just what he needed...

We've had a little bit of sickness in the family over the last week, and Paulie was the latest. When his fever coincided yesterday with a mild, rainy day, I decided to make a simple meal of soup and homemade bread for dinner.

With Elizabeth's handmade candles.

What kind of soup would you make for those feeling under-the-weather: "no-chicken" noodle soup, of course, since we're a veggie family.

"No-Chicken" Noodle Soup

4 carrots, diced thinly

3 stalks celery, diced

1 large onion, diced

1 strip of kombu, pinched into small pieces if the kids are going to eat it

1 qt. veggie broth

2 tbsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic, pressed

1/4 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp sea salt, or more to taste (we use Himalayan pink salt)

6 cups water

1/4-1/3 lb pasta (we used Eden Alphabet Pasta)

Simmer all ingredients except pasta for 1 hour, then add pasta and simmer for 10-12 minutes. Serve very hot.

He ate 2 full bowls after barely eating anything earlier in the day. "No-Chicken" Noodle Soup must have been just what he needed.