simple moments each day: Do I walk my dog, does my dog walk me or do we walk together?

Thank you to Jeff Boodman who has once again allowed me to post his photographs on my blog today. He is incredibly talented and can be found on Facebook at Jeffrey Boodman Photography.

Chappy and I have been walking most days together for several weeks now. We have a little routine and I really look forward to both the walk and our time together. He walks amazingly well on a leash. If I stop, he stops, If I slow down, he slows down. Sometimes a friend is with us and sometimes it is just us. I was actually talking to my friend about this the other day but I have realized that Chappy's walking experience and my experience are completely different and yet I think we both enjoy it equally. Of course he can't tell me that he likes it but his tail is up and curled and he certainly trots around in a happy manner! For him, he is taking in the smells, tracking other animals that have walked the path before him, looking at other animals and humans walking as well, following a map on the ground that is foreign to me. (Of course there is the peeing and pooping part too....)

For me, I am gaining perspective, looking at my surroundings, observing nature like Chappy but in a different way, creating space around and within me, re-balancing, breathing fresh air and getting some plain old exercise.

So, we are independent but also walking together, sharing the time. I have said this story before but one time the kids and I went for a walk to a nearby park when they were very little. I was very set on getting to the park so we could play but they kept stopping and looking at what seemed like every little thing! I started to get very frustrated until I realized that the park is an unknown destination right now to them. They are all about being in the present, enjoying the journey, exploring what is along the way. I try to keep that in mind now. A nice reminder.

Now put on In a Black Out by Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam and let's get cooking.

I have made this dish a couple of times. It is very easy and delicious, especially with really good cheese on top, along with fresh bread and a nice salad. I like it as well because it is a crockpot recipe. There is some prep time with this but I promise it is worth it. My pictures aren't the best this week, especially compared to Jeff's but you certainly get the idea. When you look this up you will see that there are many options on how to cook. I used a crockpot, as I stated above.

Beef, Tomato and Acini di Pepe Soup, Skinnytaste, January 24, 2016
1 lb 90% lean ground beef
1-1/2 tsp kosher salt (I omitted)
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced celery (I used slightly more)
1/2 cup diced carrot (I used slightly more)
28 oz can diced tomatoes
32 oz beef stock (I use unsalted or lower sodium)
2 bay leaves (I threw in 3)
4 oz small pasta such as Acini di pepei
grated parmesan cheese, optional (For me it is NOT optional!!!)

In a large nonstick skillet, saute the beef and salt on high heat until browned, breaking the meat into small bits.