I have a friend who got a gun as a gift from her husband.
Yeah, it’s been several weeks since Christmas and they’re still married. Can you believe it?!
I suspect the sudden urge to purchase unregistered firearms and give them as gifts has something to do with the fact that the Democrats are back in power.
I am not kidding when I say that many East Texans are picking up unregistered guns at gun shows just in case gun control becomes a popular legislative topic again. (For more on Second Amendment rights see my column titled “Amendment #2: Guns,” posted on my blog.)
I asked my friend if she was disappointed that her gift didn’t come with more sparkle, the kind found in gifts of a more geological nature, like, say, diamonds.
She shared, with a twinkle in her eye, that she thought her husband was inviting her into his world. She was honored that he views her as his favorite companion.
Wow. I’m not sure who impressed me more; the wife who had such an understanding heart or the husband who took a chance and managed to communicate so well.
I found her attitude about the whole thing inspiring.
So, in case any guys out there are considering a gun for their sweetheart for Valentine’s Day, here are some suggestions on how to give a gift of weapons, without having it backfire.
-Do what my friend’s husband did and make sure she understands that being your hunting buddy means quality time together.
-Give her a card with those sentiments first, so she understands your intentions before she is holding an unwrapped, unregistered weapon in her hands.
-Hide the ammo, until you are positive she understands.
-If she points the new gun at you, run.
Better yet, give her jewelry first, before she opens the gun.
Call me materialistic, but I find it somewhat unromantic to be reminded about household chores or to suggest that I might want to hunt for my food. So, we have a new gift rule at our house, just in case my husband confuses rifles, vacuums, tools, or household items as gifts.
The rule is simple, if it goes on earlobes or feet, it is an appropriate gift, especially if it comes in gold, silver, or shiny.
I’m only writing about guns as gifts because I think my friend deserves the “Wife of the Year Award.” I think her husband knows it, too.
I’m pretty sure all his friends, including my husband, are jealous cus he has such a cool wife.
So, buy your sweetheart a gun for Valentine’s if you must, but while you’re at the gun store, be a sweetheart and throw in ear protection.
To go over those nice shiny earrings that came in the velvet box. Just in case.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http:/checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tips for Raising Fiscally Fit Kiddoes
When our oldest was just able to talk, I emptied her full piggy bank on the floor of the den for the first time and helped her count the wealth she had amassed with the help of grandparents eager to spoil their first grandchild.
“Would you like to give some of your money away, dear, to share with others,” I asked enthusiastically, thinking that it is never too early to teach a child about generosity.
Encouraged by her positive response I asked the obvious question next.
“How much?”
“All of it!” she responded, scooping up the coins and bills in her baby arms with a big smile.
I almost fainted. It was a lot of money.
Over the years, we have emphasized a core set of ideas and then watched in bewilderment as all three kids interpret and develop their own personal fiscal philosophy; each one as unique as the individual we raised.
Principle #1- Give It Away. Yeah, I know this sounds crazy, but it is a basic truth that giving creates gratefulness in the giver.
Principle #2 – Define Wealth Accurately. If you have two feet and four shoes, you’ve got a wealth of feet and an abundance of shoes.
Principle #3 – Recognize the Source. As a young wife, often stressed out about how my young husband managed, or failed to manage, money, I learned that God was my Provider.
Principle #4 – Hard Work is Fun. Okay, not all the time. But, learning to make a job fun for others is a great skill and can be fun in itself.
Principle #5 – Skills are Acquired to Serve Others, not Glorify Self. As parents, it is so easy to crave success for our kids, especially financial security, forgetting that their ultimate satisfaction will be in the true success of loving others.
Principle #6 – Serve Others and Success Follows. In this, my kiddoes have inspired me. With so many of their generation, their successes have proven to be a result of their commitment to serve others.
Principle #7 – Education is a Good Investment. Choosing college is often a sound financial decision, if you don’t overspend. Measure the return on your investment as you choose schools and majors; avoid debt like the plague.
Principle #8 – Save. Nothing beats an unstable economy like a savings account.
Principle #9 – Live Like You Mean It. If you are wondering if we let our toddler give away all her money, the answer is, yes. What’s a parent to do?
With all the gloom and doom lately, my hat is off to the East Texans I know; folks just grateful to be able to work and feed their family.
Or folks we read about in the paper; local small-town heroes; taking the little that they have and stretching it to help others in need.
Kind of like a toddler teaching mom to give exuberantly.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http:/checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com.
“Would you like to give some of your money away, dear, to share with others,” I asked enthusiastically, thinking that it is never too early to teach a child about generosity.
Encouraged by her positive response I asked the obvious question next.
“How much?”
“All of it!” she responded, scooping up the coins and bills in her baby arms with a big smile.
I almost fainted. It was a lot of money.
Over the years, we have emphasized a core set of ideas and then watched in bewilderment as all three kids interpret and develop their own personal fiscal philosophy; each one as unique as the individual we raised.
Principle #1- Give It Away. Yeah, I know this sounds crazy, but it is a basic truth that giving creates gratefulness in the giver.
Principle #2 – Define Wealth Accurately. If you have two feet and four shoes, you’ve got a wealth of feet and an abundance of shoes.
Principle #3 – Recognize the Source. As a young wife, often stressed out about how my young husband managed, or failed to manage, money, I learned that God was my Provider.
Principle #4 – Hard Work is Fun. Okay, not all the time. But, learning to make a job fun for others is a great skill and can be fun in itself.
Principle #5 – Skills are Acquired to Serve Others, not Glorify Self. As parents, it is so easy to crave success for our kids, especially financial security, forgetting that their ultimate satisfaction will be in the true success of loving others.
Principle #6 – Serve Others and Success Follows. In this, my kiddoes have inspired me. With so many of their generation, their successes have proven to be a result of their commitment to serve others.
Principle #7 – Education is a Good Investment. Choosing college is often a sound financial decision, if you don’t overspend. Measure the return on your investment as you choose schools and majors; avoid debt like the plague.
Principle #8 – Save. Nothing beats an unstable economy like a savings account.
Principle #9 – Live Like You Mean It. If you are wondering if we let our toddler give away all her money, the answer is, yes. What’s a parent to do?
With all the gloom and doom lately, my hat is off to the East Texans I know; folks just grateful to be able to work and feed their family.
Or folks we read about in the paper; local small-town heroes; taking the little that they have and stretching it to help others in need.
Kind of like a toddler teaching mom to give exuberantly.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http:/checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com.
Leadership
Raising a boy changes everything.
Who knew?
I had a hint when, as a preschooler, our son decided he should demand tolls, stopping the neighbors as they drove by in their cars. He thought he was the sheriff.
Squelching that entrepreneurial urge took several intense discussions, not to mention panic attacks accompanied by throbbing heartbeats as I searched frantically for him all over the house only to realize with blind desperation that he was literally playing in the street. Again.
I’m sorry, but our girls never did anything nearly that dangerous!
Now that our son is taller than I am, it might be a good time to talk about leadership, right? Quickly, before he grows up and tries crazy ideas outside our little one-street neighborhood.
So, what kind of leadership inspires trust?
“I’ll take the blame now because it will be credit later,” my husband said years ago when we were faced with a particularly tough decision.
Here are some of the ideas about leadership that we’re exploring as a family these days.
-Do it first. Waiting for others to initiate is not leadership.
-Do it anyway. Looking over your shoulder to see if anyone is following, is not leadership. Waiting to see how others will respond is not leadership.
-Keep on doing it. Real leaders step out first. They step out alone. Then, if no one is willing to follow, leadership stands alone. Being willing to do what is right, alone, for a long time if necessary, that’s leadership.
-Communicate. Leadership requires the mental and emotional discipline to find the best way to communicate your vision. Communication often takes creativity and endurance.
-Listen and be reasonable. People will have objections and fears. They just will. Especially if you are doing something that requires a different perspective. Telling people their perspective is wrong is not leadership. Listening to and respecting other people’s perspective is not only informative, it is essential.
-Cultivate a heart’s desire to serve others. In order to do the right thing, it is necessary first and foremost to be selfless in wanting what is best for others.
I always tell my kids if you find yourself in the minority, make sure you are on the right side of the moral equation.
Why? Because, people seek out justice and they resist injustice. Because other people will respond to an appeal to their conscious. But only if your perspective has integrity.
Integrity requires unselfishness.
In the moment of temptation, when we are all tempted to compromise our core values and go with the popular trend, a true leader will trust his own moral compass without regard to the personal consequences.
And there are always consequences.
Kind of like a grown up version of letting the neighbors pass the house without paying a toll. Yeah, it’s just the right thing to do.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http:/checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com.
Who knew?
I had a hint when, as a preschooler, our son decided he should demand tolls, stopping the neighbors as they drove by in their cars. He thought he was the sheriff.
Squelching that entrepreneurial urge took several intense discussions, not to mention panic attacks accompanied by throbbing heartbeats as I searched frantically for him all over the house only to realize with blind desperation that he was literally playing in the street. Again.
I’m sorry, but our girls never did anything nearly that dangerous!
Now that our son is taller than I am, it might be a good time to talk about leadership, right? Quickly, before he grows up and tries crazy ideas outside our little one-street neighborhood.
So, what kind of leadership inspires trust?
“I’ll take the blame now because it will be credit later,” my husband said years ago when we were faced with a particularly tough decision.
Here are some of the ideas about leadership that we’re exploring as a family these days.
-Do it first. Waiting for others to initiate is not leadership.
-Do it anyway. Looking over your shoulder to see if anyone is following, is not leadership. Waiting to see how others will respond is not leadership.
-Keep on doing it. Real leaders step out first. They step out alone. Then, if no one is willing to follow, leadership stands alone. Being willing to do what is right, alone, for a long time if necessary, that’s leadership.
-Communicate. Leadership requires the mental and emotional discipline to find the best way to communicate your vision. Communication often takes creativity and endurance.
-Listen and be reasonable. People will have objections and fears. They just will. Especially if you are doing something that requires a different perspective. Telling people their perspective is wrong is not leadership. Listening to and respecting other people’s perspective is not only informative, it is essential.
-Cultivate a heart’s desire to serve others. In order to do the right thing, it is necessary first and foremost to be selfless in wanting what is best for others.
I always tell my kids if you find yourself in the minority, make sure you are on the right side of the moral equation.
Why? Because, people seek out justice and they resist injustice. Because other people will respond to an appeal to their conscious. But only if your perspective has integrity.
Integrity requires unselfishness.
In the moment of temptation, when we are all tempted to compromise our core values and go with the popular trend, a true leader will trust his own moral compass without regard to the personal consequences.
And there are always consequences.
Kind of like a grown up version of letting the neighbors pass the house without paying a toll. Yeah, it’s just the right thing to do.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http:/checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com.
Kids are Surprisingly Resilient
We all have times with our kids that try our soul.
Just when I think I must be the world’s worst parent, I find that it is surprisingly hard to ruin kids. Somehow, kids seem to make a come back even after the most challenging predicaments.
I am amazed at how resilient my own kids are.
Even when, along the way, I have wanted to give up, the kids hang in there with me and together we navigate the process of becoming mature together.
Talking to my mom always reminds me again of how resilient the Primer kids were.
For instance, as a junior high kid, I got in the habit of sneaking out in the middle of the night with a few friends. We would wander around the neighborhood, experiencing a sense of freedom, until fatigue and boredom set in, driving us back home to our nice, warm beds.
This went on for several weekends, until a friend’s mom found out and reported to my parents.
Can you imagine! A parent’s worst nightmare is to have your child, drifting through the neighborhood in the middle of the night, a sitting duck for being kidnapped while you are sleeping. Good grief!
My mom and dad stepped up and dealt with me in the most humble and serious way.
Of course, as parents, we don’t always know exactly what our kid’s perspective is.
I was actually relieved to be caught and eager to get back to sleeping a full eight hours a night. But, if my parents had pushed me, I would have rebelled, just for principle’s sake, I guess. Fortunately, they expressed their love for me and let me know that what I was doing was dangerous for me and scary for them.
I bet they thought I was a lost cause.
Looking back, that incident taught me a lot about dealing with my kids in a way that appeals to their conscious so they want to do what is most sensible and healthy.
Later, as an adult, I went back and thanked the mom who had the courage to call my parents.
Just think what that mom had accomplished as a parent! Her child refused to go out with us when we showed up in the middle of the night at her window. Her daughter had the maturity to recognize the danger and felt comfortable telling her mother the next morning.
In spite of mom and dad's trials, the Primer kids all came out fine and dandy.
And we’re all law-abiding citizens, too. Not that there was ever any question about my sister, you understand.
I guess good parenting comes down to this: Hanging in there and being honest about our feelings of inadequacy.
Oh, and it’s not a bad idea to get a burglar alarm. That way, mom and dad can get a good night’s rest.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http:/checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com.
Just when I think I must be the world’s worst parent, I find that it is surprisingly hard to ruin kids. Somehow, kids seem to make a come back even after the most challenging predicaments.
I am amazed at how resilient my own kids are.
Even when, along the way, I have wanted to give up, the kids hang in there with me and together we navigate the process of becoming mature together.
Talking to my mom always reminds me again of how resilient the Primer kids were.
For instance, as a junior high kid, I got in the habit of sneaking out in the middle of the night with a few friends. We would wander around the neighborhood, experiencing a sense of freedom, until fatigue and boredom set in, driving us back home to our nice, warm beds.
This went on for several weekends, until a friend’s mom found out and reported to my parents.
Can you imagine! A parent’s worst nightmare is to have your child, drifting through the neighborhood in the middle of the night, a sitting duck for being kidnapped while you are sleeping. Good grief!
My mom and dad stepped up and dealt with me in the most humble and serious way.
Of course, as parents, we don’t always know exactly what our kid’s perspective is.
I was actually relieved to be caught and eager to get back to sleeping a full eight hours a night. But, if my parents had pushed me, I would have rebelled, just for principle’s sake, I guess. Fortunately, they expressed their love for me and let me know that what I was doing was dangerous for me and scary for them.
I bet they thought I was a lost cause.
Looking back, that incident taught me a lot about dealing with my kids in a way that appeals to their conscious so they want to do what is most sensible and healthy.
Later, as an adult, I went back and thanked the mom who had the courage to call my parents.
Just think what that mom had accomplished as a parent! Her child refused to go out with us when we showed up in the middle of the night at her window. Her daughter had the maturity to recognize the danger and felt comfortable telling her mother the next morning.
In spite of mom and dad's trials, the Primer kids all came out fine and dandy.
And we’re all law-abiding citizens, too. Not that there was ever any question about my sister, you understand.
I guess good parenting comes down to this: Hanging in there and being honest about our feelings of inadequacy.
Oh, and it’s not a bad idea to get a burglar alarm. That way, mom and dad can get a good night’s rest.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http:/checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com.
Instant Soup Ratings: For Chilly Days, Part 1
Nothing chases away a chill this time of year like a steamy bowl of soup.
I think cooking will probably be part of my life again when I get the hang of this balancing act called working mom. But for now, well, I am discovering that cooking is no longer an option.
So, I put my crock pots into the work force, too.
Yes, I am the proud owner of not one, not two, but a grand total of four, count ‘em, four crock pots. No one is paying me to say it, but I love crock pots. They appeal to the part of my soul that longs for efficiency and control.
The following instant soups are NOT designed for crock pots, but being desperate for supper-time relief, I tried them in the crock pot anyway. 10 spoons means I got a kitchen-pass that’s as simple as filling the crock pot with water and opening an envelope.
-3 spoons. Wyler’s Mrs. Grass Hearty Soup Mix, Homestyle Creamy Chicken with Wild Rice. I put in 8 cups of water and tossed in the mix, stirred it around and left it all day. It was too thick at supper time, so I added another 2 cups of water and threw in some sautéed chicken breast, diced. My husband and I could eat it, but my son switched to instant mac and cheese instead. Sad, but true, mac qualifies as a food group at our house.
-8 spoons, at least. Williams Country Store Home Style Soup Mix, Tortilla Soup. It was so good that you could buy two bags, set out garnishes like grated cheese and fresh cilantro and serve it when friends come over to watch a basketball game. It is necessary to add chicken or beef to the pot, especially for company.
-9 spoons, our family’s favorite so far. Bear Creek Country Kitchens Minestrone Soup Mix. I took out the bowtie pasta before I put the rest of the mix in the pot. I added raw carrots, celery, and mushrooms, and two 4 oz. raw chuck steaks. Twenty minutes before supper time, I cut the cooked steak into chunks and added the bowties. The soup was so good even my son had nice things to say, right before he boiled the macaroni.
-9 spoons. Alessi Traditional Zuppa Toscana Tuscan Whitebean Soup. I started with the 4 ½ cups water, added the mix and 4 cups of chopped raw carrots. By evening, I had a scrumptious, tasty soup, perfect for family, maybe even for company. It didn’t need any additions; not even the carrots, but they were good, especially if you like something chunky in your smooth, thick, well-seasoned base.
Hopefully, this list will save you a little time at the grocery store and in the kitchen, buying more time for what we all love: to savor the flavor of family.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http:/checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com
I think cooking will probably be part of my life again when I get the hang of this balancing act called working mom. But for now, well, I am discovering that cooking is no longer an option.
So, I put my crock pots into the work force, too.
Yes, I am the proud owner of not one, not two, but a grand total of four, count ‘em, four crock pots. No one is paying me to say it, but I love crock pots. They appeal to the part of my soul that longs for efficiency and control.
The following instant soups are NOT designed for crock pots, but being desperate for supper-time relief, I tried them in the crock pot anyway. 10 spoons means I got a kitchen-pass that’s as simple as filling the crock pot with water and opening an envelope.
-3 spoons. Wyler’s Mrs. Grass Hearty Soup Mix, Homestyle Creamy Chicken with Wild Rice. I put in 8 cups of water and tossed in the mix, stirred it around and left it all day. It was too thick at supper time, so I added another 2 cups of water and threw in some sautéed chicken breast, diced. My husband and I could eat it, but my son switched to instant mac and cheese instead. Sad, but true, mac qualifies as a food group at our house.
-8 spoons, at least. Williams Country Store Home Style Soup Mix, Tortilla Soup. It was so good that you could buy two bags, set out garnishes like grated cheese and fresh cilantro and serve it when friends come over to watch a basketball game. It is necessary to add chicken or beef to the pot, especially for company.
-9 spoons, our family’s favorite so far. Bear Creek Country Kitchens Minestrone Soup Mix. I took out the bowtie pasta before I put the rest of the mix in the pot. I added raw carrots, celery, and mushrooms, and two 4 oz. raw chuck steaks. Twenty minutes before supper time, I cut the cooked steak into chunks and added the bowties. The soup was so good even my son had nice things to say, right before he boiled the macaroni.
-9 spoons. Alessi Traditional Zuppa Toscana Tuscan Whitebean Soup. I started with the 4 ½ cups water, added the mix and 4 cups of chopped raw carrots. By evening, I had a scrumptious, tasty soup, perfect for family, maybe even for company. It didn’t need any additions; not even the carrots, but they were good, especially if you like something chunky in your smooth, thick, well-seasoned base.
Hopefully, this list will save you a little time at the grocery store and in the kitchen, buying more time for what we all love: to savor the flavor of family.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http:/checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com
Instant Soup Ratings: For Rainy Days, Part 2
Crock pots are my friends.
They fill up my house with the warm aroma of good smells of food that is significantly, nay, magically, not burnt.
Not all of the following soups are designed for crock pots, but being fearless about ruined suppers, I tried them in the crock pot anyway.
One spoon means I wasted my money, but the raccoons were happy, since I tend to dump my mistakes in the woods behind the house. 10 spoons means I could pass the soup off to friends as homemade. That is, unless they get suspicious because supper isn’t burnt.
-3 spoons. Wyler’s Mrs. Grass Hearty Mix Homestyle Beef Stew. This package actually had crock pot directions; but, it’s only fair to mention that I started it in the morning and returned to it 10 hours later, instead of 3 or 4 hours as instructed. Even with the meat I added, this could have been canned soup.
-5 spoons. Cugino’s Baked Burgandy French Onion Soup. Just what you would expect, but not spectacular. The directions also say to top their soup with your croutons and cheese. Of course, everybody knows that the best thing about onion soup is the bread and cheese on top.
-7 spoons. Williams Country Style Soup Mix Louisiana Style Gumbo. Okay, I’m a connoisseur of gumbo and this is good. There is rice in the bag, and while it was pretty thick by dinner, the rice was still recognizable. I topped mine with Tabasco, of course, and it would have been even better with a handful of shrimp thrown in. After I panned another Williams Soup, I wanted to give the brand another chance and I’m glad I did.
-9 spoons. Bean Cuisine Thick as Fog Split Pea Soup. The adults loved this one, but my son switched to pasta. I added turkey sausage. It was great, and would have been even better with a spoonful of sour cream or yogurt on top.
-10 spoons. Turtle Island Just for Joy Southwestern Roasted Corn Chowder. I added a can of corm and 8 oz. of cooked, diced chicken breast. We loved it, even my son.
The good news about the instant soups on this list is that, while my son opted for mac and cheese sometimes, my husband and I were able to enjoy all of them, thus encouraging moderation among the raccoons of our neighborhood which tend to be too fat and sassy anyway.
Just for good measure I included my favorite homemade soup recipe on my blog. While it is not as easy as dinner from an envelope, Veloute Soup is simple, low-fat, delicious, and the creation of a talented fellow East Texan.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http:/checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com.
They fill up my house with the warm aroma of good smells of food that is significantly, nay, magically, not burnt.
Not all of the following soups are designed for crock pots, but being fearless about ruined suppers, I tried them in the crock pot anyway.
One spoon means I wasted my money, but the raccoons were happy, since I tend to dump my mistakes in the woods behind the house. 10 spoons means I could pass the soup off to friends as homemade. That is, unless they get suspicious because supper isn’t burnt.
-3 spoons. Wyler’s Mrs. Grass Hearty Mix Homestyle Beef Stew. This package actually had crock pot directions; but, it’s only fair to mention that I started it in the morning and returned to it 10 hours later, instead of 3 or 4 hours as instructed. Even with the meat I added, this could have been canned soup.
-5 spoons. Cugino’s Baked Burgandy French Onion Soup. Just what you would expect, but not spectacular. The directions also say to top their soup with your croutons and cheese. Of course, everybody knows that the best thing about onion soup is the bread and cheese on top.
-7 spoons. Williams Country Style Soup Mix Louisiana Style Gumbo. Okay, I’m a connoisseur of gumbo and this is good. There is rice in the bag, and while it was pretty thick by dinner, the rice was still recognizable. I topped mine with Tabasco, of course, and it would have been even better with a handful of shrimp thrown in. After I panned another Williams Soup, I wanted to give the brand another chance and I’m glad I did.
-9 spoons. Bean Cuisine Thick as Fog Split Pea Soup. The adults loved this one, but my son switched to pasta. I added turkey sausage. It was great, and would have been even better with a spoonful of sour cream or yogurt on top.
-10 spoons. Turtle Island Just for Joy Southwestern Roasted Corn Chowder. I added a can of corm and 8 oz. of cooked, diced chicken breast. We loved it, even my son.
The good news about the instant soups on this list is that, while my son opted for mac and cheese sometimes, my husband and I were able to enjoy all of them, thus encouraging moderation among the raccoons of our neighborhood which tend to be too fat and sassy anyway.
Just for good measure I included my favorite homemade soup recipe on my blog. While it is not as easy as dinner from an envelope, Veloute Soup is simple, low-fat, delicious, and the creation of a talented fellow East Texan.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http:/checklistcharlie.blogspot.com or cathykrafve@gmail.com.
Veloute Soup
My friend, Margarite Strout, whose kitchen always blends the aromas of her family background including French, Swiss, North and South American (Uraguay), is genetically and culturally predisposed to be one of the best cooks I know. Veloute is French for velvety.
Veloute Soupe
3 quarts water
4 chicken thighs, with bones and skin
½ tsp garlic powder (not garlic salt)
1 tsp crushed oregano
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 large carrots, peeled and quartered
Salt and pepper to taste
½ tsp. cumin
In a large pot, boil the chicken thighs for about 45 minutes with the spices until the chicken is falling apart. Scoop out the chicken and set it aside. Add the veggies and boil until tender. While they cook, separate the chicken meat from the bones and skin. Dice the meat and throw away the rest.
With a hand-held blender, puree the veggies in the pot until it looks velvety. Add the diced chicken meat back in. Salt and pepper to taste. Add cumin.
Served in mugs by a roaring fire, this is a nutritious, wintery treat for a cold day. For fancy occasions, Margarite swirls in a spoonful of cream and garnishes with oregano or parsley. Either way, it is sure to make your kitchen smell like hers; a cross-cultural experience.
Veloute Soupe
3 quarts water
4 chicken thighs, with bones and skin
½ tsp garlic powder (not garlic salt)
1 tsp crushed oregano
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 large carrots, peeled and quartered
Salt and pepper to taste
½ tsp. cumin
In a large pot, boil the chicken thighs for about 45 minutes with the spices until the chicken is falling apart. Scoop out the chicken and set it aside. Add the veggies and boil until tender. While they cook, separate the chicken meat from the bones and skin. Dice the meat and throw away the rest.
With a hand-held blender, puree the veggies in the pot until it looks velvety. Add the diced chicken meat back in. Salt and pepper to taste. Add cumin.
Served in mugs by a roaring fire, this is a nutritious, wintery treat for a cold day. For fancy occasions, Margarite swirls in a spoonful of cream and garnishes with oregano or parsley. Either way, it is sure to make your kitchen smell like hers; a cross-cultural experience.
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