Making Soup

 

Hi everyone! I am still in a post surgical limbo or fog, but I thought I better show my face. I did a lot of food prep before the big snowstorm and my procedure, but this week I was inspired by a couple of lovely soups being made on Instagram. I am not a huge fan of soup but it's been so very cold lately that the idea of hot soup really appealed to me.

My soup is one on my make-do recipes, not chicken soup from scratch, I admit. My mother in law was the reigning queen of perfect homemade chicken soup. When I was married I often made her soup for my husband who expected soup every night before his salad and main course, except on the hottest days of summer. [Of course my soup wasn't as good as MIL's, only to be expected! But I tried.]

One of the IG soups added fresh kale to the classic chicken soup, which was the attraction for me. 

I sautéed  half a Vidalia white onion, half a diced XL carrot in butter. Then the scallions added for just a quick stir and wilt, two minutes max.

Added 6+ Cups of premade chicken broth. Brought to a boil, then a low simmer. Added big handfuls of roughly  chopped kale, well rinsed and de-stemmed. Kale was about 2" squares. Lots of black pepper, a bit of salt.

The other IG recipe had---wow!---homemade noodles! I can't wait to try making them, have not made noodles in years. I had half a package of fine egg noodles in my pantry, used them instead, pre-cooked the noodle al dente. But I did then put them in the soup as it simmered. My MIL would put the noodles or rice straight in to the bowls, not in the soup, as they soak up and ''waste'' the broth. [you decide!]

Served very hot with minced fresh scallions on top. Very fresh and delightful with cold roast beef salad and another odd baguette included in my groceries last week.

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Mo came home Sunday evening. He was not thrilled. And let me know by peeing in the house on Monday morning while we waited for the dogwalker.

Later, after the sleet and ice storm cleared, we went out to hunt for signs of spring. A few daffs are barely peeping out, so late---as the snow melts.

We also saw Mr Mockingbird, who seemed interested in Mo's treats! But then realised he likes the bayberries in the shrubbery. We were standing next to the bayberry hedge, in the way of his dinner. The fairy garden bowls are flooded with melting snow, but the reflections of the trees above are interesting.

Have you seen any signs of spring? Too early, really, isn't it.

have a good weekend!

love

lizzy

gone to the beach..

another winter/ beach walk....

Checking In!

Good evening friends! I am just checking in, letting you all know my surgery---stage one?---went well on Monday. Many thanks for all your supportive comments and emails. Knowing you all were out there rooting for me means a lot.

Mo is enjoying himself with my friends. I  am so blessed to have them to care for Mo.  I miss him so much but know he is happy and loved.

The bulbs, week one, are doing nicely!

Still a lot of snow, but now I have rain turning to sleet---an ice storm. So again the worries of no power, hence my checking in with not much to share.

lots of love to you all!

lizzy

My Winter Garden ~ Forcing Bulbs Indoors

 

Good evening! I am a bit behind but the other day  I planted my winter paper white narcissus bulbs! Finally!

This year for no real reason I had my heart set on using this art deco/ 1930s-ish Weller mixing bowl, in the glorious green-blue/ teal as my planter. Weller Pottery HERE

I must just have wanted that pop of color. See the same color in the boho/ kantha throw pillow behind. [kantha is Indian big stitch quilting].

The bowl fit nicely into this very large heavy cloche or bell jar that I found on the beach one winter. [maybe it's a vase, or a candle holder?]  Great find though, I love it.

Dug out the scary pointy disk from Costco tulips. It keeps the bulbs upright and neat.

I bought my narcissus bulbs when we went to the nursery for Fall or Christmas.

I was thrilled to find not just Ziva, traditional whites, but the pale yellow soleil d'or bulbs too.

They were stored in a brown bag in a chilly closet but obviously are ready to grow. Now!

Add water. They will straighten and unfurl over the next few days.

Every fall I remind readers to buy their indoor bulbs, so I was thrilled that Kelley listened and planted hers last week. On the correct date even, MLK weekend. Aren't they beautiful, just two weeks to grow. I am so pleased for Kel's success.

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I'm also happy that my beautiful red amaryllis is budded and growing fast. I only remembered to add fertilizer once so this is pretty awesome.

I have a few other containers still waiting. 

                                                             

I hope to find prechilled or pre-grown hyacinths for the blue delft pot from the dumpster. Or tiny daffs?  Like these from a few years ago.

And I made more of the bleached dried brown hydrangea heads.

Soaking in bleach water, here, headed out to the deck for two days.

Drying now. Also bleached an usgly branch of crepe myrtle seeds. Maybe has potential in a fall dried>

                                              

I must point out that the bleached heads oddly seem to redarken. This is the flower head I made at Christmas. But still pretty.

Isn't this exciting news! The indoor farmers market will return soon. And next visit if we can figure out how to do the virtual phone ordering, maybe we'll even have a drink. I'm looking forward to fresh sauerkraut from the pickle guy.

I 'll be back when I can! And I 'll answer comments as time amd vision permit. Thanks dear friends!

love

lizzy 

gone to the beach....

Storm update, in case you missed yesterday's edit. 

Somewhat snowed in but power is on. No cell service but I do have wifi, amazing. We had about 18" of snow, winds about 50 mph with whiteout conditions. Temps around 11* with subzero wind chills. My deck and car are still buried but my friend who will drive me to surgery tomorrow has his Jeeps dug out. 

Mo is having a brief sleepover, let's hope he behaves this time.  

All is well.