HE WON'T EAT MY SOUP!





photo courtesy of The Fresh Market



He...My Husband...will not eat my soup!  Unfortunately, this is true...he won't eat this one!  "Winter Squash Soup with Chipotle Peppers and Cream"! 

I don't know if he has an aversion to squash necessarily, because he will eat my spaghetti squash (as long as I smother it in marinara, or better yet, meat sauce).  He just took one look at this beautiful pot of soup and scrunched up his cute nose, shook his head, and veered in the opposite direction. 

Well, I loved it....and since I had an entire pot to myself, I also figured out another way to use it.  The first night, I had a second helping, but the second night I decided to make a pasta sauce out of the remainder by adding parmesan and a splash of white wine, just a touch more garlic...and voila!  Another winning dinner for me! 

You might ask....what did your poor husband eat?  Well, let's just say the deli turkey and the extra sourdough bread I bought came in handy for a couple of days! 

Actually...here's the disclaimer!  I'm very fortunate to have a husband that will eat "practically" everything I put before him.  He usually praises my cooking.  I used to think he only complimented it to trick me into thinking I was a good cook; therefore wanting to spend even more time in the kitchen.  Since it's just the two of us, and most cooks are their own worst critics, I guess the verdict is still out on that one!  :) 

I found this beautiful soup recipe in "The Fresh Market Grocery" magazine. They often have unique recipes and the photo grabbed me!  I changed it up just a bit and made it my own.  Here is their original recipe and I will highlight the little changes I made: 

But first...some of you know me well enough by now...  :-)

He won’t eat my soup!

Husband hates squash

Won’t eat my soup,

Says it looks like slimy goop -

His tastes are unrefined...

Diet pop and chips for him,

I like cheese and wine!

I want to try to teach him

Everything I know...
Chance of this is really slim,
I learned long ago -

Old dog won’t learn new tricks,
Still hanging onto youth,
Teen-age snacks are his kicks,
He will not eat my soup!

Like a gas tank running on empty,
He’s running on fumes…
His habits are too hard to break…
All the junk he consumes!

He’ll break open the tums before he hits the sheets,
tossing and turning...esophagus burning...
From his tasty evening treats!

I guess I'll pick my battles,
This seems to be a loss,
I'll bite my lip when he eats that dip,
'Cuz it’s clear I’m not his boss!                                                        

I think that if I show him,
By example he might see
That healthy eats are not so bad,
They seem to work for me!

But even though I try…
I’m still thrown for a loop…
He shakes his head and walks away…
He will not eat my soup!

~ written by Lorraine Brown (copyright 2010) ~

 Winter Squash Soup with Chipotle Peppers and Cream

1 medium butternut squash                                                      

1 medium acorn squash

4 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 carrots, coarsely chopped

2 ribs of celery, coarsely chopped

1 medium onion, coarsely chopped

3 garlic cloves, fresh, minced (I'm a garlic-aholic, so I used 4 cloves)

6 cups vegetable Broth (I substituted chicken broth - just my preference)

3/4 tsp. chipotle seasoning or cayenne pepper/ red pepper flakes (I used cayenne because that's what I had)

8 oz. whipping cream (I substituted half n half - just a little lighter)

Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings:

Small tub of sour cream (I always use fat free sour cream...I can't tell the difference)

3 TBSP. fresh cilantro, chopped

1 small jar/can chipotle peppers in adobo

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400. Cut butternut and acorn squash in half lengthwise.

Use 2 TBSP of olive oil to coat insides of squash.

Lay face down on baking sheet (not you...the squash!)

and bake (the squash) in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes
or until tender.

Use remaining olive oil to saute carrots, celery and onion in a medium sized stock pot until tender. Add garlic, salt and pepper and chipotle seasoning, saute an additional 2-3 minutes.

Remove squash from oven and let cool. ( The squash can be cooked and cooled overnight or well in advance of the soup preparation. )

Scoop meat from squash and add to pot with vegetables.

Add broth, bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. When vegetables are very

tender...

use an

 immersion blender

 or

food processor to puree the soup.

  

Add whipping cream (or half n half) to the pureed soup, stir to blend and return to heat until ready to serve.

Place the toppings in small serving bowls on the table and allow guests to garnish their soup.



these little cabbage bowls were my mom's and I love having them!



****To make the beautiful pumpkin soup bowls as in the fresh market photo...carefully cut off the top, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and strings, and use a paring knife to scoop out the flesh all around. Pan sear the edges for a rustic look. Be sure to reserve the pumpkin meat for a homemade pie! ****

 I served it with fresh, warm sourdough bread (thankfully by husband did leave some bread for me)! I'll definitely make it again....oh, and the pasta sauce I made the next day was also a comforting dish!

For the parmesan butternut pasta sauce:   Simply add a splash of white wine to the soup and simmer over medium heat; add grated parmesan cheese and stir until bubbly and thickened!  Ladle over your favorite pasta, sprinkle with fresh, shaved parmesan and serve!  I love this with campanelle (the cone shape of the pasta traps the sauce and pine nuts inside)!  





Crowning Glory!

Every Princess...Every Prince...Needs a Crown!

Meatballs Mafaldine with Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce



Mafaldine, also known as Reginette,

(Italian for little queens), is a type of ribbon-shaped pasta.

Mafaldine were named in honor of  Princess Mafalda of Savoy (thus the alternative name "little queens").


Just outside Naples and the Amalfi coast, Gragnano is reputed as the birthplace of dried pasta.  This flat and wide pasta noodle is usually about ½ inch in width, with wavy edges on both sides. It is prepared similarly to other ribbon-based pasta such as linguine and fettuccine.


I find that these wonderful ribbons hold up beautifully to a fire roasted tomato sauce and a little bit of heat!

By the request of my dear friend Jaime, I am happy to share my recipe...


Bite into these glorious meat-a-balls, crowned with mafaldine, find the hidden gem tucked beneath the basil leaf, savor the flavors layered within the fire-roasted tomato sauce and enjoy a royal feast!

Meatballs Mafaldine with Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce: 
(or perhaps more accurately titled:  "Little Queens"...or "princess meatballs" :)

Servings: 4

2 pound(s) of Lean ground beef *

1/2 cup(s) of Shredded asiago cheese

1/2 cup(s) of Italian flavored panko bread crumbs

1/2 tsp. of Oregano

6 ounce(s) of Cream cheese

4 Cloves garlic, minced

 2 tbsp. of Olive Oil

1 28 oz. can fire roasted tomatoes

1/2 Pkg. (approx. 1/2 lb.) Mafaldine pasta noodles 

*(if you cannot find mafaldine noodles, you may substitute lasagna noodles sliced in half lengthwise)*

8 Mozzarella balls (cherry size)

Steps:

 Mix ground beef with bread crumbs,2 cloves garlic, ½ tsp oregano, 4 oz. cream cheese and ¼ cup shredded asiago cheese

 Form approx. eight large meatballs.

 In large skillet drizzle one Tbsp olive oil into pan and cook meatballs until browned on all sides. Remove and transfer to baking pan and place in 350 degree oven for approx 20-30 minutes until cooked through.

In same large skillet, scrape meat bits from pan and add 1 Tbsp olive oil, and 2 cloves garlic. Sauté over medium heat for one or two minutes until garlic is softened and aromatic.

 Stir in tomatoes and remaining 2 oz. cream cheese and allow to heat through until bubbly.

Remove from heat.

 In large pot, bring water to boil and add noodles until cooked al denté…approx. eight minutes. Drain and add a bit of cool water to pot and leave in cool water until remaining ingredients are ready.

 Return sauce to burner and simmer over low heat.

 Remove meatballs from oven.

 On large platter, drizzle a small amount of sauce and top w/ a few noodles.

 One at a time, insert a toothpick into mozzarella ball and meatball. Wrap noodle around, securing with another toothpick. Place on top of noodles and sauce already on platter. Cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle w/ remaining asiago...once in place, remove toothpicks and...

(serve with your favorite salad and bread)

 Gustare il pasto!

~ (enjoy the meal) ~

 *I often make this with lean ground turkey instead of ground beef  (making sure turkey is fully cooked w/no pink)

HE PAINTED US A FLAG!

Beauty catches us by surprise and makes us wish for more!
(the sacred romance) 


  "The heavens declare the glory of God;
The skies proclaim the work of his hands"
(Psalm 19:1)

Veteran’s Day, 2010!  A day I will never forget! I can’t begin to explain the sense of awe I experienced at this sunset! It compelled me to pull off to the side of the road and take as many snaps as I could before it drifted away! Just the fact that I had my camera with me was amazing! The wonderment that filled my mind at that moment; the inexplicable joy that captured my heart and filled me from head to toe with excitement!  It wasn’t until after I snapped the first few that I realized the sky looked like a giant flag! :)  Oh how beautiful, this gift from God!  I felt Him saying “Happy Veteran’s Day America”!  I wanted to yell out, “LOOK everyone…Stop and look at this marvel in the sky! Can you imagine better timing of this incredible sunset?!”  Instead, I stayed quiet, snapping as many photo’s of this moment in time so that I could re-visit it again and again...and share it with you! 

Sunsets ~ Glorious Sunsets! 
I’ll never tire of God’s masterpieces on the canvas of His sky…
He paints us a new one every evening!

I could not let this day go by without pausing to reflect on the sacrifice that our men and women in uniform have made and are making on our behalf.  Freedom is not free...it is paid for by the sacrificial acts of so many willing servants who love their country!  May God bless each and every one of our troops and their families. Thank you to those who have served in every generation and who are serving now! God Bless America!

Stars shine and stripes remind

The stars shine bright...

In the darkness of a foxhole,

Or in the glow of celebratory light…

By the fireworks we ignite.

Some forget just what happened in the dead of night,

As the stripes remind us of their wounds,

And blood shed for freedom’s sake,

Today, as well as yesterday…

Make no mistake

Of the sacrifice they make,

While children play,

And music serenades,

As the marching band

Leads our parade...

Let us not forget,  

 nor hesitate to give thanks

And to celebrate...

The freedoms won by our strong and brave

Of every race and every age...

May we never forget the sacrifice they made.

We salute them now...as we bow

Our heads for grace,

And we take our place...

At the bountiful table

Preserved for us by a remembered face...

Some with us now,

And some we will wait to embrace!

(written by Lorraine Brown/copyright 2010)

I was excited to submit this photo to the Learning Never Stops
photo challenge today!

This week:  A photo that captures a moment your heart would like to remember, a photo that captures the ordinary of your ordinary,
or anything that says to you...
"this moment"!

LOOKS LIKE AUTUMN, SOUNDS LIKE SPRING

Five p.m.

Friday afternoon...October nearing it’s end...I sit gazing out my window at Technicolor tree-tops in the autumn sky! This year, autumn in the Midwest has been warmer than usual. Gifted with summer-like temps combined with the beauty of the fall landscape, I suddenly love this season!

Often, people say how much they love autumn because of the beauty it brings. Of course, I don’t disagree, but I usually feel sad when summer draws to a close and fall enters in with its shorter days and nippy nights. It’s such a short lived season and I know what is coming next! I’m not a fan of cold weather and empty branches, and when the crisp colorful treetops become bare, I feel like climbing up a giant ladder and pasting the leaves back on! But this year I feel more joyful...can it be that I'm seeing things with a better attitude these days? Or is it just the weather?! :)

As I marvel at the beauty of the surrounding landscape, I ask myself..."why am I sitting here pining for Indian Summer to linger, while neighbors jog by and children play in shirtsleeves!"  
I feel the need to get up and get out there and enjoy every moment… join the others who bask in warm sunshine and robin’s song under autumn skies! but first...

Sounds like spring

                                                                                           

It looks like Autumn, sounds like spring,

Love to hear the robins sing,                                                            

Outside my window leaves are fallin’          

All day long the red breast callin’!

Clear October skies,

Ruby treetops way up high,

Squirrels hiding acorns, storing food

And summer breezes kiss our skin like June …

Beneath the harvest moon!

Cornstalks, pumpkins, bales of hay,

Dressed up scarecrows on display,

This autumn day...

Sunshine sparkles on bronze trees,

Neighbors visit in shirt sleeves,

Children tumble in piles of leaves!

Looks like autumn, Feels like summer….

This year’s fall…a different drummer!

Leaves in gutters not a problem…

No rain yet - a warm, dry autumn!

Laughter echoes through our town,

Accompanied by a springtime sound…

Love to hear the robins sing…

All day long,

As if it’s spring!

(written by Lorraine Brown, copyright 2010)   

                                                



THOSE WHO BRING SUNSHINE TO THE LIVES OF OTHERS CANNOT KEEP IT FROM THEMSELVES! (James Barrie)

A while back, two sweet friends, and fellow bloggers (mangiabella and foodiehouse with Lauren) awarded me with this beautiful sunshine award. I was new to blogging and wasn't sure how to post it or how to pass it along. Well, now that I've learned a bit more (with much more to learn), I finally figured it out!~~ I can now pass this award along, and since I've received it twice, I hope that it's o.k. to pass it on in multiples!


First, in keeping with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to give the Sunshine Award to someone who inspires me daily. This beautiful woman is filled with faith, courage, strength and love. She is the mother of six beautiful blessings... (five boys and one girl)! She is also fighting the good fight right now as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer.


Stacy's blog: "His Way Not Mine" is an incredible testimony to the goodness of God. What more can I say?! Stacy is beautiful inside and out and I always learn something after reading her inspirational blog posts. Her faith is grounded and I have un-ending admiration for her strength! In honor of breast cancer awareness month I recommend you stop by and be encouraged...or share encouragement soon! Thank you Stacy, for spreading Sunshine and Shining Light into our world!    http://hiswaynotmine.blogspot.com/


I've witnessed success stories first hand...and if you'll read the post below this, you'll also read about my close friend,Samantha, who beat this disease and is now helping others because of it!


Next:  I would like to introduce to you a new blog:   http://shannonsshanonigins.blogspot.com/
Shannon's blog is brand new and already has a nice following! She combines her many creative talents for a great how to blog for entertaining. Just ask Shannon if you need any suggestions for your next gathering!
Shannon has such a fun sense of humor.  She has a unique way of creating beauty all around her while entertaining us with her fun personality!  Shannon, I'm so glad you are using your creative gifts through your new blog and I'm looking forward to seeing more!


Of course, I've come to love so many wonderful blogs out there...and if it wasn't for my dear Mangiabella, I just might not be blogging today! :) Mangiabella combines her love for food with her love for life; she sets a mood of comfort and peace and spices it up with an added ingredient of humor here and there. Delightfully written. Do visit this blog and "taste life"! http://mangia-bella.blogspot.com/  


And Foodiehouse with Lauren never ceases to inspire and entertain. Foodiehouse with Lauren is a colorfully written, entertaining food blog, which always brings a smile to my face. I always love stopping by to see what she is up to next! http://foodiehouse.blogspot.com/


The sun shines brighter because of their beauty!  Girls, since it was you that originally gifted me with this sunshine award, and some time has passed, I think it's time for you to receive it once again!
Bless you both for your love and generosity! 


Once again....this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  Please don't forget about all the wonderful women who are fighting the good fight.  They need our support and prayers!  To all of you who continue to inspire us...MAY SUNSHINE AND GLADNESS BE YOURS!

TOP THIS~ a worthy cause!

"You probably know someone who has had breast cancer. The disease will strike one in eight women. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month we are sharing inspiring stories of local survivors. First, we meet one Austin survivor who just opened a one of a kind salon, Top This, in North Austin that caters to cancer patients." (from weareaustin.com)


“I kept thinking we need to have one place where men and women can come in and get all their services done at one time,” Bernacky said.

Above are excerpts from a news article about my dear friend Samantha.
Also, please click on the link below to see her amazing story and new business serving breast cancer patients! 

Some of you know about her story as you were faithful to join me in prayer on her behalf as she experienced the shocking diagnosis and treatment for stage two breast cancer. We watched in amazement as she attacked it head on with unwavering courage and faith. She never ceases to amaze me. She is one of the busiest people I know! She owns and runs a demanding but successful business; lives on and runs a beautiful ranch with her husband and son; and now add to her “bucket list”…. beat breast cancer and using the experience to help others!

Samantha is an idea person....but the difference between Sam and many others is that she puts her ideas into action!

"For Samantha, during chemo, three surgeries and 33 treatments of radiation, she found it nearly impossible to find time between work, family and all those treatments to take care of how she felt on the outside. So, she took matters into her own hands and opened Top This less than a month ago."


Top This offers everything from wigs and massages to hair replacement and skin therapy to caps and turbans, all to help people with the pervasive disease, feel good about themselves.


It’s a salon that offers help, hope, hair and happiness."

While going through treatments Samantha thought about how God might use this experience in her life to help others who are going through treatment. She immediately decided to open yet another business so that she could help others dealing with breast cancer. I admire my dear friend and applaud her for being a beautiful person inside and out and for using something like this as an opportunity to do something wonderful for others. She repeated to me in our frequent conversations that she believed her cancer to be a gift from God….and now she needed to find a way to use this gift for His glory….well, take a look at how she is doing just that!

Here is a link from her local t.v. news channel doing a feature on her new business (ministry actually), “Top This”….

http://weareaustin.com/search-fulltext?nxd_id=95335

Reflections ~

I looked in the mirror and what did I see?!

As I begin to settle in to Autumn, I reflect on a light hearted summer!
During the summer months, I was on a writing frenzy! One of the things I love to do is sit on the patio, enjoying a summer breeze as I become inspired by nature surrounding me….and write, write, write!


Back in July, I received such an honor from Highland Park Poetry, when my poem, “Cheaters” was awarded first place in their “Funniest Poetry Contest”! I was thrilled to see (no pun intended) that my poem about the dreaded need for reading glasses had amused so many (and some who are obviously dealing with the same issues in life that I am)! It’s so nice to know I’m not alone! :)


From there, we (the winners) were invited to appear on a local television program “Poetry Today”, where we shared our poems and discussed our love for writing.


In August, I received another honor and was once again dancing with delight when I was notified that my poem “What my momma said” was one of the winning poems in the Chicago Poetry Contest and was going to be published in the noteworthy “Cram 9” Poetry Journal ~  (Cram evolved from live poetry “cram sessions” and became a fast growing journal which has turned into one of the most desirable places in which to be published). This is now it’s ninth season...and cram’s ninth edition…thus the name, “Cram 9, Poetry in the First!" We were all invited to attend a celebration and a live reading of our poetry at their August release party!


This year’s journal was even more personal for me because the cover of the journal shows a little girl pondering her reflection in a mirror! It just seemed so appropriate that my poem “What my momma said” be included in this year’s journal. It felt like more than a coincidence to me!


As I reflect on the words of my mother and echo her instruction, I look forward to more personal discoveries… not only through my writing, but also as I continue to examine the core of my being and strive to mirror the essence of character my momma so beautifully modeled! ~


What my momma said                     

 written by Lorraine Brown © 2006


Pretty is as pretty does is what she always said,
Don’t ignore me; listen to me,
One day you’ll be glad you did.

What’s inside your heart is what will shine right thru your eyes,
If it’s truth you tell I’ll know it, but I’ll also know if it’s a lie.
So keep in mind that though you may have secrets to keep,
What’s inside can’t always hide no matter how dark or deep.


Pretty’s on the inside darlin’ - it’s where it all begins,
Not lipstick or a pretty dress; not sparkles or sequins,
Your future lies in choices; it all depends on you,
You can choose what’s right or do what’s wrong,
The consequence you can’t un-do.


If beauty lies within your heart then beauty we will see,
Attitudes and actions show the world what lies beneath.
It’s what you do and what you say,
It’s how you laugh and how you play,
It’s how you live, its how you love,
It’s how you treat the world today.


Pretty is as pretty does is what she always said,
I didn’t know how glad I’d be that I listened to her then,
And even though her voice is just a memory in my mind,
It speaks so clearly to me still, so soft and sweet and kind.


Every day she showed me just what pretty does,
‘Cuz pretty is as pretty does is what SHE always was!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Annie's Shadow

I'm thinking of my dear mother today, on her birthday....this would have been her 86th!  Hard to believe she's been gone for six years now...it doesn't feel like that long ago.  She was taken home to be with the Lord on Christmas Eve, 2004 ~ a bittersweet remembrance!  On one hand, it makes Christmas's a bit more unique when I gather with my family and the presence of each of my parents is missed ...add to it the vivid memory of my mom's last breath which remains etched in my mind and deep within my heart.  Yet, there is something extremely powerful about her going home to heaven on Christ's birthday...as if she had a personal invitation to the party!  I could imagine the angels, greeting her as she entered heaven's door and the  inexplicable joy she experienced  when she saw the face of God!  Despite our bittersweet remembrance, I am certain I will see her again! I'll see my wonderful dad as well....and all those who went before me!  It doesn't make me miss them any less, however.


I feel very fortunate to have had a beautiful relationship with my parents...and my mother was not only a great role model for me, but also a friend, encourager, comforter, and my personal hero! As a child, like "Mary's little lamb", I would follow her everywhere...always by her side. We'd go "visiting" on a regular basis. She had seven brothers and she was the youngest of eight...the only girl. Imagine that!  She said she was very happy to finally have another female in her life...but I wonder if she ever tired of my attachment to her hip?!  As we would make our regular visits to one of her seven brother's homes, they would see us approaching and say..."here comes Annie and her shadow!"  :)  It's o.k... there is no-one I'd rather be the shadow of!  Her fun sense of humor never failed to amuse us...laughter filled our home...and I still feel her positive influence daily! She taught me so much...and I feel her teaching me still...as her presence remains in my heart!  So...Happy Birthday to my mom who's spirit lives on!



Annie's Shadow


They called me Annie's Shadow,
As I clung to her so tight,
And glued myself right to her hip,
So she wouldn't leave my sight,

The love she gave was without measure,
A wellspring...a priceless treasure!
Loving memories will never fade...never escape my mind...
So much of her will always by right here by my side!


Yes, they called me Annie's shadow,
As I clung to her so tight,
I miss her more than words can possibly describe,
Though she's no longer here to touch or see,
Her spirit lingers vibrantly!


The legacy she leaves behind,
Is one of kindness and delight,
She loved the life she lived,
And she lived it right!


So when I see a shadow,
Dancing in the wind,
I remember Annie's spirit,
And the joyful life she lived!


Yes, they called me Annie's shadow,
As I clung to her so tight,
No regrets, no need to blush,
I wear the name with pride!


(written by Lorraine  Brown, copyright 2008)