Munchie Monday: Roasted Tomato Soup

I hope you enjoyed the previous post! If you are not a fan of fried things (gasp! do those people even exist?!), you will probably enjoy this recipe a lot more.

I am not a soup person. I refuse to acknowledge whatever health benefits it may have for sick people and I do not enjoy eating it. Well, other than hot and sour soup and tomato soup.* A few weeks ago, I decided I was in the mood for some tomato soup. However, since I am a future housewife I thought I should put a bit more effort into the meal than opening some Campbells. My sister Natalia sent this Roasted Tomato Soup recipe to me and I knew I had to try it out (btw I highly suggest you check out that blog, it has some delicious recipes!). I did not do the cheese crust on top and opted for regular oven baked grilled cheese sandwiches instead.

J believes that it is a snack if there is no meat, but he did not even notice that I went vegetarian on him for the night! He also said that this was the best meal I had made for him, second only to my cast iron fried chicken. And now here is my altered version of the delicious recipe.

Ingredients

• 3 lb plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 large garlic cloves (mine were peeled)
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme, basil and a pinch of oregano
• 3/4 tsp crushed red pepper (yum! spicy)
• 4 cups chicken broth

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 and wrap garlic in tin foil
2. Put tomatoes in a large mixing bowl and add oil, salt and pepper then mix
3. Spread tomatoes out on a cookie sheet and add the tin foil garlic packet
4. Switch oven to broil and put cookie sheet on the top rack for about 5 minutes
5. Switch oven back to bake at 400. The tomatoes should take about 45 minutes at this point, but check every so often to make sure they are not burning.
6. Unwrap garlic packet and put garlic and tomatoes in a food processer. Blend until it is a consistency to your liking (mine was entirely smooth). 
7. Pour tomato mixture into a pot and add chicken broth, herbs and red pepper. Bring to boil and then simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes. You can alter cook time so that it is the consistency that you want.
8. Eat and enjoy!

*It amuses J to no end that I hate soup and I hate tomatoes, but I love tomato soup

Halloween Treats!

Happy Halloween, y'all! In honor of this amazing day, I wanted to share with you something amazing that I cannot believe I haven't heard of before.

Deep Fried Candy Corn

I love love LOVE candy corn and will definitely be frying some up. Or maybe have J do the frying, I always burn myself. I hope y'all all have a great holiday! To our Florida readers, don't sweat too much! To everyone else, enjoy the fall weather! 

Fresh Idea Friday: Crayons, All Grown Up

My super sparkly friend Ashley recently took it upon herself to do a craft project. She is so creative and crafty!

This project is a great idea for a kid's room or for throwing some fun color into a room! You need a big box of crayons, hot glue, a canvas and a hair dryer. Glue the crayons in whatever order you like along the top of the canvas. Ashley did hers by color, which is a lot of fun and probably makes the color drips combine better. Once the glue has dried, just run the blow dryer over the crayons so that they melt and start dripping. Let it dry and admire your handiwork!

Wedding Tip Wednesday: Gum?!

Let this be a reminder to all brides: don't chew gum on your wedding day!

Kemper Mills Fant Photography

This picture has such potential! But it is ruined by the gum hanging out of the bride's mouth. Rather than remembering a tender moment between you and your loved one, you shall stare at photographic evidence of your poor choice for the rest of your life. Consider banning gum for all wedding party and family members when the photographer is being paid. You will thank me later.

BTW, if you are searching for a photographer in the Virginia area, you should check out the above link. There are some great gum free images! The wedding packages start at $4000.

Trousseau Tuesday: Wedding Shoes!

Recently, a family friend said she wanted to buy my wedding shoes since she knows how important they are (pretty much on the level of the dress). I have been perusing the shoe departments ever since and have not found anything, though! I want something delicate and fun! But it seems the designers are showing no love to skinny legs - everything is clunky! Hopefully I will find something that I love. Suggestions are welcome!

These Christian Louboutins just aren't working for me. They are super sparkly, but.. meh. I feel like I can do better for that amount of money.

These shoes are a lot of and black would fit in my December 1 wedding, but I still don't love it. They kind of remind me of witch shoes, and while I generally embrace my witch like qualities I need a different look for my wedding day.

Now these shoes are fun! I could definitely do my something blue with one of these pairs. However, Mother does not love the idea so I shall keep searching!