Soup Weather

Fall has officially begun.

If you live in the Pacific NW this means rain.

Lots of rain.

Perfect weather for making soup.

A favorite around here is Spicy Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup.

Here's what you do...

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 pounds orange-fleshed sweet potatoes 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped 1 (2 inch) piece fresh ginger root, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon red curry paste

1 (15 ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk 3 cups vegetable broth 3 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place the sweet potatoes directly on the rack and bake until tender enough to easily pierce with a fork, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
2.	Heat the oil in a large saucepan or soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and ginger; cook and stir until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the curry paste and heat for 1 minute, then whisk in the coconut milk and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes.
3.	Remove the skins from the sweet potatoes and cut into bite size chunks. Add to the soup and cook for 5 more minutes so they can soak up the flavor. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt. Ladle into bowls and garnish with a drizzle of sesame oil and a little bit of cilantro.

This recipe is from All Recipes.  A favorite website for finding great recipes.

Happy Cooking!

Laurie

OMG...

I can't believe Fall is in the air. 

And I can't believe there has not been a post here since Febuary!

What?

I have a few things to share.

First off... If you are new to this blog, welcome.

My sister-in-law, Debbie and I share a business called Worthy Goods.

We are shoppers, antiquers, junkers, restorers, makers and sellers.

We put our passion for all of these together at 

Monticello Antique Marketplace in Portland, OR.

The Fall Premier Show at Monticello opens September 6 and runs through September 29th.

Here are a few photos of what we put together.

You can find more on our Worthy Goods blog by clicking here and on Facebook.

Speaking of Fall and shopping...

Here are a few favorites.

source

source

source

For the home.

source

source

source

Fall garden.

source

source

source

That's all for now.

It's good to be back!

Laurie

Monaco Blue

Monaco Blue has been named one of the hottest colors for Spring 2013.

How do I feel about this color?

I

Love

it

!

Whether you love it or the jury is still out, here's a little Monaco Blue inspiration.

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

Lovely!

WORD

I realize it's the end of January and I am choosing today to share my word for the year. Good things take time!

The process of acquiring a word each year helps bring into focus where I'm at in life. Somehow it brings a bit of clarity to all the thoughts, intentions and ideas swirling around in my head!

  Give it a try. Who knows where it will lead you!

 My word for 2012 was Joy. You can read about it here.

For 2013 this seems to be just right.

Build

To construct by assembling or joining parts and materials.

source

To establish, increase, or strengthen.

source

To mold form or create.

source

To base; found: a relationship built on trust.

source

Build seems to suit the mode I'm operating in.  New projects and ideas are pulling me forward.

Having the word build in my psyche brings focus and patience for the many tasks required to reach a goal. 

Do you choose a word for the year?

“Concentrate all your thoughts on the task at hand.  The sun rays do not burn until brought into focus.”  ---Alexander Graham Bell