When life hands you brussel sprouts...

Most of you may have noticed that I havent been around too much of late to make comment on my BLOG or anyone elses for that matter.

I suppose its time for me to fess up...I haven't been feeling my usual jovial self for the last few months and to be honest have been finding it difficult to get motivated to do much of anything.

The crux of the problem is a decision that hubby and I have made to sell our beautiful home. Unfortunately although we know it is the best thing to do for us it is a decision that I am still struggling to come to terms with.

Having our own buisiness we are finding it increasingly difficult to be paid in a timely manner by customers in this current economic climate and are finding that we are more often than not struggling to make ends meet each week whilst waiting on that elusive cheque....despite hubby working longer and longer hours each week.

Our home is quite large (if I am totally honest... too large for just the two of us and our two furr-babies) so we have decided to sell, pay off all of our debts, invest the rest of our money and rent for a while whilst looking for our next "perfect place".... this time a little smaller.

I know that I should view this as a positive thing and I know that we are not the first to be faced with a decision like this but geez I'm struggling with letting go! Anyways it will all work out for the best in the longrun I am certain.

...So now begins the primping and preening and packing and downsizing that I have been dreading and putting off for the past few months ...hoping that it was just a bad dream...lol...so wish me luck.

The first job this long weekend is to get the spare room (previously used as Jeff's office) painted and restored into a spare bedroom. I will go through the wardrobe (currently full of junk), paint and decorate the room. I am planning to put in the old wrought iron bed, braided rugs and vintage quilts I have had stored for some time, together with a few other pieces of furniture that I will pinch from around the rest of the house.

Hopefully as I do my clearing, primping and preening I will be able to share photos with y'all so you can see what I get up to....Tee hee....that is sure to make me get in and get it done as now I have made a promise...sorta-kinda ..lol

Okey dokey...all of that having been said the one constant that has been keeping me somewhat sane during all of this is having to get up and toddle off to work each day.

I just love my job and during my time back at the lovely little antiques store I work at I have formed friendships with many of my regular customers, some popping in on a regular basis simply to have a chat (something I am VERY good at...hee hee).

Today one of my lovely regulars (a dear old gentleman) popped in and surprised me with a homemade lunch. He walked up to the counter with his little insulated carry bag and announced that we were going to have lunch together.

From out of his carry bag came a small linen cloth that was laid on the counter, to which was added some lovely china and sliverware, serviettes and fresh bread rolls. Next out was his insulated soup tourine and a little dish of sour cream.......and what did the tourine hold I hear you say???......brussel sprout and potato soup, which to my surprise (not being a fan of brussel sprouts) was absolutely delightful!!!.

To say that I was touched is an uderstatement.....how thoughtful of him to bring in his handmade soup and to go to such an effort for me!....just lovely. It is only 14 degrees up here today and very windy...so a bowl of steaming hot soup was just the trick....thanks so very much "Mr K"....you made my week!

So to commemorate this "memorable lunch" I researched a Brussel Sprouts Soup recipe to share with you all. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
....and remember
....when life hands you Brussel Sprouts
....make soup!....lol

BRUSSEL SPROUTS SOUP

4-6 servings

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium potato, peeled and cubed

2 tablespoons butter

500g brussels sprouts or frozen brussels sprouts, thawed

3 cups chicken broth

1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon curry powder

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 egg yolk

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Sour cream and paprika, optional

Directions

In a large saucepan, saute onion and potato in butter until onion is tender. Add the brussels sprouts, broth, salt, curry powder and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Cool to room temperature.

Place the potato mixture, in small batches, in a blender, cover and process until blended. Return all to pan. Combine egg yolk and cream; stir into soup. Cook and stir for 4-5 minutes over medium heat (do not boil). Garnish with sour cream and paprika if desired.

Enjoy.....................'til next time.... Chris x