Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘food’

Soup Exchange

Have you ever participated in a soup exchange?
I’ve been to several cookie exchanges,
but today was my first soup exchange.

With most containers of soup, a recipe was provided.

This recipe was attached to a jar of soup ingredients.
What a great idea…
we get to dump it into 7 cups of water
and make our own!

We got to take a quart of each soup home with us.
And we had a tasting party before we left.

I brought this one. No way I could begin to give you a recipe. It had clam chowder, cheddar cheese, potatoes, onions, fresh crab lumps, garlic, etc. A menagerie that turned out pretty tasty!

We didn’t get a recipe
for this “Barefoot Contessa Corn Chowder” either.
But, it was deeelicious.
It had big potato chunks
and bacon in a creamy corn broth.

Here’s a recipe for a soup that was not present. Chicken Parmesan … I don’t have one of those new-fangled slow cookers, but I bet my old crock pot would work just fine. The ingredients sound wonderful. I am going to make this as soon as we finish up all the samples I brought home.

in addition to the soup recipes, our librarian (who organized the event) put together a packet that included these tips and tricks on freezing soup.

Love One Another

You may be wondering how this post fits my blog’s theme of “Loving One Another.” (Or maybe you’re not wondering at all.) Anyway, you know that one of the ways we show our love for one another is at meal time.

“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” is an age-old saying that I have found to be quite true.

Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

And a good way to show our love to our family and friends is to invite them to a feast. It’s an age-old practice.

We like to host pot-lucks for our friends in the “hood.” Everyone brings a favorite dish and we enjoy fun, food and fellowship.

At church, potlucks are a regular occurrence. I think I am going to suggest our church host a soup exchange one of these Sundays. But, I will ask people to bring their own quart jars to fill. Today we brought our soup assortment home in zip lock plastic bags. That was a bit awkward. But it worked.

Doesn’t this sound like something you’d like to try?
Oh, BTW, this was my view of Fan Mountain on my way home.
It was a beautiful blue-sky day.

I hope you had a joyful day, too.
Tell me about it!

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

food, friendship, Giving, Living in Harmony, Love, Montana, Serving One Another, Sharing

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The Place to Be

The place to be on a snowy day

Is not out in the freezing cold

It’s snug and warm in our Senior Center

Where the food is great and we join the fold

Of senior folks who come to eat

And chat with friends they see

Monday through Friday without fail

It’s an inviting place to be.

This week’s menu
Waiting for the crowd
Biding time with a crossword puzzle
Early birds here to visit
Tune in to those conversations- you’ll keep up with all the community news!
Karen & Briana are busy creating their delicious lunch for today.
They treat themselves to coffee, tea, water, or lemonade…
Or as server, I deliver it.
Sometimes whole groups reserve a table and meals for their lunch meeting. This was the ROMEOs = Retired Old Men Eating Out!
Mary is the volunteer at the reception desk today. She collects their $5. Best deal in town!!
The Center is used for a variety of purposes. One of them is described on this poster that greets our diners.
All our workers are volunteers except for Brianna who is the main chef, menu planner, shopper, etc.

The hands above belong to today’s volunteer dishwasher. He is eating his meal early so he’s available to do his job when the dishes and pots n pans start pouring in.

But no meal’s complete without dessert, right?
And no chocolate pie is complete without whipped cream!
Never fear… if chocolate’s not your thing, we have coconut cream!
Your friendly waitress will BEE happy 🐝 to take your order.

So, that’s what I did this morning. What did you do

Category:

food, friendship, Giving, health, Living in Harmony, Love, Montana, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another, Sharing

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Wine & Food Pairings

I promised a week or so ago that I would post pictures of the main plates at our Madison Valley Ranch “Food & Wine Pairings” dinner gathering. Zach, one of the coordinators, said he’d send his photos to me. I was so busy enjoying the meal and chatting with friends that I forgot to get my phone out of my pocket!

Zach didn’t send photos, but I recently received these from another of the event’s participants:

The steelhead entree with pea shoots – Very tasty!
I don’t remember what this was. Can you guess by looking at the menu?
Bison shortrib
I think this was the gnocchi – what do you guess?
I remember it not being shaped like my grandma used to make.
It looks like a dessert, but it wasn’t.

Anyway, a promise is a promise. I said I’d share the photos. Needless to say, they don’t do justice to the tastes and the ambience. I wonder when computers will emit food smells?

Have a Marvelous Monday.
See ya later.

Category:

food, Love, Montana, photography

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Cherish Aging

I have a journal titled, “I Can and I Will … Watch Me!”

I don’t write in it every day; just when I am inspired by something else “I Can” do that “I DID!” Some of my topics are I CAN:

  • Emerge
  • Participate
  • Heal
  • Remember
  • Bee Positive
  • Taste
  • Encourage

You get the idea…



Today my topic was I CAN “Cherish Aging.” I was inspired by my experience last Tuesday at Big Sky Ski Resort while I sat at the bar, sipping my Irish coffee, and enjoying my book.

“You remind me of my grandma,”
The young waitress smiled and said,
“She was a little, compassionate lady
Who loved me dearly – and was too soon dead.”

She told me of her virtues, her illness,
And her faith. Tears filled her eyes.
She told me how she missed her hugs –
And their long talks. Grandma was quite wise.

Then, wiping away the teardrops,
She went on about her job.
Soon she returned with a piece of apple pie
On which was a big whipped cream blob.

“I thought you’d like this little treat;
My grandma sure loved apple pie,”
She gave me a hug and rushed away.
Now it was my turn to cry.

I don’t mind t all growing older
If my wrinkles and my silver hair
Can bring cherished memories to someone
And make them know: Us Grandmas Care!

Look at these wonderful Pexels.com photographs of various grandmothers:

Photo by Luizmedeirosph on Pexels.com
Photo by Edu Carvalho on Pexels.com
Photo by Sayan Ghosh on Pexels.com
Photo by Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas on Pexels.com
Photo by Immortal shots on Pexels.com
Photo by Dazzle Jam on Pexels.com
Photo by Himesh Mehta on Pexels.com
Photo by Yulia Rozanova on Pexels.com

The one above is my daughter-in-law, Monika, with my great-granddaughter, Cosette. Monika’s a young, loving grandmother … See, not all gramas are silver-haired and wrinkled!

Look back at those grandmas. Which one touches your heart the most? Do any of them remind you of YOUR grandma? Tell me about her!

Here I am with Xander and Sienna.

Do CHERISH AGING!
It brings with it
many blessings and joys.

And the alternative?
Don’t go there young!!

See ya later.

Category:

Aging Gracefully, blessings, children, contentment, Family, friendship, Gratitude, Life and Death, Life's Challenges, Love, peace, photography, Poetry, relationships, respect, self-acceptance

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I Love You!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I love you!

It’s a day for love. Love is so easy to SAY… but while saying it is important (when it is sincere), it’s not the word that counts. It’s the heart and the action behind that word. You know that! So, what did you DO this week, what did you do yesterday, what did you do today to SHOW your love?

Bob Goff is one of my favorite authors. About 8 years ago my granddaughter gave me his book, Love Does, as a Christmas gift. Have you read it? Do you know this zany, whimsical, amazing man? Check him out at this link… Google it – and listen to him. He will inspire you to DO LOVE!!

LOVE DOES by Bob Goff

176,359 views • May 11, 2012

Kittie Eneboe

Yesterday our Madison Valley Woman’s Club had a Valentine party. My friend, Kittie, came dressed for the occasion. I love her spirit! Don’t you?

We decorated chocolate covered strawberries to take home to our loved ones, and we created/decorated Valentine’s cards to give to someone special in our lives. (Oh, and we got to eat some of those strawberries, too. Yum!)

It was a fun activity… but the real fun was delivering our gifts to our “Special Valentine” today.

Of course, you know who mine went to… but I also decorated an extra couple of the strawberries and made a card for our pastor, Steve, and his wife, Elaine, and delivered them to their house yesterday afternoon. Love does! Love shows. Love cares.

Love does show on our faces. Bob got my strawberry and card for his breakfast today.
And love shows on the faces of our friends, Steve & Elaine, too.
Love DOES show in their lives all the time.

Last Sunday Steve & Elaine hosted a fellowship at their house after church.
Our mutual friend, Christine, created these skewers to add to the goodies we all enjoyed. Someone else lovingly made the bean dip.

Our friend, Jim Forsberg, brought his guitar.

Jim led us all in singing some of our old favorites. “Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam, where the deer and the antelope play.” Ah yes, music is an automatic transmitter of love, don’t you agree?

I inherited a book from my mom. It is tattered from loving years of use. It is titled, The Modern Hymn Book. It was printed in 1924. There is a bookmark on the page where my mom’s favorite hymn is, “Blessed Assurance.”

“Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.”

Ah yes, on this Valentine’s Day, this song is a great reminder. There is no greater love than the love of our Savior who demonstrated LOVE DOES with His whole life. How blessed I am to have had a mother who marked the page, loved the song, and knew that story well. The song was copyrighted in 1873… and its words are as pertinent today as they were then. The tune is known around the world. Let’s sing it!

Photo by freestocks.org on Pexels.com

And let’s remember the Truth of real AGAPE love on this day of LOVE.
John 3:16 – my favorite verse: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Yes, God is the ULTIMATE example of Love Does.

“I love You Lord,
and I lift my voice
to worship you,
O my soul rejoice.
Take joy , My King
in what You hear;
May it be a sweet, sweet sound
in Your ear.”

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Pexels.com

Go out today – and DO LOVE!!

Happy Valentine’s Day!
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, food, friendship, God, Gratitude, Living in Christ's Family, Love, music, Serving One Another, Sharing

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Keep the Spark Alive

Next Tuesday Bob & I will celebrate our 58th anniversary.
We still have that spark alive and well!
We started celebrating already
by going to a wonderful
“Food & Wine Pairing Event” last night.

Later today, when Zach, the coordinator of the event, sends me pictures, I will share the photos of the various plates with you. They were small portions, but delicious and beautifully presented. No one left hungry. It was quite something!

The venue was the lovely Madison Valley Ranch on Jeffers, MT

Bob thoroughly enjoyed his conversation with our friend, Els, afterward. During the meal he got to sit next to Doug Badenoch, the wine guru from The Wine Gallery in Bozeman, MT. Doug was the one who chose the wine pairings. He did a great job.

Here’s Matt, the chef.
He did a great job, too!

Today is a snowy, cold day in Ennis. It’s a good day to stay hunkered inside.

Gotcha in prayer.
God knows your needs.
I’m asking Him to hold you.
He will.
Believe it!

Keep the Spark Alive…

See ya later.

Category:

blessings, food, Gratitude, happiness, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Montana, prayer, Serving One Another

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Traveling in a Downpour

As we left South Lake Tahoe this morning, there was a light rain. But the farther we toward home, the heavier the downpour. Not fun driving in that stuff. But maybe better than heavy, blowing snow creating whiteouts. Been there, done that!

We kept ourselves entertained on the trip with recollections of the fun time we’d just had with our son, Ty, and his family.

Last night we went to dinner at the Hot Pot Thai Restaurant near State Line. Our dear granddaughter, Faith, and her wonderful husband, Kyle, joined Ty, Monika, and us.

Earlier in the day, Bob joined them on the slopes at Kirkwood Ski Resort.

Ty, Kyle, Faith
Bob & Ty

They had a great time.

It was a beautiful day.

Now we’re headed to Twin Falls, Idaho for the night. Went through terrible rain, sleet, snow… I spoke too soon about blowing snow and whiteouts. Yup, they found us!

Oh my … but hopefully the worst is behind us.

God willing, I’ll see ya tomorrow. Thanks for visiting.

Category:

Family, Life's Challenges, Love, nature, Travel

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Walk with Me

Walk with me today;
Enjoy the clear, fresh, warm air.
It’s good for your soul.

The sky is blue-blue;
The flowers are lovely, too.
Let’s pick up our pace.

Let’s share the sidewalk
With the Canadians here;
They, too, took a break…

… A break from freezing
Temperatures in their homeland.
This feels awfully good!

Australian neighbors
Took a break from the fires.
Let’s all pray for rain.

We are blessed, we know,
To have our health and our strength.
We live gratefully.

Back in our condo,
Angel with accordion
Shows us we belong.

How’d the owner know
This accordionist with
Fake wings would appear?

Hah! It’s a God-thing!

My sense of humor
Is alive and well today;
Must be the fresh air …

… Or the effects of
The fresh fruit and the honey
I had for breakfast!

I wish you could be
Enjoying this vacation
With Bob and me here.

Thanks for joining us.
See ya tomorrow
with more Rancho Mirage sights.

What are your plans for the rest of today?

Category:

blessings, contentment, flowers, food, Gratitude, Haiku, happiness, health, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, Poetry, Travel

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Friday Morning

It’s Friday after Christmas –
The tree is standing there
With lights and ornaments sparkling
But underneath, it’s bare.

Presents all were given
To our loved ones with a smile,
But now the family’s leaving –
Traveling off many a mile.

We created quite a ruckus
As we laughed and reminisced.
Sisters and their families far away
Were in our hearts, but missed.

A dozen of the Beekman/Payne Family

It’s a quiet Friday morning –
The family is mostly gone.
I sit alone with my memories
In this beautiful early dawn.

What memories of Christmas
Float in your heart this day?
I hope they all are happy ones –
As loved ones are safely on their way.

Grandson, Sam, beat me by two points in ping pong. But, I gave it a good fight… 23 to 25!
I enjoyed helping Monika prepare our Christmas salad and asparagus.
I hold happy memories of Jordan being the attentive daddy…
Ty & Monika’s dog (more like a horse), Nakota, loved his present!
Sharing OUR treats was okay, but don’t try to take HIS bone away!
My favorite part of Christmas

It’s not the Christmas presents
Given from under the tree;
It’s the present of love’s presence
That means the most to me.

God gave us His Son on Christmas morn.
We celebrate the JOY of Jesus’ birth.
Celebrate the gift of LOVE He gives to us
With our friends and family here on earth.

Merry Christmas weekend to you, my friends.
May Christmas live on in your heart.
May you always remember His gift of grace –
And pass that love and peace along – do your part!

Happy Friday. from Bob & Jan.
What is your favorite Christmas memory?

Sending love and hugs…
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Animals, blessings, children, Christmas, Family, food, friendship, Giving, Gratitude, Living in Harmony, Love, Memories, peace, pets, Poetry, prayer, Sharing

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Family, Food, and Fun

Christ First at Christmas
Family, Food and Fellowship
Fun Around the Tree

Christ first
Tree ready for family gathering
Generations working cooperatively to make the Christmas dinner – aged tradition: spaetzle!
Mmmm… chicken, spaetzle, asparagus and salad …. yummy!
Our granddaughter, Faith, made that spaetzle batter from an old family recipe.
Family in Switzerland celebrated Christmas, too. Thank God for internet communication! There’s Andre’ with one of his gifts; and Mike with Tania (his sweet girlfriend) in the background.
California family sent video cheers from their Christmas gathering.
Bob and I feel so blessed with loving family and good health. Thank You, God!
Our daughter-in-law, Monika, was the perfect hostess.
And our son, Ty, the perfect host!
Ruthie & Darrell, Monika’s parents, are such a blessing to have around. Are you blessed with loving, compatible in-laws, too??
Our daughter, DeAna, in Switzerland, is blessed with the most angelic mother-in-law in the world! Here is De with her husband, Andre’, his sweet mom, Denise, and our middle grandson, Nicky. We appreiated keeping in touch this Christmas day.
Grandma Monika had the perfect nest for her granddaughter, Cosette, who returned to spend Christmas afternoon and eve with us.
Faith enjoyed the talking book we gave her. It was created with her and her siblings’ voices 20 years ago as a birthday gift for her great-grandma. Time to pass it along to the next generation and let Faith enjoy her own 4-year-old voice.
Faith’s husband, Kyle, got a kick out of hearing Faith’s sweet 4-year-old voice, too.
End of a long day- Cosette said, “Time to sleep!”
Grampy Bob said, “You’re right, Cosette. Good night!”

I hope you had a Christmas filled with Family, food, and fun, too. I pray your memories are as sweet as mine. Merry Christmas, my friends. May the spirit of the holidays live in your heart and bring you joy – all year long!

Have a great day after.
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

children, Christmas, Family, food, Giving, Gratitude, Haiku, holidays, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Poetry, prayer

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