Gnocchi Soup... you will be glad you did!

Ok, so I have encountered a new soup and I can say it tops my favorite soup list. I had it the other day while at brunch-lunch with a friend at Olive Garden. It is a "must try." Last year around this time I dove into the soup thing and I made several soups that will now be an annual eat. So now I am so excited because we are creeping back into soup season and this new soup will be a great way to kick off my soup cooking season! Actually... today I plan to make the copycat version of this Olive Garden Style Chicken and Gnocchi Soup! The cool air and time of year has inspired me. Also, I am excited to round up my ingredients at a favorite store of mine, Central Market!

That day at lunch was my first time to try gnocchi pasta, which are "dumpling like" pasta bits. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed two large bowls of this soup! It was delicious I must say. I have seen these little pastas quite often while strolling through the pasta aisle at the grocery store and always wondered how and what to cook those with. Now I know! So the next time you are sitting in an Olive Garden think, "Oh yes, I need to try that gnocchi soup" you will be glad you did!!!

Oliver "Ollie"

I want to share a new joy in our little family, Oliver or "Ollie". He is our new puppy and is officially our first family pet (well beside our goldfish "Milo") and a perfect first pet he is! Anyone looking for a good apartment/house dog this is it! Ollie is a Shetland Sheepdog and can also be known as a Sheltie. This breed ranks in the top 10 of the smartest dogs and they look like miniature Collies when they are full grown.

I will admit the first couple of nights I questioned our decision of getting him because of his continuos whimpering and barking when it was time for the crate. Marcos gently reassured me that everything would be ok and not to give up so quickly. Eventually Ollie grew to love his little space and the nights returned to normal, thank goodness! Then there was the peeing and pooping in the apartment, this was a constant battle for weeks. We thought he would never figure out his toilet was outside and not on the carpet. Around 2 months of age he finally realized what we had been trying to train him to do, and what a glorious day that was! He grows like a weed and has such a sweet little personality. He always wants to play fetch, chew on his rope, stretch out on the wood floor and nap, and when Marcos and I sit on the couch together he definitely likes to be included. He is a good traveler and will never give up an opportunity to play with other dogs, especially his best bud "Rousseau".

It is very interesting how much I have come to love this little puppy because I was never much of a dog person. Before we had Ollie I thought other pet owners were a bit crazy when they expressed how much they love their pet, and I know some of our friends and family think the same of us now.

Welcome to the first blog I have ever attempted to write. I am new at this so we will see how this turns out. This is the first of hopefully many posts to keep family and friends up to date on our life. I have seen many blogs in which have inspired me to jump into this new world, and I am excited to partake! With some adventures to come in our life this will be a good place for people to know what is happening with us! Hope this will be enjoyable to some!