SOUPer DOUPer.

In case anyone forgot, I LOVE SOUP.

This might be my favorite soup of all time.

It's super delicious, and allows for all kinds of experimentation and using up of what one has lying around. I mean, what else to do when your veggie drawer contains a sad sweet potato, some almost-bad carrots, and a bunch of green pepper? Where else to go with your "it was on sale!" box of quinoa and "my LAST roommate left this in our old apartment" coconut milk? And what to do with that mysterious jar of red curry that was just hiding behind the macaroni? And don't forget the garlic, the neglected garlic, which is about to birth a bunch of baby garlics all over the toaster oven (Why do I keep my garlic on the toaster oven, you ask? Better not to ask.).

Now, I know what you must be thinking - ew, you just described a bunch of almost-bad food and potential sources of botulism and I'm supposed to think it sounds good, natch, EDIBLE?

But you would be wrong! There is something magical about this recipe. A little tomato, a lot of stock, whatever veggies and starch you find yourself possessing, toss in some peanut butter for good measure (and requisite creamy, hearty flavor!) and you have a steamy, creamy, delicious masterpiece! The most fun part is when you've blended together your leftovers and it's time to spice it up. Because the ingredients are never the same, the spices aren't either. Maybe some cinnamon to balance out your accidentally huge dollop of red pepper? A little onion powder (because somehow 2 cups of onions aren't enough)? Thyme - no, wrong continent. Mustard? YES! That's perfect!

Try it. You won't be disappointed.

Early Riser

I am not. Usually. I love the idea of getting up early and getting things done. Lately, however, my habits of staying up late to read or watch television in an attempt to wind down from my days end up causing an hour of snooze-buttoning and a quick shower before I have to run out the door.

Today, though, I woke up early (an hour before my alarm = two hours before I usually get up). It was glorious. Wonderful. Dreamy. I made myself eggs, toast and soy-sausages (they were on sale! and real sausage is way too fatty.). I did the dishes and loaded the dishwasher. I swept the bathroom floor. I watched the Today show for 5 minutes, but realized I really don't like to listen to George Stephanopolous before 8 a.m. I made my bed. I felt like a million bucks. There was even mascara on my face by the time I strolled out the door.

Now, real bloggers say, no one cares what you had for breakfast (or whether you are wearing mascara, I assume), but I think this is A Sign. A Sign of good things to come. Spring, and energy and health. Not only did I wake up early this morning, but I felt awake! I actually kept singing that 4-H song to myself: alive alert awake enthusiastic! (I'm a dork!)

Even more miraculous, this spontaneous energetic morning occurred the morning after a spontaneous evening out with C, one of my dear friends. We went to a bar, with real live people in it, drank some real live drinks, and just had one of those lovely soul chats that everyone needs from time to time. I had fun! And I didn't fall asleep on the bar! And then I woke up feeling like butterflies and honey the next day. Something is in the air.

Sunny Day, Chasing the Clouds Away

Some randomly collected thoughts:

Finally, finally, finally, it is Spring! Spring has sprung! We have sunshine, and, despite the fact that we're still attempting to dry out from a 4-day Nor'easter that flooded our neighbors, our street and the corner store, it feels GLORIOUS! (It helps that I don't have to use a Shop-Vac in my own apartment.)

In a hilarious development, the little patch of grass outside my bedroom windows has a flourishing crop of crocuses and whatever those cute little yellow spring flowers are. Regular followers of the LegalEagleSaga will know that this little patch of grass has been used by some neighborhood dogs (canine and otherwise) as a place for somewhat less savory activities than gardening. Maybe this is why it is so fertile!?

I also caught some hooligans smoking the green stuff out behind my building (for the second time). If they lived here, I wouldn't care, but these are not my neighbors, and I don't like it when I go to take my trash out and find several seedy characters loitering behind the building. It's sort of scary to round the corner where I usually am watching out for rodents and be confronted by three tall men. (Note - it's a dead end behind our building, probably why it's an attractive location for illegal activities, but also kind of scary to be stuck back there with freaky people) Maybe that makes me a square, but I don't like it. Last time I kind of just ran away, but this time I gave them a solid LegalEagle glare and asked them if they were lost. In retrospect, that's a pretty lame response, but it was the best I could come up with - I was startled!

Finally, I would like to give a shout-out to Easter candy. I think it is the best of all the seasonal candies. And peeps are a special treat.