's Day 2019!

Welcome, 2019! I always enjoy the start of a new year. I love the idea of something fresh, setting goals, and the energy that goes along with it. 

I spent the past few weeks reflecting on 2018. It was a good year but a challenging one. I grew more as a person than I expected or have in a single year to date. I struggled with loss, overcame obstacles, and learned a great deal about myself. But, I left 2018 a better, stronger person with a clearer vision for what I want out of life and my next steps! 

I look forward to sharing my journey, ideas, thoughts and capturing life through my blog and social media in 2019! 

Our first day of 2019 was a laid back day for the most part. I got in a brisk walk and stopped to enjoy the beauty of where we live. It was overcast but there is something I love about being near the water. Most of the Christmas decor is put away. I did some organizing. We had my in-laws over for dinner with the luckiest foods for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year! 

I wish you all the very best in 2019!