HAPPY NEW YEAR, Born Daily Readers! Welcome 2015! 

Nick and I decided to rally for one final adventure in 2014: we roadtripped to Fort Worth, Texas to celebrate with another fellow SEK'er. We rang in the New Year with ah-mazing Mexican food and music at the World's Largest Honky Tonk, Billy Bob's Texas. Albeit quick, consider the trip a success.

I hope wherever and however you celebrated, it was exactly as you pleased. Now most of us, especially, in the Midwest are ushering this year in with frigid temperatures and/or snow. I really do love each season, but my affection for winter stops after a few good snows.Nick LOVES the cold months (primarily because the colder it is, the more accessories you can sport--scarves, hats, sweaters, etc.). Now, one winter trend I can fully support:  soup!

(I know this is the time for lighter, healthier eating...and I'll probably try to incorporate a few better-for-you recipes in the coming weeks. But in all honesty, I stand a better chance at resolving to move MORE (i.e. half-marathon training, anyone?) than to eat cleanly. Balance, right? The struggle is real...)

Anyhoo, let's talk soup. Have you ever been to Olive Garden and ordered Zuppa Toscana? Maybe? Okay. Great, that makes one of us. But I saw this soup on Pinterest pinned from a blogger I fancy--Damn Delicious. She's refreshing and has shared many a recipe I've bookmarked and a few I've actually made. This soup's creamy broth has a teeny kick and is studded with tender potatoes and chunks of sausage. It isn't that pretty, but it's pretty dang good. And it's relatively low-cost and easy. Plus, in our house, it's a husband favorite.

1. Heat skillet and cook bacon until crispy. Transfer to a plate, lined with a paper towel, to drain excess grease. Set aside. 
2. In the same skillet, cook sausage until thoroughly cooked/browned. Again, drain excess grease and set aside.
3. In a stew pot or dutch oven,  heat olive oil. Once heated, add onion and garlic. Cook until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant; be sure to stir frequently.
4. Pour in chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
5. Add potatoes. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. 
6. Add sausage and spinach. Cook until spinach begins to wilt, about 2 minutes. 
7. Stir in milk or cream. Heat through. 
8. Add salt and pepper to taste.
9. To serve, ladle into bowls. Top each bowl of soup with crumbled bacon. (Sometimes we stir in some extra crushed red pepper too.)

I generally serve with salad, crusty bread, or a pressed sandwich. 

*I typically use Jimmy Dean HOT Sausage, but have used hot Italian sausage with the casing removed as the original recipe calls for.

Make this soup. And plan to add it to your regular rotation of meals.  As we trudge into January, let's rock some killer Winter accessories and warm our souls with soup (and hot chocolate, of course!). 

Until next time.
-xoxo

Well, Dad's Election Day has come and gone. And, it didn't turn out the way we hoped. At all. It left us with a lot.  Shock. Disappointment. Frustration. And, an opportunity for reflection. It also made me exhausted and hungry. 

Politics, such a funny animal. It's you versus another human being. Somehow, this noble goal of serving your fellow citizens and community goes to the wayside. It seems the fact that both candidates are both spouses, parents, friends, etc. is often forgotten; the other side is just a barrier in the way of a mission. The 2014 political season, especially in Kansas, certainly brought out the worst in some. Intentionally, the Pope camp stayed out of the muck.

The summary of our first foray in politics goes like this : We outlined. We planned. We campaigned cleanly with no bashing, misinformation, harvesting of votes, or other games. We voted. We waited. And though the others are difficult, the waiting is the worst. My dad decided to run for County Commissioner in mid-to-late May. Campaign tasks kicked off in the summer and we pushed through to November 4th. It was a busy few months. The Subbie got a lot of miles on her, we walked in a number of parades, tossed a lot of candy, shook a lot of hands, and did our best to get the message of VOTE POPE out. The entire time we waited to see what the people would say at the polls. 

We were told to be confident. So many people wanted change. So many said they would vote, or that they'd vote for him if they lived in the District. We went into Election Day hopeful, but not overconfident. When we got notification that the votes weren't on our side, it was a big let down and frankly, quite surprising. But my Dad, ever the optimist with rich, constant perspective, accepted the results graciously. He said, someone wins and someone has to walk away disappointed. I kid you not. He was naturally bummed, but not bitter or disheartened. He knew what he'd invested and those who supported him. He took comfort in the fact that his integrity was intact. 

I, on the other hand, was deeply bothered and was for a number of days primarily because the loyalties I thought would carry through didn't all pan out. The enthusiasm and respect for the duty to vote was disgustingly low--only about 9,000 people in a county of 23,000+ voted. I also just couldn't believe that the people of our County didn't see how wrong they were. They wouldn't get the chance to experience fairness, genuine concern for others, experience, and sense of humor my Dad had to offer. 

All that said, what I know: this experience has reaffirmed that my dad is still as much of my hero as he ever has been. His integrity is uncompromising. His stamina doesn't wain. He's positive to a fault. His sense of duty is resolute. He is confident in his values, beliefs, opinions, and abilities. He is absolutely who you should want to serve you as he's not motivated by personal intention or personal gain, but by the desire for progress and protection. He is a character with character. 

1. Heat olive oil in large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and peppers. Cook about 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. 
2. Add garlic and cook another minute. 
3. Add ground beef, salt, and pepper and cook until browned. Drain the grease from the meat and put back into pan. 
4. Add ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, and salt to small bowl and combine. 
5. Mix sauce mixture with meat mixture. Stir until well combined.
6. Reduce heat to low and simmer the meat mixture.
7. Spoon on to buns and top with cheese or other condiments. Serve warm.