A fabulous and perfect soup to freeze

Yesterday I threw this soup together and then packed it up and put it in the freezer where we will happily enjoy it a few months from now. Of course we sampled a little prior to packing it up - AND IT WAS AWESOME....who do we have to thank for this? My home-arts idol herself, MARTHA STEWART.

Here is the recipe - I would RUSH out to the farmer's market this weekend and make it for yourself:


Creamy Squash Soup - Serves 12 as part of a buffet
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
2 small garlic cloves, minced (2 teaspoons)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
2 stems fresh rosemary
4 fresh sage leaves
2 pounds buttercup, butternut, Hubbard, or kabocha squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 2-inch cubes
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes (about 2 medium), peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
3 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock, plus more if needed
2 cups water, plus more if needed

Melt butter in a medium stockpot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
Place rosemary and sage on a small square of cheesecloth, and tie with kitchen string. Stir in the herb sachet, squash, potatoes, stock, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes. Discard herb sachet. Let cool slightly.
Working in batches, puree soup in a blender until smooth. Adjust to desired consistency with stock or water. (Soup can be made up to 2 days ahead; warm over low heat.) Season with salt and pepper. Serve with crostini.

Read more at Marthastewart.com

Butterfly Time

It's funny that at my age(25 as you all know) I feel like this past 6 months has been one of the biggest times of personal growth for me. I have learned so much about myself and come out on the other side of what has been quite a struggle. What have I learned?

-Beyonce said it best, "Me, Myself & I" - I count on myself and expect the most from myself - other people for the most part will disappoint you if you let them.

-Only God will judge me and if you feel like you should, maybe you should consider spending more time praying

-I will do what I want when I want to how I want to and will never feel guilty about the decisions I make for my family

-Friends who have been with you in the trenches are the friends who really matter.

-There is always room for improvement

-Being a mom is the best gift I have ever been given, I will not take it for granted for one second

-Volunteering is almost unfair - I think I get more out of it every time than the people I am "helping"

So as I emerge on the other side of a rough few months, I am ready to blog more, ready to chat more and ready to kick some major tail!