this week...

i want to:
1. make big batch of granola
2. sign a up with the y and start going
3. NO GROSS FAST FOOD ALL WEEK
4. put up all the clothes in the floor in the back room
5. get rid of broken down dresser holding towels. organize towels and sheets in some other non-broken, non-smelly holder
6. get completely caught up at work. no junky desk no crap shoved in drawers.
7. get organized for school.
8. really make progress on the wallpaper peeling and back room reorganizing.
9. learn the new songs i printed out for piano yesterday.
10. do a little sewing with liz and lindsey.

i just finished the last of the enormous amount of tomato soup i made last week. i think it's one of the few things a & i have actually eaten every bite of. we tend to do the leftovers once or twice, but there's always a serving or two left. i thought i should record the recipe in case i want to make it again soon.

creamy tomato soup

1 large can of tomatoes (whole)
1 small can of tomatoes (whole or diced)
2 boxes of chicken broth
2-3 carrots, peeled and chopped
2-3 stalks of celery, chopped
1 onion, diced
3-4 cloves of garlic, diced
fresh herbs (thyme, marjoram, sage)
1/2 t allspice (or chopped fresh dill or basil if making in summer)
1 c or more of milk, half and half, or heavy cream

heat 1 T butter and 1 T oil in large dutch oven
throw in fresh herbs, if using, and sautee for a minute or two to infuse the oil
add the carrots, onion, garlic and celery
cook until onions are transparent and veggies are softening
add the tomatoes and their juice and one box of the broth
bring to a boil, boil for a few minutes, reduce heat and let simmer
simmer for at least 1 hour stirring periodically and adding extra broth from the other box as needed
now you can either put all this in the fridge and puree when ready to eat, or begin pureeing it in small batches in a blender
return pureed soup to pot and return to heat. keep heat on low and add in allspice and milk. do not let boil.
serve.
if making in summer, omit or reduce the amount of herbs used in the first step. after adding in the milk garnish with fresh dill &/or basil.
nice with a swirl of sour cream or creme fraiche.

weekend movies: burn after reading & alfie
reading: finished pope brock book. now starting on complete shirley jackson collection.