Meatless Monday: my soup committment

So, it's been a couple of weeks now.

Pretty much since the weather turned cold.

I've committed to making a pot of soup every week...and actually done it! It's been really satisfying both for my need to relax-via-cooking, and for the hot, healthful meals it produces for us. This week, I'm going to make a mushroom white bean soup, like this one listed at Whole Living:

But I also think that this soup looks amazing, too. Decisions, decisions.

The soups are usually my Thursday-morning routine, since I don't have to teach on those mornings. For tonight, I'm definitely riding my baked-eggs obsession into Israel. I think this shakshuka recipe in Bon Appetit's December issue will fit the bill nicely.

winter wreaths

So, I'll be honest. My previous post was my own little "giddyup" to myself. I can feel winter creeping up, the holidays, and all their frenzy. This time last year, I had an inexplicable "holiday spirit"-type bug, or something. I was all in the mood and making lists before we were even ready to plan Thanksgiving menus.

This year, not so much.

But, I'm gonna try. I have to say, I had a lot of fun last year, and I'd like to chase that feeling. Maybe we can help each other, friends! I need to get in the holiday swing of things somehow. So, here goes...

What do you think of holiday wreaths? Maybe what I'm ok with is more of a "non-wreath-wreath." You know, less greenery, more unexpected? I was absolutely captured by this one.

I'm also fairly in love with the textural simplicity of this stick wreath. It might look stunning on our dark front door...

But, let's face it: my DIY time and motivation is precarious, at best. Also, there is the issue of materials. Would I love to go for a long walk in the woods and gather up pine-cones or sticks to assemble into one of these fetching wreaths? You bet. Will I? Um, no.

But, there is a very real possibility that I have (or could have, in a few weeks) the appropriate amount of wine corks for this wreath. Perhaps it is the non-wreath-wreath that speaks most directly to my essence as a "person with holiday spirit." Or something.

yep...

...it's almost winter.