Updating my Blog, please check back, can't believe it's been so long since I posted anything, Life has been an adventure since I last posted....stay tuned..

Ok, I woke up this morning and looked out the window already knowing it was freezing cold outside because I had my window opened a crack all night....Lo and behold (not to my surprise) there was a coating of the fluffy white crap on the ground, ANYONE that knows me knows that I absolutely hate snow and cold....I have said and always will say "I like my clothes, I just can't see wearing them all at once".   Really, it should be illegal to live in Minnesota during the Winter.  The Summers here are ok, however, last Summer was unusually hot, but at least I only had two pieces of clothing on at one time.

So, since it's freezing cold outside and there's a dusting (too much) snow on the ground I decided it would be a good day for soup.

Here is my rendition of Olive Gardens "Zuppa Toscana"...I love, love, love this soup, it's definitely a comfort food and will fill you up...Enjoy!

Zuppa Toscana


Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound mild Italian sausage
1/3 pound of bacon, diced
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 quart  chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream
1 pound Russet potatoes (2 large), cut into 1-inch chunks
1 small bunch kale (or Swiss chard), torn or chopped
Fresh ground black pepper

Method

1. Heat oil in large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Remove sausage from casings and saute in the oil, using a wooden spoon to break up into small chunks. Drain excess fat and set aside.

2. In the same pot, saute bacon, onions and garlic over medium high heat for approximately 10 minutes, or until the onions are soft. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until soft, about 20 minutes. Pour in heavy cream and cook until thoroughly heated. Stir in the sausage and kale. Top with fresh ground pepper, if desired. Optional topping, grated parm cheese.  ENJOY!

I also serve this with a salad and the original Olive Garden dressing (that can now be purchased at Sam's Club.

It's just like I visited the Olive Garden but never left the house..

Good Morning,

This is my first post on my new blog "Beyond The Stones" so I thought I would elaborate a bit on the title of this blog.  I seem to be a habitual kidney stone maker, not by choice but because that's just what my body wants to do.  Many people including myself compare kidney stones to child birth, with that being said, I think I have about 30 or so fictitious children.  Thankfully in real life I only have a few....children that is.  I've been through many many tests to find the cause of this problem, but no one can seem to come up with anything other than it's in my gene's....I'd say it's time for a new pair.  I will post periodically about this subject in the hopes that maybe someone else goes through the same thing and we can compare notes.  This subject is NOT going to be the main focus of this blog.

I have many things in my life that I am passionate about and enjoy, and I try very hard not to let this condition dictate to me what I'm going to do.  Although, having said that, sometimes it's unavoidable, I never know when one is going to strike and how that particular one is going to make me feel.  I almost always have to have surgery to remove them which usually changes my life for about a week afterwards.

This Blog will have many subjects, some of which will be but not limited to....Fun, Facts, Food, Family and many many more, just depends on what I'm passionate about when I wake up that day.

So, Welcome aboard and I hope you enjoy your stay and find my blog interesting and fun. I am open to suggestions and subjects, so if you have something you'd like to read about that I'm not covering, just let me know.

I hope you all have a blessed day.

JT