Chocomouse, for the cream soup, I put it in the blender and give it a ride until it's smooth. Then I return it to the pot and put in some instant potato flakes, I do that last to determine how much it might need, heat it up a bit and let it rest, then add a very small amount of half and half if I have it, otherwise it will be a creamless cream soup. I've made soups with all those veggies leaving them in chunks too. You gotta have variety :).
Tonight I made bow tie pasta with meatballs. Veggie was cauliflower and carrots.
