# 74 What's for lunch? Potato soup...yum!

Maggie's Potato Soup

1/2 cup finely chopped onion or leeks

1/2 cup finely chopped celery

3 cups diced potatoes 

4 cups chicken broth

1 tablespoon butter

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

salt, pepper, parsley to taste

In a medium pot, melt butter and olive oil.

 Slowly, (low heat) saute vegetables at least ten minutes.

Stir every so often to make sure nothing is sticking.

Add chicken broth; bring just barely to a boil.

Simmer about half an hour.

With a potato masher, mash about half the potatoes.

Simmer another five minutes.

# 73 Cucumber flower cups - super simple!!

Today I discovered Superstore has online videos with one to two-minute "how-to" and recipe clips.  Click on the "recipes" and scroll through the pages to see what I found...

... a video, Beautiful Veggie Hors D'Oeuvres, shows how to make cucumber flower cups!    

I used an English cucumber to try this for myself.  It works!  Even the "twist gently to separate" part was actually very simple.  With some practice, I think I could make the sides thinner which would make the cups even more delicate.  

Filled with dip, these would be a nice addition to a veggie platter.

# 72 Learn to Knit...free Christmas tree decoration patterns

The hats are from Knitting On the Net - the simplest, quickest project imaginable!  I made the brim 10 rows so it looks a little fuller.  I'm using this pattern to learn how to use multiple colours of wool and create patterns.  The hats fit perfectly on top of a bottle of wine, beer or gourmet ______ if you want to dress up a hostess gift.

The stocking pattern from Little Cotton Rabbits is also free. I'm using it to learn how to follow a pattern chart and make heels.  It's a perfect size for some Hershey Kisses or a Matchbox car!

Book Club

It's a bit windy today for a walk, so I settled down this morning with my new book...

...from my KidLit Book Club.

This is the simplest of clubs (the way clubs should be) and that's why it works so well.  

Our club has been in existence for over ten years and at least 2/3 of the dozen or so members have been there since the beginning.

The year starts in September with each member choosing and purchasing one book.  We connect through email to ensure no duplicate titles and usually aim to get a newish book that we don't think anyone has read.  If someone has read a book, however, it's no big deal. Our particular club focuses on children's literature, but any theme would work.

Meetings are held the first Thursday of each month, September - June.  We take turns hosting.  At the first meeting, titles are recorded in an old notebook - this is NOT a high-tech club!  We decide on a rotation order for the books (I always receive from Pauline and pass along to Catherine) and the books begin to circulate. 

I get to keep each book for one month, then pass it along to the next member.  Sometimes life gets busy and I don't have a chance to read a book - no pressure - I just pass it along at the end of the month.  

The person hosting the monthly meeting gets to choose a theme: book ideas for Christmas gifts; books that evoke good memories; gardening books, etc.  An email is sent out to remind people of the meeting location and share the theme.  If I have a few books that fit that month's theme, I'll bring them along for the "show and share" that starts the "meeting".  Random conversations about other books we've been reading or hope to read, etc, usually happen next. The host provides wine, tea and something yummy to eat.  

And that's it!  No fees, dues, complicated rules, just good books to read and share... my kind of club!

# 71 Knitting...Santa hats and mini-stockings

Yesterday I finished this little project - a Santa Beanie!

It's based on the baby hat I knit last month...

...with a few modifications.  

The red is "Scarlet", Vanna's Choice by Lion Brand and the white is "Natural" Bernat Soft Boucle.

I followed the directions and used the two sizes of needles as outlined in the original pattern. The end is stuffed with wool scraps and tightened to create a pom-pom effect.

Notice the "laddering"?  I didn't know what that was until I discovered this video at VeryPink.  Lots to learn!!

Next project?  Perhaps these mini-stockings.  Aren't they sweet?

# 70 T is for tourtiere...please help!

Tourtiere... those wonderful French Canadian meat pies that are a tradition at Christmas... 

Tradition or not, a tourtiere is a great "make ahead" as the pie can be assembled and frozen, then baked straight from the freezer just before serving.

Unfortunately, my French Canadian daughter-in-law's recipe makes 15 pies so I tried this version by Montreal Gazette food editor Julian Armstrong (A Taste of Québec).  Easy to make, it has a very mild "pork only" flavour.  The pie crust is from The Pioneer Woman.

Julian Armstrong's Tourtiere

Any suggestions for a spicier, pork and beef filling?  Please pass them along!  Merci!

# 69 Light supper for one: Mushrooms on Toast

On my own for dinner tonight, I felt like something quick and light.

Mushrooms (in a creamy wine sauce) on toast

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

7 - 8 button mushrooms, sliced

Saute (medium high heat) onions and mushrooms in butter. 

Sprinkle with pepper and herbs.  (Tonight I used marjoram.) 

Salt lightly when mushrooms are cooked.

2 tablespoons white wine

2 tablespoons low-fat, spreadable cream cheese (in tub)

2 tablespoons milk

Stir as you add wine, then cream cheese, then milk. 

Keep stirring until cream cheese has melted.

To make a thinner sauce, add a little more milk.

Serve on toast. 

Check out Weekend Potluck # 43 at The Country Cook
for this and other tasty recipes.