Cream of Broccoli Soup

This is a very easy and delicious recipe for broccoli soup that I found years ago in Better Homes and Gardens magazine.  Just like some other great recipes, they've never shown up again in any issue or cookbook.  Enjoy!

Cream of Broccoli Soup

1 ½ C. chicken broth
½ C. chopped onion
2 C. broccoli cuts
½ t. dried thyme, crushed
1 small bay leaf
Dash of garlic powder
2 T. butter
2 T. flour
½ t. salt
Few dashes of white pepper
1 C. milk


In saucepan, combine chicken broth, onion, broccoli, thyme, bay leaf and garlic powder. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes or till broccoli is tender. Remove bay leaf. Place the rest of the mixture in blender or food processor. Cover and blend 30-60 seconds or till smooth. *

In same saucepan, melt butter. Blend in flour, salt and white pepper. Add the milk all at once. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Stir in the vegetable puree. Cook till heated through.

Yield 3 ½ cups

*Since I first used this recipe I have bought one of the immersion blenders and prefer that to the blender or the food processor. It makes cleanup much easier.

Sandy's Spritz

In keeping with the eclectic feel of my blog - and my life - here is my favorite Spritz recipe.  It's from the old Betty Crocker Cookbook that my mom got when she was married.  It's a rich cookie, but oh so good!

Sandy’s Spritz

1 Cup soft butter
2/3 Cup sugar
3 egg yolks
1 tsp. vanilla
2 ½ Cups flour


Mix together the butter, sugar, egg yolks and vanilla. Add the flour gradually, working in with hands.
If dough is too soft, cover and refrigerate until firm enough to form cookies, 30 to 45 minutes. Place dough in cookie press. Form desired shapes 1 inch apart on cookie sheets. Bake at 400 F for about 7-10 minutes.
Yield: approximately 6 dozen

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving has always been one of those times of the year that I have enjoyed. The fact that it has always meant family and the start of the holiday season plays a big part. As a young child we always had Thanksgiving at my maternal grandparents’ and Christmas at my paternal grandparents’. I found a photo this summer while cleaning out my parents’ house of what must have been my first Thanksgiving. That meant there were only three of the seven cousins in the pictures – a 2 year old, a 1 year old and a 3 month old. And we were all dressed up. That’s the way we used to do things. As we became older Thanksgiving moved to my parents’ house. Special foods and special plates and dishes always came out on Thanksgiving.

What am I thankful for? I have asked that question of children every year as a teacher and have received many kinds of answers. But for me, there are many things for which to give thanks. I am thankful for family and friends who have impacted my life. I am thankful to have been born at the time I was and to have experienced so many things – both good and bad - that others have not. I remember black and white TV and The Mickey Mouse Club and where I was a few days before Thanksgiving on November 22, 1963. All of those people and experiences are part of who I am today.

I’m also thankful for the traditions and the foods that have been shared by parents and grandparents. We may not need “the” turkey platter or “the” gravy boat this year, but they are here to remind us of Thanksgivings when we were all together. And the same good food will be served – the turkey and dressing and mashed potatoes and gravy, the creamed onions and green bean casserole and the stuffed celery and the cranberries, and homemade pumpkin pie for those who like that (I’ll make my cookies for me!).

All in all, I am thankful for the traditions which have been passed down in love from one generation to another. It doesn’t matter who will be there on Thanksgiving Day. Our Thanksgiving will be the smallest we’ve ever had. It matters that we remember and give thanks for all that it means to each of us. When I sit down on Thanksgiving Day, I will give thanks for those special people who will be looking down and smiling and I will remember with love.



World Card Making Day 2011

It's time to be a little bit crafty today.  To join in the fun, visit Scrapping the Magic for some great fun, challenges, projects, chat, etc.

Here are some of my cards:

 

Enjoying the Magic

There's magic all around!  And a new site to visit!  It's called Enjoying the Magic and it is the sister/brother/sibling site of Scrapping the Magic.  Come and visit us for all kinds of fun!



         

2011 Horizon of Hope Basket

         

Together We Can Touch More Lives

Join me in supporting breast cancer research and awareness with Longaberger’s Horizon of Hope® Campaign. The American Cancer Society will receive a portion of the purchase price of select Horizon of Hope products (see your July Flyer for details).


Longaberger Home Consultants Have:



• Raised more than $15 million to help the American Cancer Society save lives from breast cancer.

• Touched more than 20 million women with potentially life-saving information about mammograms.

• Carried forth the message of healthy living and early detection along with a shared commitment to lend a hand to those in need.

• Empowered the American Cancer Society to examine lymphedema, a debilitating complication of breast cancer surgery; the impact of stress on breast cancer recurrence; and other aspects of the disease with the goal of making life better for those facing a diagnosis.

Quotably Yours #11

Who Said It?

I dream, I test my dreams against my beliefs, I dare to take risks, and I execute my vision to make those dreams come true.