On days when we stay home all day I try to get caught up on all tasks that are neglected when we’re away from home and running full speed ahead. You know… vacuuming, sweeping, feeding the cat.

Laundry is always on this list too, except when we’re home all day, Maxine changes her outfit six times over the course of about 12 hours. New socks, new underwear, the whole 9 yards. Usually she times her wardrobe change for when I’m elbow deep in rubber gloves and dishwater or I’m caught in a firestorm of pots and pans and herbs and spices trying to make sure nothing is going boil over or burn. What a coincidence that I can’t do a damn thing about her third pair of pants or second leotard of the morning when I can’t grab her by the shirt collar and gently remind her through a forced smile and gritted teeth that if she doesn’t knock it off she’ll be signing herself up for a new course I’m offering next semester; Intro Toddler Laundry.

I can’t do laundry when we’re not home, but the laundry piles up faster than I can fold it when we are home. How do you win?

So what was I doing tonight during wardrobe change numero cinco? (I hope that says Number Five. The only Spanish I know is from Dora the Explorer.)

I was making Southwest Tomato Soup.

Given we were under self imposed house arrest today, grocery shopping has been scheduled for tomorrow. Fresh produce stock has plummeted and the vegetable crisper is breathing a sigh of relief for the welcome break. I found myself locked in my house bound shackles trying to come up with a pantry dinner. Fortunately, I managed to whip up something easy and yummy – shackles and all. And please let the record state that I was wearing the same clothes during dinner prep that I was wearing when I made breakfast this morning.

Southwest Tomato Soup

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup jarred jalapenos, diced
28oz canned tomatoes
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
8 oz frozen corn
2 cups vegetable broth
1 Tbsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 Tbsp dried cilantro
a dash of hot sauce
salt to taste

Saute onions, garlic and jalepeno in olive oil until soft.

Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer for about 15 – 20 minutes.

Done.

So what’s the perfect side kick to Tomato Soup?

Grilled cheese! But we’re having Mexican tomato soup, then we need Mexican grilled cheese to go with it! Mexican grilled cheese might also be known as tomato and cheese quesadillas. Served with a quarter of a diced avocado.

So happy together!

The soup recipe made six, one cup servings, about 165 calories per serving.

Dinner has been made, the dishes are done, pajamas are on. I’m now on red alert to stop any pajama wardrobe malfunctions before they even start.

• Confessions
• We Came, We Saw, We Raked
• Thanksgiving is Officially Over

Today I am taking my title as Stay At Home Mom quite literally and we are not going anywhere today. No. Where.

Well, I did go for a run but that doesn’t count. I didn’t schlep children in and out of the car, carry arm loads of extra clothes, snacks, toys, mail, papers and shoes out the door with me, so really it doesn’t feel like I’ve gone anywhere at all.

On my didn’t-go-anywhere run, my lovely albeit slightly boring digital watch told me I was gone for 36 minutes. My inner GPS says I probably went about 4 and a half miles.

I’ve got a butt load of greens to eat up so a green smoothie was on the menu for this morning.

1 banana
1 1/2 cups of spinach (approx)
2 Tbsp ground flax seed
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

+ 1 toasted slice of ezekiel cinnamon raisin toast and about a 1/2 tbsp of almond butter.

All this for 340 calories! What a steal!

Can I give a big shout to spinach for being so little in calories but so big in everything else?

Thank you spinach for being mild enough in flavor that I can throw you in a banana smoothie and barely notice you at all. You are so filling and have made my runs so much easier so I introduced you into my life on a regular basis. You truly are a special vegetable. Thank you.

In fact, I love spinach so much I’m going to stay home with it today! All day! Do you hear me spinach? ALL. DAY. Just for you.

• When the Garmin Strikes Midnight
• Scary Spoon
• Manly Time Change