Monday, January 13, 2025

Comforting Soup and Gingerbread for a Snowy Day



We've had some frigid and snowy days here in Texas! 

I brought out a gingerbread house that I had frozen and decorated one for myself.  I use Sarah from Hyacinth for the Soul's recipe that she shared with me a few years ago here.  It's a very moist and wonderful recipe if you'd like to check it out.





A friend on Facebook shared a darling wintry scene and I recreated it with things that I had on hand. Using the little Goebel sledders that my dad gave me, and interspersing some greenery, a little cottage, pine cones, some twinkly lights, and timered candles makes me smile.  




Last winter, Mary at Home Is Where The Boat Is, shared how she turned a beanie into a tea cozy.  You can find Mary's easy, new sew directions for it here.  I bought the beanie last year and finally got around to making it.  Since I do sew, I did mine a little differesntly by using a rectangle piece of fabric on top of where I wanted the handle opening, with right sides together , and sewed more or less, a  skinny rectangle, and then cut through the middle and turned the fabric rectangle to the inside of the beanie and then top stitched.   It really makes for a cute tea cozy,  and cozies really do keep the tea warm!



Tea lattes are so enjoyable and especially in this adorable teacup that I received from a dear friend!  I have a battery operated frother which whips up a small amount of milk into triple. Using whole organic milk might be the trick.

I more or less rushed through the decorating part of my gingerbread cottage because I wanted to get down to eating it!




Yield: 4-6
Author: Kitty
Chicken Orzo Soup

Chicken Orzo Soup

Chicken soup on a cold wintry day is so comforting. I cooked my orzo separately because I didn't want it to overcook, and then scooped some into each bowl before adding the chicken and broth.

Ingredients

  • 2-3 carrots, chopped
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 6 cups water
  • a heaping tablespoon of Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base (See Note)
  • salt and pepper, and dried parsley as desired
  • Parmesan cheese for garnish
  • 1 cup orzo pasta, cooked per directions on package

Instructions

  1. Saute the chopped carrots and onion. I left the celery whole so that I could remove it at the end. If you like celery pieces in your soup, chop the stalks.
  2. Add the chicken breasts and the water and put all into a slow cooker. I use my heavy dutch oven to saute and add the rest, and then put in a low oven and slow cook for several hours. Take out the chicken, let cool until you can handle it, and chop, and return to the broth.
  3. Cook the orzo according to the package. If you'd rather, you can cook it in the broth, but it does tend to overcook as it sits in the warm broth.
  4. If cooking the orzo separately, add a scoop to the bottom of the bowl, and fill the rest with the chicken soup. I like some Parmesan cheese on top, and some people like lemon juice added to their chicken orzo soup.

Notes

If you have a leftover rotisserie chicken, you can make broth with the skin and bones, and use that for your broth, saving some of the extra meat for the soup. You would then not need the Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base.





It was pouring down SNOW!  Lots of snowmen were made in my neighborhood.  


Thank you for your visit!  xo



I'm sharing with these parties:

19 comments:

  1. Oh my word - it is snowing there too? Right now we have the most gorgeous snowy winter wonderland, too. Love it. Thank you for your fun (and yummy) post, Kitty. Hope you have a truly blessed week. Big hugs. ♥

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  2. The soup looks wonderful, and your table looks so cozy. I was wondering if your son would make a snowman since he is so artistic. The area that I cross country ski in is having a snow sculpture contest. Mike would win!

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  3. Your soup sounds delicious! I love that little winter scene you put together.

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  4. What a perfect winter moment you've created, Kitty! The cozy is adorable. The soup and gingerbread make a perfect pairing for your snow day. I think if our snow had been more fleeting, I would enjoy it more. However, the ice & snow still on roads, walkways and roof a week later cause me much dislike of this winter weather. Hopefully by this weekend we'll see more average weather here!

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  5. I've never made homemade chicken soup before but your recipe looks good and easy. I love that winter scene. I hope you stay warm and have a nice week.

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  6. Kitty what a beautiful winter cozy table scape. We have gotten white pretty snow this weekend. Enough to cover all the dead but not too much. The only complaint is how bitterly cold it is. Happy to see the sun today. Helps on these cold days. Have a great new week. Hugs. Kris

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  7. Wow! Everything is beautiful (except the snow!) Soup sounds comforting too and the beanie cozy is adorable! Stay toasty and warm. I heard this morning that Florida is the only state that hasn't had snow...I sure hope that doesn't change. Thanks much for sharing all your pretties.

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  8. Loving all the pictures Kitty and that soup looks amazing. It's for sure soup weather, even here in Florida. LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  9. I have a good friend in Georgia who sent me photos of the snow there - outside of Atlanta. Crazy! We have no snow on the ground and it is frigid! The beanie tea cozy is such a cute idea! Love your cake and soup too. Winter comforts!

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  10. What a clever idea to convert the beanie into a tea cosy! If it's good enough to keep my head warm, it's good enough for my teapot!

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  11. Nothing like soup in cold snowy weather. Sounds delicious.Your photos are lovely

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  12. Chicken soup and gingerbread are good for the soul and the tummy on a cold winter's day Kitty! I never make gingerbread as my hubby is not a fan, but I love it... and I'm making myself ration my tin of Ginger Cake Tea you sent me. ♥ I adore your chickadee teacup and your tea cozy is so cute with the flounce hugging the bottom of your pot. I love Margie's comment: 'If it's good enough to keep my head warm, it's good enough for my teapot!' :) I just pulled my cozy out last week (along with my frother!) when the weather dipped into the 'teens. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some snow sometime this month (no ice again please Mother Nature) Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, stay warm! ♥

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  13. Your soup looks wonderful and perfect for our cold, snowy days now. So much comfort found in soup!

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  14. Mouthwatering post! Keep warm sweet lady!

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  15. Kitty, I love the cozy winter setting you created! The soup looks delicious and perfect for a cold and snowy day. I am also a fan of gingerbread and I make cookies with my grands during Christmas. We are getting a blast of attic air the beginning of next week. Stay warm!

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  16. This is so pretty Kitty! I love your little sledders and your winter scene! The beanie tea cozy is so cute, and the tea latte sounds wonderful. The soup, tea and gingerbread house will warm you up on any snowy day! We even got 5 inches of snow here last Friday! Stay cozy!
    Jenna

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  17. Oh Kitty I love the winter vignette you made. And then add your darling tea cozy! It is all so perfect. I love a chai tea latte and enjoy them quite often in the afternoon. What a cute teacup you were gifted. So sweet!
    Stay warm my friend. Make more soup and lattes!

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  18. A beautiful cozy scene Kitty. Love the beanie tea cozy, a fun project. I love a good chicken soup on those cold winter nights.

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  19. Aw, your little scene is just beautiful! We have had snow here, too, and it is just so wonderful to look at! I don't like driving in it, though, and am so grateful that I don't have to. God is so good. May He bless you, dear friend.

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