And speaking of candy canes dancing . . . I was pretty thrilled to find these all natural organic ones, and the fact that they are PINK makes me want to dance! I hung them all over the Christmas tree, but they're disappearing fast. Can't blame it all on the kids either. Or elves. I've discovered they make pretty good peppermint cocoa too.
The December/January issue of MaryJanes Farm is full of sweet things too and nifty ideas for "upcycled" holiday crafting. I was happy to see over a dozen recipes for soup included. Because we are big on soup around here, especially this time of year.
I always make mine in an extra-large crockpot, starting first thing in the morning. That way I get the added benefit of smelling it simmering all day long and knowing that dinner is cooking itself while I am busy bouncing from one activity to another. Any left-overs get ladled into 16 oz. mason jars and stored in the fridge. It keeps well--for up to a week, even longer if you use freezer jars and freeze it. (Good idea to label with the date.) After a day or so, the flavors "marry" and the soup is even better the second time around. It is so nice to have the convenience of canned soup at hand, that is nutritiously homemade (and economical). Shown are a few jars of vegetable soup I made last week. Let soup cool a bit before screwing on the lid.
Like everyone else, I have been super busy these last few weeks, but I made time to slip away and visit my favorite thrift shops. I've got more pictures to show you of some of the neat things I came across. Here's an old chair covered in patchwork that I thought was brilliant. And get a load of that red aluminum tree!
Vicki, I love this post. That first photo looks so old fashioned to me for some reason, and the idea for the soup is a good one. Soup is one of my favorite foods. Thank you for sharing your ideas with us.
That thrift store. One of these days you'll have to send me the name of it, so I can drop in when traveling through your part of the world. It looks like such a good place to hunt for treasure. That chair! Someone was very clever indeed!
Posted by: Lena | December 14, 2010 at 11:43 AM
We love soup, too. And being able to pull some out of the freezer at a moment's notice!
Those ornaments on the cover of MaryJane's Farm look great!
Posted by: Wendy | December 14, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Ha! I just found the same box, of *red* peppermint. We have to skip food dyes, so finding these candy canes is always a thrill! Makes life merrier!
Posted by: Natalie VV | December 14, 2010 at 01:30 PM
I love soup as well and I have two kinds frozen right as we speak. Pumpkin Apple and Veggie:) Yum!
That chair is absolutely marvelous!!!
Posted by: Sara | December 14, 2010 at 03:50 PM
everything is looking festive for you...Love the candy canes, I love Mary Janes Farm and soup...yes indeed. My dad shipped over some salmon chowder..will have to try yet it sounds strange.... Happy merriement your way..Mica
Posted by: Mica | December 14, 2010 at 05:18 PM
I need to stop by B&N and get the latest MJ! That tree brought back mems of those silver ones with the neon lights that you plugged in and it rotated near the tree giving it blue, red, orange and green tints:-) Good gosh I am dating myself--70's kid...LOL!
Was thinking of all of you today as I made your maple popcorn recipe from last year for gifts, well, if everyone here stops eating it...LOL!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Posted by: Suzanne | December 14, 2010 at 06:37 PM
A very nice way to cover that chair!
Thanks for the soup tips. I think I'll make up a batch right now.
Posted by: Vee | December 15, 2010 at 05:30 AM
I loved the MJ mag too and was encourged by her soup artical. I love your idea of a crockpot going all day and then frezing the extras. I will have to do that. Thank you xoox Clarice
Posted by: StorybookWoods | December 16, 2010 at 01:41 PM