I'm so, so today and have been all day but that's better than being in the pits. Yesterday I started out so, so but then the sun popped out and my girlfriend and I went shopping from 1 til 5. this is a long time for me but we did stop for an hour coffee break or I never would have made it. I really only needed to get one of those super, soft snuggly house coats and matching slippers for my mum at Xmas. The purpose of the trip was to help my friend chose colors for painting the inside of her house. I was pleased because she said that I had such good taste in my house that I could help her do the same. I just love decorating with other people's money.

When I came home my hubby, who has been ill for 3 days wanted me to go to the drugstore to see if the pharmacist could recommend anything for the flu. He did and I bought it. I can count on one hand and have fingers left over how many times each year my hubby is sick. So I know he is really.... suffering, temp of 103.5.

Last night was girl's night for coffee at the local coffee shop. It's always good to see them and catch up on their busy lives. We have all been teaching buddies for about 20 years, that's a long time. We've watched our children grow, sent them off to university, been there for there down times, comfort each other at the loss of a loved one, laughed and cried, shared many secrets and ofcouse, the inevitable " bitchen kitchen sessions".

Well it's almost suppertime so I should sign of but before I do several DS friends have asked for my yummy cream of carrot soup. It goes as follows.

                                        Cream of Carrot Soup

10 medium carrots peeled and cut up

1 large onion chopped up

3 cups of chicken broth - use the canned or use the cubes ( I usually add a few more cubes)

3 tablespoons of butter

2 tablespoons of flour

1 cup of cream

4 or 5 garlic buds minced fine

salt and pepper to taste

Cook carrots and onion in the chicken stock about 30 minutes or until carrots are done

In a food processor puree this mixture well - it will be thick

In a heavy pot - melt butter amd garlic over medium low heat, add a little butter if needed. cook stirring constantly for 2 minutes

Stir in flour again you may need a little more butter, at this point it's like making the base for a cream sauce

Stir this constantly for 2 minutes

Add the hot puree and bring to a boil- careful it splatters!!

Then add 1 cup of cream

Salt and pepper to taste

That's all there is to it so enjoy!!!

PS this recipe also works well for Cream of Broccoli. use on large frozen bag of broccoli