Broccoli and Cheese Soup

 

We are down to just 2 pumpkins, and at the rate I'm giving them to the chickens, they won't still be here when the Winter Solstice arrives.  I gave them (the chickens) one yesterday and today I gave them a whole bunch of asparagus ferns.  It has been a few nights and mornings of freezing weather, and not too much above, during the day.  Today is 50 degrees and sunny and it felt so nice.  The house is cold tho and I'm itching to light that first fire, not yet...not yet!  It feels like a very special thing, that first fire.  I'm waiting for the right time.  In the kitchen I made Chili a few days ago and now Broccoli and Cheese Soup, with lots of onion, garlic and pepper.  It is a soup I have made for a long time, tweaking it and changing it ever so slightly.  I think I'm settling in on this version right here and I wanted to share the recipe, so you can make it too.  

~ Broccoli and Cheese Soup ~

Start by steaming 4 cups of broccoli by chopping 

while the broccoli steams start your soup:

1 small onion

1 carrot

1/2 stick butter

Saute' til soft

add 1/4 cup of flour and cook for a few minutes. 

add 1 quart of stock (beef, chicken or veggie) 

Add 1 cup 1/2 and 1/2

Add 1 package of cream cheese

1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese

cover and simmer.

Add the steamed broccoli to the mixture.  

Add freshly grated cheddar cheese, take off the heat and stir it in.  

I season the soup at the end.  

I add a generous amount of granulated garlic, celery salt, onion powder and pepper.  

I leave large pieces of veggies, you can blend it or mash it if you like it smoother.

December greetings

December has arrived, in a whirl and in a hurry.  I think it's because Thanksgiving was so late this year that it feels that way.  Right now we are loving the change in the weather.  I am certain that West Tennessee has 2 conditions-hot and cold- without much in between.  I miss those mild transitional temperatures those 4 distinct seasonal feels.  We are abruptly hot and abruptly cold.  If we have those mild swings in between, maybe I've forgotten them.  December should be cold! I am planning a big pot of chili this afternoon with cornbread, yes! 

Caroline celebrated her actual birthday with just family and followed up with a gingerbread decorating party with a friend after Thanksgiving.  Both of my daughters birthday are at hard times for getting friends together.  One being the week of Fall Break and the other falling the week of Thanksgiving. Some years we have a birthday cake on Thanksgiving! Anyway, she wanted all the fun decorations for the houses and they had a really fun time with that.  October and November birthdays AND then December, well I almost run out of ideas for giving gifts.  When family asks "what do they want"? I say, Um I will have to get back to you or a straight up "I don't know" often is the answer.  They will be happy with what ever you give? 

The rose hips are ready to harvest, having had our first freeze/frost.  The plant has given all it has to give to those little hips. I will dry them for adding to winter tea blends. 

We put up our tree.  We opted for the artificial one in the attic.  A lot of years we get a real tree, but the prices this year, were pretty high.  We just decided to use the one we had.  Of course, being from Maine, a fresh cut tree is my preference, but the kids are happy and it will do.  

I updated the shop for the last time this year.  I'm getting things labeled and boxed up to ship out.  If you are local, I have sent a restock to Home Place Pastures and am shipping a big box of soap to Wild Cultures Sourdough Bread this week!  It's always so heartwarming for me to think of my soaps and such being wrapped up and gifted to people.  I usually get a message or two after the new year starts from folks that were gifted soap and who are wanting more.  

December greetings friends!!

s l o w

Harvesting:: the very last of the volunteer tomatoes, still green ::

Planning:: to make homemade mayonnaise today ::

Giving:: in to turning on the heat-brrr ::

Preparing:: fresh baked bread ::

Happiest:: of slow Sundays to you ::

Cozy

Grammie made potholder and one inspired from it.    

Friday night at home with my girl.  Big sister and dad were at the high school football game.  They lost- so, it was the last one of the season. 

It was cold and we stayed home and cozy (happily)!

Saturday morning cozy sunshine. 

Fried rice, on repeat. 

I hope you have a lovely and cozy weekend!

 

fix it

It's been a couple days worth of "fix it".  You know, the little things that aren't working like they should.  Things that are easily ignored (for a while) until one day you just decide to fix it!  It started with the master bath (shower).It needed a new faucet/shower director contraption.  At first it was just a bit less of a flow and then I started showering under a trickle.  An easy fix, or so it should have been, had the tiny bit of research been done.  No problem~ after 3 trips to the hardware store, ahem.   The shower is full blast and powerful once again.  After that was taken care of, on to our garbage can.  It is the kind the city supplies to wheel to the curb for collection.  It's been broken for a while and we have been managing it.  They brought us a brand new one today! Next up was the front door deadbolt.  It sticks bad and the other night Emily couldn't unlock it~ added to the list.  Fixed today, easily.  Took lock apart, sprayed WD-40, put lock back together.  Fixed!  Lastly the railing for the stairs was, well, wiggly.  Ever so slightly but I heard it each time someone went up or down.  Tightened all the screws and while I was there cleaned the railing and the banister.  Nothing overly complicated and little "fix it"s that just are minor problems and easy to ignore.  I'll be on the hunt the rest of the day for more little things to check off the list.  As we go into late fall and then on into winter it just feels good to have things in working order.  

In other news, gifts for the birthday girl are starting to arrive from family far away.  Excitement is building.  We also started drying some oranges to use for our holiday decorating. 

Speaking of holidays, can you believe Thanksgiving is almost here? I think I'll start a list now:)

 

dutch baby

 

I don't think there can be too many pictures when sharing a recipe!  

After a conversation on Instagram with a friend about pop overs a couple weeks ago, and the struggles of them popping correctly with "add ins" I decided to just stick to my dutch baby when adding in yummy add ins.  It seems I am not the only one who ends up with pop overs that are really pop unders when I add in cheese and herbs for example.  I'd love to hear what Lisa settled on because last she wrote she said she would just serve the "toppings" on the side.  Anyway~ I'm excited to share my very favorite savory Dutch Baby with you.  Dutch Babies are so perfect for brunch, to serve to family during the holidays or just a treat for yourself.  This one is made in an 8 inch cast iron skillet and is the perfect thickness, in my opinion.  Increase your skillet size if you double (or triple!) the recipe~for a crowd.  

Dutch Baby:

3 eggs

1/2 cup whole milk

1/2 cup unbleached flour

1 TBS butter (melted)

pinch of salt

preheat your oven to 400 degrees, you will bake this for 25-30 minutes. 

Put your skillet on low to melt your butter for your recipe and to coat your pan for baking. 

Whisk or beat eggs and milk until foamy.  stir in flour, salt and then added your melted butter. 

Set aside to let your flour absorb.   Get your toppings ready now. 

I used goat cheese and chives.  You can add any topping you like.  

After a few minutes pass and the flour has absorbed, pour the mixture into your warm buttered skillet. 

Now, add your toppings. Do not mix them in! Pop in your preheated oven.  

Enjoy!

~tina