"I started photographing my domestic world and writing not just about what I had made,
but why I made it, examining the thoughts that accompany creativity and the act of making."
Jane Brocket from The Gentle Art of Domesticity p. 189 UK edition

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Stalwart Hearts & Squash Soup










It has been another cold rainy day here near the base of Mt. Hood, but in spite of the unwelcoming weather some stalwart hearts safely arrived in my mailbox from across the pond, and warmed my heart!  Mellie was my partner for a heart swap and she sent me a wonderful selection of hearts that she either made or gathered for me.  Aren't they lovely?  I especially appreciate all the time, effort and skill that Mellie used to crochet and/or cross stitch three of the hearts.  I want to find just the right spots to display them and the pretty wooden flower heart.  And my imagination is hopping thinking of things I can make with the red and white heart material, green ribbon and red heart buttons to share this lovely gift with others as well :-)  Thank you soooo much, Mel!

The cold gray day called for warming food so I raided the fridge and simmered some spontaneous squash soup in my crockpot, and baked some of Bob's Red Mill gluten free cornbread.

Spontaneous Squash Soup

saute a chopped slice of onion
chop: some celery
          summer squash
          winter squash
          zucchini squash
          chives
           slices of turkey salami
          several large mushrooms
combine all of these ingredients in the crockpot with 2 cups filtered water

toss in some yellow raisins
honey
cinnamon 
cayenne pepper
salt 
and a handful of raw spinach

Simmer until the house smells good and the veggies are soft :-)  Serve. Enjoy!

17 comments:

  1. Cornbread here too...but no soup :(
    Keep warm Friday!
    Blessings,
    Aimee
    PS: Very nice gift of hearts!

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  2. Wow, you are making some good friends around the world! What treasures she sent. I will see you next week! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. Wowie Gracie...you are doing a lot of swaps! Love the hearts. I love hearts all the time, not just in February!
    Your spontaneous soup sounded so good. It is a cold night here too. We had a fun night. I will blog about it later.
    Hugs,
    kris

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  4. Lovely gifts you got from your swaps...how fun to have so many friends.your soup also look so yummy.

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  5. Mmmm... Can almost smell your yummy soup from here :-) Lovely heart swap goodies too,
    Have a happy weekend
    Xx

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  6. what lovely hearts Mellie sent to you, I am so glad that they have arrived with you safely.
    soup looks delicious x

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  7. Yippppppppppppppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! They arrived safe and sound, I am sooooooo glad you love them, I enjoyed making them and finding them for you!! All sent with much love!! xxx

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  8. Ooooh your goodies look wonderful! Lucky you! Your soup looks delicious....I think I may be making one later this weekend :)
    Have a great weekend x x x

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  9. Yummy soup! It looks so warm and delicious. My oh my Miss Gracie. You certainly have lots of friends just "itching" to give you gifts. Such pretty hearts too. I especially like the wooden flower one and the cross stitch.
    See you in two weeks exactly!
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  10. Lovey bight and cheerful swap. Hugs to you Gracie,
    Meredith

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  11. You got great HEARTS in that swap. Good for you and your rainy day attitude!!!!

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  12. Such lovely hearts for a lovely lady Gracie. You are part of such wonderful swaps. Soup looks very yummy. Love Anne x

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  13. What beautiful hearts! Perfect for you. And that soup looks delicious. I was reading on Guideposts' website the story of Bob who began the mill. He and his wife came to Portland to study theology! I've heard from my mother that he runs the mill on excellent principles.

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  14. <3 the hearts. :)

    And that sounds like a fantastic meal! I enjoy meals that make the house smell good. Feels so homey! I'm going to try this one.

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  15. Such a lovely collection of hearts, that is a wonderful (and well deserved) swap! Your soup looks delicious, I must make this one. And thank you so much for your sweet comment today, dear Gracie!
    Wishing you a cosy, happy week ahead.
    Helen x

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  16. Hi just found your lovely Blog, That s a great thing to do the heart swap and your dinner looks yummy.

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  17. Oooo - I love that wooden flower heart ornament. You can hang it year-round - so pretty.

    Thanks for the soup recipe. I could eat soup all winter long.

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