Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Down but not out!!!


Been a long down time here!

Sometimes the old body just can’t fight the pain anymore. Needs to have help and simply rest.

So went got help but in getting the help set off a bad episode for the skin and joints.

As the saying goes sometimes the cure is worse than the disease!

So between my DH, 2 drs I am back walking again with less pain! Yes! for good drs, modern and old meds.

They all worked together to get me back on my feet. Just so hard when you are used to doing what you want when you want then can no longer do it. Have to decide what is most important on your “worth the pain scale”!

My being laid up put a lot on hold around here. DH could not do much on the house stuff with me laid up and having to take me in 2 dr every week.

Bless his old heart he is back at it this weekend though!

Not much sewing was done either, hand or by machine.

I did do up a few simple cross stitch finishing projects for my niece. She went to a fun stitching retreat in SC.

Will share a project bag I made for her in a later post. (when I find the pics)

Trying to put the house back in order from the painting now.(can’t ever do tall ladder again L)

Hang things back up but in new places for a fresher look. Getting the Fall Look on! Soon will be into the Christmas Look! Wow! Has this year ever went by fast!

All my goals I set in Jan were not met but hey life will roll on, as it has, taking me along!!

Did get down to Raleigh, NC to see Aunt Dot and Unc Ollie! Was a wonderful day spent with them and family.

Miss them so much but Aunt Dot and I chat at least twice a week.

Have not been able to sit and look at too many blogs over last few weeks either! Missed them. I see same busy folks are still getting stuff done! Love all the sewing projects, new books read, Fall table settings and décor, quilts made or quilted and least not the wonderful recipes shared!!!

Here is a simply wonderful tummy filling soup I made last week.

This is my take on the classic cheddar cheese soup. You could add other cooked veggies to it if you wished.

Sorry no pics of mine.

Hope you make it and enjoy!

Lola’s Country Cheddar Soup

2 tbsp. butter

1 tbsp. olive oil

½ cp small chopped carrot

½ cp small chopped onion

½ cp small chopped celery

4-5 tbsp all purpose flour

1 32 oz. box Swanson Chicken Broth, FF. Less Sodium

1-2 tsps. Mrs. Dash Unsalted Garlic and Herb Seasoning

3 or so cps shredded extra sharp cheddar

1 12 oz can Pets Evaporated Milk

Fresh ground black pepper

Crisp fried bacon for bits

1 chopped green onion

Hot sauce

In a large saucepan melt butter with olive oil.

Add carrot, onion and celery with 1tsp. Mrs. Dash. Cook and stir over med-low heat till veggies are tender.

Sprinkle in flour 1tbsp at a time stirring until blended in.

Add chicken broth, 1 tsp Mrs. Dash , fresh ground pepper stirring over med heat till comes to a boil.

Reduce heat; add shredded cheese using a whisk until cheese is melted.

Slowly add evaporated milk, stirring with whisk until blended and heated through.

If desired add several drops hot sauce .

Garnish with shredded cheese, chopped green onions and

bacon bits.

Serve with garlic toast/ bread sticks or croutons.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Lovely Fall Soup


Fall is such a wonderful time to bring on the soups!
One of our favorites is Butternut Squash or Pumpkin Soup.
I plan to also do with sweet potatoes when they are ready for pick up!
Could not be any easier one to make!
Warm and filling for a Fall supper.

This is not so much a recipe as it is a technique.

I peel with a peeler, chop into chunks, add onions .
Spread on a sheet pan add some olive oil and seasoning.
I use black pepper, bit of course salt and Mrs. Dash Salt-free Garlic and Herb.
in oven at about 375 F. Roast till tender. Smells heavenly too!
So much more flavor than boiling, or seems so to me!;-)
Transfer all to a pot along with all bits on pan bottom.


I use my 'boat motor', as dubbed by DH, to puree.


You get this think yummy mixture.


Add chicken stock/broth till it is about the consistency you want.
Heavy cream gives it that extra ump.
You can add as much or as little as you want.

Here it is ready to serve.

We found these in the freezer section at grocery.
Not bad at all with the creamy soups.
A bit pricy for just 6 rolls though.
Rhodes does have a blog with loads of recipes for all their products here.

Still hobbling around here. Last treatment this coming Monday.
Crossing fingers this gets me through till Jan.
Then I have a date with my surgeon for a new knee!
Joy and Dread as they say!

Zavier is still enduring chemo.
Back and forth from home to hospital
Sometimes has a weeks stay for the procedure or if his counts bottom out.
In a wheel chair and still has feeding tube mostly.
A little trooper he is for sure.
So is his big brother Leo who makes sure Zavier has fun and is OK when he is home in their room.
Daughter is still struggling to make it all work at home for all 6 of her kiddos!
Awesome Mama she is!
We still appreciate all the thoughts and prayers you send to Tennessee!

So go and enjoy a warm soup day!!!