Soup Weather

White Bean and Ham Soup


2 -3 lbs ham bone-in (we had ham earlier this week and saved the bone and cut up the meat)
1 bag Great Northern White Beans
1-2 15 oz cans White beans (depending on how thick and bean-y you like your soup) (optional)
1 carrot diced small
1 celery rib sliced thin (optional)


Follow directions for cleaning and soaking dry beans. I usually do this in the crockpot so I don't have to clean two things.

To start the soup put about 6 cups of water in the crockpot with the soaked beans. NOTE: You may have to add water to the beans during cooking depending on how quickly they soak up the water - keep it at about the 6 cup level. Put the ham bone in and put the lid on, stir occassionally. Cook on low for 4 -5 hours until the beans are soft and ham is very tender. Add carrot and celery about 1 hour before it is done. (Take out one bean and if it is al dente then it is time to add the carrot and celery.) Salt and pepper to taste. If you want a thicker soup continue to cook for 1 hour more adding the canned beans add the start of that hour.

Serve with a nice salad and crusty French or sourdough bread.

Tis the Season

As my family well knows, I have a serious sweet tooth. My friend Stefani's mother-in-law is a master candy maker and shares her recipes, which always surprises me. She sends samples too which make it hard to resist an invitation. Today I went over and we made Caramel Marshmallows and Peanut Brittle, more than a little good! I had a sample of her licorice and can I tell you fresh made black licorice is NOTHING like the Red Vine stuff: it was soooo good!! We've made candy for the past 5 years and the recipes just keep getting better. We discovered one easy shake with sea salt makes the caramels so good you can't stop eating them - I mean it: I'm still eating them as I type. My keyboard is a mess! The recipe for the caramels is involved and it takes about an hour from start to finish with two people. If you want me to post it let me know.

Crockpot Ham

Sunday we had my nephew, David, and his girlfriend, Xuehui (shoe-hoy), over for a pre-Christmas dinner. Since we had church and about 5 other things to do I opted for a ham. I thought throw it in the oven, glaze it and done. Then I was talking to Debbie and she gave me this great recipe (thanks much sis!). I don't know where it originated but it's easy and really good.

Crockpot Ham

1 6 to 9 lb ham
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 cups pineapple juice

Put the ham in the crockpot on low for 4 to 5 hours (mine was in for about 7 and it was great!). Add the other ingredients in order and forget it. You can baste it after 2 hours if you want. We did and it had a nice tang all over. Serve hot.

We served it with basmati rice, fresh cut pineapple and Hawaiin rolls (of course!). Ham and pineapple just go together!

Later this week we'll have ham and white bean soup!!! I love ham!!

I got the Whole World in My Hands -- Come on Sing with ME!

I told everyone I would post a couple of pics from our Winter Book Fair. Well, the top one is of the 4 1/2 ft tall world I made from a paper mache' balloon. Many frustrations were had and much time was given to making the world what it isn't any way - round. The pic below is of my rendering of Victoria Falls and a Banyan Tree. The tree was actually a lot of fun to do because it was the last thing and I was just shoving it out and it turned out very cute. The next fair will be much easier as we are doing super heroes. I can sew capes with the best of them!!

It's only the First Day...., "Help!", she says to the Universe.

Today was the first official day of Christmas break. Already I want to choke two of my kids. Listening skills have been thrown out the door and are in a wet soggy heap in the middle of my street being run over repeatedly by passing cars. I have had to ask for things to be done innumerable - and I mean that literally not that figurative, "I've had to ask them 3 or 4 times.". I am so close to the edge that I'm in fear of sneezing and going over the edge. I'm not a newbie parent, really, I'm not. I understand Christmas excitement. I understand the lint on your shirt is more interesting than I am and my voice isn't what it used to be. As one child stated to me, "In the infinite expanse of the universe really can anyone be heard?". I love they are so smart but wish they weren't quite so fresh.

I am SO bragging!

I wrapped gifts like an elf today. I mailed 3 packages at a sub-station that took 15 minutes. Dropped a big bag of presents at UPS where the very nice young man (21?) said, "Oh, I'll pack it for you, no extra charge.". That took 7 minutes. I am waiting on 2 small packages to be delivered here which I will GLADLY pack in my suitcase. I AM DONE WITH PRESENTS! I do need to get Jim a few stocking stuffers but really if I don't it is no big tragedy. I am feeling a little smug and very satisfied with my accomplishments today. NOW? I sit and watch Christmas specials all week!!

Sort of like Speed Dating

So, Jim got back from Manchester, NH, not NE, on Friday at 3:30 pm. Saturday, I went one way in the morning and he another. We met at the mall at 1:30 and did some speed Christmas shopping. I am not a great shopper and Jim is so he finds and put the budget on it. Jim had a ton of e-mail, texts and phone calls about work and decided to head back to Manchester Sunday night instead of Monday morning. I know that I/we would be asleep for 8 hours of that but, still, it's one less night. I feel like I'm on a speed marriage thing - we have to get in all the parenting/schooling/discipline/Christmas & birthday shopping/family finances/budgeting/romance in less than 48 hours. I'm not complaining mind you but it really made me think about what I want to fit in and what wasn't so important. DING! Time to move on. ;-)

Fast is my middle name

For the past two weeks I have been rushing about with the Winter Book Fair at school. My poor kids have had to endure fast meals, most not so great. I did salmon tonight which was very good. We had a version of this from Costco and I have changed it a bit and made it my own.

Salmon with herb butter

2 large salmon fillets

1/2 lemon

Garlic Salt

Herb butter

6 Tbsp butter

1 tsp fresh lemon peel grated

1 tsp fresh Italian parsley chopped medium fine

1 tsp fresh garlic chopped fine (smash it with the side of your knife first then chop)

Run all ingredients through food processor until blended coarsely. Scoop out with melon baller or just make two portions.

Heat oven to 375'. Place fillets in glass pan that you have sprayed with Pam. Squeeze lemon juice over fillets. Cut lemon half into quarters and place in pan. Sprinkle fillets with garlic salt. Place herb butter balls on top of fillets. Place in oven for 20 - 30 minutes. I like my fish a little less done so I tend towards the 20 minute mark. Jim wants his dead. D.E.A.D. so he likes the extra 10 minutes. Serve with basmati rice and lemon wedges. Steamed green beans go nicely with this too.

EEK! A Mouse!

I was taking out the recycling just now thinking about what I needed to do tomorrow and I almost stepped on a mouse. A dead mouse. In my driveway. Over the past two weeks I have found a dead finch on my front walk and a few more feathers in one spot than would be typical. I think one, or both, of my cats have escalated their pouncing skills to actual hunting and catching.

Growing up we had a cat, named Cat, that loved to bring 'presents' to my mom. Live presents. I remember a particular snake incident that Mom looked startled as the snake slithered over her feet during dinner and then shrieked. She sat with her feet on the chair the rest of the meal while Dad swept it outside animal advocate that he is. Very funny.

Now I'm starting to check the cats before I let them in. I do not like nature entering my house. My rule is: you stay out and I won't bother you. You come in and we will have issues.