Soup and Chili Time

Yep, another soup...This is my version of Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana. I did not use a recipe on this, have made it in the past using a couple of different recipes I found, this one is a combination of different ones I looked at. The one thing I did different in this soup is, adding smoked paprika - thrilled I did, it added a different twist to this soup that I loved.

There is an endless amount of recipes on the Internet if you want to make this soup. And I always say, BE BRAVE and do your own thing when it comes to soup.

Another couple of things I have made...this scarf...and it feels like butter, it is so soft.

And a striped slouchy hat.

And Wednesday thoughts...

Preparing For Cold Weather

This past weekend was spent finishing a couple of projects that I started last winter. Seems I always have several projects going at one time. If something interrupts me in the middle of a project, it is pushed aside for a while and I start another before finishing it. That's what happened with this scarf. It was simple enough to make, but took a lot of time taking apart thrift store apparel and cleaning it before sewing into something wearable. Some of this scarf was old suits I purchased in Germany; they have beautiful wool in Europe. Anyways, it’s finished now. YAY!!!

I debated on whether to sew around the edge and decided not to. I may decide to do it later but for now, I like it this way. I am very much into recycling - and it always feels so good when I make things from recycled, discarded items. Makes me feel like I am doing my part in saving the earth. :)

photos by spbm

On a different note, I made a recipe I found on Pinterest, using portobello mushrooms. Amazingly delicious! ...so easy and healthy.

Photo by spbm

Before going into the oven.

Photo by spbm

Before eating.

You can find the recipe here.

Romancing The Ordinary

Romancing The Ordinary by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Along with committing to journal on a daily basis this year, I also committed to reading something every day. I had this book on my bookshelf, so pulled it off and placed it where I can get my hands on it any time of day. Not all days allow me the luxury of reading as much as I would like and this book is for daily reading - words worth pondering. Let me tell you, if you do not own this book, find it and buy it - so worth it. If I read from it in the morning, it gives me something to think on during the entire day, and if I read it at night, it gives me something to ponder before going to sleep, either way it’s all good.

Blackeyed Peas, Cooked Cabbage, and homemade dinner rolls were perfect for this winter day.

I am keeping up with my journal, so far. :)

 

 

Finished another scarf. Yeah. I will get this listed tomorrow.

You can purchase this lovely scarf for yourself, your friend or realitive here:
Maxie Grace

 

I'm tired and it's almost midnight - time for a relaxing HOT bath and sleep.

 

Sweet Dreams to every one out there.

Emerging...

The New Year has me hoping more... longing to emerge from that dark place I have been for too long. I promised myself that "I" would force myself to get back into my hobby room and start working on my visual journal. And, that maybe, just maybe, it would be my ladder to climb out of the dungeon. Yesterday was my first day back to journaling - it felt good. Sometimes I find it hard to write things down, to be real with myself - as if I am afraid that writing it on paper makes the fear and pain even more real. Maybe I am afraid someone will actually read it someday? And frankly, it felt a little awkward and I know I really held back, but with time, I want to shed the fear and allow myself to "walk on water" so to speak. There was a time when I wrote a lot, and wrote a lot of poetry - not afraid of the words and thoughts or, putting them on paper. Maybe this will help to find my way back the feeling the way I used to feel, alive.

You can purchase this beautiful Seashell Crochet Scarf at my Etsy shop.

 

Also worked on a crochet project and finished it, trying to get my handmade Etsy shop going. Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this scarf!!! I'm finding it hard to list it, but I MUST. :) It is so soft and cozy, long, and the color is delicious!