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

Getting married brings lots of changes to one's life. The most obvious, a new last name. For most of my life I was convinced that I would not change my last name. Or at the very least, I would hyphenate. Seriously. Well, enter Nicholas. This crazy fellow turned my world upside down and inside out. He was and is everything I am not. The day after we met I told my best friend A that "my heart was in trouble." Flash forward to 2013, Nicholas proposed and eight short months later we walked the aisle. In preparation for the wedding, we completed the obligatory marriage license documents. Towards the bottom of the form, it asks about the bride's new last name. With no hesitation at all I wrote "Born" in the last name field. 

WHOA! 

Yes, in the blink of eye I abandoned a long-held conviction with no regret at all. To this day, I don't know that I can explain my change of heart other than it was just right. Perhaps the words of the Avett Brothers will give it a little more context, "...theres was nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name." Right on, huh?

I still love and respect the idea of a woman choosing to retain her own family name or hyphenating. I thought I'd be in that club but it turns out I really love being Mrs. Born, plain and simple.  Though, just because I now sign another four letter last name doesn't mean I am any less of a Pope. I am the last Pope born into my Grandpa's side of the tree. With or without that name on my driver's license, that's still my place and still my honor.

In observance of Memorial Day, I think it's only fitting I introduce you to the dapper man who gave my family of origin its name. Kermit Pope served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the 1940's. He'd suffered polio as a boy and was left with one leg shorter than the other...in other words, a ticket right to rejection from the Service. But, my Grandpa had a sense of obligation like no other, coupled with family pride, so he fashioned a wood block to wear in his shoe so that he could qualify. He was a member of "the Greatest Generation" and is still one of the greatest men I've ever known. He owned and operated a pharmacy for over 40 years after his service and was a dedicated community leader before serving your community was cool.

Being a Pope means a lot of things, specifically dedicated involvement to many things and people in the communities we co-exist in. But being a Pope also means you must LOVE potatoes. No questions asked. Period. My Grandpa often said that his girls (he had 1 grandson and the rest granddaughters) would have potatoes coming out of their big ears (inherited trait from him) if someone didn't take away our spoons. This favorite starch was a staple (sometimes in multiple forms) at big family meals. And every time I have a serving, er I mean a heap of, incredible potatoes, it makes me feel a little closer to my family. 

On Saturday of this Memorial Day Weekend, I cooked potatoes. Gasp! That's underwhelming, huh? 

These were not any just ol' taters... they were crispy salt and vinegar potatoes. Tangy, salty, and utterly swoon-worthy... Do yourself a favor and visit Climbing Grier Mountain's blog for the recipe. I feel like this food blogger and I would hit it off just splendidly. Her family owns restaurants (i.e. Harry's and Bourbon and Baker) in Manhattan, KS (aka The Little Apple; aka one of my most loved cities). It's a total bonus that she makes AWESOME food and shares the details. 

Here's a snapshot of our rendition of Lauren's recipe. Gosh, pixels can't even do them justice. 

Potato. Patato. Papas. No matter how you say it, they're delicious and they're a food of my family. Reflect some this holiday weekend on what matters most and why we're able to enjoy the things we do. And most of all remember, be who you are and adore what makes you, YOU. If it means a few extra calories, so be it. 

xo-