lazy weekend

It was a quiet weekend here, which is just the kind Quiet Guy and I like. What can I say? We are old and enjoy monotony and simple pleasures. The highlights included going out for Chinese food Friday night with some buddies. If you live in the Dallas area, check out Empress of China in Valley Ranch. Yum. Then the movie Parker. Sadly, I was the one who picked the movie. Happily, everyone but me enjoyed it. I guess it was good if you like violent movies without much character development.

Saturday, we went to the gym and the grocery store, as usual. Delightful. Then we watched several episodes of  Annika Bengtzon: Crime Reporter on Netflix. It's a Swedish series, which I soundly recommend. QG made beef & vegetable soup and I made bread. He is quite the soup maker, I must say. Here's his secret recipe.

QG's Beef Vegetable Soup

1 medium onion
3 cloves of garlic
1 pound chuck steak cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 - 16 ounce can chopped tomatoes
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 Tablespoon dried parsley
1 cup carrots, sliced thin
1 cup each frozen peas, corn, and green beans
6 - 8 cups water, according to your preference
1 cup uncooked rice
fresh ground pepper to taste

In a large soup pot, saute the onions and garlic over medium heat, add the beef and brown it. Add everything else and simmer it for 3 hours. Serve with crusty bread.

Today was yoga, then we went to a neighborhood nearby to walk Jamie and take photos of the houses, sky, ducks, and scenery. Jamie made a friend, fresh from a swim in the pond. It looks as if she does not approve of such foolishness. Now, time for us slackers to watch Downton Abbey.