1. Play date with Leah! I haven't gotten together with Leah for WAY too long. She doesn't live very far away- but for since we keep in touch via the internet pretty regularly and something always come up when we try to get together in person we just haven't. Anyway- it was fun to have her and her two cuties over to play.

2. A surprise success. I like to cook, but I usually stick to following recipes. I pried myself in my ability of finding/choosing good ones and even altering ones to fit our tastes (sometimes a little spicier than most people's)- but usually when I try to concoct something of my own it ends up mediocre. For the play date lunch though I decided to make a soup (since it was snowing) with things I had on hand. The result was so good I've written it down and stuck it in my recipe collection!

Jaime's Tortellini Soup

1 can chicken broth
1 can chicken chunks (with water)
1 can diced tomatoes w/green chiles (could substitute "w/garlic and onion" for less spicey)
approx 1/2 cup chopped frozen spinach
1 Tbsp prepared pesto sauce
approx 2 cups frozen tortellini

Simmer all but tortellini until aromatic and flavorful.Add tortellini and simmer until warmed through. Garnish with shredded Parmesan if you have it.

3. Robinson Crusoe. Jake's mom gave this to us for Christmas (she always gives us a book to encourage the continued habit of reading). I hadn't ever read this classic, and so thought I'd give it a try. It reminds me of castaway- with spiritual undertones, and I'm really enjoying it.