A fire.. friends.. music.. and earthy nourishment surfeits the heart’s own hunger… To begin.. To continue… The main… And to finish.. It would be remiss of me not to thank my fellow bloggers for the wonderful blogging awards they’ve passed on to me. Although I can’t seem to get around to playing by the…
If hindsight is 20-20, what is intuition? ♥ I should have intuited, that after a long week of birthday planning and no sleep.. the doctor would confirm an ear-infection. No worries.. drugs were prescribed, along with a cough syrup that I hope ..will knock me out cold. Except, now both of my children.. have headaches…
Sorry to hear that you and your children are under the weather, but this soup looks like it would be good for anything that ails you and the snow is beautiful. Get well soon.
Snow? Nooooooooooooo. The soup looks like magic for being sick, and for snow outside the window. Feel better. Stay warm.
Hahaha.. I know!! That’s exactly what we said, “Nooooooo”!
Thanks, Sharyn.. at least I can catch up on blog reading:)
Yay for frugal 
. Lookin’ good, Barb’! Hope you get better!
I am sorry to hear you are not well. Ear infections are the pits and often so painful. Sending you (and the children) lots of good well wishes from across the ocean. xox
I hope you feel better soon! Enjoy that delicious soup and I hope the whole household gets back to well-being soon. I can’t believe that you already have snow! I had no idea you get it so early. It’s just a sign of things to come here in Chicago and I am sure that we’re going to get hit hard this winter. Feel better!
Oh no! Feel better – all of you… The soup should help!
Get well soon – all of you! Mortailty sucks, right?
Feel well soon….snow yuck lol
Oh no…I am in Chicago…no snow yet or even at all please lol
Did I miss that in your post? I hope you’re enjoying our Fall — hope you didn’t get drenched from all the storms yesterday!
Soup looks delicious – thanks for sharing – here’s to getting well and back on your feet – Happy Tuesday:)
Oh this isn’t Barbara…I read your comment on her post and responded
My goodness!! That is QUITE the snow fall you got!! I really hope the snow around my area holds off for a long time..I am not ready for it!! This soup looks perfect for a snowy day, and for a sick day! Feel better soon!
Sorry, was combining replies and messed my last one up to you boomiebol 
SNOW, NO!!!!! No snow please, not yet.
Hope you and your children feel better real soon. That delicious soup should help.
I’m so excited for snow here in Chicago! Hope your kids feel better.
I hope your feeling better soon! Moms can’t be sick you know the rule! I am certain that your beautiful minestrone soup will have everyone on recovery soon. Take care, BAM
I’m ignorant on North American weather but it does seem to me that the snow has arrived early. And that’s not a snow fall, that’s a dumping. But it looks so beautiful. My children have never seen snow! I hope you feel better soon. I have had a hectic time lately myself and I’m in such a mess as so many things have been neglected. My mother has been in hospital with a fracture for three weeks, we had my father’s 75th birthday, my father-in-laws 80th and relatives over for a dinner party last night. I’m staggering around today after too much red wine xx
The soup looks like just the thing to make you all feel better. Take care Barb!
Lovely soup! I hope you get better soon!
Thats looks perfect for a cold day like that, hope you get better soon
Oh, love, I’m so sad to hear you’re sick! Beef is not good for sick people! Only vegetables and maybe chicken and for sure naps and someone to read to you! I’m on my way! So, so sorry you’re sick! And what?! Honestly? (your pictures don’t lie) snow, already? Oh Smidge, you’re too good for this!! (who do I need to call?) xxoo
The pictures are beautiful…I would love to be curled up with a cozy blanket and hot cup of tea gazing out the window…ahhhh, yes!
Yum! Looks delish and healthy too! I hope you all are feeling better soon!
I’m down and out with the lurgy as well, Smidge. I might go put a pot of minestrone on, thanks for the inspiration. Get well soon! xx
I’m sorry to hear you are sick too, Celia.. maybe you should nibble some chocolate?? I think it has all sorts of great healing properties:D
Me too
Tea!! I think I’ll make some now!
A moving company, lol, didn’t you know I’m moving in next door?? xx
Thanks!
Me too.. at least in time to take care of the kids!
Thanks, Korena!
It sure seems early to me.. but it’s snowed on Hallowe’en for as long as I can remember. (Because it ruined our costumes to have a coat over them, lol!) Your life sounds absolutely unhinged!! I wish I lived closer, I’d bring you some soup and your son could hang out with mine for a while and give you a break! I hope your mother heals quickly! xx
I forgot that rule.. I thought everyone was just supposed to wait on us hand and foot, lol!
Well.. I would send you some if I could.. it does look awfully pretty here! Thanks!
*sigh.. that’s what I said! The roads are always a nightmare the first morning of a snowfall!
No worries.. I’m often doing that! Once I made a typo of “crap” for “crab”.. I fear I will never live that one down.. and it was taken with good humor luckily!
I think we kept all the snow here:D
Happy Tuesday to you too!!
Yes.. if it wasn’t so darn pretty, I’d have moved by now..
You’ve got that right!
I’m sure hoping so.. on my third bowl:)
I think this virus is everywhere.. once a year I get sick and now that will be over with (I hope):) I hope your snow stays away a bit longer!
I couldn’t hear out of one ear yesterday.. that should have been my first clue, lol!
Oh my poor friend I hope everyone feels better – I’m sure your delicious soup helped
Xxx!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I thought that word would catch your eye:D
I think all the well-wishes here are going to do the trick;)
For a second, I thought you were in Chicago visiting my lovely city to get away from the snow you’re already having
Hope you feel better soon drink lots too of lemon water with honey, ginger and cinnamon.
I forgot about that remedy, thanks!
I wish!
Sorry to read that your household is not just under the weather but battling it, too. Snow already? Yikes! Your method here is so very Italian. Use whatever vegetables you find in the fridge, add some beans, a little tomato “for color”, herbs, spices, stock, pasta, a glug of wine and you’ve got a great bowl of minestrone. Serve it with a chunk of bread and it will help “cure what ails ya.” If only it could do something about the snow on the driveway.
I hope this soup and the antibiotics help you all bounce back ASAP, Barb.
Mmmm, all those yummy vitamins… hope they get you all back to health soon!
there’s something special about the first sonowfall, well for me there is! I hope the lurgy i slong gone and you are feeling bright and chipper, I’m sure you will after the bowl of soup – and the bowl is beautiful !!
You weren’t kidding about the snow! Looks like my kind of minestrone; chock full of vegetables. Hope you feel better soon.
Great shot of the soup with the snow behind – lovely light. That does look like serious snow, the like of which we don’t get in France – well not hereabouts. Having said that, I can probably expect a freak winter now – get well soon:)
Did you win the Calgary top blog award? I see a little badge displayed!
Love that soup. I love all soup, actually, but that one looks very tempting.
Brrrrrr…. love those chickkadees, we are feeding blue and coal tits now. Lovely to see your weather, keep warm x
First of all, get better! We can’t have you missing out on blogging…LOL We’ll miss you. Your soup looks so comforting. I love soup when I’m not feeling well. That’s a lot of snow! They keep threatening it here, but so far I think this morning we’re just frozen after a lot of rain yesterday.
Get well soon! ~ April
I heard about that dump and immediately thought of you, Barbara! We’ve had nothing but teaming rain which is quite depressing, but not so much as a snow dump in October. And poor you with the ear infection, I hope you recover quickly. This soup is perfect medicine to heal sore throats and achy ears. I so feel like soup, but now snow. For snow I would like to place my order for December 24 around 4pm (after our drive to my brother’s place), but make sure it starts light and then overnight really dumps hard.
Excellent looking soup with so many good things inside! I can’t stop wondering about the snow. I know you are way North, but still, it’s just October… I hope every one is feeling better very soon! <3
¡Qué rico! 
Soup looks delicious and your garden beautiful all dress in white. Get well soon
It looks like being under the covers even when you’re well would be a nice place to be! Hope you all recover quickly in time for the party !
Looks like real comfort food. I hope you feel much better very soon. xxx
An ear infection and snow? Definitely soup time. Wishes for a speedy recovery.
I little bit of everything to create a warming bowl of goodness to beat the chill. Love it.
Oh that last shot! Stunning. You write beautifully Barbara
Pretty, pretty snow scenes. You need to be well for “trick or treat”! Bet your treats are gorgeous.
soup looks yummy, but the snow – I am not ready for that yet.
Not sure what to think about snow…I miss it when it’s not here, hate it when it’s here for too long! But yes, soup and snow are great combos!
Hope you are feeling better now.
What a super hearty and delicious soup!!!! I would definitely want this soup if I woke up to snow! We’re still in the 70′s which is unusual for this time of year. I would like it a little cooler, but I don’t want the snow! It’s beautiful as I can see in your picture, but please keep it up there in Calgary! Thanks for commenting on my blog because now I have found your beautiful space!!!!!
Yay! Ok, for that nice comment.. I will keep the snow here for a while:)
We just buy store bought chocolates here.. nothing homemade, the kids prefer the other:) Thankfully, I wouldn’t have time to bake these days!
Time to snuggle in for a couple days. Enjoy the firsts of winter…snow, hearty soups, tea and hot chocolate.
Your a generous mom throwing two parties and not a joint party with the birthdays so close.
Feel better. x
I hope you’re beginning to feel better! Even if you are improving, I hope you’ll continue to slow down for just a little bit…rest is always good. What a beautiful post for someone who isn’t even feeling well, Barbara! The minestrone has to be the the best recipe for any soup! What abundance of vegetables. I think it would cure anything…the snow is amazing, too! Lovely…now you take care of yourself!
Look at all that snow! I hope you are all better now – I should think you need some chilli in the soup too, to keep out the cold
Hi, Barbara. Hope your feeling a little better. We just gout our first real cold snap in DFW this morning. It’s 51 F and is supposed to get into the mid 40s, perfect time for some hot soups. This one sounds great!
It’s cold, rainy and snow in the mountains here. I think I need a bowl of this delicious soup. Beautiful as always Smidge. And love, love all the veggies. Hope you’re feeling better soon! Hugs!
The soup looks like the perfect remedy. Hope everyone has recovered. Your snow photos give me a shiver right down my spine. Our turn will come. I can only hope it looks as lovely as your scenery.
Soup always makes me feel better…I hope it does for you and your family.
Hope you are all recovered! Warm soup is a great comfort–and the perfect component for feeling cozy on a cold night!
Hope you are all feeling better soon! I know your post made me feel great! Thanks!
anne
Event: Spring When: March 20th in the wee hours of the morning I thought I was feeling better (until I got this nasty cold)… nevertheless, I’ve begun spring-cleaning my home, moving and rearranging furniture (putting away my Star Candles from Christmas.. shhhh) and taking out my sea shells. As you know from my last post, I’m still…
Slurping green spring in the form of your soup sounds so delicious today! And the thought of warm bare legs again makes me nearly delirious! What a pretty post today Smidge (as IF that’s anything new!)
You can definitely share that bottle of champagne with me. I love colors that bring out life and I don’t care whether it’s spring or winter, I refuse to succumb to muted hues. I even have a yellow pea coat and match it with kelly green scarf I found in a thrift store. It just brightens up my day even when we’re buried in feet of snow.
yay for spring! Also, I want to ask you, what flowering plants are easy to take care of? I would like to plant something but start small. Nothing too fussy, maybe a small plant box I can hang on our deck banisters. thanks! In the summer, I’ll be moving back in with my mom and I have the whole backyard to myself.
“Erudite?” – You are far too kind. Thank you for the shout out. I think we pretty much made each other’s day and are even, though perhaps you are more even than I am so we’ll have to do this again!! Also enjoyed this colorful spring post. It so happens my birthday is March 22, and this year I have plenty of choices for proper birthday treat inspiration thanks to my fellow bloggers. Have a great Sunday!
This soup looks wonderful and embodies spring. I can’t wait until fresh asparagus is in the market here…must try this. Love your flower shots…so pretty!
A terrific way to welcome a new season. We haven’t had much of a winter but feel ready for Spring and all the lovely colors and tastes and smells it brings! Your asparagus is enticing.
You are an artist dear Barbara… Whatever you make stands in artistic way… I love to visit your blog, I love to read your poeticl spirit into your words… This is beautiful and romantic touches for me… I loved the photographs… The colours fascinated me. Spring I think is your heart too. Because you kept these beautiful touches in all winter days too… I felt like that. Thank you, have a nice week and wonderful spring days… With my love, nia
This soup looks delicious – need to start making soups with my Vita Mix. Loving your post – thanks for sharing:)
Lol, you’re too cute, spree… Slurping spring, indeed! Love it!
You’ve reminded me that I should go thrifting soon! It’s been a while and that’s such a great place to find bright colors to add to my wardrobe!! I will discuss your question with my mom.. She’s the gardener extraordinaire! I do know that these pretty pansies, while hearty in early spring, do die off very early and your planter would be left without any flowers mid-summer. So I use a few but between longer flowering plants. What climate do you live in??
What a perfect spring dish!
This post IS spring! And very welcome, for sure.
I just love your flowers. I’d give anything to be able to take care of flowers the right way I must try harder this year, because I love the environment they create. All of these colors really do put me in a spring state of mind. It’s a good place to be, too. I think the soup fits perfectly into that state of mind. Asparagus is one of my favorites, but I’ve never tried a soup with it. This looks really good Smidge. Thank you for the recipe!
Linky Love is cool! You’ve given me some new places to explore….thanks! And thanks for the linky to me too.
Feel better soon dear!
Thanks, Betsy.. I thought so too and am so glad to have made it!
Lol, yes, let’s keep doing this again and again:) Happy Birthday in advance, although I’m sure you will have posted something special for your day!! Xo Smidge
Thank you so much… I’m desperately trying to rush spring along!!
nia, thanks so much for your beautiful comments this morning!! xoxo
That Vita Mix would be so awesome, I wish I had one!!
Thanks!
Oh, Sarah.. I’m sure trying!! I need to be well to do my volunteer work on Fridays and I’ve already missed last week!!
For what it’s worth my dear, mine lasted 4 days or so. And after reading your comment earlier, it really does sound like you have the exact bug I had. Oh yes! You have to get better for next weeks volunteer work! People need you!
A big yes to spring colours in the garden, for clothes and for food. Fresh zingy greens, hot pinks, bright yellows. Bring ‘em on!
Lovely pictures as always, Barbara! I always derive pleasure at just going through the entire presentation. It is romance, beauty and poetry combined.
What a beautiful post – writing, recipe and photos
And thank you very much for such a sweet shout out
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I’m in Western NY right now, near buffalo. It’s a little cooler than New Jersey. Anything is fine, as long as it lasts me during Spring.
Thanks!
Great photos and links. And, your chili croutons sound delicious.
I used to hate asparagus, but now I love it and am so excited for our two patches to do their thing this spring!
What a great soup for this time of the year! And I could snack on those croutons long after the dinner dishes have been put away. I had better get 2 baguettes. Feel better, Smidge .. er … Barb!
I always had myself down as the cookie monster (if you know sesame street you’ll know…)
I am one of those people who doesn’t eat asparagus, but I liked learning about chili croutons — thanks!
Thanks:)
Oh, my goodness… My next recipe will be fantastic for your asparagus! You’re sooo lucky to have a big garden to grow this in!!
Lol… I will… Um, John!
Hahaha, yes.. I definitely am well acquainted with the Cookie Monster!!
You’re very welcome, Sharyn… You might not like the next recipe either, but it can be adapted;)
There were two patches at this house when we bought it 6.5 years ago. It’s been so great! Every year we indulge for about 2 weeks!
I think this recipe is exactly what I am going to use for the asparagus that is wilting in my fridge. Thank you for the inspiration, Jen
You’re so welcome:)
I love asparagus and this soup sounds so darn good!
I am so so so ready for spring, too! And, like you, I kinda go overboard with the bright colors and flowers – it just makes me so happy! Love the outdoor sunny pics of your gorgeous soup!
Apparently, when I talk about spring, I go a little crazy with the exclamation points, too.
I can’t tell you how much I love your blog!!! It is just so amazing and inspirational. Your pics are beutiful, recipes are superb, and tips are so spot on!~ Thanks for always brightening my day!
I’m with you Smidge! I love, love, love all of the color that’s popping up for spring. And I can’t wait to pull out my white pants again. I love pairing my white pants with various bright colors. Yay for spring!!!!
wishing you an awesome spring Smidge! We are still in the throes of summer here – lucky us
Just beautiful – photos, recipes, writing, the whole ‘atmosphere’ of your blog! Have a wonderful week filled with sunshine and Spring!
I’ve tried to search for your zone, I think you’re a zone 4? I found a website with pretty spring containers, but some of those look a little iffy.http://www.bhg.com/gardening/container/plans-ideas/spring-container-gardens/
I think to be sure your best bet is to ask at the garden center where you buy your plants.. they would definitely know. The other option is to make them small and move them in at night:)
I love asparagus! nom nom nom. And this sounds amazing! =)
Hi, I just remembered that I tagged you in a post last evening and forgot to tell you. But having seen this post, although I’ll leave the link, I completely understand if you don’t take part. Have a nice day!
http://hippyh.wordpress.com/2012/03/11/it-girl/
I just love that dress.. and those flowers are just incredible and so beautiful. Spring is in the air and I can’t wait to break out my spring attire. I love the asparagus soup as well.. green and delicious
Do you really have all those shoes? Wow, I’m impressed! The asparagus soup looks and sounds divine. It’s almost asparagus season in Toronto, and you can bet I will be making a soup with them!
I love, love, love COLOR! Keep it coming, Smidge, and I hope your cold goes away soon so you can enjoy it ~Ruth
Mr Chocolate recently told me he didn’t much care for asparagus… came as a bit of a surprise as I love the stuff and serve it up any chance I can get! I chose to ignore it
Hope going back to work is ok for you, and you find some extra time for yourself hidden away somewhere.
Chilli croutons? Those sound great by themselves!:)
Come on spring!! This soup looks great! I love the vibrant color!
I hope you are feeing better soon Smidge! I think the sight of spring flowers and yummy spring asparagus soup will help get you on the path to recovery soon. Take care, BAM
Ah, what a beautiful post. Am so happy Spring is here Fantastic soup recipe, green food always seems to fill one with energy and vitality I think….
I’m so, so pleased every time others recognize your worth too–you are a jewel and so multifaceted a jewel at that, that it sometimes takes my breath away.
xoxoxo,
Kathryn
Surely you would have felt better if not cooking this lovely dish, then consuming it ?
I absolutely love the idea of the chilli croutons !
With a huge grin, I watched people wander in and then gaze… gob-smacked… where to start… what to choose?
What a bake sale! Looks like a wedding. You really know how to do it right and then some!
I am sad I’m so far away and cannot make a purchase and unwrap it when I get home and enjoy it with a hot cup of tea. What a lovely soup photo too. Your blog is stellar, always.
Wow everything at the cake sale was so very prettily presented.
Thank you! It was pretty impressive! I’ll have to have some tags next year for mine. What talent there is in the baking world!!
Looks like tasty bake sale items and a delicious soup to match!
I know, eh? I thought I’d done enough but, my goodness, these bakers were amazing!
Thank you.. they were yummy, our family picked up and sampled several of the items:)
Looks absolutely fantastic. The baked goods look yummy and the packaging is done so beautifully!!!
Absolutely gorgeous bake sale! Everything looks so tempting
Brie and nutmeg, what a wonderful recipe!
What beautiful packaging and reading the labels just makes me want to try them all It all looks so smart and beautifully enticing.
Beautiful photos, Barb! Thanks SO MUCH for helping out and baking for the bake sale! It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope we can do more Calgary Food Blogger events soon!
You’re so welcome.. borrow them if you wish! It was a lot of fun working there, well, it wasn’t really work, was it:) It was a pleasure meeting you as well!!
Vincci did an unbelievable job with labels, and the bloggers packaged things up so pretty!
It’s a good every day warm soup, that’s for sure!
It sure was, I highly recommend doing this wherever you live!!
ooo the brie!! how can you take an already-heartwarming, lip-smackin’ soup over the top? You just did it! and by a mile, not by a smidge! Really wonderful seeing the sort of turnout you had and knowing where the “dough” is going! xo spree
Wow! Just look at all of the tasty treats! It was a wonderful idea and it sounds like the charity did well, too. A win-win, to be sure. Your soup sounds delicious, Smidge, just like all of the recipes you share. You really do spoil us, you know. Thank you!
OH MY I would love to find myself in front of a bake sale with such beautifully packaged choices !! that’s pretty amazing!!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment.
–B
Wow…what a display!! You don’t normally see so many creatively displayed treats at ordinary bake sales!! You just know this had to be from a group of foodie bloggers!! As always, your photos are so tempting and well done they make me want to sit right down and enjoy your food! Your soup sounds warming delicious!!
Delicious pictures!
I was hoping that I would get to meet you. I even played it in my brain what our conversation would be like! The pictures I took even feature your cookies, so we were in the same place at the same time!
The bake sale was clearly spectacular. Marvelous, marvelous, and I am drooling in an unseemly manner just looking at it all.
That soup! Oh, yes. A wonderful combination. You know, I appreciate bay leaves more every time I make a soup or roast with them. I believe I feel a bout of experimentation with them coming on . . .
They are all so beautifully presented, so much time and effort must have gone into not just the baking but the preparation. Fabulous!
and your soup, perfect for a chilly day, and I love the addition of brie
Oh… I wanted to meet you as well!! How did I not if we were both there?? Maybe I was surrounded by my family:) It was so much fun!! We have to do it again so we can meet!! Xo Barb
I’m so glad to hear it was a success. I don’t think I’d've known what to choose – it’s all so tempting!
How fun and your soup looks absolutely wonderful!!
What a great cause and that must have been a fun day out. I do love how beautifully everyone packaged their goodies. And to arrive home after a long but productive day and have a bowl of yummy soup waiting – that would be the perfect finish.
The goodies look delectable and the packaging is wonderful. I wish I lived closer!
They all look fantastic, absolutely fantastic. Perfect packaging.
Impossible to choose between them all. One of each?
spree.. how do you do that? I love your playful words today.. espec the “dough” metaphor.. Thanks so much xo Smidge
You’re welcome, John. I think this Bake Sale was such a great way to meet other bloggers without a “formal” event and to raise money was, indeed, a wonderful thing.. I felt so lucky to participate!
It was so much fun seeing what other food bloggers baked and brought in! You’re so welcome, Brianna, I really loved your blog post today!!
You’re so right! I was going to wrap them pretty casually then thought better of it.. thank goodness, because everything was so beautiful!
Oh, dear, I think drooling would have been overlooked, though? Who wouldn’t drool, I had to resist the urge to buy one of everything. And Bay Leave… I used to despise them.. and wondered why on earth my mom would put that in our stews. It was like the opposite of finding a foil wrapped coin in a birthday cake! Hahaha, clearly I’ve come a long way!
Beautiful! Wonderful!
Beauitful, Lovely, Delicious,…. admirable too.
This weekend I was talking about this “Calgary Food Blogger Bake Sale” with some of my friends… How made us all so excited and we all wished to be there! Really seems amazing. If I were there probably I would have bought all of them Thank you so much dear Barbara, I am so glad it was a wonderful day for you too. And also Thank you for the recipes too… Your photographs are beautiful again, especially the last ones… Fascinated me your composition.
Have a nice week, with my love, nia
I am so touched by this concept that I am going to try and get something here going!
I’m so glad it went well!!!!
It was so much fun bakig for the event though I clearly did not package my gooedies in the beautiful way the rest did. Cannot wait for the next event
I wish I’d been at that bake sale…everything looks so beautiful and no wonder it was a success! A delicious sounding butternut squash soup and one I’m going to try for sure.
How fun! The soup sounds amazing.
What a fun way to raise money for a cause and showcase the local talents! I’ll have to try your butternut squash soup as that’s simply perfect with the weather we have at the moment.
Everything is so beautifully presented!
Mandy
It was awesome, I think we made over $1,800 without any overhead costs:)
It was so much fun, I also wish I could have been there the whole weekend.. But there’s always next year!
Love it! Doing something you love and helping out a good cause while you’re at it. Perfect combination! ~Ruth
I don’t remember seeing anything that was pretty and yummy looking (and tasting.. oops, yes, I did buy quite a few!) It was fun and I would like to do tags for mine next year! Or soon, I hope!!
Look at all those pretty packages! But you didn’t give us your cookie recipe. Is that because you have already posted it somewhere, or is it coming soon?
I am already checking new recipes. I cannot eat it all by myself so Bake Sales are my kind of diet
Hi Barb! I wished I could have met you at the bake sale! Your cookies look terrific! I heard it was a bit of crowd right from the morning! Also, thanks for posting some pictures from the bake sale. By the time I got back there everything nearly sold out!
Beautiful blog….
[...] I didn’t get any pictures but a fellow food blogger, Barb from Just a Smidgen took some photos from the bake sale (doesn’t she have such an inspiring blog?). I went back to the bake sale later in the day [...]
Sounds like a success all the way around! Glad to hear it!
$1900.. not a bad haul for baking:)
Wow those home made goodies look almost too good to eat !
I’m so glad you took some pictures Barb. I brought my camera on Sunday, but by then everything was gone! It was so much fun taking part but I also wish I had put more effort into my packaging, my last minute thoughts consisted of “hey! Here’s some plates! Here’s some saran wrap! Done.”
I hope I get the pleasure of meeting you at the next event.
Some mornings we wake up with, or are woken up by a nasty surprise… an ailment of some sort or other (my friend Randy likes to call it “a Malady“). Alas, this was the case for me this past Saturday morning. The flu is definitely making the rounds in our neck of the woods. In…
Oh, what a great post to read first thing in the morning with my capuccino next to the computer…
Many years ago, when I was dating my husband, we were in a meeting in Kansas City. We had dinner at a nice place, and heard rumors that on the top floor of the restaurant they had Cuban cigars. We ended up there after dinner. Mind you, I used to smoke cigarettes, but had already quit. Phil is not a smoker, but we both like the smell of cigars. We bought one, and smoked it together. Next day we had an unbelievably strong hangover from it…. we had to fly back home that day, and trust me, it wasn’t pretty
Never again!
Now, your soup is the kind that Mom would have served us for lunch on a cold, Winter’s day, saying it was “stick to your bones” soup. Rich, thick and hearty. Yum! Thank you for your kind words about her quadretti and glad to hear you’re feeling better.
It does “stick to your bones” but I’m still craving your quadretti:) A weekend of lots of sleep seems to have been the cure.
I think that would be just awful, flying when you feel like that! I always wonder why cigars do this, though, must be something in the tobacco, because I don’t think cigarettes have quite the same repercussion?
I’m not often stricken with lamonia these days, but on the rare occasion that I am, this sounds like the perfect remedy. (That and having someone entertain the kids all day!).
Lamonia – Love it. I’m adding this word to my vocabularly. It’s particularly useful during this time of the year when a rest and a good sit-down is a must about mid-day.
Smidge, I too love Laura Calder, for the same reasons you cited, and a good zuka soupa heals what ails! Thanks so much for this, and for the delightful morning read! So happy hearing the Lamonia (a word I too am adding to my lexicon) has left you and your good humor’s returned!
http://photographyofnia.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/roses-are-red-are-red/
Beautiful dear Barbara, Thank you, with my love, nia
Ah. Lamonia. It comes around a lot in Nov-Dec! I love everything about the idea of this soup – soothing, savory, and cheerful
I love the name and looks of this soup and could have used some last week…that Lamonia, it gets around, doesn’t it?
Oh the dreaded lamonia. This soup would get me out of bed for sure!
The only thing better than recovering fully from Lamonia (yes, an excellent addition to the dictionary) is doing so with the help of something delicious, nutritious, filling and comforting. This soup definitely fits the bill! I’ll have to (ahem!) give it a whirl.
I think it may be the season for a ‘lamonia’ epidemic; the ‘laughing cow’ soup sounds like the perfect cure.
This soup looks amazing! I feel a case of “lamonia” coming on…
Ah… I’ve found a name for that feeling I get every now and then!! Lamonia! I love it! and I love that soup! So green it has to be healthy!
I’m pretty sure I had a case of lamonia this weekend. Actually yes, I did. All I wanted to do was lounge around and do nothing! This soup would have made me feel much better though…looks delicious.
This soup would cure any ailment I am sure, even Lamonia. I am so happy to have a zucchini soup to add to my recipe collection. My mom always has a plethora of zucchini every summer from her garden.
“lamonia.”? I always thought it was the “brew flu.”!
Yes… those days were over for a while and now my kids are grown and occasionally come down with a bought of this or the real flu.. I think the cure is the same;)
It started out as a mis-speak (is there such a word?) when discussing pneumonia with my daughter and then we speculated on what it would mean if it were a word… The rest is blog history:) I’m sitting down right now as a matter of fact;)
Just bought her cookbook this summer and am finally getting around to trying a few recipes. She’s so cute on her show and the level of difficulty (especially for French cooking) was relatively easy so I thought I’d give it a go. Pleasantly surprised so far and I’ve got another one of hers on the go for another day.
You’re welcome Nia xo Have a wonderful day!
It sure does… this bout for me this weekend wasn’t Lamonia but some sort of “flu”.. lots of soup and sleep seemed to work so far:)
Yes a cup of this or John’s quadretti would probably have worked.. or eggs I hear, oddly enough?!
Lol, it is dreaded and every time there’s a lot of self-chiding going on (“You know better, I can’t believe you did this again! What were you thinking!)
Whirl away and let me know what you think… Is today your birthday? I believe it is… I’m heading over to your blog after this bit of responding…
Lounging is the best, especially if you can manage to stay in your robe and pajamas without ever changing once you’re up…
You’re so fortunate.. I have a great relish recipe that I’ll have to try and then you can make some with your mom’s zucchini:)
You mean there’s such a thing? Love it… I think “brew flu” trumps lamoia;)
Yet another recipe I need to try! I adore soups. I should post my favorite one sometime. It’s wild rice and chicken. I can relate to your Lamonia. I had a similar malady a couple weeks ago and it was HORRIBLE. I hope you’re all better now!
It’s supposed to be summer here in Sydney but it’s cold, wet and miserable – your soup would be just right!
I love your philosophy on how to treat sick people (I especially like a kitten to cuddle) and love Laura Calder’s philosophy on ‘normal figures’. This post is very much soul food for the heart and mind
Hahaha, forget “Mad Cow”.. now it’s Laughing Cow;)
Oh… I hope not.. just have the soup;)
It is healthy for sure.. here’s to not feeling that way again for a while!
Please do.. I love wild rice with chicken… actually probably a better soup for a cure!
And yes, all better now.. a weekend of lots of extra sleep seemed to be the solution.
Oh, no! I’ll send you some sun, it’s cold but at least sunny here which is a bit easier to take…
I have a friend who was home this week and sent me a photo of her with her kitten… too cute for words! Yes… Laura Calder just makes good darn sense!
Now where am I to find zuccinni this time of year pray tell?? six of them yet?? ggggrrr…. this soup sounds so good, too. 
Oh, dear… where do you live? Our local grocers always has these but I’m sure they’re not as good as fresh and in-season ones… maybe next time:)
‘The Hubs’ said I should be able to get them at Meijer…I live in Michigan. I didn’d think I’d be abe to get decent ones right now, but he said I should be able to…whew, crisis averted! lol
This is such an interesting soup! I’ve never seen such flavors together in a bowl. Yum!
Yay, more soup! That’s about all my throat will allow past my mouth right now, lol. I love that the soup’s name means Laughing Cow, because Laughing Cow cheese! ~Ruth
Your posts are always entertaining, Smidge, but this one really rocks
Oh how I wish I had some zucchini laying around, because this soup looks absolutely amazing. Yeah, I would get over whatever sickness I had with this
my goodness what a funny post ! And that soup looks like the perfect cure !
I’m so glad! By the way, this is Gretchen (a fine day for an epiphany), and I don’t know why this posted as annoymous above. Weird!
Hi Gretchen… your latest post is showing your photo on my computer.. so all is good now?!
That soup almost makes me wish I was sick, so someone would take pity on me and bring a huge bowl next to my bed. Maybe I can fake it? )
Yeah, I hope so!
Thanks, Joanne.. a quick one for a Winter’s night..
Oh, no!! You’re sick?? I think kids would like the name:) Well… me too!
Thanks, Anonymous:) OK, I’ve asked before… but maybe now it should be 20 questions…
1. Have we met in person before?
I wish you did too, I know it’s seasonal in several places…
Thanks, Carolyn!
Oh.. go on an fake it, I won’t tell;)
My first time visiting your site, lovely recipes.
Mmmm I just bought some zucchini, I ought to try your recipe. I bet the laughing cow cheese made it nice and creamy and filling, perfect for warm cold nights!
Thanks, Lisa.. so glad you could visit my blog. Just popped by yours, looks like lots of healthy stuff there!
Well, now I know it was Lamonia I had after our Christmas party last weekend. Darn! I knew it was a real sickness. Love, love, love the new word – definitely entering it into our vocab here at my house.
Oh, dear.. it’s always such a drag to be sick when you have little kids to look after, I hope you’re better now!! (yes, kids are the best at Lamonia!)
Yay!
Mmmm…there really is noting better than a thick and rich soup to warm you up! Looks delicious!
Lamonia? I love it! (And have had the illness on occasion.) The soup looks and sounds wonderful. Wish I’d seen this before I started the monster, 10-veggie soup I’m making today.
I wish I had read this last week. I think an undiagnoised case of lamonia was making the rounds in our neighborhood. I always have Laughing Cow cheese in the refrigerator so I now have a remedy if it returns.
Laughing cow soup? Sounds cool!
So I kind of asked for this… My throat is killing me right now and my general state of being is wish-it-killed-me-already-cause-i-can’t-stand-it-anymore. Now all I have to do is get someone to make that soup for me. I wonder if tears add the right amount of drama…
by Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
Barbara, thank you so much – honored – by the way you will be nominated by my tomorrow – so keep out for my post. That mushroom toast I will do – you’re the biggest temptress I know and the most lovely one too. Your soup is very close our yellow split soup that is our national dish every Thursday. You would love that.
Will send the shortlink.
Your poem is beautiful and touching. Just the love the word – snow-crusted. Thanks for being my friend.
Scrumptious tartines!
Jimini criminis Batman! That looks delicious. And lovely as usual
Lovely post Smidge. The food looks sooooo delicious.
Regards Florence x
beautiful, where do you find the time for such sumptuousness .. have a glorious day, now i shall poddle off and see a few of your other friends! c
Awwwwwwww thank you so much for the shout out, Smidgey Poo! But you had me at Tartine. Yummmmmmmm xo
Oh Barbara, the sumptuosness of your posts bowls me over every time! I know exactly what you mean because I was midway through responding to a challenge post when the little speech bubble appeared in my top corner. I never can resist seeing who’s there, and here you are, in all your glory. Fabulous! (if only I could cook)
Seriously, I am thrilled to be mentioned in one of your posts, and I shall pop this in my favourites so I can visit all your lovely friends. (but not before I’ve completed my post- there’s a deadline, for goodness sake!) Thank you so much, Smidge. I love your work.
Lovely poem and beautiful post, as always, Barbara. The meal looks wonderful and I especially like the tartine.
What a beautiful post, Barbara! The first image with the poem is like a greeting card. You should print it and use it this Christmas.
Thank you very much for your words about me and my blog, I’m content knowing that people read it and enjoy it, despite the limitations expressing myself in English.
I too enjoy so much reading other blogs, and sometimes I can’t do it in the same day, so don’t be surprise to recieve a comment a week later… but better late than never
Have a wonderful day Oh! Almost forgot, congratulations for the award, you deserve it
I always appreciate kind and grateful gestures towards fellow bloggers. Funny! I saw that Anthropologie bowl last year and I was tempted to buy it. Now, that I see how it photographs, I regret I didn’t
Congrats on your award.
Really loved the poem.. quiet filling of feeders – watching… very nice… That’s some feast! All wonderfully done.
Mmmm! Perfect for the fast approaching colder winter season. Thank you
Nice shots and very cleverly balanced menu. Very sexy tastes.
Firstly, the soup looks delicious
well done on being an amazing blogger!
Okay, now I am really hungry… Love the crostini!
Your poem is wonderful!
You are so welcome, it is fun to recognize bloggers that have been great conversationalists:) I’m happy to be your friend.. xx
My french is so weak.. I thought tartines were desert:D
Thanks, Sue.. and thank you for your last blog post shout-out:) xx
Thanks, Florence:)
I love your invented words.. “poddle” that is invented isn’t it? I hope your writing goes well today! xx
A deadline.. where does this deadline come from? You’re so welcome:) xx
You’re welcome
That’s a great idea, I’ve not decided on what cards to do this year, so thanks for the idea! You do a great job.. I can’t imagine speaking and writing in another language as well as you do!
They have so many cute bowls, don’t they? xx
Yes.. quiet is me:) It’s how I love to spend my days.. Thanks!
I’d like to think so ;D
Oh, Tandy, you’re a sweetie.. these little awards had accumulated over about half a year.. or more:) xx
That crostini.. was much better than I thought, I blame the wine:) xx
I suppose that was a compliment *laughing.
What a beautiful poem dear Barbara, you pictured so beautifully as your camera. Should be all so delicious they are all. Thank you, love, nia
Congrats on your awards!
Congratulations to you and your awards! You deserve every last one of them. The way you feel about Sue’s blog is the way I feel about yours! So gorgeous and delicious! YUM to that dessert!!
What a lovely poem, Barbara. And the line up of fall gourmet goodies is just beautiful. You know how I love split pea soup too, the crème fraiche is a beautiful addition, I’ll have to remember that.
Your post is making my hungry – that pie is amazing! Have a Great One:)
It’s a competition, to win a book voucher. I won’t win but don’t want to let the person down who nominated me, and it’s fun to do.
I’ve been back and forth now (half the morning it seems!) between here and some of your friends places and been filled to brimming. (Thank you for the introductions! I’m a soon-to-be-fan for the reasons you’ve stated!) I love the way you feed us here Smidge. Such goodness! Your poem (and the way you’ve presented it!) so Beautiful; your crostini (sumptuous earthiness we crave this time of year!), and that pie of yours (man!) – I go back to where I started…How very well you feed us here! xx
I need to read this again when it snows here. It will remind me of all the good things about winter – which sometimes is hard to do.
Beautiful poem. And this meal looks delicious. I could fill up on starters alone! Congrats on all the awards. It’s a joy stopping in your kitchen/home/world every time Smidge.
I love stopping by for a visit! You always have interesting company – the comments are an extraordiny testament to a community that shares knowledge and encourages creativity. In a world that is fast losing the ability to have face to face connections, you have created a space to celebrate accomplishments and nurture friendships. By the way, did you change your blog look? Looks fantastic!
I love mushrooms on any sort of toasted bread – this recipe sounds yummy I especially like the sound of cream cheese. Beautiful poem and equally beautiful picture behind the words.
Beautiful post, Barb, I was oohing and aahing as each dish scrolled onto the page. Just the crostini and soup would have been enough for me, and then there was the beautiful chicken and dessert! Stay warm in this cold weather! xx
Another beautiful poem Smidge with wonderful words and I love the background behind it. I love the crostini with the cremini mushrooms. I think I could eat more than a few of those. Thanks for promoting some new blogs for me. I’ll be sure to hop on over and take a look xx
A beautiful poem, so evocative of the turn of the seasons. Such lovely looking comfort food for the cold wintertime, too. xx
Lovely post…from beginning to end.
Oooh…lovely mouthwatering food…love the mushroom tartines, yummy…the poem is beautiful and touching, Barbara:) Thank you for your wonderful words for Peri’s Spice Ladle. xx Peri.
Nice menu – I especially like the tartines!
What a beautiful post…I was transported into the cold, brisk air and snow, could hear the birds and could touch the ice on the limbs of the hawthorne. Then taken inside where it’s welcoming and warm to have some of those wonderful tartines and split pea soup. Thanks for taking me along!
It was a great meal, nia:)
I will be right over to enjoy this feast made for a king. Am I too late? Thanks for introducing us to your friends and looking forward to giving them a visit. Take care, BAM
The Snowbird Hawthorne is wonnnnnnderful, Barb. I love it. What a beautiful poem.
You guys are making my week with these recipes. Thank you so much! I love both of these. Between you and John, I can officially stop complaining about not having something good to eat (and something I’ll actually eat) at lunch time. Hubby will be so happy
Barb, where do you find the time? That is such an impressive line up of dishes. I especially like the Soupe aux Pois et Jambon. We just had this soup tonight for dinner — it is hardy, delicious and always very popular with the ponytails. I hadn’t thought of adding a little creme fraiche. Great idea! (And it sounds so much nicer en Franciase.)
Thank you from Down Under: such a delightful post to follow . . .
My ponytail is 21.. and my son is 19.. that’s how I find more time:D Although they still require a fair bit of supervision these days, lol! xx
Such a beautiful post, Barb. Here, we are so busy dreading the onset of Winter that we forget that, like all Seasons, it has it beauty. Your poem is a gentle reminder of that. Now this is some feast you set before us, made all the more enticing by your photography. The tartines would be the perfect appetizers. The spilt pea soup is a favorite, with the creme fraiche a very nice touch. And love the idea of bringing puttanesca flavors to baked chicken. Can there be a better way to end this fabulous meal than with a slice of your heavenly pie? I think not. This is one sumptuous meal, Barb. You spoil us.
Other than because I live in Singapore and there is no winter, I couldn’t have put it better than John ! Another gorgeous post Barb !
Because you are a true star … have I nominated you to “ ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ – http://wp.me/p293Pw-4c9
Lovely post Barbara! You are very kind, your dishes are gorgeous and I love your photography and poems!
Heavenly, from beginning to end.
Mandy xo
A feast for the eys and ears! Am having a bit of a love affair with mushrooms at the moment so loved the crostini!
First, that lovely, lovely poem. Then the mushroom tartines that immediately made me think of including them in the holiday open house I’m planning. I own Laura Calder’s cookbook and love it, but sometimes I need to see one of the recipes on a beautiful blog like yours or Spree’s to really wake up to it. And after that, the split pea soup with the surprise of cloves. Cloves? Now I’m intrigued… And throughout your post, tantalizingly beautiful photos. Then finally, the jolt of delighted surprise when I saw my blog mentioned and your generous comments. Thank you! What an amazing post this has been!
I love mushrooms, I love split pea soup, I love pie…what’s not to love in this post?!!
By the way, two questions: could I use lentils instead of split peas? Just curious if they’re interchangable. Also, I can’t ever get creme fraiche here – is sour cream the best alternative?
I’m not sure if you can substitute lentils.. Yellow split peas for sure. The soaking overnight process helps the thin skins to pop when they cook the next day. Then the soup almost becomes a puree all on it’s own. I’m not 100% sure, but maybe check a few lentil soups to see the texture? You could always use an immersion blender, but I don’t think it would be as creamy? Green split-peas are a little different.. All with a caveat.. I think:)
Thanks, Barbara!
This all looks absolutely delicious. Right now, I’d love to have some of that soup! X
Oh, and maybe just a swirl of heavy cream? I think sour cream could work as well, it’s not even necessary, just a garnish:)
Thanks again. I have attempted to make creme Fraiche, but haven’t succeeded in my two attempts…
I am in awe of your prose, young lady. Thank you.
Une bonne soupe aux pois et jambon… Quel bonheur! Reminds me of my Grand-maman… what a nice memory. Your delightful spread is surpassed only by the lyricism in your poetry Smidge. And I have to say, I just love the design, layout and feel of your blog. There is so much originality and beauty here.
Wonderful bountiful feast for friends.
Thanks Kelly.. I love the creative side of blogging.. Wish I could change it often, but then no one would recognize my blog:D
Wow.. I haven’t ever tried making that.. I should ask ChgoJohn.. he’s adept at making cheese.. maybe he could teach us how to make creme fraiche?
Oh, do ask, that would be so great!
Can I come for dinner at your house? It all looks amazing! (I love that soup bowl!)
There is no stopping by here for a quick visit. You’re definitely a destination and after consuming this entire post I have all sorts of new people to visit!
What a beautiful poem, Barbara. I love the way you introduce a calming tone and then invite us in to sample your delicious recipes! You have a hospitable blog site that represents you so beautifully. Each recipe is incredible, but right now I would just love some of that soup! And I read as many blogs as possible, too, for the pure enjoyment of experiencing life from new vistas. But I haven’t yet admitted just how many to anyone…It’s hard to explain to anyone not already a committed blogger, isn’t it? oxo
Firstly what a beautiful poem, secondly what a fest, thirdly I adore that bowl, did I say ADORE clearly enough? And what a lovely way to respond to awards, gently you.
I know what you mean about reading blogs – so many tales an dsights to be told and sahred. As Debra says above, its hard to explain… x
Thanks for reminding me of the beauty of winter through your poem, I am feeling wamer already. Did you make all those dishes for one meal? I am coming over right now.
beautiful words and beautiful food Barbara. (and like Claire said, the little bowl is gorgeous!)
Beautiful poem Barbara. You must have a beautiful heart to be able to write this way.
The line up of recipes are beautiful as well…and I have to say those little bowls are cute. Dishes are my weakness besides other things.
When I read your posts it makes me want to crash your house for dinner. (And then breakfast the next day.) (And possibly lunch.)
I love your mushroom tartines! I love that kind of food. That puttanesca chicken looks really sumptuous too! Your poem is really beautiful. Now I have this beautiful winter scene in my head.
The joys of reading food blogs, its travel and cuisine in your desk.
First of all congrats to the awards!
I enjoyed reading through your poem, lots of soul in it. But then I dont only know you as a great food blogger but also as a great writer and player with words. Please never stop any of these 2!
The Tartines make me feel hungry and the pea and ham soup reminds me of my grandmother.
I can taste those mushrooms though that image. Delish!
Lovely in every way, Smidge!