Monday, July 14, 2008

Roasted Cream of Tomato Soup

This recipe can be used with either fresh or canned tomatoes. Fresh is best but if you use canned, drain the juice and reserve the liquid for the soup and roast the tomatoes just as you would the fresh. We used to live in Bluefield, WV and we went to Pipestem State Park to a restaurant and had the most delicious roasted tomato soup. This is my version of it.

Ingredients:

Tomatoes, about 2 lbs.
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped
olive oil
salt and pepper
1/3 cup heavy cream or half and half
2 cups chicken or beef stock (canned ok)
1 tsp. fresh thyme (may substitute dried, use 1/2 tsp.)

Cut tomatoes in half and place on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Mix with hands to coat evenly. Roast in a 375 degree oven for about 25 minutes or until browned. Meanwhile, saute onion and garlic in olive oil in dutch oven or soup pot until translucent. Remove tomatoes from oven when done and allow to cool slightly. Remove skins and add tomatoes to pot. Add broth and thyme. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Using immersion blender, puree until smooth. Add cream and season with salt and pepper. Serve and enjoy

Permanent Hair Color

July 14, 2008

When I was younger, I had naturally blonde hair. I never knew what it was like to highlight or dye my hair. Alas, as I have, shall we say, matured, I have to rely on products to keep that “natural” blonde coif. My problem is that highlighting one’s hair is a high maintenance and costly endeavor. It seems that I need my roots done about every two weeks or I get that telltale line of demarcation. On top of that, I am now seeing those rebellious grey hairs poking through. Trying to save myself some money, not to mention time, I thought that I would look at the at home products in the store. I go and there is a veritable smorgasbord of which to choose. I started reading the labels and became increasingly frustrated and confused. There was medium blonde, light ash blonde, permanent, semi-permanent…the list goes on and on. I asked myself what was the difference between semi-permanent and permanent in regards to hair color. I knew that even if you used the “permanent” one, that eventually the color would fade and that I would need to color again. And frankly, what is the point of using a “semi-permanent” which seems like an oxymoron to me. It got me to thinking about how the things of this world are just like that hair color. It promises so much but really delivers so little. No matter what I gain in this world, eventually it will fade away. The world also makes promises it can’t keep. Nothing here is permanent and is at best semi-permanent. But thankfully, there is something that is permanent and does deliver what it says. It is the word of God and my eternal future. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (New International Version) says
3”Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade (emphasis mine) kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” Those are such words of comfort in the sea of decisions and temptations available to all of us.
The next time I am overwhelmed by the choices and decisions I must make, I will remember that only God’s word is forever and I maybe I won’t let the “semi-permanent” have such a high place of honor in my life. Off to call my hairdresser!!

Application:

When you are faced with the problems and choices that seem so crucial, turn to God’s word for guidance. Remember that God’s word is eternal and so is your future with Him.

Permanent Hair Color