Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Rich and Creamy Mushroom Soup

I was never much of a soup maker in my early days of cooking.  I just always thought that to make good soup (really good soup) you needed to spend a lot of time working on it.  Hours and hours of back breaking time spent over the hot stove, stirring, tasting, stirring and adding more and more items until SOUP was born.

Remember the Creamy Leek and Potato Soup I made?  Didn't take forever, did it!!

Well, in my never ending creep towards the big 4-0, I'm beginning to learn something ....

.... not all things that taste good GREAT take a lot of time to prepare.  Like soup.  And I love me a good bowl of soup!!  And since I started blogging, I've tried to add 'making soup' into my non-structional routine a bit more.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Mini French Toast

So, it's a miserable, rainy day and cold.  I think it's official - fall is finally here to stay.  And really, it feels like summer ONLY just started.  Before long the snow will creep down the mountains and lay a clean, white blanket out on the front lawn.  I'm not ready.

And cold weather seems to get my brain thinking about food - comfort food that fills the tummy and warms the heart!

What a summer it has been!

I don't usually tend to spill too much of our personal life onto the blog (unless it's about our kids, because they care too cute and too funny not to share) but MAN, this summer was a hard one.  And I'm not talking about the weather (although it left A LOT to be desired). 

I'm talking about loss.

Our small town has been rocked so many times, it's no longer real.  Hearts broken, families shattered, lives changed forever.  Sadness.  It's all around us.

For each of you who have been affected, I'm so sorry.  My heart goes out to you in so many ways.  Although I may not have ever known you, I have thought of you.  And the loved ones you have lost.  Because reality is - we all know each other though someone.  Our lives are intertwined in some way, big or small.

All over the world, people are thinking of you, sending healing thoughts and positive energy your way.  Because without friends, we might not find the way.

So, from my heart to yours - may you find peace.  May you find comfort.  May you find a friendly face to share your sadness with, and a kind shoulder to share your burden.  You don't have to do it alone.  Ask for help, knowing that needing assistance is not a weakness.

For others, be there for your friends.  Be their rock, their sanctuary - their support that helps them find some clarity in this crazy world.  I know so many of you ARE just that.  And I'm proud to know you all.  I'm proud to have you by my side.

Time heals all wounds.  We do not have to forget.  Ever.

--The Cook