And in Texas. . . .

I am sad at all the weather problems in the north, but here in TX about the only snowmen we ever get are these:

from Facebook

Ha-Ha to the Dogs!

Window open

Window closed

Our cat likes to taunt our dogs from the safety of the kitchen. She was officially named "Gracie" by youngest daughter MJ, but she's known as "Kitty" these days.

Visitors!

Daughters AE and KA came to see us on a brief trip from Seattle to Texas. They spent Friday night with us and Saturday night in Austin with their nieces Avery and Emma (and their parents).

Daughter-in-law KA and Emma in Austin

For Emma's first birthday, her parents gave her a matching chair (purple) to her older sister's Avery's pink chair. Even at 1 year old, Emma already prefers her older sister's chair--sibling rivalry!

Congenial idol?

We are your people and mostly we don’t mind,

          except that you do not fit any of our categories.

We keep pushing

                    and pulling

                    and twisting

                    and turning,

          trying to make you fit the God we would rather have,

                    and every time we distort you that way

                              we end up with an idol more congenial to us.

In our more honest moments of grief and pain

          we are very glad that you are who you are,

          and that you are toward us in all your freedom

          what you have been toward us.

So be your faithful self

          and by your very engagement in the suffering of the world,

          transform the world even as you are being changed.

We pray in the name of Jesus,

          who is the sign of your suffering love. Amen.

(In anticipation of reading Jeremiah 4-6/2000)

Brueggemann, Walter. Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth: Prayers of Walter Brueggemann. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003. 147.

Carrot and Ginger Soup Recipe

Now that it is fall, I feel like I can make soups again. I love to make soups!

This is Jan’s adaptation to the original recipe of Carrot and Ginger Soup in The New England Soup Factory Cookbook (171). The ingredients in parenthesis are the original components, which I did not use.

3 Tbsp. butter

2 whole cloves garlic, peeled

1 onion, peeled and diced

3 ribs celery sliced (2 ribs)

3 pounds carrots, peeled and sliced

3 Tbsp. peeled and chopped fresh ginger

4 cups vegetable stock (or chicken)

1 tsp. coriander

1 tsp. cumin  (1 tsp. ginger)

½ cup honey

2 cans coconut milk (1 ½ cups heavy cream)

Salt and pepper to taste

In a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic, onion, celery, carrots, and gingerroot. Saute for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Pour the stock over the vegetables and bring to a boil. Lower the heat slightly and simmer until the carrots are soft and tender, about 30-35 minutes.

Remove from the heat. Add the spices and honey. Puree the soup in the pot using a hand blender or working in batches with a regular blender until smooth.

Add the coconut milk and season with salt and pepper. Stir (and maybe warm) until the ingredients are well combined.

Makes 8-10 servings.

From this highly recommended cookbook:

Druker, Marjorie and Silverstein, Clara. New England Soup Factory Cookbook. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007. 171.