Letter X

I've looked and looked for an "X" topic that would make any sense for me to write about.  There isn't anything.  So, if you'll indulge my leap, today I'm going to write about X-stitching.

Cross-stitching is pretty much the only craft skill I learned as a child that I still know how to do.  And now, for nearly 10 years, the only projects I've worked on are Christmas stockings for my nieces and nephews.  In that time I've completed 7 and I have 3 in the works right now (sorry, sisters, only 2 will be ready by Christmas-want to draw straws to see who gets pushed back to next year?)

Two of the finished ones

Of course, the irony in the time and effort I've put into these gifts for all my cute relatives?  My own children have been using every-day white socks for their Christmas stockings since they were born...

A-W

Wh-wh-who

Who's out there reading today?  
It's your turn to weigh in and let me know you're out there!

Catching up on A-Z?

Veggies and a Recipe

I HATED vegetable soup when I was growing up.  I mean really did not like the stuff!  Not one time my mother made it did I spare her feelings.  It was disgusting and I was not going to touch it.  I can say now that it was the texture of mushy vegetables that I particularly didn't care for, but back then I just was not having it. (I also refused to eat cooked carrots and french-sliced green beans).

Thinking about that today, combined with the plummeting temperatures has me thinking of a super simple soup recipe that I do like, and I'm going to share it with you....

Broccoli-Wild Rice Soup

1 pkg Wild Rice Mix w/ seasonings (add extra white rice if desired)

5 c. water

10 oz. chopped broccoli (frozen works fine)

1 carrot, sliced thin (again frozen works, too)

1 c. corn (or any vegetable on hand-a frozen veggie medley will cover all three of these)

2 t dried minced onion (or 1/2 medium onion, chopped)

1 can cheddar cheese soup

8 oz. cream cheese, cubed

Shredded Cheddar Cheese, optional

~Bring water to a boil and add wild rice; reduce heat to med-low.  Cover and simmer 10 minutes, stirring once.

~Stir in remaining ingredients, except soup & cheeses.  Cover and simmer 5 minutes.

~Add soup and cream cheese.  Stir over heat until cheese is completely melted.

~Add shredded cheese, if desired.

Enjoy!

A-U

In My Heart On Thursday

Underwater Worlds

When Ben and I were engaged he talked a lot about wanting to learn how to SCUBA dive.  That sounded adventurous and fun so of course I raved about how I wanted to do that too!  This though I'm a pretty terrible swimmer and had panicked the first time I'd tried snorkeling.  Since making such a bold statement, I've had several more opportunities for snorkeling and learning to SCUBA.  The snorkeling is getting better; the SCUBA is probably never going to happen.  What I've learned most of all is to be comfortable with my abilities.

My first snorkeling experience was with a group of friends on an organized tour in Bermuda.  Trying to look cool, and not wanting to look like the old lady on our tour, I declined a life jacket.  I made it about 2 minutes offshore before the guide took me back to the sand.  Brushing that off to my friends as seasickness (or something equally ridiculous) I eagerly followed them out into the open ocean at an abandoned beach hours later.  The underwater rocks beat up my legs and the current beat up my pride.  I spent most of the afternoon fooling around on the shore.

Goofing around with my friend Dave 

I tried exploring underwater depths in the same way several more times with no better results.  Looking good was always the determining factor and I'd rather make up an excuse to not go out rather than looking stupid.  Then, the changing day came.  

Ben and I had found a great little beach cove on the west coast of Mexico.  A local cabana shack charmed me into putting on a life jacket and Ben and I spent the entire day out on the water!  No boat or kayak, no tired arms or fear of drowning-just the two of us floating in the world alone.  It was amazing!  That's the day I set my pride aside and I allowed myself to have fun without embarrassment or worry.

A great snorkeling day

I am never going to be a diver.  It turns out that conquering my minimal swimming skills wasn't nearly as difficult as feeling comfortable with schools of fish swarming through my legs.  I enjoy being in the water and observing the underwater goings-on as I float safely distant from above.  It's true I may never see the most beautiful things down there to see, but I'm out there.  And that's pretty big to me!

 See A-T