Happy Monday friends! That’s not an oxymoron is it? Happy Monday?
How about if I help you kick off the week with a fantastic (and easy) recipe?
I don’t know about you all but I think I’m still feeling slightly twitchy as I come down off of the sugar high that is the holiday season. Can I get an Amen? Ugh…
I’m also feeling very rebellious about cooking these days as it seems to be the only thing I have done for the last 2 months. If I never see another cookie again…wait…ummm…I think I just ate the last cookie I saw so strike that statement!
But, duty (and my family) calls and so I pull myself up by my bootstraps get back into the kitchen.
(I don’t actually wear my boots while I’m cooking in case you were wondering.
And the ones I have don’t even have straps!)
Now, we are definitely some soup-lovin’ fools in this house and the recipe I’m sharing with you today is one of
our all time favorites.
Creamy Bell Pepper ‘n’ Tomato Soup
It’s just a bowl full of yummy goodness and will warm up your cold, winter tummy in no time!
And not only is it comfort in a bowl, red peppers are an excellent source of nutrition.
They are filled with fiber as well as vitamins A, B6, C and folic acid.
Right about now, I’m needing all the help I can get!
Isn’t the color beautiful too?
Click here for the recipe for Creamy Bell Pepper ‘n’ Tomato Soup
*Note: the current recipe on the Southern Living website has been slightly altered from the version I have been using. Instead of using savory tomato pasta sauce mix, I like to use an envelope of Zesty Italian Dressing Mix. It adds tons of flavor!*
Like many of you, Christmas may be over but that doesn’t mean that life is any less busy.
For example, Basketball season has started for us and this year our son is part of an amazing program called Upward. Robb is helping to coach (he said it is fairly similar to trying to herd cats)
and this past Saturday was their first game.
Here’s our boy with the ball. He had so much fun but had a VERY hard time keeping himself from striking up conversations with the other players on the court.
Can’t imagine where he gets that from? 
With all of the busyness I still want to make sure my family is being well fed.
And soups are such a quick and simple way to get a nutritious meal without a lot of fuss.
Plus there are always leftovers!
I hope you will give this one a try and let me know what you think!
Thanks so much for joining me today at the Fence,
Also, we wanted to invite you to visit our friend Becca over at “From Gardners 2 Bergers” she is such a doll and she is featuring Heather’s Kitchen Remodel today over at her gorgeous blog! It would mean so much to us if you’d stop by and pay her a visit and leave a comment…and you’ll get to see Heather’s kitchen for the first time undecorated for Christmas. 
This post is partying here:
Chatty Chics: Wild Wednesdays
More Bang for your Bucks: Veggie Might Recipe Party
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Soup looks wonderful, the perfect winter dish. I also make some over the weekend. Good luck with the cat herding, the kids are usually fun, it is the parents that can be a challenge in those programs. Good luck, Laura
I will definitely give this one a try Vanessa! We are soup lovers here too and after the last 2 months of eating everything I need to get back on track!!
Looks good!! I am adding this to my menu for this week. Thanks for sharing!
My kids get so excited when I make soup – I’ll have to give this one a try. I can see it with a nice crouton and cheese topping…although that might kind of take away from the healthy part! LOL
Happy New Year my friend!!! It looks like you had a wonderful holiday and I hear ya about all the sugar!
This soup looks so good and I love soup this time of year. You little one looks so cute playing basketball, I am glad he is having a good time. 
Hugs to you!!
xoxoxoxo
Oh Vanessa…this looks soooo good! I love any kind of tomato soup…such comfort food to me.
Thanks for sharing your recipe.
janet xox
http://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/
YUM! Looks so good! We are soup lovers in our household as well so I’ll definitely be giving this a try! Thanks for sharing!
Coming down off of the sugar has been pain-FUL at our house!
And….WE LOVE Upward! This is our third year with this program and I can not say enough good things about it!
XO
p.s. Love me some cute boots, straps or no straps! My current fav’s are mocha colored suede….perfect with a pair of leggings or tights! lol
That soup looks wonderful. I can’t do peppers but my family would love it- xo Diana
Definitely will be trying this one out! Oh and I had a similar challenge with my son, who would often engage in conversations or exchange phone numbers with members of the opposing team!
That soup looks delicious! I love soups (especially tomato based). Your son is a cutie too.
Oh I am such a soup-making mood these days – thanks for sharing this recipe!!!
Cutie basketball player, and mine chit chats on the court too!
Vanessa,
Oh yum This brings back memories of tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches!! very healthy and heartwarming!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I love Tomato Basil and Fire Roasted Tomato….. This looks delicious too! I may have to try it soon. I agree – soups are yummy and it is so good to have leftovers
Mmmm… looks delicious!
That looks delicious! The husband and I love tomato soup. I just showed this to him (He’s locked up in a hotel with me this morning and can’t escape). He wants to try it when we get home. A perfect winter treat.
Vanessa,
That sounds yummy and your little guy looks adorable out there on the court. Our little 1st grader played his first game last Saturday and it was full of interesting moments…those kids make me laugh at that age. We did help the other team out with a basket (thankfully not my child…lol). The other team really didn’t need any help. lol
Hey, just wanted you to know that I am sneaking away for a week or so…girls’ cruise… to celebrate my 40th birthday. My husband surprised me before Christmas…and also to tell you girls that the Proving Pinterest looks like fun! XO, Kristine
XO, Kristine
Wow, this soup looks yummy! I’m having a linky party too! I would love it if you would link this post up to it! Here is the link http://www.thesouthernproductqueen.com/one-stop-shoppe-linky-party-2 Thanks for sharing!
Oh my goodness. That sounds divine! Perfect for a cold winter day here in North Carolina! Thanks for linking up!
Melody
ChattyChics.com
Vanessa, thanks so much for linking up! This looks delish, and I love the idea of adding Italian dressing mix. My sister-in-law makes green beans using that as well, and they are yum-o!