Those of you who know me well are probably shocked that I'm blogging a recipe but I love this soup and thought I'd share the recipe. It's taken from a slow-cooker recipe book but I don't know which one because I left the cookbook with Randy and just have the photocopy.
Ingredients:
2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 cans (10 1/2 ounces each) cream of mushroom soup
1 1/2 cups finely chopped green onions, divided
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (I usually use 8 ounces because that's what comes in the bag and you can never have too much cheese :)
1 cup sour cream
1 cup milk
Black peper
Directions:
1. Combine potatoes, soup, 1 cup green onions, garlic powder and red pepper in slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH 4 hours or on LOW 8 hours.
2. Add cheese, sour cream, and milk; stir until cheese has completely melted. Cover and cook on HIGH an additional 10 minutes. Season to taste with black pepper. Garnish with remaining green onions.
Makes 7 servings.
Enjoy. And feel free to invite me over whenever you're making it!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year???
Happy Saturday to Everyone...or if it's you're reading this later, then Happy Whatever Day it Is Where You Are, to you.
Before I start, let me just say that I celebrate Christmas and recognize that it's an important holiday to many. And no, I'm not going the direction of "Happy Holidays" vs "Merry Christmas" with this blog. Instead I'm writing this because I think that for many of us the Christmas season is not exactly "the most wonderful time of the year."
Forgive me for being cynical, but I think that advertisers and retailers are the ones who promote the current concepts of how the Holiday spirit SHOULD look. For many that picture doesn't fit with their real lives. And that "failure" to fit causes debt, depression, and in some cases worse.
I have a very good friend who says that watching holiday specials is just too hard because her life doesn't match what is being shown. I completely get that. We are told (through songs, cards, and commercials) that holidays are about time with large extended families with lots of gifts around a stylish tree and a elaborately prepared meal. Everyone is dressed perfectly (the little girls all have ribbons in their tidy curls), happy, relaxed, and care-free. Is that how YOUR Christmas looks? Or feels?
When I was a child we spent Christmas Eve with my paternal grandparents. My dad was one of four children, each of whom had at least three children of their own. So there were lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins crowded into such a small house that we had to eat in shifts because there was no room for everyone to sit at once. Christmas Day was spent with my mother's side of the family. Again aunts, uncles, and cousins were an important part of the tradition. I loved it and have many fond memories of those holidays. My sister (who is 13 years older) tells me about how hard it was for Mama and Daddy to provide Christmas for us, how worried they often were about where the money would come from to give us that holiday!
And NOW I am single, childless, and my aunts, uncles and cousins are celebrating with their own families. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for me are either spent with a small family (my sister and sometimes my nephew) or alone. And that's fine - as long as I avoid comparing myself to those who are still celebrating with large extended families. If you have many friends and relatives gathered around your Christmas table, I am happy for you. But commercials and holiday specials tend to make those of us who aren't celebrating that way feel "good enough" or "normal."
Does Martha Stewart ever do a magazine spread about setting a holiday table for one or two? No, because would I need to buy new dishes, lovely table linens, and carts full of groceries for my holiday gatherings?
Likewise, how often do you see advertisements that encourage you to cut back for Christmas? To focus on spending time helping those less fortunate? To send money to charities who help starving children? To have a debt-free holiday or to start planning for a 2012 that allows you to live more than paycheck-to-paycheck? To use precious sentimental old ornaments on your tree rather than buying whatever new color designers have chosen to be THE trend of the season (only to be replaced next year or the following because the colors change and who would want an out-of-style tree???)
Probably by now we have all seen the facebook picture that has starving children reaching out next to stressed-out looking women with armloads and carts full of expensive toys. The picture is captioned "Define Necessity" and I appreciate the reminder it provides.
So, starting now, I'm committing to not make my holiday happiness about the "necessity" defined by retail analysts but rather about the spirit of sending good wishes to all - even if it those wishes do not involve a trip to the Hallmark store or a wait in the long lines at the U.S. Post Office.
I wish each and everyone of you a PEACE-FILLED HOLIDAY season, however YOU define that!
Before I start, let me just say that I celebrate Christmas and recognize that it's an important holiday to many. And no, I'm not going the direction of "Happy Holidays" vs "Merry Christmas" with this blog. Instead I'm writing this because I think that for many of us the Christmas season is not exactly "the most wonderful time of the year."
Forgive me for being cynical, but I think that advertisers and retailers are the ones who promote the current concepts of how the Holiday spirit SHOULD look. For many that picture doesn't fit with their real lives. And that "failure" to fit causes debt, depression, and in some cases worse.
I have a very good friend who says that watching holiday specials is just too hard because her life doesn't match what is being shown. I completely get that. We are told (through songs, cards, and commercials) that holidays are about time with large extended families with lots of gifts around a stylish tree and a elaborately prepared meal. Everyone is dressed perfectly (the little girls all have ribbons in their tidy curls), happy, relaxed, and care-free. Is that how YOUR Christmas looks? Or feels?
When I was a child we spent Christmas Eve with my paternal grandparents. My dad was one of four children, each of whom had at least three children of their own. So there were lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins crowded into such a small house that we had to eat in shifts because there was no room for everyone to sit at once. Christmas Day was spent with my mother's side of the family. Again aunts, uncles, and cousins were an important part of the tradition. I loved it and have many fond memories of those holidays. My sister (who is 13 years older) tells me about how hard it was for Mama and Daddy to provide Christmas for us, how worried they often were about where the money would come from to give us that holiday!
And NOW I am single, childless, and my aunts, uncles and cousins are celebrating with their own families. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for me are either spent with a small family (my sister and sometimes my nephew) or alone. And that's fine - as long as I avoid comparing myself to those who are still celebrating with large extended families. If you have many friends and relatives gathered around your Christmas table, I am happy for you. But commercials and holiday specials tend to make those of us who aren't celebrating that way feel "good enough" or "normal."
Does Martha Stewart ever do a magazine spread about setting a holiday table for one or two? No, because would I need to buy new dishes, lovely table linens, and carts full of groceries for my holiday gatherings?
Likewise, how often do you see advertisements that encourage you to cut back for Christmas? To focus on spending time helping those less fortunate? To send money to charities who help starving children? To have a debt-free holiday or to start planning for a 2012 that allows you to live more than paycheck-to-paycheck? To use precious sentimental old ornaments on your tree rather than buying whatever new color designers have chosen to be THE trend of the season (only to be replaced next year or the following because the colors change and who would want an out-of-style tree???)
Probably by now we have all seen the facebook picture that has starving children reaching out next to stressed-out looking women with armloads and carts full of expensive toys. The picture is captioned "Define Necessity" and I appreciate the reminder it provides.
So, starting now, I'm committing to not make my holiday happiness about the "necessity" defined by retail analysts but rather about the spirit of sending good wishes to all - even if it those wishes do not involve a trip to the Hallmark store or a wait in the long lines at the U.S. Post Office.
I wish each and everyone of you a PEACE-FILLED HOLIDAY season, however YOU define that!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Trying to get the feeling again
Hello Friends,
I was somehow surprised to see that my last post here was in May. I thought it had been longer. The last 12 months have been a bit of a blur. I've said goodbye to two of my darling babies and to two of my special friends, one of whom was the motivation behind my blogging.
But I've come to realize that my life is going to remain blurry until I take actions to change that. So here I am, hoping to regain the feeling of connection to my own life, one day at a time. Or maybe one minute at a time. I don't really know what to expect - if I'll be blogging daily or if it will become something that I do periodically. Or perhaps I'll reach a point where I throw in the blogging towel completely. Time will tell.
When it occurred to me that I wanted to blog tonight I decided to share one of my favorite pictures
I was somehow surprised to see that my last post here was in May. I thought it had been longer. The last 12 months have been a bit of a blur. I've said goodbye to two of my darling babies and to two of my special friends, one of whom was the motivation behind my blogging.
But I've come to realize that my life is going to remain blurry until I take actions to change that. So here I am, hoping to regain the feeling of connection to my own life, one day at a time. Or maybe one minute at a time. I don't really know what to expect - if I'll be blogging daily or if it will become something that I do periodically. Or perhaps I'll reach a point where I throw in the blogging towel completely. Time will tell.
When it occurred to me that I wanted to blog tonight I decided to share one of my favorite pictures
This picture is of Toby watching the twins that would later become his indoor brothers Daisy & Dandy. I had a few moments of panic when I could not locate the picture in any of my digital files. This brought home the message that I need to copy all pictures worth saving onto a cd in case something ever happens to my computer.
Anyway, that's it for me tonight. Thanks for stopping by and reading my little blog. I hope you are doing well and that Halloween will be howlingly good fun wherever you are spending it!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Generosity of Spirit
Mavis and I were talking last night about those with a generosity of spirit. Some people seem to have an innate ability to give to others. I am blessed to know several of that type of people and wanted to share three work stories with you all...
One day last week I was admiring the pink purse a coworker was carrying. It was just so darn cute that I couldn't resist asking her where she got it. She told me but then responded "you can have it. It's too small for me." I was shocked.
Today I came in to find one of my good friends at work had gifted me with a lovely red leather tote bag that I have long admired. She's moved into a larger bag and knew I loved this one.
Another colleague/friend at the office is a soon-to-be published author. He knows how fascinated I am with all things writing-related so he has been sharing excerpts of his second novel with me and graciously allowing me to participate by asking my thoughts on aspects of the book. He also shares suggestions for nurturing my own creative side.
And you know what this leads me to realize? That in all likelihood there are more generous-spirited people out there than we might realize, if we just stop and notice.
How about you, do you find this to be true in your life? I would love to hear about some of your experiences on this topic. Please share...
Be blessed.
One day last week I was admiring the pink purse a coworker was carrying. It was just so darn cute that I couldn't resist asking her where she got it. She told me but then responded "you can have it. It's too small for me." I was shocked.
Today I came in to find one of my good friends at work had gifted me with a lovely red leather tote bag that I have long admired. She's moved into a larger bag and knew I loved this one.
Another colleague/friend at the office is a soon-to-be published author. He knows how fascinated I am with all things writing-related so he has been sharing excerpts of his second novel with me and graciously allowing me to participate by asking my thoughts on aspects of the book. He also shares suggestions for nurturing my own creative side.
And you know what this leads me to realize? That in all likelihood there are more generous-spirited people out there than we might realize, if we just stop and notice.
How about you, do you find this to be true in your life? I would love to hear about some of your experiences on this topic. Please share...
Be blessed.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
My Old Same
Has it really been three months since I blogged? Time really does speed by, doesn't it?
This blog is for my very special friend, my Old Same, Journey. Journey and I met when I attended a Simple Abundance workshop in Sedona. I don't remember much about what was said in that workshop but I have vivid memories of my conversation with Journey. We were sitting outside at lunch and in my memories the sun beams seemed to shine like a spotlight. We discussed our love of travel and of letters. We exchanged addresses and agreed to write. That was May 14, 2005 and our correspondence friendship began that day.
Journey's letters are so unlike mine - or those of anyone else I have ever corresponded with. Her letters, which usually come in a nice fat packet (often decorated as mail art) reflect her intense love affair with journaling. They include things that she has found on her travels or in publications. I feel like I'm with her when she travels as she clearly is thinking of things to share with me. Journey urges and inspires me to be more creative. She's my inspiration, my teacher, my friend, and my Old Same.
When I received an email from her husband, Rick, tonight letting me know that Journey is very ill my heart clinched. I reach out here to express my love and gratitude for Journey and my requests for prayers for her recovery.
Be well, my Old Same. I love you.
This blog is for my very special friend, my Old Same, Journey. Journey and I met when I attended a Simple Abundance workshop in Sedona. I don't remember much about what was said in that workshop but I have vivid memories of my conversation with Journey. We were sitting outside at lunch and in my memories the sun beams seemed to shine like a spotlight. We discussed our love of travel and of letters. We exchanged addresses and agreed to write. That was May 14, 2005 and our correspondence friendship began that day.
Journey's letters are so unlike mine - or those of anyone else I have ever corresponded with. Her letters, which usually come in a nice fat packet (often decorated as mail art) reflect her intense love affair with journaling. They include things that she has found on her travels or in publications. I feel like I'm with her when she travels as she clearly is thinking of things to share with me. Journey urges and inspires me to be more creative. She's my inspiration, my teacher, my friend, and my Old Same.
When I received an email from her husband, Rick, tonight letting me know that Journey is very ill my heart clinched. I reach out here to express my love and gratitude for Journey and my requests for prayers for her recovery.
Be well, my Old Same. I love you.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
In the moment
Cats are Masters of "In the Moment" - they can sit and stare at nothing for hours.
Hello again,
Happy Sunday. What's going on in your world today?
Ever have a tap on your shoulder or a whisper in your ear that when you try to ignore it just becomes stronger or louder? As if the message is determined to make itself heard, no matter how hard you try to ignore it?
A few years ago my friend, Mavis, and I made a pact. Each day we would exercise, meditate, and journal. After 30 days of disciplining ourselves to make time for these practices we agreed were important we would treat ourselves to a fun weekend spent enjoying time together while taking in the Christmas lights of Cape May, New Jersey. It was a win-win proposition. We were successful at keeping our promises and had a lovely, festive weekend.
After that, our pact seemed to lose its steam. I fell away from meditating and exercising. The journaling took longer but eventually faded out of my daily (or weekly) routine. No surprise about the exercising, because, well...let me be honest here. I hate exercising. It's not so obvious to me why I have resisted my journal and my meditation.
Perhaps it's because it requires being focused, being quiet, being still? Being dedicated to being in that moment. Single tasking. After all, isn't the ability to multi-task a valuable skill? Well, yes, I guess it is, at times. But I've found that, for me, it's damn difficult to decide when I need to multi-task and when I would be better served by single-tasking. If I'm talking on the phone, I'm also doing laundry, loading the dishwasher, checking emails, knitting or... you get the picture. And what this ends up meaning, too often, is that I'm not in the moment.
Back to the taps on the shoulder and the whispers in my ear. I received a much-appreciated email from my friend, Journey, who gave me suggestions about how to meditate. My friend, Lorin, has also offered guidance on the subject. Then, this morning, I was reading Creative is a Verb (by Patti Digh). The chapter I was reading today was about actually HEARING what is being said, and getting the messages. The lesson I got from this section was that learning to cut out the brain-cluttering distractions was much like using the Boise Noise Reduction headsets for airline travel. This is a very loose paraphrasing on my part, and doesn't do justice to her description or metaphor comparing the learned stillness to the headsets.
Today I'm going to try being more in the moment. Not zipping and zapping from one task to the next. Maybe I'll even sit down and try to catch some Ommm's.
I don't know that I will ever become good at (or even comfortable with) meditation. For now I'll be happy if it just helps me stop the ADD symptoms of going into a room to accomplish something and becoming so distracted that I forget what I intended to do.
You know...I wouldn't mind having another pact in place to help me feel more accountable.
How often do you find quiet? Are you able to single-task or are you, like me, prone to multi-tasking? Does practice make focusing easier?
Whatever you're doing today...I hope you are aware.
Thanks for visiting.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Buddies
Hello again...
We've done some rearranging around here. On Saturday I sold several pieces of furniture, including my dining room table and chairs. Because the dining room has the best light of any room in the house the boys have always loved spending time there. Of course I felt terribly guilty selling their favorite chairs so I moved an ottoman from the living room into the dining room.
I think Toby & Dandy approve...
I love this picture because Toby was trying so hard to sleep and Dandy just kept bothering him. Little brothers are like that, I hear.
I hope you have a wonderful week.
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