Broccoli Cheese Soup

I am a huge fan of broccoli cheese soup but rarely eat it. When I came across this recipe, I knew I had to give it a try because it looked EASY and yummy....and it most definitely was.

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1 small onion, diced

1/3 cup flour
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
3 cups chopped, lightly steamed broccoli (I used frozen)

1. First, you need to steam your broccoli. You can use either fresh or frozen but if you use frozen, I recommend removing the "stumps" before cooking. The broccoli doesn't have to be steaming hot, just soft.

2. Simmer chicken broth and onion for 15 minutes in a small covered saucepan until the onions are soft

2.  Warm the milk in microwave for 1-2 minutes.
3. In a medium-large pot, melt the butter then add flour, salt, and pepper. Stir constantly for 2 minutes then whisk in warm milk.

4. Heat on medium until soup starts to thicken (5-8 minutes)

5. Add chicken broth/onion mixture and stir until blended

6. Add cheeses and stir completely until melted

7. Stir in cookd broccoli

8. Add additional salt and pepper to taste and serve warm

*If your soup is to thick, add more milk or chicken broth. If it is too thin, simmer over low-medium heat and stir until it thickens up.

Experience

A week from today is Good Friday and it has been weighing on my heart lately. Our church is hosting a Good Friday Experience next Friday night and has been showing the promo video the past couple of Sundays. I really cannot wait to attend and be fully immersed in God’s love on the day His son was crucified. If you are an Austinite, I invite you to this experience and would be thrilled if you came. There will be music, art, communion

Even if you aren’t local, I encourage you to watch this short promo video

Every time I watch the video, tears well up. The look on Jesus’ face is so calm, humbling, yet so scared and full of pain. One of my current favorite songs is What a Savior by Laura Story. Perfect for the Easter season. Jesus You are stronger, more than any other, Hallelujah what a Savior. I think about his love and passion for his people and His father. What He did for us is so incredible. The Lord sent His son to die so we could live. 

You are the way, the truth and the life
You are my joy and my salvation
Stood in my place, taking my shame
Upon your shoulders

I have been thinking a lot about the end of Jesus’ life lately. Jon and I are reading the bible (we are still in the Old Testament but constantly talking about the life of Jesus) and I can’t help but to think about Jesus in the flesh. I look at my husband, almost 29 years old, and think about Jesus walking this earth, just like my husband does. Smiling, laughing, eating, sleeping. It’s hard to believe sometimes that He was here on earth. But when I do think about it, I feel so convicted. So blessed. My heart cries in thanks to the Lord for saving me. What a tiny offering…compared to calvary.

In Him,

Ruthie 

"For those who know and follow Jesus, Good Friday presents a unique opportunity to connect at a deeper level to the meaning of Jesus’ death on the cross. This year, we’ve creating a self-guided, multi-sensory experience in multiple venues across the McNeil campus in order to help connect hearts and minds to this profound event that occurred 2000 years ago. As you move from station to station, you’ll experience the sights, sounds, and passion of the day that Jesus was crucified and will also be given the opportunity to pray, reflect, and receive communion as part of your overall Good Friday experience. Come at your convenience between the hours of 5 and 9 pm, but be sure to allow yourself at least an hour. " www.gatewaychurch.com

Talking Marriage

Morning y'all. I was at a loss for blog ideas today...between packing, moving, working, living...I didn't have a solid idea. But I did want to share with you a guest post I wrote for Jane @ In The Pink and Green a couple weeks ago. She asked me to talk about my marriage so here we go...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am Ruthie Hart and I blog over here.

I am a Christian wife, puppy mommy, marketer by day, and blogger/crafter/dreamer by night. We live in the greatest city in the US of A...Austin, TX!

One thing that I know Jane and I have in common is our goal of a Christ centered marriage. Hey no one's marriage is perfect but mine rocks because we are committed to a solid foundation based on the bible. Jon and I just celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary last month and continue to thank the Lord for sending us to each other. I never thought I would say this but....

my wedding day was NOT the best day of my life.

Crickets.....

Don't get me wrong! Our wedding was perfect. It was so beautiful and more than anything I could have ever imagined in my life.  Jon and I became one in the eyes of the Lord and celebrated with a huge party with our family and friends. Oh and getting your hair and makeup done...hard to top that! So back to the best day of my life. I can't say that because everyday, life gets better. I fall in love with my husband even more. Marriage is so much greater than any flower arrangement, fondant cake, or 5 piece band. 

What makes life and marriage so great?

I strive to be a Proverbs 31 woman, and Jon respects that

via

We strive for a Christ centered marriage, with the Lord being our #1 focus

via

We tithe

We look to the bible for help, advice, and tools to improve our relationship 

We bring the Lord into every aspect of our relationship...even sex!!! (insert gasp and giggle)

I am fully committed in being a Christian wife.

We pray together.  

Oh and not to mention...we have SO MUCH FUN together! Like the time we threw a wig party for Jon's birthday, or the time we went to the wax museum in LA. Or maybe last summer when we were fed up with the Texas heat so we celebrated Christmas in August?

(yes my husband was dressed like a girl, and no it wasn't the first time haha!)

Marriage is a gift from God. Yes it is work, but it is fun work! I look up to my husband in so many ways. I love who he is as a Christian, friend, son-in-law, sales dude at work...I couldn't ask for anything more in a mate and head of our household. So the moral of the story is, faith does wonders on a marriage. Our marriage is solid, fulfilling and will be everlasting because we honor the Lord, who created this wonderful covenant for man and wife!

Cheers and blessings!

blog.twitter.bloglovin

  
I'd love for you to tell me what makes your marriage/relationships/friendships strong. 

An Incredible Story of Friendship and Companionship

I was forwarded this email from my mom and knew I had to share it on my blog...

Blind Dog’s Seeing-Eye Dog

Reminds me of the old adage: “If you want a true friend, buy a dog”.

Lily is a Great Dane that has been blind since a

medical condition required that she have both eyes removed.

For the last 5 years, Maddison, another Great Dane, has been her sight.

 

The two are inseparable.

Maddison leads Lily to wherever she needs to go –

faithfully - all day, every day.

Playing out in the open, Lily can sense Maddison nearby...

and Maddison, of course, makes sure of it.

They romp freely, enjoying the outdoors that every dog loves.

Caring, patient, non-judgmental, wonderful camaraderie

exists between these two dogs.

 

Humans could take a lesson.

 

People may forget what you said.

 

They may even forget what you did.

 

But people will never forget how you made them feel. 

 

Be kinder than you might think necessary…

 

It morphs into an enjoyable habit.

Grace in Ghana

I am so excited to be sharing with you today a guy with a true talent and pretty cool story. Travis Tank is an incredible photographer that I've known since highschool Jon and I were lucky enough to have Travis shoot our engagement photos and our entire wedding. Travis and his wife Nina truly use God given gifts as photographers to glorify the Lord. Travis is taking a trip to Ghana this summer and I wanted him to share his story with you...

 (I forgot to mention his sweet daughter Amelia!)

First off thank you Ruthie much for letting me be your guest blogger today. For everyone else my name is Travis Tank and I am a photographer from Austin Texas. Some of you might recognize my name from shooting Ruthie’s engagement and wedding photographs. 

The reason for my blog today is that I am taking a ‘mission type’ trip to Ghana, Africa. The reason I say ‘mission type’ is because usually mission trips go with a group and have some sort of funding and support behind it. I am going alone, simply to do a documentary on the Ghana Evangelical Mission Association. They are an organization of mainly native Ghananians whose purpose is to provide clean water access to those whom have none, medical treatment in remote villages, education and microfinance to help further the hope of prosperity in a third world nation. I am funding the trip by myself and doing the whole thing pro bono for the organization. Here is where I need your help. I had hired a grant writer and have applied to at least 2 dozen organizations and have been turned down by them all. Apparently someone doing a trip by themselves doesn’t have the impact as a group and therefore it has been hard to get funding. I have now started to ask around for family and friends to help. 

I invite you to read more about the trip at on my blog {here}.  There will be a link to the paypal account you can donate to if its something you would like to help me with. I am also holding a fundraising event at Hanovers in Pflugerville on June 10 to help raise funds. There will be a charity volleyball tournament, live auction, music, friends and more. It is child friendly and my wife will be doing face painting.

Showcase of Travis' work

"The first photos are of people from my Azores series. I went to my father in laws homeland of Sao Miguel which is an island in the middle of the Atlantic between New York and Europe.All of those photos are random people whom I encountered and asked if I could photograph"

"The homeless people are from my series, There Are No Homeless in Heaven. This series is to help spread awareness and stories of those on the streets. To put a name to the face and for me to just talk with them. Usually I either give them a bag of food or buy them food or give them money for posing for me. "

Pinetop Perkins

 

If this is something you are interested in donating to …or you haven’t donated to your local blood bank lately, I would be very appreciative for any help you have to give. I believe God is going to provide the resources for me to go on this trip and He will guide me into an amazing journey. The content that comes from this will be from Him, working through me and all the people I encounter. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at Travis@TravisTank.com.

God Bless,

Travis Tank

 www.travistank.com

Weekend in iPhone pics

How was your weekend?

Ours was full yet super relaxing. We did a million things yet I feel rested and ready to go this week! Be sure to check out the 2 recipes I posted this weekend- inside out pizza pie and cake batter blondies.

Friday night my parents took us out to celebrate our anniversary a little late. My dad's parents take out each of their children every year for their anniversary and my parents started that tradition with us. We went to an awesome interior-Mexican restaurant called Fonda San Miguel. The atmosphere and ambiance was so beautiful and romantic. 

Love this necklace from The Yellow Peony

Queso asado with chorizo...mmm mmm

My parents will be celebrating their 27th wedding anniversary this summer!

We finished dinner at none other than Yogurtland (we are trying to go at least once a week until we move since we won't be close!) and then spent the evening at our house watching basketball (okay that was the men, my mom and I were going through paint colors) and playing hearts. I learned the game 2 weekends ago and have been obsessed ever since. I recently downloaded an app on my phone so I can practice :-). 

Ernie got in on the fun

Saturday we ventured downtown to the South Congress area for lunch at a famous Austin burger place, Hopdoddy, with some friends. Traffic was bad, the streets were packed and we waited in a line outside that wrapped around the entire building. I instantly got annoyed by these frat guys behind us in their tiny little neon tank tops blowing their cigarette smoke everywhere and little did we find out...it was fraternity round up. If you aren't familiar with what that is...you are lucky :-). Sorry frat guys, you are not my thing.

Jon's double patty bison bleu cheese burger

Only in Austin...(y'all I will drink out of a hose!)

We mosied around the funky SoCo area and spent too much time in an antique shop called Uncommon Objects. Words can't even explain the merchandise they sell...if you're ever in Austin, you have to visit this place.

owls/love the chandelier/ernie bug eyes!

me and bailey girl

surprisingly this is not Shawn White, it is Bailey's rockstar bf Ed! (who had an obsession with the massive Bill Nye lightbulbs)

The frenchie smile

Hey! I know Him!

Can you hear me now?

My life would be complete if I owned a card catalog...

We spent the rest of Saturday evening furniture shopping around the town. We LOVE secondhand and antique shops and Austin has plenty of those. We live near tons of furniture shops and decided to check out the fancy shmancy Louis Shanks because they were advertising a huge sale. No lie, we parked, took one look at all the $5k oriental rugs and got right back into the car. It's just not our style. At ALL. I am on the hunt for an antique Queen Anne style desk for my craft room and we happened to find the perfect one that had a big ol red sold sticker on it. Boo.

Tiniest little armchair ever

We had never been to Z Gallerie and popped in there Saturday night at the Domain and ended up buying a couch. Y'all...this couch is divine. We didn't want leather for our family room (Jon is a hot body from Ohio and leather makes him sweat!) so that narrows down the search and makes it very difficult. We wanted to stay away from browns and wanted something gray. Here is a sneak peek of the sofa that will be here in 2-3 weeks! (it looks brown bc of Instagram but it is gray)

Jon has a thing for tufted furniture

(do you love Jon's Ohio State shorts and metal tee?)

We hit up Fry's to check out some TVs and appliances and buy an external hard drive. Funny as you get older what you spend your money on haha. We watched the movie My Week With Marilyn Saturday night...it was good but I wasn't totally blown away. 

Sunday was so beautiful!! We spent the morning at church, grabbed lunch, then did some work around the house. I've started packing up the kitchen and call me crazy but I get such a high from it...I am weird. We also watched some Baylor basketball...wish they would have won but we are happy to be cheering for Ohio State! 

We had dinner with friends at a Mediterranean place right by our house that they had been raving about. We won't live in Central Austin much longer and all the funky/quirky restaurants are right in our neighborhood so we want to soak it all in. Moving farther west won't totally shield us from coming into downtown/Central Austin but we definitely won't be as close. This place was awesome. We sat outside under a bunch of lights and after dark, the owner came out and did a full belly dancing show. Jon gets so embarrassed for other people and he couldn't keep a straight face...

For you Austinites, the place was called Phara's on North Loop. And it's BYOB which is fun. I had lamb and it was the most tender lamb I'd ever eaten and we are pretty picky when it comes to good Greek food.

I know this post is getting long but one more thing...we watched Frozen Earth last night. Have y'all seen it? It is similar to Planet Earth but all about the arctic/antarctic. We were hoping Sigourney Weaver was narrating (I LOVE her voice) and were pleasantly surprised to hear Alec Baldwin's voice. Check it out on Sundays on Discovery, I was floored to see the footage they got. God sure made a masterpiece out of our world.

Thanks for reading today friends!

Cake batter blondies

When I eat dessert (which is quite often), I prefer it to be dipped, covered, or layered in chocolate, with the exception of pumpkin pie. For some reason when I came across this recipe, I knew I wanted to make it. And I am glad I did. It does have some white chocolate in it, so my chocolate craving was satisfied. Very very yummy y'all!

Ingredients

1 box yellow cake mix

1/4 cup canola oil

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles

1/2 cup white chocolate chips 

1. Combine the first four ingredients in a large bowl

2. Add the milk slowly and mix

3. Mix in the rainbow sprinkles and white chocolate chips

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges start to brown at 350 degrees

Inside Out Pizza Pie

The original recipe called this dish Zesty Italian Crescent Casserole but I wanted to give it a more fitting name. This is a yummy and EASY Italian meal I will definitely be making again.

Ingredients

1 lb  ground beef/turkey

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper

1 cup spaghetti sauce

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1  can crescent rolls (I used crescent rounds, new from Pillsbury, and they were easier)

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1. Cook the meat and onions with seasonings and salt/pepper until cooked through (about 8-10 minutes)

2. Drain and stir in 1 cup spaghetti sauce 

3. Meanwhile, mix together the sour cream and mozzarella cheese in a separate bowl

4. Pour hot meat mixture into un-greased deep pie dish (or baking dish if you don't have a pie dish).

5. Spoon the cheese/sour cream mixture over the meat

6. Unrole the crescent rolls over the cheese mix. I arranged the crescent rounds in a lattice pie fashion. 

7. Melt butter in a small bowl and mix with Parmesan cheese

8. Top the unbaked pie with the butter/Parmesan mix

9. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes until dough is golden brown

Enjoy!