A Few Things

Below is a picture of Joseph holding his bedtime snack tonight, a decadent dairy treat: hot cocoa with whipped cream on top. He even sprinkled a little cocoa powder on the whipped cream to make it fancy.

Why do I tell you this? Well, I've been looking for a replacement for whipped cream that didn't involve buckets of chemicals and partially hydrogenated oils- the search, I hope, isn't hopeless, but I have found a way to make a fancy, foamy dessert drink- behold!
Yes, the cup says "dream"- DREAM COME TRUE! It's just soymilk! You can't whip soymilk! Well, apparently you can- I did it while it was heating in a pan. I whipped it with an electric mixer over a medium flame (scorched soymilk tastes really weird- so heat gently)- when I was done I had heaps of foam that I could pick up with my fingers and dollop on my mug. Careful not to whip too much- it can all turn into foam and trust me, it really doesn't deflate.
I mixed in maple syrup, cinnamon, and cardamom- it was really good. Just like the fancy coffee place that made steamed foamy soymilk for me with their fancy machine- only I don't have a fancy machine! Further proof that not being able to have milk really isn't that bad.

And then...

As I was taking the above pictures off our camera I came across this video. I loaded it on my computer not knowing what to expect. This... is my family:

Don't ask me how Joseph make that sound at the end... he doesn't even know.

Soup Day

Being rainy and cold- I thought it an excellent day for soup and reading. Reading that I've tried to do for years but never really got done... I think a lot of those into Anne of Green Gables series fizzle out around Rainbow Valley. Somehow when the exciting Anne and Gilbert love story is now more of a peaceful ever after, people lose interest. Being a big advocate for loving everyday life, I didn't want to be that way- so I've tried to plunge for the past few summers into Rainbow Valley. It seems I've been unsuccessful- but I did read a good chunk today.

In the meantime I was more successful making soup. During the past few years of living in the house at St. Olaf I found out that people actually make soup- not just get it from a can- horrible I know. I also found out how easy it was to make your own with whatever you had. Today I made some that I like to make a lot with dried split peas.

I boiled about 5 cups of water with

• half a bag of dried split peas, rinsed
• about half an onion, chopped
• two cloves of chopped garlic
• one sweet potato
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 stalks of celery (w/ leaves) chopped

After that I added seasonings like a little dried oregano, a bay leaf, and salt and pepper to taste. I didn't add enough salt this time- silly me. Then I boiled it all for about an hour- maybe- I really don't know how long. I usually just boil it until I can't stand to not eat it any more- but an hour would be good- at least until the peas get soft and mushy and it becomes thick and soupish. Easy, good for lent, sticks to the ribs, and made out of random things anyone can have!

Homemade

I've had a couple of good baking/ cooking days and feel quite satisfied with myself (so does my tongue).  Oh how I love home!  So much time to do anything you want and endless baking supplies.  Who wouldn't want to chat over cranberry-almond-citrus scones?  

Or sit in your cozy room sipping  warm homemade turkey broth with a little wild rice and leftover turkey tossed in?
Then finish it all off with a hunk of fresh wheat bread...
This bread's name is Sean- my mom said I had to name it because it turned out so huge.  I'm actually most proud of the turkey stock- though I don't know why- it's just boiling a turkey carcass with some vegetables.  I guess I just feel like a real woman when I can make soup without opening any kind of can or carton.  Of course the scones were made with oil instead of butter- and I actually did put milk in them, though I could have used soy-milk.  Perhaps I will write out the recipe later.  I'm not sorry for the milk because they tasted creamy and delicious (and the company that came with them was equally satisfying).  I can't resist cranberries or conversation.  

My last night at home!  Only two more weeks until finals then I'll be home until February.  The Lord has blessed me abundantly- Praise him!!