Saturday Morning Peek

Do you make to do lists? 

I do.

Mostly my to do lists are made in my black leather journal or electronically though Outlook for my smartphone records. 

A few Friday nights ago I sat down to write out my to do list for the weekend on a scrap of paper that followed me around all weekend.   

Because of the snow and ice, Pamela packed her gym bag in her daughter's Princess backpack as this was what she had with her this fine Saturday, January 21st.   

My thoughts are to embrace it.  Each one of us is a princess. Girly and sparkly fit her personality too.  In case you are wondering, she totally rocked it.     

Naturally my gym bag is gender neutral versus being representative of a princess. I assure you from the inside out, it holds princess, girly items.  

Really.  It does. 

Yup, there's Lucky checking it out. 

She's inquistive like that. 

You would think she is all about the snacks laying on top of the bag but nope, she is all about the swimsuit and boy shorts in the bag.  She has a thing for chlorine and salt water. 

When I say thing, I mean THING.  Like let me devour you thing.  If I don't hide the swimsuit she is bound to get a hold of it and suckle it until I wash it.  She will also attack me if I have not showered the smell away upon my return from the pool.  

Crazy kitteh.

As some of you may want to know what snacks are on top of the bag, here's a closer view.

I ate the apple and the cinnamon crunch bar.  I introduced Kari to the veggie straws.   

Sadly, I have not booked my brow appointment.  I might need to really get on that soon before the strays take over. 

Peace, Love, Laughter.  xOxO, Mo

Butternut . . . Butter Your Nut

I was planning on making a batch of butternut squash soup to warm my tummy on the freezing cold, snowy night known as January 19th. 

As soon as I knew my friend Pamela, her husband and kids were trekking over on foot, giving new meaning to 1.9 miles in the dark, snow, uphill, through the woods and to Mo's house we go, I knew a big batch was needed versus just enough for me for the next few days. 

Sadly, I didn't have the right kind of apples on hand, used chicken stock versus veggie broth, chopped up a red onion versus a vidalia, didn't add more butternut squash to compensate for the honey crisp sweetness, and topped it with cinnamon versus nutmeg. 

Hey, it was a winter storm - use what I have on hand soup - versus follow the recipe to a T.  It was comforting and filling nonetheless. 

Look at the goodness simmering on the stove. 

Looks like mush at this stage of the game.

Have I recently declared my love for this kitchen gadget?   

I love, love, LOVE it. 

I use it for my fiber in the AM, for smoothies, to puree, etc..

I use it once a day, if not more. I used to have the magic bullet but when it bit the dust on me a few years ago, I switched to this version.

Well worth the $29.99 plus tax in my opinion.

Scrum! 

 

The recipe, should you desire to make it yourself, is Weight Watchers friendly.  1 point friendly!

 

Ingredients

4 cups vegetable broth

12 oz uncooked butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1 to 1 1/2 inch cubes (or use frozen, cubed squash)

1/2 large uncooked vidalia onion, cut into 2 inch cubes

1/2 small fresh apple, peeled and cut into 2 inch cubes

1/4 tsp table salt, or to taste

1/2 tsp black pepper, or to taste

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg, or to taste

 

Instructions

In a large stock pot, combine broth, squash, onion and apple. 

Cover pot and bring to a boil over high heat. 

Uncover pot and reduce heat to low. 

Gently simmer until squash is very tender, about 10 minutes.

 

Puree soup in pot using an immersion blender or puree in a regular blender in batches. 

 

Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

 

Serve. 

 

Yields about 1/2 cup per serving. 

 

Scrum!

 

Peace, Love, and Laughter.  xOxO, Mo