Black Eyed Pea and Kale Soup with Meatballs

I love making soup.  It is one of my favorite things about the colder months.  Nothing is more comforting than a warm bowl of soup on a cold night.  I made this soup the day after New Year's, since I live in the South and it is good luck to eat greens and black-eyed peas to start off the New Year.  ( We were traveling home on New Year's Day).   My husband tried to tell me that it didn't really count since it was the day after New Year's, but I hope we have good luck anyway.

I was able to pick the kale for this soup out of my garden.  Even now the Swiss Chard and Kale are going strong!

 I was inspired by this recipe for Sausage, Kale and Black-Eyed Peas, but totally did my own thing and made meatballs instead of using sausage