SouP. And maybe a HoLiDaY SouP

1 house-warming gift baked (it helps if the house-warming gift is a squash...this was particularly a spaghetti squash), seasoned with herbs and butter. Add some water to blend/cream. Sauteed seasoned onions - cream with squash. 2 cups of chicken broth. 1 pkg of cream cheese. Simmer for awhile while adding your most favorite seasonings. Set in fridge over night so that it may all meld together. Steam Brussels sprouts, then saute them with whatever you like - chop into quarters and add to soup. Chopped clams, drain, add to soup. Reheat. Serve into a dish that will make your soup look so good. Garnish with one to two dollops of sour cream, parsley, and maybe a pattering of ginger. Take a picture. Eat.

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I really like to cook. Especially during the cool to cold time of year. It's these chilly days that I want something warm and filling - something of substance and that doesn't come from a box or a fast food window. Something that is sitting there on my kitchen table. Warm. Homemade whatever - is the best whatever. (Especially when one is home and sick...bleh). Nothing quite beats it. Okay - well maybe something does....but you know what I mean.

Whatever you do, make it your own. I got some basic ideas for this soup from a couple of recipes then threw them out (or lost them), and just did whatever I wanted to do. Be adventurous in your cooking!

With soup - the nice thing about adding a garnish or a topping - like some sour cream, or a dash of ginger...or whatever it may be, it adds some different flavoring without affecting the WHOLE bowl of soup. To eat a whole bowl of soup and feel like every single bite tastes the exact same seems a bit boring to me. (But that's not a fact). So shake it up with a little something. Now a good hearty beef and vegetable stew isn't boring if you don't add sour cream...because each bite is a bit different if you have enough variety in vegetables. Now I am beginning to ramble....

Happy holiday cooking!

Mom - you need to try some...it turned out great! Kara - you deserve a bowl as well. Wish it would hold until next Tuesday!