Rain and Artichokes...

Dear Country Mouse,

I absolutely LOVE the ornament! You should sell those, they would be appreciated by so many people and add a little fun and color to a Christmas tree. Seriously.

I am on a week off from the truck, which you would think would put me in the best mood possible, but instead I am finding myself trying to tie in loose ends, one of which is to apply for passports. Aghh, I am such a procrastinator when it comes to those kind of details. It always feels like a run around when dealing with the DMV or other agencies that process paperwork that has to be so incredibly precise.

As I mentioned last letter, it has been raining everyday. I like it, it adds such a calm to the world. I took the dogs out this morning because there was one of those really bright, high-cloud downpours. I thought we could walk and play in it, but of course it stopped the second I got outside. I did however come across this beast of an artichoke plant. I wish I had caught it in bloom earlier this year—I bet it was magnificent. It's quite a bit bigger then the pictures portray:

Anyway, love you and miss you!

XXOO
City Mouse

Feliz Navidad

Dear City Mouse,

    Your recipes are so wonderful and your food truck looks so cool!

I wish I was there with you now.

   I made this Dia De Los Muertos Christmas ornament for my favorite customers from the pub. They have a pink tree with an all Day of the Dead theme, so I know they will love it.

   I made the skeleton sculpture from Sculpey clay over wire with a skull bead for the head. I was thrilled when I found the tiny wood coffin at Michaels and painted it with acrylic paint.

   I will photograph some other ornaments and send you photos soon.

I hope you have the Merriest Christmas.

I love and miss you all.

Love, Country Mouse

Making Stockings from Sweaters

Dear Country Mouse,

Missing you and wishing we could play together soon.

I am writing you a quick post because I thought this project I've been working on might be right up your ally. I've been making stockings from sweaters. Pictures to explain themselves:

Sending so much love!!!


City Mouse

Vegan Sweet Potato and Lime Soup Recipe

Dear Country Mouse,

Oh my gosh it is so dark and rainy up here. I do love it, but seriously it is rain, rain, rain right now. I'm trying to send some of this dripping, wet, goodness southward, but I have yet to succeed.

Your succulents are so wonderful! How fun to find the old pieces of ceramic-ware to turn into pots. Come spring, I think I will do that with a couple of my cracked tea pots I've been holding on to.

I made a nice sweet potato and lime soup today. Just note, I kept it vegan for the sake of some of my regular customers that I was expecting, though it would be lovely with chicken stock instead. You'd think my food truck was vegan as lately all the recipes I send you tend to be vegan. But truth is, as you know, we are far from it. 

Vegan Cream of Sweet Potato Soup

Bake at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes or until soft:

2 lbs sweet potatoes

In a decent size pot sauté for several minutes:

1 teaspoon safflower oil

1 large sweet yellow onion chopped

Add and continue to sauté for several more minutes:

2 cloves garlic chopped

Add and simmer for 20 minutes:

4 cups vegetable stock

Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel and blend with:

1 14-ounce can coconut milk

Continue to blend adding the soup stock and add:

2 limes zest and juice

3 tablespoons molasses

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon salt or more to taste

1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon black pepper 

Return to the pot and bring to a desired temperature.

Also, I liked it with tabasco and  fresh parsley or cilantro on top. 

Anyway, I love you to pieces! Thanks for the cool idea on plant pots, I will be on that soon.

Hugs and hugs again,

City Mouse