I hope you’re all enjoying the holidays and staying healthy. I haven’t been so lucky on the health front. Got sick last month and again this month.

When I get sick, my imagination goes wild, usually in the form of a superhero that appears out of nowhere to clean the house as I watch from my vantage point on the sofa, snuggled under a blanket. This time, however, I couldn’t stop thinking about soup. At first it was my mom’s beef soup. Then it was miso soup. Then it was hot ‘n sour soup. And finally, the one that I couldn’t get out of my head — broccoli cheese soup. I ended up opening my copy of Joy of Cooking and cobbling together a half decent version from their recipes for cheddar cheese soup and  cream of broccoli soup. If you’re into creamy soups, I think you might enjoy this one:

1. Chop onions. Saute in melted butter.
2. Add broccoli crowns. Keep cooking until tender.
3. Sprinkle with flour and stir.
4. Add chicken broth. Bring to boil, then simmer until broccoli falls apart.
5. Add some heavy cream and shredded cheese. Stir until melted.
6. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Stir and serve.

Categories: food
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Things that made me frown today:

• being disgustingly sick
• shivering because I’m disgustingly sick
• ouchy nose from blowing it so much
• an unjustified insult
• people not stepping up
• stupid (and I mean REALLY stupid) questions
• no time to breathe, and not just because I’m sick
• kids acting up, rare and therefore disconcerting

Things that made me smile today:

• lovely lunch
• listening to Kevin laugh at my jokes
• the Americano I brewed this morning, perfection!
• the 7 layer dip Kevin made for me (I’ll ask him to share his recipe, I promise!)
• good conversation with colleague
• my outfit

Things that made me smile yesterday:

• friends who visit! with news!
• writing! with friends!
• Doritos, nuff said
• Coffee by Kevin ™
• nice weather
• Pandora.com

Things that made me smile day before yesterday:

• a great parking space
• pictures of the kids
• The Pretenders
• a (slightly) cleaner office
• a cheap lunch
• pretty yet comfy shoes

Overall, I think I’m coming out positive.

Categories: food, kids and parenting, work-life balance
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So far this summer, I have done the following:

• Invited friends over for a High School Musical movie marathon!
• Invited friends over to gab and watch our kids play together
• Attended a retirement reception for an ex-coworker.
• Cleaned the house. This is the best it’s looked in MONTHS.
• Packed up most of the stuff in the living room in preparation for flooring installation. Can’t wait to be done with this!
• Conducted science experiments with the kids using a Harry Potter potions kit. Major Mom Win.
• Re-read about half of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince so far in anticipation of watching the movie next week.
• Gone to the beach for the first time in YEARS.
• Eaten a lot of oatmeal. I’m strangely proud of myself about this.
• Wrote a big progress report for a committee I’m chairing. Our work doesn’t halt over the summer, unfortunately.
• Wrote various other reports for work. Still have a few more to write. Blah.
• Made the decision to go back to school. Nervous but SO EXCITED.
• Turned one year older. And wiser.

Categories: food, harry potter, home improvement, kids and parenting, movies, work-life balance
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Work has been extraordinarily busy. I’m also still extremely sleep deprived. But I haven’t lost my sense of humor. In fact, here’s a couple of things that have tickled my funny bone recently:

A New York Times article about Korean tacos in Los Angeles? I love L.A.

As heard on public radio: “For full coverage of the financial fallout, visit Marketplace dot org.” OMG *snort* LOL!!!!!

Categories: food, news
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