suzette roberts

// Pumpkin Beef Soup

A funny thing happens when you make quiet 'arrangements' with the universe in all 'her' powerful, cosmic glory. She has a way of surprizing you when you least expect it, and throwing plans literally upside down--, but always in a good way. Such was the case when I started thinking of making a go for a long overdue pot of body-warming pumpkin beef soup, last month. Given the fact that we grew up on these soups even in the heart of our summer's draining heat and high humidity on the islands, it was almost unforgivable. But, yes there's a but,-- being picky with choosing the perfect right piece of rich orange-coloured cut pumpkin, I figured it would take a while (as in a few weeks), and teasingly whispered to the universe while at the market weeks ago, "I'll make a huge pot of soup when the right piece of pumpkin shows up." Well..., she showed up the very next weekend, so all bets were off for anything other than said soup with loved trimmings within the pot. A seasonal favourite, and the only time you'll get me to eat pumpkin, actually. This Caribbean-style pumpkin beef soup is wholesome, slightly spicy with the warmth of the scotch bonnet pepper and other flavourful adds, and super-filling to very last drop. The best part yet-- also kid-approved! :) More after the jump...

 

// 7 Healthy Things To Do Before Work Begins

It's tricky to say before 8 or 9 a.m. We are a 24/7 world nowadays with schedules revolving around these 24 hours in any one calendar day. The alarm has been known to begin ringing at various hours over the decades-- from as early as 12 a.m., to 12 noon (on a really lazy, why not, we can do it now, sleep-in day), to meet flipped schedules, work demands, quick turnarounds, and taking care of family and home. And when there's a baby on board :), it's a totally different dynamic, and as we soon get to know...

// The New {Staple} On My Weekly Grocery List

A second market carton of blueberries showed up unexpectedly in my refrigerator, eight days ago to be precise. Of course I knew who put them there :), and that most likely it was not intended as breakfast enjoy-as-is fruit. I had planned on taking the carton of small fruit to task within a day or two. But, as we know how plans often go... work got busy, and to be honest, once home, all well-meaning intentions flew out the window and I just wanted to be quiet, relax free n' easy, and listen to my loved serenity music before bedtime. Days went by and I started feeling really guilty with seeing them every time I opened the refrigerator, but couldn't attend to them as important family was now in town for a short time. Finally, last weekend, on doing a quick check and seeing they were still thriving in the enclosed cool (8 days later), I decided to do an encore and dived right in without doing a full ingredients-in-house check. Sooner, rather than later, I was halted in my tracks-- there was no...

// And That's Just Lovely!~

Where we find our healthy energy to go out into the world and do some good while nourishing our inner selves too... ~moments like these. I think I've probably watched this latest video from the ALDC (Abby Lee Dance Company), a gazillion times since last week. Yep! It's that great and amazing (Brady's mom at 0.46 seconds; proud Mom :)), with its excellent choreography, and elevating delivery, especially if you're into dance and jazz, and putting it all together in a unique, challenging, and fun(!) Fosse number. Abby's talented team of dancers took a risk with this group performance (The Frug) and it certainly paid off, in more ways than one. Once again, I can't say enough about their terrific leg work (arms here too), 'enunciating' the varied combination of timely movements, individually and in unison, and their chic modest costumes every 'chicken' would be envious of. And Welcome Paris! You are absolutely lovely! :) More after the jump...

// Back to School: The Tuesday Six, Plus...

The wild water capture I'm framing for my desk... the voluptuous sea with her glorious waves and foam, and ironically, balancing flow. Welcome! and welcome back! Recent reads and finds from around the web... 

 

...  Floating-feels with this botany whimsy; more here....

...  Building Trust with Students in the Classroom.

...  Summer refreshers on rotation: cleansing wipes, toner and this sheet mask.

...  Enjoyed this loved book now on screen this past weekend. "No card." :)

...  Dutch parenting and raising the happiest kids in the world.

...  And when it comes to BLTs, there are no substitutions. I agree!

 

>>> Plus...

...  The dirtiest thing in your purse, and how to clean it.

...  Back to school and keeping things in perspective.

...  Weekend self-care pleasures with proven results from Day 1.

...  Sir Ken Robinson on Creativity in Schools.

...  52 Quick and Easy School Lunch Ideas for Your Kids and yourself.

...  And, finding your personality in a song - very funny; find yours here. :)

 

 

// Buried in It!...

{gift from a friend; relaxing summer nights (indoors) when too warm out; #papaya-mango-canteloupe heaven; amazing throw; thanks Phoebes! xox}

 

... summer, that is-- and all the simple pleasures of it, which ironically, elevates everything about our warmer/ sizzling? days and evenings, with or without a movie or series catch-up. We all seem to be buried in these free-spirited days and months doing all our favourites which is indeed a very good thing. How has summer treated you this year? I hope well, and fine, and glorious, and kind. The days, they go so-so fast, with now just two weeks to go..., but who's counting? :), so it's a must that we make the most of them with at least one refreshing-include each and every week: music, barbequed eats, water playdates, and ice cream cones on our seas/lakes included... 'Love it! Have a lushful longer weekend wherever the days take you... More behind-the-scenes moments we can't get enough of, after the jump... ~xx