hamburger soup

It's been cooling down a lot in the last few weeks, and we've consequently been eating a lot of soup! I made this recipe for dinner tonight; it's one of our favorites!

Hamburger Soup

ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
4 c. water
1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
3 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 medium onion, chopped
4 tsp beef bouillon granules
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1 c. fresh or frozen green beans

• Cook beef and drain. In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients except the green beans; bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are tender. Add beans. Cover and simmer 15 minutes longer or until the beans are tender.

The recipe also calls for 1/2 cup chopped celery, but I hate cooked celery so I always leave that out. I also usually add extra potatoes and carrots. It's so yummy!

In other news, Thomas's play is this week! It runs Thursday through Sunday. I'm excited to see it, and I'm also really excited for it be over so I'll get to see more of my husband! Other than that, we've just got the same old school and teaching going on. fun, fun...

24

Last Tuesday was my birthday! The celebration was drawn out all week. The Sunday before the big day we went to my parents' house for dinner, then on my actual birthday Thomas and I went out to eat, and then we had dinner at his parents' the Friday after my birthday. It was tons of fun, and I got a lot of nice presents, including books, movies, gift cards, and.... a sewing machine! I've wanted one for a while, so I was very excited that Thomas and his sister Emily got me one! I'm not much of a sewer (I haven't done much since 7th grade home ec), but I've always wanted to learn to do more, and now I can! :) I've already started on a couple of projects. Here are some pictures from the various celebrations:

the cake my parents got me

Johnny believes that all pieces of cake are bite size.

Thomas is in sad need of a hair cut.

Thomas's mom left this surprise (made of Hershey kisses) on our doorstep on my birthday

My new sewing machine!

the cake Thomas decorated for me

Blowing out candles at Thomas's parents' house