For A.

Spaghetti Sauce for freezer

1/4 c olive oil
1.5 large onions, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
12 c tomato, chopped
1 small can tomato paste
3T or more shredded carrot (depending on how sweet you like it)
1 t dried oregano, or more if fresh
2 t dried or 2 T fresh basil (or more to taste)
4 t salt (or to taste)
1 t black pepper

Saute onion about 3 minutes in oil over medium heat, do not let it brown. Add garlic and saute until onion is soft. Add everything else and cook at least 3 hours, partially covered. Blend in batches until desired consistency, then cook some more, until you are happy with it.

That's about as specific as I can get! I haven't made it the same twice, but it's certainly more crowd friendly when it's blended pretty smooth. A purist would seed the tomatoes. I think that's a waste of time.

Sinking

I have sunk to a new low. Parents who Christmas shop in search of one item for their child, seemingly losing all sense of reason in the process, have always mystefied me. Well, I'm one of them now.

Danny asked for only 3 things...3 simple things...Play Doh, a green cat, and a chocolate lab Webkinz to name "Sparkly" (or Barkley, if you actually listen to him say it). I have learned that this Webkinz is retired. Aaaahhhh!

I have just placed the first of many bids on eBay.

Random Thoughts

What a month it's been. We have had a great time with the kids, doing all of the fall things we love. I have been reading about homeschooling and trying to decide what's best for us. Some really tough times and tough decisions ahead, I think. That said, we are blessed to have a nice house, good neighbors, and a family that has stayed together. Steve is being told to travel even more, which will certainly stress our relationship, but there's really no other option. At times like these, I have to trust that everything is working just the way it should, and I try to look for the lessons in all of it. That's about all I can do, is try.

I have some pictures and movies, all of which I intent to post, but who knows. I've gotten awfully lazy with this blog since finding Facebook!!!

Curried Butternut Squash Soup

About 8 years ago, Steve and I attended a party where I had the best soup EVER. I loved it, so of course I asked the recipe. The hostess would not share the recipe, so I was quite disappointed. (Surprised as well, since we didn't have the same "group" of friends...we'd never bring it to the same party)



Since then, I have tried several renditions, none of which measured up to the wonderful original. Well....I think I've found it.



Curried Butternut Squash Bisque

1 whole butternut squash
2 T butter
1 c onion, chopped
1/2 c carrot, chopped
1/2 c apple, peeled and chopped
1 1/2-2 t Thai red curry paste
2 cans chicken or vegetable broth, plus more if needed for desired consistency.
2 bay leaves

1/2 c heavy cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 375. Cut squash in half, scooping out seeds and membrane. Place in a 13x9 pan coated with cooking spray, cut side down. Roast in oven for about an hour, until tender. Scoop out roasted squash and measure 3 cups. Reserve rest for another use.

Melt butter in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots, and apple; sauté 5 minutes. Add curry paste; stir 2 minutes. Add chicken broth, bay leaves, and 3 cups squash. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered 1 hour. Discard bay leaves. Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Return to same pot. Stir in cream if bisque desired, but skip if you'd just like more traditional soup. Season with salt and pepper. Rewarm over medium-high heat.

Garnish with sour cream and cilantro if desired. (I do not)

President Obama

The election results have me sincerely distressed. I am not at all surprised, as we currently have a President who is neither conservative nor liberal. I agree as much as anyone that we need change, but I fear that we have gone too far. Great power that is unchecked is bound to lead to disastrous results.

I do not believe that America will cease to be a great nation, but I sense some difficult times ahead. I pray that we can endure what people have asked for.