Blood is thicker than water, but Soup is thicker than blood!!

I know this is a pretty odd title, but this past weekend, I re-realized the importance of family.  In 2010, I became an orphan...meaning both of my parents were gone.  I was parentless, and for those that haven't experienced this yet, it's a different, odd feeling.  There are days I still want to pick up the phone and call my mom, especially when I've had a bad day, and have needed to vent.  Unfortunately, I have become the queen of holding things in. 
Of course, many of  us have heard the phrase "blood is thicker than water," but if you haven't, I want to share the "meaning" of this phrase.  According to Wikipedia (yes, I realize this isn't a "professional" resource, but since this isn't a research paper, I'm gonna use it), family ties (i.e. blood) are more important than the ties of friendship (i.e. water).  Now don't get me wrong...friends are very important, and I have some very dear, close friends, but yet, they aren't as strong as those family ties. 
This past weekend, I made a trip to Nebraska.  Very unselfishly, Uncle Harold and Aunt Arlene have "adopted" me as a 4th child, and I tell ya...that blood is thick, and I thank God for them!!  Which brings me to the Soup being thicker than blood.  Many times when I visit, soup is the focal point of the meals.  This time, it was potato soup and homemade chicken noodle soup (with homemade noodles too!!)...and then it was time to open gifts.  We "kids" received the most beautiful soup bowls (you can see a picture of mine following this article), and each time I use these bowls, I will remember that I have the blood-ties with Harold, Arlene, Kari, David, and Cindy, but even stronger than that, we have "soup-ties," that can't be broken!!  I love you all!!! :)

And to share a recipe, I did a "dump" soup today...on this lovely, cold, Kansas day.

Dump Soup

1 pound lean ground beef, browned and drained
1 cup frozen onion, red and green pepper blend
4 cups beef broth
2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can drained green beans
1 can drained wax beans
1 package frozen chopped spinach
1 can drained carrots
2 fresh summer squash, diced
10 to 12 oz. V-8 juice
1 can tomato sauce
1-2 Tablespoons freeze-dried basil
Fresh ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients in large kettle and simmer for 1-2 hours on low until flavors are well blended.  Enjoy!!

 Dump Soup

Soup Bowls from Harold and Arlene