In honor of the new kitchen, the new year, the new president, and the new economy, we are introducing a new Vegetable Based Initiative here at Casa Good Soil.

In the past, 93.7% of our vegetable consumption has consisted of steamed broccoli, Caesar salad, and baby carrots (which are really NOT baby, in case you didn't know). In the summer we also eat a lot of tomatoes, avocadoes and summer squash.

I'm guessing there has to be, like, ten more vegetables out there that aren't cauliflower or beets.

So, in looking toward the New World Order, we have resolved to increase our variety of vegetable intake before the rationing begins. Kidding, I'm kidding. Tonight I made a delicious butternut squash pasta (which really falls more in the starch category, but still) that I got from the most recent issue of Cook's Illustrated that graced my stocking this year. I also made a salad with butter bibb lettuce, grapefruit, pecans and avocadoes and made a grapefruit vinaigrette for it. Yum.

Got any good vegetable recipes that you'd like to share? No need to submit cauliflower or beet recipes. I've btdt, and I've got the t-shirt, thanks. And you cannot fool me into thinking that mashed cauliflower tastes Just Like Mashed Potatoes, Really It Does!

Other than that I'm open to anything. We are ready to experiment here. Hit me.

And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, and savior is born to you. He is Christ the Lord."

Not too many days left till Christmas, folks. Have you shopped? We have. We've wrapped, too. This is very uncharacteristic of us. I generally end up wrapping everything after the kids finally go to sleep at midnight on Christmas Eve. And Lord help us all if something has to be assembled.

So this is a banner year at Casa Good Soil.

Here are some random things I need to tell you:

1. A good many of the Christmas decorations are still in the attic. We have a tree and stockings up. But no tree topper. No wreath. No santas. I do have a fleece blanket from Target that has penguins on it out in the living room. I got it in a white elephant exchange a few years back. I'm not sure when it becomes pointless to get the decorations out, but I have hope that it is sometime AFTER December 20.

2. I'm hosting Christmas dinner. However, I have yet to determine a) the menu, b) the guest list, and c) whether we will eat it on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Yeah. I'll get on that.

3. I think I broke my toe. That has nothing to do with anything, except that I need to tell you about it. It doesn't hurt as much as it did, but it does hurt. Particularly when I bump it into something. Then my eyes water and I think of cuss words.

4. Clementine Cuties are available in the grocery store.

5. Ordering doors off of the internet is not a great idea. I need two pocket doors for my pantries, but shipping is more than the doors. So I have to go to a real store. I hate that.

6. It's in the 70's here. Day before yesterday the public schools were closed because of the ice on the roads. It's going to be in the teens on Sunday. Welcome to Texas.

7. Classical Writing rocks.

8. Leftover pot roast and mashed potatoes on sourdough bread is an excellent sandwich.

9. My husband is teaching my children about classic rock. As in Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Clapton, etc. Luke can play Back in Black on his guitar. We may be banned from homeschooling.

10. I *heart* toddler tummies.

11. A giggling 8 year old is the best sound of the season.

It is good to have a functioning kitchen. I made chicken enchiladas tonight for dinner.

I can unload 90% of the dishwasher without taking a step now. That's what a good layout will do for you. Now I have to go to the gym.

The countertops get installed on Thursday. We still have a lot of trimwork to do, and the floors won't be refinished till January.

But we have a kitchen that works! WOOT!

Other stuff.

Luke is playing indoor soccer for the winter. Something set him on fire this fall and he has been practicing all. the. time. He's good. He is slated to be on two teams playing in three leagues this spring. That's four practices and 3 games every week. I'm not sure I can take it. But next fall if he goes select he will have to give up his rec team. That will be very sad for all of us, but the right thing. His club coach is just tremendous. He really teaches the boys, but keeps his cool. His personality is the perfect match for Luke's temperament.

However, the boy's math brain seems to have turned off. Like you are speaking in Greek when you ask a math question. Where did his math brain go? If you've seen it, please report it to me. He is doing great in everything else, and finally reading because HE WANTS TO. I never thought that would happen.

Peyton is in her first play on Friday. She has loved being in drama and wants to continue with it. However, tonight when we were practicing her lines, she started crying and told me she was scared. She'll be fine, but I do feel for her and her nerves.

Peyton sings. Nor formally, but if you come to our house and listen, it is likely that you will hear her singing. Today it was Galatians 2:20. Did you ever sing that chorus?

Peyton is just smart. She gets things. It's fun to watch that girl think.

Romy opens cabinets. All of the cabinets. She eats anything and everything that we adults eat. And asks for more. If you sit down for 30 seconds or more, she will bring a book to you and crawl into your lap to hear you read it. Oh, I do love that.

I know it's December, but I thought I'd show you our Halloween costumes. Because that's how I operate.



Luke is a hick (he now wears those overalls whenever they are clean), Romy is a sock monkey, and Peyton is Dorothy. Romy agreed to wear the costume for about 3 minutes. Then she sat on the front porch with her chicken nuggets greeting the trick-or-treaters. Notice she's signing for more in this picture.