Feel-Better Ginger Carrot Soup

I have a cold.

A nasty, my-head-is-about-to-explode head cold.

Aren't you glad I shared that with you? Your welcome.

They are talking about me.
. . . ok maybe that's wishful thinking, but if I can't have a personal Doctor and Nurse waiting on me, bringing me all the ginger soda I want, at least I can have some ginger carrot soup. And - dare I say it - I believe that it is a bit healthier for me.

So. Grab some carrots.

And this other stuff.

Then go make this lovely soup. It takes a bit of time, but its so worth it.

Once blended the soup has an amazing smooth creamy texture, you would think it was a cream soup. The carrots are more savory than sweet, thanks to the slight bite of garlic and the brightness of the ginger.

Homemade croutons are an added bonus that I can't take all the credit for. My sister Nadine gave me the idea. They add such a nice crunchy, rich contrast to the soup.

Go make this and let me know what you think. It will totally make your day.

Ginger Carrot Soup

6 large carrots, cut 1/2-1 inch thick

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbs ginger, minced

3 Tbs vegetable oil

1 1/2 c. chicken broth (homemade would be awesome here, if you have it)

1-2 c. water

Place carrots, garlic, and ginger in heavy stock pot with oil, and saute over low heat until they begin to caramelize (brown), 15-20 min. Add broth and simmer, uncovered, until the carrots are soft when pierced with a fork, 45-60 min. If the liquid reduces too much, add the water, and simmer some more.

Once the carrots are soft, put everything in a blender and blend away! Place back in stock pot, bring back up to a simmer, then enjoy! Salt and pepper to taste.

Top with homemade croutons, extra virgin olive oil, and what ever else floats your boat.

Homemade Croutons

Several slices of old bread (I had sourdough)

3-5 Tbs butter

Dry herbs and spices such as garlic, coarse salt, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, black pepper.(psssst I used this) 

Melt the butter with the seasonings, chop the bread into large bite size pieces. Dip the bread in the butter, coating well on both sides. 

place on a cookie sheet in the oven(350) for 10-15 min, until they begin to turn golden brown.

Throw them in your soup, salad, crush them and bread chicken..the sky is your limit!

I'm a workaholic.

I admit it. When I am working I tend to let everything come in second after the job. Sure, I'll ask off for special stuff, or once and a while to just get together with friends, but I realized a while ago that I would often feel guilty for doing so.
Even  as far back as my first job I would do this. A 14 year old shouldn't feel guilty about taking off, right? Well I did.

I have had more jobs in 6 years than most people my age, I think, but I'm kind of proud of it.  Whenever I have a lull in between jobs I find myself restless, bored, staring off into space, and sometimes even getting a bit blue. I need to be busy with something important. Put me in charge, even better.

I am feeling sentimental this morning about past jobs for two reasons: first off, over the last few years - just like this year- I will find myself between jobs in September. I will be excited about a new and different job, but it will bittersweet leaving my old place.
Secondly, I am going to a job fair this morning, hoping to find a new place to become too attached to. 
Well, I do, you know.

I was also thinking a few days ago, as I stood in the gray, cold, mist waiting for the bus to come and take me home, what my favorite parts of all my last jobs. I turned down a job the other day (I know, I know, but really, It wouldn't have worked for me right now) and I wanted to figure out what it was that I really enjoyed and felt I could learn/do well, so that I could find someplace that would be right for me.  I have worked at a Bakery, Library, Bar and Grill, and Cafe.
Here's what I realized:

•  I loved the walkie-talkies, greeting people, seating them, and especially liked being the one who told all the other hostesses where to seat people. (Bar and Grill)
• I loved to help someone find a book, check books in, and prosses the books (Library (duh))
• I loved the being in charge of pretty much the whole front of the house (cafe)
• and I loved being in charge of the whole pastry case, and decorating cakes for the case. In contrast, I hated making cakes for orders. Really REALLY hated it. (Bakery)

So in conclusion, I like to be in charge, and boss people around. I also like to intereact with costomers.

I still don't know what my next perfect-for-me job will be, but I do know that I like to try new things. I tend to take jobs that are very different from each other, learning something completely new.

The picture above is from the movie Desk Set (1957)It is a favorite of mine for many reasons;

The fabulous clothes.

The fun gossip-y phone calls.

Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn

Christmas time Fun

I aways make sure I watch it around Christmas, becasue of the wonderful christmas part of the movie, compleate with outrageous holiday parties.

I totally need to go back in time at work at Desk Set for my next job.

Today I will be Productive

I will post pictures more.






There! I'm already getting more productive.

Hello, Autumn!

I love Fall. I even love it's proper name, Autumn. It just sounds so cozy.

There is something so refreshing yet homey about the season I think. After a long, hot, humid summer, one can finally breathe again. And it's time to start breaking out those blankets for the bed, scarfs for the neck, and soup recipes for the stomach.

Call me weird, but I had been dreaming all summer about when it would be cool enough for me to start making soup again.

Mother Nature has finally gotten her act together and decided to cool down, just in time for the first week of September. I find it a lot easier to study when it feels like the beginning of the school year, not the middle of July.

I have a list as long as my favorite scarf of things that I need to get done this weekend, and all I want to do is blog. And paint. And bake.

So I will. But I'm going to do some productive stuff first. Like attack that mountain of dirty dishes.
If you don't hear from me in the next few days, it will mean that the dishes won.