For the Love of Paper

Here's another "interesting" tidbit about me, I LOVE paper, especially cards and stationary. My collection keeps on growing and when I think that I should stop adding to my collection, I'll come across something that will catch my eye (the picture above does not do justice to my collection). Very, very rarely will I ever pay more than three dollars for a set of cards or stationary. Much of what makes up my collection comes from the thrift store or the clearance aisle.

I have more paper product than I can actually use in my lifetime, but I love paper. I love the feel of the different papers' weights, the designs on the paper, and the colors. I'm still a big advocate of hand written letters (although I admit that I am guilty of sending out more emails than "snail mail"), and I'm trying to send out more letters through the post office. How could you not love receiving a hand written letter?

Fonts, Fonts, Fonts

If you haven’t realized it by now, I have a lot of lame hobbies and I can easily get fixated on certain things. So, lately I’ve been searching for free fonts on the internet and adding fonts to my computer. There are MANY fonts on the internet that are free, and may be used for personal or even commercial purposes (of course, not all of the fonts are free). Anyhow, I’ve found several “typewriter” fonts and I’m so in love with these fonts. When I get into a creative mood (meaning that I’m going to start writing or adding to my “great” novel), I use a “typewriter” font to further boost my creative juices. It’s so cool to type on a laptop, but have the font look as if I’m using an old typewriter.

A New Year's Resolution

I recently saw my family and was reminded of how much time had flown by. In my mind, my younger brothers remain ten years old or younger. Although I cherish my memories of my younger brothers as being under the age of eleven, my daily interactions with my younger brothers forced me to recognize the fact that they are now hormonal teens and a bratty tween. This is not to say that I don’t ever want them to grow up, only that I’ve missed out on watching them growing up.

All of this reverie points out a personal flaw – which I fully recognize and have been trying to correct – which is that I live too much for the future and not enough in the present. I like to plan and have certain ideas of how certain aspects of my life ought to turn out, and once a particular goal is reached I continue to plan for the next future outcome. Of course, in the midst of planning, I often forget about my current surroundings and the people in my life. So when I finally stop planning and just live for the moment, it is only then do I realize how much time has passed me by and lament for not living in the moment. So, this year, as a new year's resolution, I want to live more in the present (good or bad).

Butternut Squash and Sage Soup

On a cold wintery day, in addition to cozying up to a book, I also love a good bowl of soup. Several years ago when I was still residing in Sacramento, a friend planted the idea that I could actually make my own soup at home. At that point in my life, I wasn’t aware that making my own soup was an alternative to soup from a can. Since that moment, I've experimented with different soup recipes (although not as often as I experiement with dessert recipes) and have found several that are to my liking, including a recipe for butternut squash and sage soup (I came across the recipe in Oprah's magazine).

The butternut squash and sage soup has a golden color and is so creamy. I can't believe that the recipe is so simple, yet so delicious. I know this is obvious, but once I've made this soup, or any homemade soup, it's hard to go back to canned soup. Anyhow, the following is the recipe for butternut squash and sage soup. If you don't have an immersion blender, as the recipe suggests, you can puree the soup in a blender or food processor in small batches. If you puree the soup while it is hot, make sure there is some kind of air hole, or else puree the soup when it's cold. I also skip the fried sage leaves, which are to be used as garnishment. The soup is superb, even without the garnishment. Happy soup making!

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
2 butternut squashes, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh sage, plus 8 to 18 leaves for garnish
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Vegetable oil, for frying

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Add squash; cook 5 more minutes. Add chopped sage and broth; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until squash is very tender, about 30 minutes. With an immersion blender, puree soup until smooth (or puree in small batches in a food processor fitted with knife blade). Season to taste with salt and pepper.

In a small pan, heat 1/2 inch vegetable oil until hot. Drop sage leaves in about 3 at a time and fry until just crisp; remove to a paper-towel-lined plate. Serve soup hot, garnished with 2 or 3 sage leaves per bowl.

Serves 4-6.