The Great Winds (Not About the Election)

We voted last night as the first bands of Sandy blew our way.  Today, however, like fish and a guest who overstays her welcome, she's beginning to stink.  

This morning we went out to the post office and took a little walk along Wilde Lake as I wanted to snap a few photos of the dam.  It was not bad at all as we walked with our umbrella and camera along the lake shore.

As we strolled back to the car under our umbrella, we were reminded of what a beautiful place our town of Columbia is.

Believe it or not, we then drove to Costco (their chicken meatballs are out of this world and I wanted to have a pot of Mom Mom Soup on the stove cooking away.  The roads were almost empty.  Most businesses and schools are closed and Early Voting has been canceled for today so getting to Costco was easy; finding my membership card was not.

We shopped -- looked at all kinds of Christmas merchandise and books, bought our meatballs, broccoli cheddar soup, smoked salmon and a few other 'necessities' and walked out and  immediately lost our umbrella.  We still have it, but it's kind of inside-out.  Yes, things had deteriorated markedly -- still not horrible, though, which is why we stopped at Starbuck's for a soy latte and a pumpkin spice coffee.

Home now, with a lovely fire going, soup simmering away, the clothes we wore in the dryer, we've hunkered down, snug in our home as the temperature falls, the winds rise, and the rain blows sideways, very aware there are many who are not as fortunate.

Soup's On!!

It's cold, raw, and raining. Perfect weather for a fire and a cup of soup and slice of homemade bread. This soup is one I made for my kids every Halloween before they went out to trick or treat. It's a tasty, healthy, comforting soup. Many know this as Italian Wedding Soup. To me it will always be Mom Mom soup as my maternal grandmother made it for us frequently.

Mom Mom Soup

1       lb ground round or mixture of beef, veal, and pork
2       beaten eggs
¼      c Parmesan cheese
¼      c Italian breadcrumbs
1        tbs dried basil
1        tsp salt

Mix ingredients together. Roll into very small meatballs (smaller than 1”). Place on baking sheet or microwave safe plate. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 or microwave for about 4 minutes on paper towels.  Set aside.

3-4     quarts chicken stock
4-5     carrots, peeled and sliced into 1” slices
3        stalks of celery, chopped
1        10 oz pkg frozen chopped spinach or escarole
1        onion,  chopped

Boil one half package of acini di pepe - a pastine-like, small pasta. Drain and set aside.

In a large stock pot sauté onion until transparent. Add chicken stock, carrots, celery, and spinach or escarole. Cook for 20 minutes. Add meatballs. Simmer for an hour. Add acini di pepe. Serve with additional grated Parmesan cheese.