Asparagus Soup

I made this soup tonight. It was really good. It definitely is a side soup, not a main dish. Here is the original from Taste of Home: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Asparagus-Soup

This is how I would modify it next time:

Asparagus Soup

I cup chopped onion

6 green onions, sliced

3 tablespoons butter

1 ½ cups fresh mushrooms, chopped

1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into ½ inch pieces

2 (14.5 oz.) cans chicken broth

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon thyme

¼ teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 cups cooked wild rice

2 tablespoons cornstarch

¼ cup cold water

In a 3-qt. saucepan, sauté onions in butter for 4 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook until tender. Add asparagus, broth and seasonings; cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

Add rice. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. 4-6 servings

Florida Sunshine

This picture put a smile on my face. Thought I'd share it.

Is This Michigan?

Of course, this thermometer is in the sun on the south wall. But the temperature on the computer says 54. My kind of winter! (the calendar is Don't Sweat the Small Stuff desk calendar.)

Amanda's and Molly's Bag

I realized I never did post Amanda's or Molly's bags. They used the same bag and fabric but different color. Molly's is the first bag and Amanda's the second. Here is the link from where I got the pattern: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaisleyPearQuilts?ref=seller_info and this is where I got Molly's fabric: fabric.com and Amanda's came from: fabricsyoulove.etsy.com I'm halfway done with Maria's bag and it's going good. It really is fun to sew now that I actually have time to do so. Larissa, Heidi and Emily, start looking for bag patterns and fabric. I should be able to start on one of yours next week. It kind of looks like I won't get the nine bags done this month but maybe I can get four or five finished if you girls get on it.

Sewing Projects

This is what I've been working on. The top bag out of vintage fabric is almost done. I'm just waiting for the vintage lining to arrive so I can finish it. The bottom bag is cut out from Finland's Marimekko fabric. I was a little intimidated by this bag as there are a couple zippers and interesting pockets but as I looked at the instructions, it doesn't look that bad and I'm anxious to get started sewing on it. (I just read in a magazine that Crate & Barrel has started carrying the Marimekko line. In pillows, bags, etc. Pretty but pricey.) I will show the finished projects once they are just that.....finished!

Raspberry/ Blueberry Pie Bars

I found this recipe (click on link below) on Pinterest last night. I let the ladies at a shower this morning be the guinea pigs for it. It was actually very good. I didn't have blackberries so I added 4 1/2 cups of raspberries and 1 1/2 cups of blueberries instead. I'm pretty sure any fruit would work. I used almond extract as I didn't have lemons. I loved the almond flavoring in these!

http://www.ahintofhoney.com/2011/07/blackberry-pie-bars.html