Homemade Soup

Today I made some beef soup. It has been raining all night and all today, and it is rather chilly, so I thought a pot of beef soup sounded perfect to warm tummys up. Making soup is theraputic. First, I get out a lovely piece of beef and let it thaw. While the beef is thawing, (in the microwave of course) I take out some crisp celery, lovely orange carrots, and an onion. In my cutlery drawer, I have a special knife that I use just to make soups and stews. It is very sharp, balanced just right, and fits into my hand as thought I was born with it. I cut the celery into small pieces, enjoying the snap each time I run the knife across. Tiny small pieces, so that the maximum flavor will come out. Putting the celery into a bowl, I take the carrots, peel them and cut them into bright coins, not too thick, but just right. Into the bowl with them. Now for the onion. I love onions. When I was little, my grandmother used to eat them like apples. I was horrified. But, as I have grown older, I too, love them. I don't eat them like apples, but once in awhile I am tempted when the perfect onion comes my way. I peel the onion, then slice and chop it into very small pieces too. Into the bowl with the onion pieces. The beef is usually thawed by now, and I take my perfect butcher knife and began to methodically cut perfect squares of beef. This takes awhile, but it is worth the effort, because I like things to be sized equally. The dogs sit next to the counter, desperately hoping that I will drop a piece of meat on the floor. I usually give in and feed each one of the dogs a square of beef. They look so pitiful, waiting for a treat. Now, for the good part. I heat up a cast iron deep fryer, it is about 6 inches deep and should be used for frying chicken, but it is perfect for soup. The cast iron pan is heated up really hot, and then I put a small amount of oil into it. The oil makes waves as it joins with the heat, so that is how I know it is hot enough. Into the heated oil, I place some cloves of fresh chopped garlic. The aroma is fabulous! Now, I add the chopped vegetables. Stirring until all of them are coated with the aromatic oil, I add the beef cubes. The sizzle of the beef sears it, to keep the juices in the meat. I take a wooden spoon and stir everything until the beef is browned on all sides. I know this sounds like a lot of trouble, but I have come to learn that the effort is worthwhile. After the beef is browned, I put some diced tomatoes and add water until everything is covered, bring it to a boil and put on a tight lid. Now, I turn the flame down to simmer, and for the next few hours, my house smells like heaven. The same question is asked several times: "Whatcha cookin?" After 40 years, you would think that at least Martin would know the scent of homemade soup. Later, when the beef is very tender, I add some cubed potatoes, some beef boullion, and some mixed vegetables. I simmer this and about 15 minutes before serving, I add some shell macaroni. "Is the soup done yet?" is another frequent question, and I answer that it will soon be done. The most important part of making homemade soup is: cornbread. Martin's feeling would be absolutely hurt if I didn't make cornbread with his soup. Or, with beans, stew, gumbo, other kinds of soup, or just because it sounds good to him. Indeed, in this house, a cracker has no chance to float, as cornbread is king of the dunking items. The best part of homemade soup is that usually I have the family come over to share it. The worst part is, that I cannot eat it as it has meat in it. I call the family to the table, cut the cornbread into squares and put it on the table, and then serve the soup in bowl brimming over. Everyone has a different style. Some crumble the cornbread into their soup, others dip, and still others butter the cornbread, add some homemade jelly and eat it separately. Tonight, we sat together, talked about the day, joked around and had dinner. How I love these times.

Why was it important that I made soup today? Remember that I said it was theraputic for me to make soup. It calms me down, and gives me purpose, also, helping me to forget for awhile, the difficulties we are facing. Tomorrow, Martin and I will go to a hearing to see if we can finally get workmans compensation for his illness. It has been almost a year that we have been trying to get this help, and now, with a wonderful attorney, we may be successful. It will mean that Martin can stay home and rest and recover somewhat. What a blessing that would be for him and especially for me, so that I can see that my honey has a chance to recover some of his health. How disapointed I will be if it doesn't work out, as workmans comp will pay for the medications Martin needs and we are really struggling to cover them ourselves. But no matter, Heavenly Father will provide for us, one way or another. On Friday, Martin will have the proceedure to open his blocked artery. This is really on my mind, because it has to work. It has been 6 weeks since the doctor told us that Martin had to wait for this proceedure, because the first attempt failed and his artery was too weak to try for awhile. For 6 weeks, I have watched Martin get small attacks of coronary pain that scared me so much, and I have wondered if the big one will get him before he can get fixed. I truly believe that he will make it now, but in the back of my mind, after the other trials in my life, I know that surprises can happen. At least through writing this blog, I can express myself and look at my emotions. Anyway, I made soup today, not only because the weather was soup weather, but because I have much on my mind, and making soup is good for me!