and here is a post that's been sitting in my head since saturday.
i call it,
i love soup.

the first time that i really remember falling in love
with the idea of soup and bread, as a meal, was in switzerland.
in grade 12, we went over
for a two week jaunt through a couple countries,
and stayed at this little place in lucerne
(???..anybody remember? i'm lookin at you trish).
i don't even remember the meal at all,
just that they served soup before the meal,
with a basket of bread, and i went nuts. NUTS.
its all i wanted to eat. it was a revelation.

fast forward 12 years (HOLY SHIT),
to this lady living in paris,
often finding herself short of a little cash now and then.
whats a girl to do
but make a large pot of soup on sunday
and thus sustaining herself throughout the week
for mere centimes a bowl.

i'd done this in the past, when living in vancouver,
more out of a idealistic, look at me,
making a large pot of soup, kinda way.
it rarely moved out of the chicken/beef stock,
celery, potatoes, carrots, barley/noodles.
i usually froze 2/3 of it,
and i can't even tell you how much old,
freezer burned, homemade stuff
i threw out that last week in september.

BUT.
then i tried this recipe.
and hold lord have mercy baby jesus
if it isn't the most beautiful, gorgeous soup i know.
i made it again yesterday for this week,
and i think its the third week i've done this.
same soup! every day! not sick of it!
probably cause its not healthy.
although hearty, rich and warming.
i rarely eat more than one bowl,
before being really full and done with its richness.
a perfect blend, not to thick, not so runny..
perfect for mopping with baguette.

alor, et voila, ma potage prefere.
(the only thing to keep in mind
is that you have to bake your potatoes in advance.
well worth it.
and i kept the skins on. vitamins, you know)

BAKED POTATOE SOUP

3 bacon strips, diced
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cups chicken broth
2 large baked potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup half-and-half cream
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Shredded Cheddar cheese

In a large saucepan, cook bacon until crisp.
Drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings.
Set bacon aside. Saute onion and garlic in the drippings until tender.
Stir in flour, salt, basil and pepper; mix well.
Gradually add broth. Bring to boil; boil and stir for 2 minutes.
Add the potatoes, cream and hot pepper sauce;
heat through but do not boil.
Garnish with bacon, cheese.

well, tis the monday.
just sitting down to type after aiding the poor babe to sleep.
waaaay more fussy in his bed than normal (normal is almost no fuss)...
turns out little dude had a belly full o gas.
almost as soon as i picked him up..RELEASE.
and now he sleeps soundly.

brunch with tom and mandy was so lovely.
they make a wonderful little newlywed couple.
it was good, just for the morning, to be free from effort.
effort to communicate, effort to express..
instead to just make some good scones, some good coffee, some potatoes and eggs...and just relax. wonderful.
ma coeur est pleine.

just about ready to leave broke-town.
this here is the beginning of the last of three weeks.
hurrah!
i would do it all over again however,
since i camped out here in order to take the little week holiday.
so in that regard, broke town rules.
its just in leaving, what sort of self control will befall me?
i'm having visions of new bags and shoes...

hurrah hurrah
tom and mandy are in town
and are coming over for breakfast tomorrow.
you know what that means.

...
..
...

those scones.
(happy shiver)

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this is the only decent photo i could find of tom and mandy.
and its not really even that decent.
i mean, mandy has good grounds here to smack me upside the head.
but they just got married on sunday!
they are here for 'leur vacance de noce'.

new post. new post. new post.
a direct response to aimee and her faithful, loving comments.
so three weeks tomorrow morning i'll be a coming home.
and what a week to be coming home to,
i feel like i've a staff of 12 social coordinators on payroll,
the week is nearly full and i've not lifted a finger.
and all at the same time i'm excited,
overwhelmed by the love,
can't wait to do everything,
worried that there won't be enough time for everything,
incredibly greatful...

what a treat to be going somewhere,
and that somewhere is home.
i can't get over it.
its like i finally understand dorothy
from wizard of the freaking oz,
there is no place like home.
surrounded by wonder and beauty and the unknown of oz/paris..
there is no place like home.

so.
while i'm home one of the main things we're focusing on
is breakfast every morning.
since going out for breakfast remains my favorite meal out,
there in lie all my favorite restaurants
(except for faux bouregois..but i mean really, french food?).
deacons corner, dockers diner, odegards, jethros grub...
pick a day! join me/us/whoever!

oh and in the funny vein of things...
i acutally considered buying
a train ticket to berlin for a shoe sale.
!!!!
my favorite shoe makes, makers of my orange boots, zeha,
is based in berlin, and the three stores there
have marked ALL their shoes at 50% off.
ok now i'm considering it all over again.
:)

i made cheddar apple scones this morning...
good lord in heaven praise baby jesus i only made half the recipe...
i ate two thirds of my yield.
they were soooo good.
i can't reccomend highly enough this recipe.
perfect for this chilly day. with a cuppa while the babe is sleeping.

happy friday!

ringing through my head this week
paul oakley's song, kiss the river

i am longing
waiting ‘til the rain
becomes a river,
swelling like a flood
so I can dive into the sweetest love

feels like this promise i've been given.
just requiring of me a little more patience.
so i will. be patient. and happily.
whatever dryness now...it's rich too.
you know?


i splurged a little this month,
and bought a plane ticket to vancouver for a week!
i honestly don't think there is a better place to vacation than home.
especially since being home will help mark a certain birthday
in a way that swells my heart.
there is no better place in life,
than with those that know you,
and love you with all that knowledge.
ugh. five weeks is going to crawl by so slowly!

good for new years.

another good day..
three hour skype with those whom i love,
and have a standing tradition with,
to create thoughtful new years resolutions.
just slightly adapted this year. :)
but three hours of discussion and encouragement, ideas and love.
good.