the rink.

i know that i mentioned before that the husband was looking forward to building a rink in the backyard when the move out east was official. we talked about it for a year and last christmas we got to have a christmas skate. it was heavenly.

this year, with the further destruction of the backyard, the dreams of the rink were magnified.
we were going bigger and better.
in the fall the plan was set in motion and the frame laid out. more wood had to be bought and dreams we coming to light.
then we waited.

then it heated up.
what? the sun was shining in late october/early november and we were out playing in the yard and at the park.
not a snowflake in sight.
the temperature stayed as far away as it could from the 0 as it could. i think it had plans alternate to our in mind.

i could just see the bottom lip of the husband jut out ever so slightly as he was realizing that maybe skating wasn't in our sights for this season.

hope in the form of snowflakes fluttered around us one day.
they were gone the next. i was starting to feel for the guy and the kids because this had been such a big part of last year.

then it got cold...like really cold. in a flash he was outside, hose in hand, water flowing. could this be it?

it was.
built in a week.
we are skating.
it has been wonderful.
and we are all excited about it. even coop. even me.

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in honour of skating days i am going to tell you about my down and dirty chicken soup. you know those days where the cold goes through your clothes and you are looking for comfort. the days when you wished you had gotten it together to make a chicken soup, have it bubbling away all day and fills the house with it's ever soothing aroma?

yeah in a perfect world we all do. but this is not perfect.
you most likely forgot to put it on or thought about it too late.
you got busy.
we all do.
but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some yummy soup made by you and made quick.

trust me, you'll like it.

down and dirty chicken soup.

2 tbsp olive oil
2 stalks of celery, chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
herbs such as thyme or your favorite. approx. 1 to 2 tbsp. (i add 2)
any leftover chicken or two boneless breast of chicken, chopped
1 cup of frozen peas
2 x 900ml tetra pack of chicken stock

1 1/2 cups of dry pasta shapes.

chop your onion, carrots and celery. heat the olive oil in a big pot or dutch oven over medium heat. add onions first, season with salt and pepper, and sautee for about 4 minutes. then add carrots and celery. sautee till vegetables are tender. add in your chicken. cook if necessary or just warm through. add your garlic. add your herbs. cook for about 1 minute. add your frozen peas (remember this is down and dirty!) sautee all together for about 2 minutes then add your stock. bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 20 minutes.

in another pot cook your pasta.

after 20 minutes  taste your soup & adjust seasonings. wait 5 minutes. taste and if you are satisfied - serve! place some of the cooked pasta in your bowl and ladle the soup on top. stir and serve.

did you realize once you were making this that the baguette you had on your counter was rock hard? have no fear! i learnt this trick from jamie oliver and it works like a charm.
heat your oven to 350 degrees. take a sheet of parchment and run it under water while scrunching it up. open it up and place your baguette inside. wrap it up and throw it into your heating oven. when the oven beeps that it is heated go in and squeeze your baguette - if it's soft enough for you pull out if not leave for another couple minutes. you won't believe it but it will feel and taste like freshly made bread!