Evenin’ friends!
Cold, shmold – this afternoon was gorgeous! I got out during lunchtime and took a stroll around the nearby sculpture garden that opened up a couple months ago. It was just as nice out today, November 11th, as it was the last time I went at the end of September…wild!
I also stopped by a nearby gas station on my walk, to pick up a fountain pop, and had two of the strangest encounters/exchanges ever…
- As I was walking up to the door, 2 teenagers swung into the parking space right in front of the store and started barking at me. Awesome. They later apologized as I was walking back out. Awesome?
- The woman who was behind me in line was standing approximately 3 inches away, so I turned to see what the deal was and she goes “WooAAHH! – too close for ya’?! Better be careful – I might swipe your debit card!” Hmmm, ok?
Needless to say, I won’t be back to that gas station any time soon! Thankfully, my fountain pop was very refreshing. FYI. 
In other news, Mr. IGE had the day off today and bless his little heart – his original plans were to either:
1. Sleep for 36 hours straight, or
2. Watch movies all day.
Instead, he found himself in the middle of a third, very different, scenario:
3. Cleaning the entire house and running errands all day!
I felt bad for the guy, I really did – but…cool! Do you know the joy I felt walking into a sparkling clean home AND finding that he had picked up my medicine and face lotion at Target as well?
Plus, dinner was all ready to go! Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup was bubbling away on the stove when I walked through the door. What a guy 
I actually made this last night as I was on hold with my blog hosting tech support line. I let it cool down after it was all cooked and popped it in the fridge. Today, Ben let it warm up on low heat for about 20 minutes, and we were ready to rock!
I made this recipe the same way as last time, except I cubed and cooked my chicken in the pot when the veggies were about 90% done. I also used half frozen egg noodles and half frozen flat dumplings.
Mmmmkay – flat dumplings are where it’s at! This got a “best soup I’ve ever had” award from Ben.
The dumplings get super soft and chewy as they cook, and are just so satisfying to eat. Know what I mean?
We also topped our soup with some oyster crackers.
Do you top your soup with crackers and/or saltines?
Seriously you guys, if you haven’t made this soup yet – don’t wait. It’s incredibly easy, heartwarming and sooo tasty!!
Dessert shall be Darrell Lea Australian Licorice from my friend’s care package!
Nevermind the soup – if you haven’t had this licorice yet, look here to see where you can find it.
Or, if you happen to live or are visiting Las Vegas anytime soon, they have an almost exact replica of this licorice in the Sugar Factory store at the The Mirage. (Random factoid, I know!)
That really made me want to go back to Vegas, actually…!
Tonight = Top Chef Las Vegas…perhaps this is a sign. I might be spending some time on Expedia this evening…
Have a good one!
~~~~~
Where’s your favorite warm-weather vacation destination?
My heart belongs to Hawaii – it’s the most incredile place!
Related posts:
Florida and long boat key! such nice beaches
Oooh yummy soup! I was wondering how those frozen noodles were. I’ll give that a whirl for this weekend.
Certain places are weirdo magnets. Or maybe I’m just a weirdo magnet. But I had to laugh at the gas station story. Walmart on 73rd is that place for me.
Love the blog!
What a guy is right! Sometimes they surprise us right
It must be in the air this month, my bf has been crazy sweet as well and I am just loving it (spoiled… nahhhh 
) Din looks fantastic too, I can see why it got the “best soup” award from the man!!!
I just discovered top chef. I love it!
I don’t eat my soup with either kind of cracker. I prefer bread and butter!
How wierd that those guys barked at you! And what is up with that crazy lady? Okay, this kind of happened to me at the store last weekend. I had my purse in my cart and leaned over to get some broccoli when this old woman came up behind me and started screaming at me for not watching my purse. She said “You should be ashamed for being so careless. Most people don’t have a dime and you are just asking for someone to take your things!” Weird!!! There are some real odd balls out there.
Well, regardless, at least you had a real love bird to come home to. And a clean sparkling house? Wow, that’s awesome!
For warm weather I have the fondest memories of my Grandparents Beach house in MD on the Chesapeake Bay.
I want to go to Hawaii never been! I miss chicken noodle soup since I gave up meat :/ LOL I ran errands all day and didn’t really have a day off just didn’t do HW I needed to do.
that soup looks irresistible! i love a good hearty chicken noodle soup!
cali is where my heart is, i want to go back so bad!
WOW- go Ben! He definitely earned some points today.
That soup looks A-MAZING. Must try it!
My favorite warm weather destination is Kiawah Island, SC.
Las Vegas is calling your name! Haha, Las Vegas is awesome. However, when it comes to warm weather vay-kay spots San Diego is my zone. Sunlight, beach, and opportunities galore to do some major damage shopping!
Or Cancun. Cancun is so much fun!
Actually, the only warm, beachy location I’ve ever visited was this past summer – Zanzibar! Random, I know!
I live in the West Des Moines area and read your blog everyday. I happened to be at Target today as well and saw someone that I thought I recognized only to realize it wasn’t someone I knew, but was actually your husband! I recognized him from all the pictures you post, I even turned to my mom and said I think that’s my favorite blog girl’s husband, and now after reading this tonight my suspicions were confirmed. I think you do a fantastic job here and can’t wait to read your latest blog every morning before work!
Haha, oyster crackers always make me think of middle school–I used to take like 10 packs from the soup bar in the cafeteria and eat them all day:)
I know that sculpture – we discussed it in my contemporary art theories course last year! The sculpture is by Jaume Plensa, right?
And my oh my oyster crackers! I just made some seasoned ranch oyster crackers and they were the BEST tasty snack to munch on during Gossip Girl! …but they disappeared once my roommates got a hold of them =(.
Favorite warm place to visit: Palo Alto, Cali (love when siblings live far away!)
Palm Springs. Cheesy I know but it’s so laid back and has that old rat pack feel. Plus it’s cheap, hot and there are casinos nearby
I love your picture of the sculpture – beautiful!
I would be a little creeped out by the gas station folks too! Yikes.
My favorite warm weather get away would probably be Croatia, Spain, or South Africa. However, I’m also lucky to be living on the paradise island of Okinawa, Japan right now.
I’m actually going to Las Vegas next week! I am going to try to make it to the Sugar Factory-that licorice looks delicious!
I’ve been to Florida over spring break and it was great, but I really haven’t taken a warm weather destination vacay. I’m too busy trying to get across the ocean to Europe and Asia and figure I can take the warm, Mexico vacations anytime. Greece and Egypt, on the other hand, may not be as possible later.
That soup looks so comforting – and those crackers? Mummm..
Oh yeah, Hawaii rocks my world.
You encounter the strangest things. First a man in a flesh colored ski mask (that still cracks me up) and now weirdos at the gas station! What’s going on up in Iowa!?
Hi!. Thanks for the blog. I’ve been digging around for info, but i think i’m getting lost!. Google lead me here – good for you i suppose! Keep up the good work. I will be popping back over in a couple of days to see if there is any more info.