O Christmas Tree

The tree is lit.

The baubles on the branches.

Not traditional colours this year.

Bronze and apple green.

Are you Traditional or Modern ?

Do you believe?

Brrrr

It has gotten cold here. Daytime temperatures are between 1 and 4 C. Last night it went down to - 5.Even colder weather to come.
No snow yet tho there is a storm expected mid week forecasting rain , ice and snow....will have to make sure I have extra groceries and extra batteries in.
With the chill in the air dug out the cozy throws from summer storage along with some Christmas pillows.
Great cozy spots for curling up with a book.

This is my favourite spot.

A touch of white with a splash of warm crimson .
Some cheery Christmas mugs for hot chocolate.
How do you warm up when the weather turns cool?

Butternut Squash Soup

There are 2 vegetables I do not like , never did as a kid , retried them as an adult, still do not like them. 1st on the hate list , Beets, taste like dirt to me and the other squash , the texture in my mouth makes me gag, even when I fed squash to my daughters when they were babies. Yuck!
DH loves squash so I cook it for him..had some leftover baked squash to use up, soup seems like an option..
Found a recipe for this soup at
Whole Foods and adapted it...check out the link if you want their version that serves 6.
Like any good cook taste tested the soup for saltiness , expected to gag and turn up my nose.Who would believe it.
I loved it!This soup is rich , flavourful, yummy.
Doesn't have that horrible texture feel I can't stand.

Had to share my version ,
Ingredients, serves 3
1 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup diced celery (about 1 (11-inch) large stalk)
2/3 cup diced onion (about 1 medium onion)
1 cups cooked butternut squash
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Heat olive oil in a large soup pot. Add celery and onion. Cook until vegetables have begun to soften and onion turns translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add butternut squash and thyme. Stir to combine with vegetables. Stir in chicken broth and season with salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until for 1 hour let the soup cool slightly and carefully puree in batches in a blender.

Calories 140 per serving.
Will I be trying baked squash , nope , but I will make this soup again , it is that good.

Cheery Santa

Could not resist the cheery face on this Santa.

Makes me smile whenever I look at him.
Gaudy but great!
Santa is covering my Japanese Maple...