Soups on Sunday -- late edition.

When my mother passed away last year a good friend brought over the most incredible vegetable - beef soup. It was full of vegetables and the meat was tender and not at all chewy. It was food for my soul. 

About four months later, when I actually began cooking for my own family again, I asked her for the recipe. She laughed, saying she just threw a bunch of stuff in a pot. 

What?! That incredible goodness was made on a whim?!

Yes, she confirmed. Nothing is precise or even recorded on paper.

Her whimsy made me feel inadequate in the kitchen. I cook from recipes. I am not in and of myself a good cook -- I am simply a person who can follow directions. 

Or was I belittling myself I wondered? 

Am I capable of more?

This reminded me a bit of the Karate Kid -- wax on, wax off -- and how he had no idea he was simply developing muscle memory for defensive blocks until Mr. Miyagi took away the waxing cloths. 

Aren't we also like that with cooking? We rely so heavily on recipes despite the fact that we have a cooking muscle memory. It is time to flex our culinary muscles and throw away the waxing cloth. 

It is indeed time to start winging it in the kitchen I mused. And as we know, I do soup. I do soup a lot. Certainly I've developed a soup muscle memory. After a rousing speech (yes, in my own head) I predicted, this soup was going to be my crane kick.

So here is the list of ingredients I used:

Boneless beef chuck roast cut into chunks (time consuming, yes, but so much better than stew meat)

Beef broth

1 can tomato sauce

1 zucchini 

1 package fresh okra

2 red potatoes

1/2 onion, chopped

3 celery sticks, chopped

10 mini carrots, chopped

1 can whole tomatoes

1 can pinto beans

1 can corn

My muscle memory told me to quickly sear the meat over medium/high heat. Then remove from pan and set aside. Saute onion in pan drippings (adding oil if needed).  Next, pour in a combination of water and beef broth to desired level and taste. Then, of course, add the veggies that take longer to cook: potatoes, carrots, celery, okra and zucchini. And the tomato sauce so the veggies soak in that flavor. Let it all simmer until the veggies are almost done. Then add the tomatoes, beans and corn. Finally, slide in the meat and accumulated juices to the pot and warm through. 

Hiiiiiii-yah! 

Soul food indeed -- exactly what I needed to eat and exactly what I needed to inspire me to put away the cookbooks and simply do what I know how to do!

What about you -- do you rely on recipes in the kitchen or do you make entire meals on a whim and a prayer?

Happy Weekend.

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Handbags for Liz.

Darling Liz of a belle, a bean & a chicago dog, recently posted a request for help in finding a new handbag after years of carrying a diaper bag. Liz wants to bring sexy back! And I applaud anyone with children under the age of two who actually brushes her teeth daily.

Times with wee ones are hard. I remember the days. Days when I needed a backpack so I could still carry one twin on each hip. I didn't carry a handbag for years. Years! But then my duo started walking and using the potty properly and voila! As quickly as it all begins, it ends and you find yourself needing only a few extra crayons, tissues, band aids, notepads, books and perchance a random DSi or two. And so the handbag returns, albeit possibly larger then the pre-baby bag.

And let's be clear: we are discussing handbags, not purses. "Purse" is a verb and describes something you do with your lips {dictionary.com definition notwithstanding}. "Tote" is fine but generally refers to a utilitarian-type bag shaped somewhat like my reusable grocery bags. And "clutch" is appropriate if it is indeed clutched under your arm. Purse, however, is not a word a Southern lady uses to describe her handbag. "Handbag" is the the Coke of the bag world -- it applies to all shapes and sizes {and though I realize that translates better as Pop for  Yankees, I just can't bear to say it}. 

OK, back to the matter at hand: a new handbag Liz for Blissdom. Liz is a classic broad {albeit a Yankee by her own admission}. She is not a lady who should fall prey to the latest trends -- tassels and grommets and fringe. She needs a classic bag that will last for years and which can transition from outfit to outfit to outfit without looking out of place. A classic every day driver. The Suburban, or rather, let's think Mercedes SUV of handbags. 

Here are a few choices, in no particular order:

via Kate Spade

Kate Spade churns out classic styles every season. If you want a pop of color, she offers that as well.  You cannot go wrong with any of her line. I am particularly smitten with this 34th street printed treesh. It adds a little extra zing to every outfit. And the classic, lady-like shape balances the trendy print nicely. 

Leopard is a neutral these days and can truly be paired with anything {truly - I've had a leopard runner on my stairs for years and I swear it never gets old to me). 

And for those who still want their shoes to match their bag {though this is clearly an out-dated practice}, this bag will go nicely with black and brown. 

I love this bag and am officially adding it to my Christmas gift list {are you reading this hubs?}.

via Piperlime

The Beirn Jenna received a lot of hype preceding the release of the Sex and the City 2 movie. Every fashionista sat up and took notice of this utilitarian water snake line of bags. They are super lightweight {empty, of course} and virtually indestructible. 

I adore the snake skins and do think this golden number is quite a scene stealer! 

via Piperlime

Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier is a classic bag by all accounts. It nods to the hobo influence of the times, but it's styling is simple, elegant, and yet, utilitarian as well. I love the optional shoulder strap and this cashew color is just different enough to make a statement without hitting anyone over the head. Absolute classic that would last for years and years and years. 

via Cole Haan

Cole Haan's Chelsea Small Print Denney Bag is only slightly edgier with it's grommet strung handles. It is still a classic shape updated with a neutral snake print. This is a year-round bag you could carry for three - five years without fail. 

via Tory Burch

No list would be complete without a Burch bag. I am not a HUGE logo fan. I tend towards discreet logos such as that gracing the Dena Hobo from Tory's line. This gorgeous worn leather will only get better with time. It nearly has a vintage feel.

I can remember my mother carrying something quite similar
{though it was most likely made of Naugahyde, not sumptuous leather}.

via BlueFly

And just in case you have a Mercedes budget, I offer the scamosciato by Prada.  The suede, the bitty logo, the perfectly crafted handle -- it is all perfection! Yummy love. A girl can dream!

I hope this helps focus your efforts. We did not discuss budget constraints {which we all have, especially this time of year}. I will say, however, that if you own one single handbag, make it a good one. You will feel good when you carry it and it will last you for years!! You do indeed get what you pay for. That said, there are a variety of shopping sites which offer quality items at deep discounts. I would scour those daily if I were on the hunt. 

Best of luck to you in your search. Do not be overwhelmed or daunted by the choices. Hone in on the unadorned classics and you cannot go wrong. 

And a final thought: the prettiest lady in the room is not the one who is the skinniest or the best dressed or the most exquisitely manicured, but the one who is the most comfortable in her own skin. A welcoming smile on your pretty face is all your really need to carry you along! 

Dear readers, do you have any additional suggestions or advice in searching for the perfect bag?

Magic carpet.

I am completely fascinated by people whose vision lies so far, far outside the proverbial box. I've previously shared my enchantment with dresses made entirely of balloons, the teeniest, tiniest pencil sculptures you've ever seen, and Mila the mom / photographer / set designer. 

My imagination simply pales in comparison. As do most, I suppose. 

Though my talents are more conventional (errrr, or lacking), I am endlessly attracted to ideas which require an openness of which I am simply not capable. I am absolutely amazed that some people pick up a box of plastic forks and see something other than disposable utensils. I've made a pasta necklace before, but really, I don't think that is pushing the envelope.  

But this, my friends, pushes the envelope in an entirely new and unexpected way:  temporary contemporary carpets by We Make Carpets. 

Without a sketch or plan (except for the chosen material) designers Stijn van der Vleuten and Marcia Nolte and visual artist Bob Waardenburg start working on the carpet, resulting in a concentrated process of laying the materials one by one untill the finished carpet appears.

Amazing. 

Who can argue with that?!

I hope you have a happy day!