Mother Hubbard's Cupboard...

It has been Mother Hubbard's cupboard since we moved in...which has meant a lot of fast food and other quickie foods. Blah. Blah. And more blah. So after being inspired to cook my own healthier, tastier, foods with known ingredients (no mystery meat), a trip to Aldi was in order. I pushed my slightly-overflowing cart of canned goods, essentials and, of course, an Iced Mocha imitation frappucino (my personal "good-for-you-for-grocery-shopping" treat) up to the checkout. Full cart of groceries and household products for $110. Seriously? I love Aldi. Getting regular groceries for unbeatable prices... fabulous. 

There is a reason I have not been motivated to cook lately. My oven/stove. It was gross. Was. Past tense. I gloved up and got down to business this afternoon. Have you ever really looked down the gap between your cupboard and the side of your oven/stove? I recommend it. If you want to gag and experience nightmares, that is. What's even worse? It was not MY cooking crusted in the gap. Eeeeewwwwww. (Note: I'm not a complete slacker. I was avoiding this job until now because we didn't know if the oven part was going to be able to be fixed or if we were going to get a new one. Well, it looks as though it IS going to be fixed...if I can get a hold of the appliance guy again). Elbow grease, paper towel and Clorox Bleach spray did the trick and the oven/stove is sparkling...I found that it is more motivating to cook on a clean appliance. Imagine that. Huh. 

No before picture. Too gross to capture on camera, let alone show anybody else. Here's the after, cleaner, de-crusted version:

And, here is the Hearty Winter Vegetable Soup that I cooked, all by myself, on my really, really clean stove top:

Now off to eat the soup. Hopefully it tastes good. If not...