You Inspire Me: Stetsons, Spurs and Stilettos

LT Army Wife is my inspiration for this week. She is an artist, pianist and loves wine and coffee (oh, we would totally get along!) She is also the mom of a totally cute cat and dog. Be sure to check out her blog, Stetsons, Spurs and Stilettos, to read all about her and her hubby's adventures!

Her movie recommendation was UP! I was excited that she recommended this because I wanted to see it while it was in theaters but never got around to it. Pixar movies are usually awesome, but for some reason this one just didn't do it for me! But I thought the annoying Wilderness Explorer, Russel, was totally cute.

UP is about an old widower whose house is being taken over my urban development. He refuses to move his house, so instead he put balloons on his house and takes off. His stowaway is Russel, the Wilderness Explorer. They end up on Paradise Falls, find a flightless bird (who Russel names Kevin) and have some adventures that involve a pack of dogs with annoying voices.

I think I might be the only person who didn't care for the movie, the critics gave it awesome reviews and it won Best Animated Feature at the 82nd Academy of Awards. But does anyone else have the problem that when movies are talked up, you except so much that you end up being disappointed?

On a sidenote, my favorite Pixar movies are Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo and Ratatouille!

LT Army Wife's book recommendation was PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern. I started reading this book when Miss L recommended it, as promised in this post...I finished reading it. The first half of the book was a bit boring, but it really picked up in the last 100 pages.

PS, I love you is about life after death. Holly's husband Gerry dies very young in life. After his death and while Holly is mourning, she is given envelopes filled with lists that Gerry made for her. These lists become Holly's bible, she lives by them and obeys every word that Gerry says. Gerry's letters help prepare her for the future without him and even sets out to give Holly a few adventures.

I ended up liking this book...even though it took me forever to read! Thank you both for the recommendation, this is a book I never would have picked up on my own.

Food time! She told me that she loves pasta with a lot veggies. I wasn't really sure what to make, so I ended up making a white minestrone soup.

2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup onion, diced
1 clove garlic, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
48-oz can chicken broth
1 box Perdue chicken, original recipe
1/4 cup canned diced tomatoes
1 cup frozen Italian mixed vegetables
1 cup frozen pea, carrot, and corn blend
1 cup pasta shells, uncooked

Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and celery; cook until tender. Add broth; bring to a boil. Add chicken and veggies; bring to a boil. Add pasta; bring to a boil; simmer until veggies and pasta are tender. Serve hot!

Simple, easy and perfect on a chilly fall day!

LT Army Wife, thanks so much for your recommendations. I know the soup probably isn't what you had in mind, but it involved pasta and veggies! I'm having so much fun with all of these recommendations!