Sunday, November 20, 2011

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soule Mama

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Butternut squash soup

This is one of my favorite fall recipes. It's perfect. I've made it twice in the last three weeks and I'm already thinking about a third. It was a great treat to share with the girls at small group yesterday. The hardest part about making it is peeling and cutting the squash. Man those things are a pain to peel. It's so worth it though. You can make this with or without the Cayenne pepper. When my kids were babies I used to make it for them without the spice. Now I add just enough to give it a little kick. Oh yeah and you can cut the calories by using Neufchatel in place of the cream cheese.

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

6 C peeled and cubed butternut squash (~3lbs raw squash)
6 tbl chopped onion
4tbl butter (you can use less of this if you want)
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper
2-8oz packages of cream cheese * I only use 1 and it works fine.

In a large saucepan, saute onions in butter until tender. Add all other ingredients except the cream cheese. Bring it to a boil and cook for 20 min, or until the squash is tender.
                                                             My dinosaur food processor.

This is the messy part, puree squash and cream cheese in a blender or food processor in two batches until smooth. Return to saucepan and heat through. Do not allow it to boil. Then remove it from the heat and it will thicken as it cools.

That's it... now your done. Enjoy with friends!!!


Thursday, November 3, 2011

Something crafty

OK, first let me start by saying I'm sorry for my disappearing act. I've been very preoccupied with things none digital lately. But I'm back and I wanted to show you something fun and crafty that I made last night. I love canning jars and I have a ton of them around my kitchen. So yesterday while I was poking around the web I found this: http://www.acharmingnest.com/2011/06/ball-jars-i-love-you.html 
It's a cute little tutorial on how to change an ordinary canning jar into a soap dispenser. These things sell for like $15 on Etsy.

Looove it!!!

I'm thinking Christmas gifts. You could really make these things dressy with ribbon and stuff. I like it alone with no frills. Less stuff for me to keep clean you know what I mean jelly bean. Now it's your turn. Ready, set, go!!