1-2-3 Veggie Soup

Anytime I can make a yummy and healthful meal with 7 minutes prep time, I'm happy. This is one of the tastiest soups I've ever made. It is as easy as:

 One

Two

Three

Ingredients: (Makes 4 servings)

One quart Low Sodium V-8 Juice
One quart chicken stock or water ( I used stock.)

2 stalks celery, sliced

2 stalks carrot, sliced

3 red potatoes, cubed

One medium onion (or 1/2 large onion) diced

2 gloves garlic, diced (Mine were whole and it didn't matter.)

One large cereal bowl-full of meatballs, optional
(Mine were precooked.)

One bay leaf (I forgot.)

Chopped fresh parsley (I forgot)
1 tsp. sugar.

Cook on high for 4 hours, or on low all day long.

Serve sprinkled with fresh Parmesan or grated mozzarella cheese and some yummy bread.

Great leftover! And my prince likes it! Yay!

Thanks Patsy! 

"Forever" Cookie Ornaments

I have cookies in my house that are 20 years old. And they don't look a day older than Monday. Here is one of them.

  

Here is another one.

 

These 20-year-old cookies are made from gingerbread. I have dozens of them hanging on our tree and a garland in our kitchen.  If you want to make some, simply make the cookie recipe on the box and then let them dry out.  Don't forget to punch a few holes for hanging. 

We also have cinnamon ornaments that are decades old. This year I decided to make more. So I invited a few of the peeps who helped me make the first ones, plus a new generation, to a luncheon of cucumber sandwiches, pears, and coffee stirred with candy canes. Before I share the recipe for cinnamon ornaments, I thought I'd give you the recipe for cucumber sandwiches.

All you need is one cucumber to one package cream cheese and 3 cloves (more or less) of garlic.

Peel the cucumber and remove the seeds like this:

Blend the cream cheese. I use a small food processor. Grate and drain the cucumber and add it a little bit at a time to the cream cheese, Then add the garlic. I use my garlic press. Now you are ready to serve. Cucumber spread is great on croissants or crackers; but I served it on thin, everything bagels.

Then we got busy on our cinnamon ornaments.

They are easy to make, and only require two ingredients.

Cinnamon and applesauce. That's it!

The recipe I used called for a 4 oz jar of cinnamon and 3/4 cup of applesauce. We doubled it, so we used 2 cups of cinnamon and enough applesauce to make a stiff, and fairly dry dough, making 3 dozen "cookies."

Roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick and make your shapes with cookie cutters. Sprinkle cinnamon on your rolling surface just like you would use flour with a pie crust. We used straws and toothpicks to make holes for hanging. Then bake them in an oven at 150 degrees until dry, turning once, about an hour on each side.

I have to say...warn... proclaim that when you bake them, your entire house will smell like CINNAMON!

Once they are dry, it is time to decorate.  I used paints and glitters from Michael's and made the ties with raffia and jute.  I've only done a few so far..

They looked so pretty on the paper plate, waiting to be painted.

They inspired photo art.

Cinnamon ornaments are fun, easy, rustic, and they make great package tags. And, as I already pointed out, they last "forever." 

Don't forget to date the back!

Look at how my 4-year-old granddaughter decorated this generation of gingerbread men!  Sooooo adorable!  

I have another treat for you.  

At Farm Chick Chit Chat, my friends and I are having a virtual Christmas Cookie Swap.  Click on the link and you will find many wonderful recipes, starting 12-15-12.

Blessings to you and yours this holiday season. May God fill your home and your heart with the sweet aroma of love and memories that last forever! 

Sometimes Simple Satisfies

Day 11

Linking up with Deborah Jean's Dandelion House

WELCOME

The door will be opened.

I receive and accept you with pleasure.

You will not cross my threshold unnoticed.

Your presence is something I cherish.

Your face is a welcome sight; 

your voice a welcome sound.

I welcome your advice.

You are welcome to the blessings each day brings.

You are welcome to my love.

Forgiveness.

...to our gratitude.

... Liberty.

Feel welcome to grow here.

And to just be you!

Linking up today with: 

Five Minute Friday

Where writers spin words right from the heart for five minutes flat.  

and The Nesting Place

Where bloggers are writing on a topic for 31 days.

and Dandelion House

Where people write about topics relating to home and garden.
and Katie's French Language Cafe
C'est la vie

Day 4

Grandma's Apron

Ada's Apron hangs awaiting duty

Oh how I'd love to have my grandmother to lunch today.

I would serve something light, probably salad...and I would wear her apron -- the one that hangs on the side of my fridge...and I would arrange our salad on Grandma's desert rose plates.

She would arrive smartly dressed, and properly shod and I would probably get a mini-lecture about the importance of wearing shoes when she saw my bare feet.  But it wouldn't be long before Grandma would laugh.

And when she began to laugh, I would think to reach for my camera to capture the sound.  Then, on second thought, I'd realize I have the sound of her laughter stored in my head.

After "luncheon," (that's what she called it when she got together with other women for this meal ) I would definitely sit her in front of my piano, secretly wishing I had called the piano tuner one of the hundred-and-one times I thought of it.  She would be thrilled to see that I have her music, but not nearly as thrilled as I would be to listen as her hands began to coax the keys to play...Everybody Loves Somebody...sometime.

She would notice the keys that don't sound right.

How long would it take for her to notice the lamps from her vanity, or the painting that once hung in her guest room?

Not long.

Grandma noticed things.  And she would notice things all over my home that she once touched, cleaned, arranged...loved... things my children and grandchildren think belong to me.  I would finally get to ask her about them. What was their history; where were they from?

I would introduce Grandma to my grand children. She would size them up, and when I wasn't looking, she would stealthily stuff a $20 into their hands.  I would be able to tell by the way they acted afterwards.

She would miss seeing my prince, who is off working in the 100-plus degree heat today.  But she would wisely tell me to take good care of him.  I know this because she always said it.  Grandma took care of things. That must be where I got the take-care-of-things-skills!  That must be why my mother is so careful to take care of things too! I  guess this is good news for my grand kids and their future spouses...grand kids who will one day realize that I was NOT old today...the day I had my imaginary luncheon with Grandma.

Grandma, I miss you! I cherish my memories of you.  I adore your taste in home furnishings, and I'm sorry I thought you were old when you were only 56.

I was inspired today by another blogger's post about aprons...you can read more or add your own story at Little Homestead on the Hill
and here
Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop