¼ cup butter or margarine
2 medium carrots, chopped (1 cup)
2 stalks celery, sliced (1 cup)
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 14-ounce cans chicken broth
½ tsp. ground white pepper
¼ tsp. salt
2 cups half-and-half, light cream or whole milk
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups cubed cooked chicken or turkey
1 cup whipping cream
½ of a 8- or 9-ounce can of artichoke hearts, cut into bite-size pieces
½ of a 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained
1 4.5 –ounce round Brie or Camembert cheese, rind removed
1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add chopped carrots, sliced celery, chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook and stir until vegetables are tender. Add the broth, white pepper and salt. Bring soup mixture to boiling, reduce he heat. Simmer the soup, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
2. In a large screw-top jar, combine the half-and half and flour. Cover and shake well until smooth; stir into soup. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
3. Stir in chicken, whipping cream, artichoke hearts, spinach, and Brie. Cook and stir over medium low heat about 5 minutes more or until heated through and cheese is melted. Stir often to make sure the soup doesn’t scorch on bottom of the saucepan. Ladle warm soup into bowls and garnish with some croutons, if desired.
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Yes, I think I will garnish with croutons. Thanks for another fabulous recipe, Natalie! My sis-in-law is the BEST cook!
One of my best friends, Celeste, drove a long distance (10 miles) to come hang out at the hotel! She's so kind *smile. Baby Weston warmed right up to her. 
My brother Brent and two of my other nephews, Noah and Hayden, drove from 
And then it was off to Jordan Creek to shop, shop, shop on Saturday. My sweet friends Deana and
and I got to see Miss Chloe Luelle and all of her cuteness. Can't believe she's coming up on her first birthday!.jpg)
Speaking of cute babies...
Leslie was kind enough to have all of us over for dinner Saturday night. These three were best friends in high school and all gave birth within the last 5 months. Life sure changes! Aubrie's daughter, Aaliyah, was born in October and Leslie's son, Bennett, was born in November. Big sister Addi was so excited about all the babies at her house!
I was super excited to meet this guy - my cousin's 2nd baby and newest member of the Sonne family - Cole James! He has the biggest brown eyes and was a complete love.
Cole's big brother, Zach, kept all of us laughing. I love his little 2 year old self in his Carhartt jacket - just like his daddy.
It was fun to see Noah and Hayden and hear their funny stories.
And the boys LOVED the tractor rides that cousin Randy gave them. I am pretty sure Hayden will be talking about that for awhile...*smile.
Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving as well. We most certainly are blessed.
I think Tom enjoyed the furry friend more than he let on *smile.
But now it was evident that time and weather had taken its toll on our once bountiful oasis.
What had once been flourishing...
now dead and dry.
And isn't that just like our faith sometimes? As Tom and I cut away dead branches, pulled up roots and threw away lifeless buds, I felt a twinge of comparison to real life. Our hearts get heavy with the burdens of this world and we lose our energy to earnestly seek after Him. Our prayers are quick and hurried, if we pray at all. We wonder why we feel empty. And depleted of the fruit of the spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The things we so desire...
Sometimes it doesn't matter what the weather is like or how many times I've worked out that week or whether people were nice to me at work. Some days I just feel tired. Sometimes there is no explanation other than I need more of Jesus. It has been one of those weeks where my heart is heavy with prayer requests from those I love and heartache for even those that I don't. I know life won't always be colorful, vibrant, blooming flowers. I know that suffering produces perseverance. I know that in our trials, we grow in ways we might otherwise not be able. I know that He is with me always and that the power of the Holy Spirit lives in me. I know that He suffers with us in our grief. I know that to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven. And I also know that we are to praise Him in all things -- like the beautiful blooming flowers that once were. 
So while I feel weary at times, I am thankful that I am learning and growing. I lay these burdens at His feet for truly He knows best how to handle them. I look forward with great anticipation to spring blossoms that will once again fill our courtyard, but until then, I will enjoy the simple color of one tenacious purple cabbage that is still going strong.