Today, as in most ordinary Tuesdays, I’m spending some time in the kitchen. Being that this is December and I have some friends over, I’m spending most of my day in the kitchen. So here is a look at some of the fun we’ve had today! Don’t you wish you could join us?
How do you spend time with friends during the holidays? What do you give as gifts as the holidays? What foodie gifts are your favorites?
This morning, a cold, still below freezing morning, I’ve already been up three times. 2:30, 4:30, and 5:30.
Then I just decided to stay up and try out Kristen’s Happiness Time – which I’m calling Lala time. Saying Lala – destresses me.
I don’t know what I’ll do with this time each morning, but I know it will include reading, looking at blogs, and writing cards – and who knows what else.
Wow – the holidays are upon us and there is much activity in my kitchen. I’m glad the oven and stove will be on more because that means I can stand where its warm most of the time but not crank up my heat in our home.
Here is what’s planned for this week:
Chicken Noodle Soup: via Tyler Florence
Smoky Grill Rub: via Southern Living for a gift
Peppermint Divinity Bars – via Southern Living (which I’m so excited to have a subscription for)
Nutella Sea Salt Truffles – via On Sugar Mountain
Chai Truffles – via Southern Living
Chicken Spaghetti – for lunch during our marshmallow making
Salted Caramel Swirled Marshmallows – via Bake or Break
Salted Caramel Sauce – via Brown Eyed Baker
Strawberry Margherita Mini Cupcakes – via A Helicopter Mom (virgin, don’t worry)
Homemade Herbed Salt – via 5$ Dinners
Refried Beans for Taco Tuesday: via Simply Recipes and Camille Styles
Curried Hummus: via Heather’s Dish
Chocolate Pistachio Thumb Print Cookies – via How Sweet It Is for the ARWB Cookie Swap on Friday
Here we go. What are you cooking this week, for the holidays, for gifts, for your family? What recipe are you most excited about?
All most people want when it is cold outside and when they are sick is something warm, served in a bowl, eaten with a spoon. Preferably with some type of broth involved.
Well, it is both cold outside and we are sick inside. So, all I wanted was a soup. Since I couldn’t get out to go the store – I had to use what I had. So, when my husband said, “that’s a keeper!” I was excited! So, no matter if you are sick, or if it is cold outside, make this soup to warm your hands as you hold a mug or bowl of it (I had mine in one of my husband’s grandmother’s mugs that we have).
Creamy Wild Rice Soup
evoo
1 T unsalted butter
3 carrots, pennied (cut into rounds)
2 celery stalks, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 box beef broth (or chicken, or vegetable)
1 1/2 cups wild rice blend
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 tsp each of sage, rosemary, and oregano
pepper to taste
Heat old and butter in a pan – sauté vegetables. Pour in broth and bring to a boil. Add rice and cook according to directions. (I used slightly less rice to broth ratio that the directions called for because I wanted more liquid in my soup.) When rice is done, whisk in creamed soup and spices.
If you want – add in diced, cooked chicken as well.
Enjoy!
Service.
How do you find ways to serve others around you?
We’ve both been sick in our home – and have two kids ages 15m and under. So, its been a little crazy. And we’re iced in – literally our driveway is a sheet of ice.
I don’t drink coffee. My husband does. Usually he settles for Keurig. Today, he got Airship French Press.
Serving will never be a bad thing…if done with a right spirit.
