Soup Swap 2011!!!

The past two years, we've hosted a Tsaile/Chinle soup swap and it was a blast every time.  So we finally got our act together for this year, and hosted our 3rd annual Soup Swap last Saturday!

Since January and February came and went without soup swapping, this March day afforded us unseasonably warm temperatures that were great for hanging out outside.  And it allowed the kids (8 of em' ages 1-9 yrs) to terrorize the chickens a little and play in the greenhouse and yard. 

Per the tradition and recommendations of the folks who popularized the event, we started with telling of the soups.  Ryan got creative and commissioned me to some artwork as props for his story about our "Naa'hohai Epazote" Soup.  And we had an excellent guitar solo with original lyrics by Aaron about his and Page's Taco Soup ("Taco Soooooooup, Taco Soooooooup...").    

Then we commenced with the swapping and soon all the soup was scooped up.  We awarded some fun prizes that went as follows:
First Picked: Julie & Dave's Chinese Chicken Noodle with Bok Choy, prize: bamboo stir fry spatula
Best Soup Story: Aaron's Taco Soup, prize: Food Face plate (really thinking i should have bought one of those for ourselves...)
Best Comfort Food: Maurie's Zuppa Toscana (with homemade italian bread to go with it...), prize: Ramen Bowl Set with chopsticks and spoon
Best Package: Amber's Green Chile Tortellini Soup (I think the chocolate chip cookies locked in this prize for her!), prize: Campbell's Soup Thermos
Last Picked, But Not Least (despite the excellent "story"): Aaron & Page's Taco Soup, prize: GIANT soup ladle from none other than our local Basha's. 

Then we partook in some delicious chilis, one red and one (very spicy!) green, both thanks to Ryan's excellent cooking skills.  What's a soup swap if you can't EAT soup?! 

[sorry, pictures next post]

Well, we're off to Phoenix for a weekend with Ryan's parents, some spring training baseball and some (hopefully not-to-overwhelming) baby shopping...!  Wish us luck.