We are having soup weather. Not because it is cold but because it is wet...surprise, surprise. This is Seattle, after all. We had really nice weather for a long time, dry and sunny and Bruce even went golfing last week but the rain always returns eventually. The past couple of days, it has been pouring all day. On Sunday, I went to our local "downtown" in West Seattle called The Junction because the Farmers Market was going on (in the pouring rain but it's held rain or shine year around every Sunday.) I also wanted to get my presents wrapped at a fund raiser that was going on. I took eight gifts to get wrapped and they did a gorgeous job. It was for an organization called Furry Faces Foundation that helps low income people stay together with their pets when they can't afford to do so. I was happy to make a donation and get my presents wrapped at the same time. There were 3-4 ladies doing the wrapping and the gift wrap was professional, to say the least. Wow! It was so worth it. Our tree is looking a lot better now with beautiful presents under it.
Before
After
After that, Bruce and I went to The Nutcracker since we hadn't been to The Nutcracker together in Seattle ever. We went together once in San Fransisco and we've both been once in Seattle but not together. I went with my sister in 2015 after we first moved back to town and then in the '90's, Bruce took our kids plus our nephew when they were all little kids. I was a tired mom and happy to just stay home and have a peaceful night to myself in those days.
We got there early so we could look at all the decorations.
We also watched the orchestra get ready and warm up since Bruce and I both played instruments in high school. Bruce played clarinet and sousaphone and I played flute, piccolo and oboe.
The Pacific Northwest Ballet changed The Nutcracker in 2015 to George Balanchine's Nutcracker with designs by renowned author and illustrator, Ian Falconer, who wrote the Olivia children's book series. The costumes are so colorful and bright and it's a very whimsical version of The Nutcracker. Before 2015, it had been the same Nutcracker for the past 32 seasons so now people are eager to come and see the new version. It's always a fun event to attend during the holidays. It was even fun to walk through the Seattle Center and see the Space Needle and all the holiday decorations.
I just love living here at Christmas-time. There are so many wonderful things to do and see; there is no excuse not to be in the holiday spirit. Except for the endless rain...but you just have to put on your waterproof rain gear and trudge on through it all. And, of course, be sure and eat lots of soup.
Cream of Broccoli and Cauliflower with Chicken Soup
Serves 4
1/2 head of cauliflower
1 small head broccoli
2 Tbsp. oil
2 stalks of celery, chopped
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
1/2 onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups of chicken broth/stock
1 can full-fat coconut milk
1 tsp. fish sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil2 Tbsp. coconut amines or Worcestershire sauce
1 pound cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped
2 bay leaves
2 tsp. fresh Thai or Italian basil
salt and pepper to taste
1. Core cauliflower, cut into florets. Cut broccoli into florets. Steam both for about 20 minutes or until soft. Drain water and set aside.
2. Pour oil in large stock pot and over medium-high heat, sauté the celery, and carrots for 6-7 minutes.
3. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until the onions are translucent and the carrots are soft. Turn off burner.
4. Add the broccoli and cauliflower to the stock pot.
5. Add the chicken broth/stock and coconut milk to the stock pot.
6. Add the fish sauce, sesame oil and Worcestershire sauce to the stock pot.
7. With an immersion blender (or you can also use a conventional blender by spooning soup in batches into the blender) process all the ingredients in the stock pot until smooth.
8. Add the chicken, 2 bay leaves, and the basil to the soup mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Cook soup for 20 minutes until thoroughly heated and serve.
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