LIFE LATELY: A WHOLE MONTH OFF

I didn't really mean to take a whole month off blogging...it just kind of happened.

I figured to start the new year I would try and take the time I usually spend blogging and read more, get outside more, and connect with family and friends more...and then a month later...I was still doing just that.

I still read other blogs daily, and recently I realized how much I missed sharing life updates, recipes, and other fun things on the blog- so I'm back, friends. Whether you like it or not (hopefully you like it?) I'm back.  

February is my favorite month, so it'll be a good month to start B&B back up! 

Here's what's been good lately:

1. Skiing!

 To start the year out, Michael and I took a few days to cross country ski at Wisconsin State Parks. If you're a Wisco skiier you MUST go to High Cliff State Park in Appleton- they have great trails! We recently got some fresh powder, and plan to make it out and about skiing more this month

2. Books on books on books!All the candy!

I was lucky enough to get a ton of books from family and friends for gifts over the holidays - which means I've been reading a lot more lately. I'm going to start doing book reviews on the blog (YAY NEW THINGZ), so look for them coming soon on People I Want to Punch in the Throat and Crazy Rich Asians!I 

3. All the candy!

have zero intention to stop doing rainbow order posts or posts with candy in 2016. They're my absolutely favorite to do, and I already have a few under my belt for the year. Best find? Sweethearts released a bag of their original flavors since it's their 150th anniversary and they are SO much better than the new flavors. I definitely went through the bag and picked out all the white Wintergreen flavored ones. #favorite

4. The Bachelor, and other TV things

Hey, I never said I was ditching TV to only read books! I have a group of women I watch the Bachelor with...although it usually ends up being half watching and half just talking to each other. For the record: Olivia is the worst, Jojo is adorable, and Lauren B is totally winning. Other than watching high-IQ shows like the Bachelor, I of course watched Making a Murder (do you guys think he's guilty?!), finally finished New Girl, and have been re-watching Parks & Recreation.

What's new with you?

To catch up on 2016 so far, go here!

xo, lp 

(instagram is the bomb.com. you can find me here ---> @lpodlich)

A FEW WAYS TO PRETEND IT ISN'T WINTER.

Hey friends.

You're in luck! Hopefully this is the last time I'll be whining about the weather- although it's snowing right now it is supposed to be 45 by Friday. 45 DEGREES! That's bikini weather around here! Yippee!!!!

Here's how I've been pretending it isn't still winter:

1. Wearing obnoxiously bright clothing. This picture doesn't do this shirt justice. Neee-on.

2. Making Reeses Peanut Butter eggs of all sizes (so addictive, watch out!)

3. Making chalkboard eggs (good in theory- but unless you set them somewhere right away they smudge a lot!)

4. Painting eggs and hiding them around our shelves...

5. Going to townie bars and playing shuffleboard with friends!

 6. Telling the cool people who read your blog about a sweet giveaway that'll be happening soon... (get excited people, this is a good one!)

What have YOU been doing to pretend it's not winter/get ready for spring?

If you want some PB eggs, please come over. I made wayyyy too many!

xo, lp

Pssssssssssssssssssssssst: Find me (@lpodlich) on Instagram here! 

WINTER VEGETABLE SOUP [even carnivores will love it]

I'm the pickiest soup eater ever.

I either like pureed soups, or chunky soups that only have specific veggies in them. I don't like beans, celery, or tomatoes in soup. Like I said : pickiest. soup. eater. ever. 

Thus, this soup HAS to be awesome for me to love it. Trust me.

What's even better is that it's a crock pot recipe, so work is minimal!

Now, let me say first Michael did most of the work in this soup. I supervised, and we both made seasoning decisions (crucial, of course). Just had to give him credit as the real soup maker in the house...

What you'll need to make it happen:

32 ounces of vegetable stock // 8 ounces water // 6 ounces tomato paste

2 cups chopped carrots // 2 cups chopped cauliflower // 2 cups chopped red potatoes

2 cloves garlic, minced // 2 small onions, chopped // 3 tablespoons pesto

1 tsp salt // 2 tsp black pepper // 2 tsp dried oregano // 2 Tbsp olive oil

dried parsley for garnish

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Throw your vegetable stock, water, tomato paste, olive oil, pesto, carrots, and potatoes in your crock pot (let cook for 30 minutes).

Step 2: While that cooks, sautee your onions in a little oil or butter and set aside.

Step 3: Throw in your cauliflower, onions, and seasonings, and let it go!

* You can absolutely throw all your veggies in at once, I just wanted to keep the cauliflower from getting too cooked down

** As it is with crockpots, either let it on all day on low so it's ready for dinner, or cook it on high so it's ready to enjoy in a few hours

 Crunchy bread is also absolutely necessary! 

 Enjoy!

Easy, right?

Nothing like a warm, flavorful soup to get rid of the chill of winter (Yes I can say winter- it was snowing again today)!

What's your favorite winter soup?

Email me your recipes/ideas: beautyandbeard@gmail.com!

xo, lp