Today I made French Onion Soup from scratch (as my husband would willingly add). I have wanted to make it since I learned that it was one of his favorite soups. Even though it is snowing, I am inside preparing the soup, taking short breaks to help my husband pull wire (he is currently moving a switchplate in the dining room).

This recipe is great for a romantic dinner, complete with tablecloth, cloth napkins, and candlelight.The recipe was easy, I used too many onions. Next time I will use 2 cups or less of onions. I would also use a larger loaf of bread for the toast. The small French loaf from Kroger was too small for my liking. I didn't have dried thyme so I substitued sage. The cheese (Grueyer) was wonderful although I would use more cheese. My husband's suggestion was to serve with a Roast Beef sandwich next time. I used white wine in the soup, possibly a little more than called for. I tasted the wine and it wasn't to my liking so I poured the rest into the soup. When I tasted the soup, it did not need salt or pepper.

French Onion Soup for 4 - 6 people

8 onions, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/3 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

8 cups beef stock

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper

1 loaf French bread

2 cups grated Gruyere

Saute onions and garlic in oil over low heat until tender and golden yellow. Sprinkle flour over onions, cook a few minutes more, browning the flour well. Add stock and wine and bring to a boil, add thyme and bay leaf. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently for 20 minutes or so. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

Meanwhile, slice French bread into 3/4-inch slices and butter both sides. Toast slices on griddle until golden brown. Ladle soup into an ovenproof bowl, add toasted bread and cover with cheese. Place ovenproof bowl on a baking sheet lined with tin foil. Bake at 350 degrees F or 5 minutes under a hot broiler.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_33453,00.html

Tile Floor part 1

Ok, the prep work has been done. DH has the hardiboard down and yesterday (**yawn**) late in the evening we finished putting down the radient heat for the flooring. This means that tomorrow we can start putting down the tile. It has taken a little longer to get to this point but the floor was not level, the whole kitchen had to be gutted so the pipes and electrical wires could be worked on. That being said, we both are very grateful to be at the point where we are. Woo-hoo!! The radient heat wires are finally down!

Fireworks for the 4th of July

Sorry, not our first fight, the fireworks mentioned is what we saw on Friday evening. We took Sizzle and Belle with us to walk on the Square of Marietta. There were lots of people there, street performers, food vendors, and sidewalk vendors. We had fun strolling around looking at everything. Belle stayed with DH and kept to his side. Sizzle, on the other hand, wanted to greet everyone and if someone walked by with their hands by their side she saw that as an invitation to lick their fingers. Several people stopped us wanting to pet, or wanting their children to pet, the Goldens. Of course they both soaked in the limelight and loved every minute of attention. They were not scared by the fireworks, which were amazing and loud. This is an event to repeat next year! Great fun!

Wisteria's 2nd Vet appointment

Today DH took Wisteria to the Vet's for her vaccination shots and for testing of Feline Respitory disease. She played with the vet and did well for her shots. She tested negative. Yea!! She is now 3 1/2 pounds.