Wintertime, soups and crafts...

Almost winter in the desert, the air is really cold and crisp, I am wearing my scarves and boots and sweaters. Making lots of soup and keeping busy in my craft room.

I wonder if we will get snow this year??? So Fun!

I love to make the copy cat version of Olive Gardens Minestrone soup, so good!

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 cup fresh or frozen and thawed green beans
• 1/2 cup zucchini, sliced
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cans (15-ounces) red kidney beans, drained
• 2 cans (15-ounces) great northern or small white beans, drained
• 1 (15-ounces) can tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons minced parsley
• 1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3 cups hot water
• 4 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup small shell pasta

Instructions

1. Measure olive oil into a large stock pot and heat on medium.
    
2. Put the onion, celery, garlic, green beans, and zucchini into the pot and saute for about 5 minutes or until the onions become translucent.
    
3. Add the vegetable broth, drained tomatoes, beans, carrots, hot water and spices to the pot.
    
4. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.
    
5. Add the spinach leaves and the pasta and cook for an additional 20 minutes.

I usually serve with salad and garlic bread. Yummy!

I have been busy making Christmas gifts, and cards:

I made this bingo cup for a bingo friend I play with, so fun, made it with the Cricut!

I love this fun card, made with Lawn Fawns gingerbread men:

Cracks me up!

Hope you are enjoying the cool weather and making fun stuff, summer will be here before you know it!