Even being under the weather, today was a great day. Before leaving for my lunch with the birthday boy, I found a special package on my doorstep. Chobani!

I had to dig through a lot of packing peanuts to get to the treasure – 12 containers in a variety of flavors of Chobani Greek yogurt. I am an upcoming featured blogger for their blog, so they sent me some yogurt to play around with for holiday treats. Exciting! And yummy!

Time for lunch. I adore Groupon. Not only do I adore Groupon for the deals they share, but also for helping expose me to new restaurants. A lot of places they feature are fairly local, yet small enough to where I haven’t heard of them before. We visited such a place today for Peter’s birthday lunch - The Kozmo Gastro Pub.

They had a wide variety of options on the menu. Quite a few of the appetizers sounded really tasty to me. However, Peter was the birthday boy and he did not want hummus or parmesan truffle mushrooms, which I gladly would have split if dining with my sister – or one of you who I’m sure those sound good to as well.

Instead, the birthday boy went for classic fish and chips. And I chose a slight twist on a classic – a horseradish chicken salad sandwich, with a delicious side salad.

Any place that serves a side salad consisting of more than iceberg lettuce, carrot shavings, and croutons gets a gold star in my book. I devoured my lunch. The. Entire. Thing.

The last hidden treasure of the day is the best one of all. My man. I cannot fathom life without him. Kind of crazy to think because 5 years ago I was listing off the qualities that would make me even consider marriage…and believing that man did not exist. So, clearly I would never get married. Funny how things work out.

Peter, on your birthday I want to thank you for the wonderful man you are. A man with values and a strong faith, who works with me as a team to build each other up into the people God created us to be. A family man who puts his family above all else, no matter what. A determined man who works hard to care for and provide for his family and can take pride in his quality work. A man with just as quirky and goofy a sense of humor as my own. A man with the utmost patience when I’m moody and cranky and pregnant. Or just having one of those days outside of pregnancy. A man who will happily stand beside me and cheer me on with any dream or goal I hope to pursue. A man who will try new things, because he recognizes what they mean to me. A man who will care for his achy and sick wife, even though its his birthday. A man who gives of himself and loves fully. I love you, Peter. Thank you for being you and happy birthday!

• What qualities do you expect from someone as a significant other?
• What are your favorite things to do with yogurt?

At 1:00 this afternoon, this was the weather in normally mild Georgia.

I know that is not near as bad as where some of you are, but its still flipping cold to me. I had nothing on my to-do list today and nowhere to be, so I managed to stay nice & cozy.

Makenzie & I hung out in sweats (or comfortable tacky outfits a 2 year old picks out) for the day.

We danced to Christmas music and snuggled with some books. Right now, she is all about “Rudolph song” and The Christmas Story book.

I sipped Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride hot tea and ate a lemon sugar cookie with icing from the cookie exchange over the weekend.

I took a nice nap, then entertained myself with this link a friend posted. Most hilarious pregnancy photos ever. Why have I not heard of this blog before?

I whipped up a bowl of comfort in the form of one of the most delicious soups ever.

Italian Tortellini Soup (from Taste of Home – shared by my friend, Danielle)

3 Italian turkey sausage links (4 ounces each), casings removed
1 medium onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced 2-3 heaping spoonfuls of pre-minced garlic
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth
1-3/4 cups water
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini (found whole wheat! woo!)
1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach, coarsely chopped
2-1/4 teaspoons minced fresh basil or 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Dash Heavy sprinkling crushed red pepper flakes (I like it spicy)
Shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

Crumble sausage into a Dutch oven; add onion.

Cook and stir over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, water and tomatoes. Bring to a boil.

Add tortellini; return to a boil. Cook for 7-9 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.

Reduce heat; add the spinach, basil, pepper and pepper flakes. Cook 2-3 minutes longer or until spinach is wilted. Serve with cheese if desired.

Make this! You know if I share a recipe it means it is tasty and amazingly easy.

Now, I think a blanket, another cup of tea, and The Biggest Loser Finale with my sister are calling my name for the remainder of the evening. Stay nice & cozy!

• How do you like to stay nice & cozy?
• What is your favorite soup?