When you have to say goodbye: BE (Bagheera)

I wanted to wait to write this till I had more time to grieve. But at the same time I need to be able to tell everyone how important you were in my life and a short Instagram post with some pictures was not going to cut it because you were more important than that. I remember taking you home about a year ago and you hid in my closet behind my clothes for days. How it took me months to gain your trust and you truly became my cat. I know it was only a year and you had such wonderful years with Liz and Brandon Kussow your first parents who loved you so much they let Ryan and I take you into our quiet and slow moving home. You really came into your own watching the birds in your window seat and hunting the mice that would slip into the house. The firm rule of two pets was followed by all for sure. You lived a full life and having you taken away so swiftly today was heart breaking. I know the seizure that took you was quick and you passed within 30 seconds but it does not make your passing any easier for us. You filled the room with your tubby belly and little random chirps and that will be missed. I will strangely miss Stella hissing at you when she noticed you running around. Animals are special they fill parts of our hearts we did not know we needed filled. I know I am like ugly crying right now while I type this but I needed to tell and put down how much of the world you made a better place. Sleep well my baby BE.

Here is a thousand pictures of this wonderful kitty who left us too soon.

We love you BE--

Instant Pot: Italian Wedding Soup

This maybe the easiest recipe I have ever made in the Instant Pot. I have had this annoying lingering cold and being able to come home and throw this together quickly was a huge plus for us last night. It was really delicious too!

What you need~
3 celery ribs washed and diced
3 carrots washed and diced
1 large onion diced
4 garlic cloves minced
8 cups of chicken broth
1 pound of frozen meatballs
1 cup pasta acini di pepe
6 ounces of spinach (chopped)
Nature's seasoning (to taste)

Start by dicing up the celery, carrots, onion and garlic. Put them in the pot with the meatballs, pasta and 4 cups of broth with seasoning. Seal Instant Pot and set to pressure cook for 8 minutes. When done quick release the pot. Add the remaining 4 cups of broth and spinach. Season if you feel like you need more and serve. Super easy and quick. This was done in less than 45 minutes.

Ready for pressure cooking steps.

Never used this pasta before. I liked it in the soup.

Meatballs and pasta. Yum!

I mean hello beautiful!

This soup was light and refreshing in a time when most of our meals become really heavy this time of year. This will be made again in our house for sure.

Until next time~
XoXo Emily

Restoring Hope Gala

Over the past couple years whenever my company has a meal planned I always take the leftovers to St.John's homeless shelter or the Micah center here in Green Bay. I was asked to attend their gala this year benefiting them. It was really inspiring and the speaker Nic Sheff was very candidate with us. I took some pictures of the event that I wanted to share below. I did bid on silent auction items and won a basket filled with honey (like a year supply) and a cool pottery bowl.

They had a martini luge. I did not partake but looked really cool.

Nic Sheff the speaker. His book and his fathers were turned into the movie Beautiful Boy.

They played a raffle game called heads or tails and it was super funny.

The St. John's choir. Some of the members stay at the shelter or are helpers there.

I was in the front at table 5. Good view of the stage and the Capital One people were kind.

These giant letters were super cool.

Start of the event.

I really enjoyed learning about this event and the people.

I cannot wait to work with St. John's and the Micah House more in the future. They are an awesome organization.

Until next time~
XoXo Emily