Me On A Monday - April 4th

 

Good Morning. Welcome to a new month.  I've heard through the poets, that April, can by some be considered as the cruelest month.  Weather wise that might have a sting of truth.  Daffodils & tulips, along with other spring flowers are trying to push through in the lengthening days of sunshine & bang, out of seemingly no where - snow!  

Currently Reading: Crown & Sceptre: A new history of the British Monarch, from William The Conqueror to Elizabeth II, by Tracy Borman.  It definitely reads like a text book. I have several books on hold at the library.  

Currently Watching:  I watched on line last Tuesday, the service of Thanksgiving for Prince Phillip.  It was a lovely tribute & I was more than pleased that her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, made it to the service.  While not a fan of Prince Andrew, I was glad he was there to honour his father.  When they played/sang God Save The Queen, I cried the ugly cry ... yes indeed, long may she reign. 

I did not watch the Oscars, but have seen the slap.  I'll say no more.

Currently Working On: my 2nd quarter's OLW.  I am looking for a Re word that would go with my best laid plans of wanting to wake from our COVID coma & get out of this lockdown cocoon.  I churned with thoughts of Recovery or maybe Re-new that would lead to Return or Refresh or Re-engage in the next quarter.  But like all best laid plans of chipmunks & women, the increasing numbers of COVID are making some of my plans moot.  Even though our Premiere has restricted the testing of new cases for COVID, the health boards are testing waste water & they confirmed last Friday that we are indeed in a 6th wave. Hospital numbers are rising.  Mr Man wants the word React.  For now Recovery is a OLW in pencil.

Currently Enjoying: this new to me recipe.  It has been deemed a soup recipe, but I think it falls more into being a stew. Of course if you like lots of juice, sauce, gravy, you can add more liquid & make it more soup like.  I change the chicken broth to veggie broth, & add the chopped cooked chicken to Mr Man's bowl.  I also add the spinach sooner to the mixture as we like our spinach to be cooked more.  Left overs are wonderful. I've made this three times in the last 2 weeks.  Several of my friends have also made & rave about it.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

·         2 tablespoons butter

·         2 tablespoons olive oil

·         1/2 large onion chopped

·         1 cup celery chopped

·         1 cup carrots shredded

·         2 teaspoons minced garlic

·         1/4 cup flour

·         32 oz. chicken broth

·         1 cup half and half or whipping cream

·         5 sprigs fresh thyme

·         1/2 teaspoon salt

·         pepper to taste

·         2 cups chicken cubed

·         1 cup packed fresh spinach

·         16 oz. potato gnocchi

·          

·         Add butter and olive oil to a large dutch oven.

·         On medium high heat, add onion, celery, carrots, and garlic.

·         Saute for 5 minutes.

·         Sprinkle 1/4 cup flour over the vegetables and stir for 2 minutes.

·         Add chicken broth, half and half, thyme, salt, and pepper.

·         Add chopped chicken and bring to a boil.

·         Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often.

·         Add gnocchi and spinach.

·         Simmer for 15 – 20 minutes.

·         Remove the sprigs of thyme. Serve immediately