Crazy Weather!

We are *supossed* to get anywhere from 3-6 inches of snow today. Right now, it's pouring down rain. To the north of us, they are getting hit hard with snow. My boss, who lives north, has already left for home since there was 4 inches at her house already.

Still waiting to see if we will get any actual snow, or will just get the rain. I'm fingers crossed for rain.

I put the blackbean soup in the crock pot last night on low. Of course, I didnt' follow the recipe. I never really do. Recipes are just suggestions. I change them around all the time, and sometimes they work out awesomely, and sometimes they are good, but not a keeper.

The Panera black bean soup that I had for lunch one day last week was delicious. But as I was making it from the 'knock off' recipe I got online, I was thinking of things that I could do to make it more hearty. So, instead of just using chopped red pepper, I used red and green bell peppers. I also added onion, carrots, and celery. The recipe called to use two cans of black beans, in juice. Do you know how much sodium is in the juice on canned beans? So instead, I only used one with the juice, and the other can was rinsed and drained and I used a can of chicken broth instead. I also added a can of Rotel tomatos with chilis, and used half a pack of taco seasoning since I don't actually have chili powder or cumin on hand. I smooshed up the beans with the potato masher so that they would help to thicken the soup without having to add corn starch--but I will probably have to add a little to get the right consistancy--or maybe I'll add some uncooked quinoa instead as a thickening agent. I haven't decided that yet. I will be eating it for dinner tonight. I'll let you know how it turns out, and whether or not to post the entire recipe (well, I kind of already did, didn't I?).

Happy Monday.