bring it on

Nothing says togetherness like being snowed in, and that just might be the case for many of us Midwesterners tonight and tomorrow. I already loaded up on the milk, eggs, bread and such. Now I’m just trying to figure out what I’ll do with the kids home for a snow day … just when the teachers and parents were up for a full week of school! (We had only one other full week in November because of conferences, teachers meetings and the holiday.) So, here are a few of my ideas, along with an easy, yummy soup recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks, Dierbergs. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

1. Finish cleaning out the 7-year-old’s room. We found actual carpeting in one spot the other day, maybe we could find the rest of his room. Build some of the 5-year-old’s dismantled castles or pirate ships. Maybe host a salon day for my daughter’s dolls.
2. Finish putting up holiday decorations.
3. PLAY IN THE SNOW … DRINK HOT CHOCOLATE … WATCH PRANCER.
4. Bring up the box from Oriental Trading and a bottle of glue. Leave it on the kitchen table and see who asks to do some crafting.
5. Bake some muffins, make a dessert or plan the treats we’ll give friends and family.
6. Break out the Easy Bake after lunch.
7. Let each kid have a long turn in the bathtub … with toys. Usually they only have time for showers.
8. Design wrapping paper with some foamy Christmas stamps, washable paint and clean newsprint.
9. PLAY IN THE SNOW … DRINK HOT CHOCOLATE … WATCH AN AMERICAN GIRL MOVIE.
10. Make dinner together … one kid can Crock-pot the soup together, one kid can put the Pillsbury Crescent Rolls on the cookie sheet and one kid can help Daddy make hot chocolate for dessert.

I’d love to hear about your perfect snow day. Snuggle up, winter’s really here this time!

Tuscan Vegetable Soup From the Best of Dierbergs
This warm and wonderful soup is a meal that the whole family will love. Keep the ingredients on hand for a dinner that’s ready in minutes.

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
½ cup thinly sliced celery
1 clove garlic, minced
1 15.5-oz can diced tomatoes in juice
1 14-oz. can beef broth
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1 tsp. Italian herb seasoning
1 15-oz can cannelloni or navy beans, rinsed and drained
Shredded asiago cheese

In a dutch oven or large saucepan, cook ground beef, onion, celery, and garlic over medium-high heat until beef is no longer pink; drain any fat. Add tomatoes with their juice, broth, carrots, and seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in beans. Cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Top each serving with asiago cheese. Makes 6 servings

*Note: No celery for my gang … I double this to feed the five of us and we just use Kraft grated parmesan on top because it’s what’s always around. (It's also good with Italian sausage.) Enjoy!