Some days are trying and sometimes it seems like the whole month is a bit of a downer. It’s nice to have a reminder in the fog of it all that there is goodness and happiness everywhere. It can be as simple and wonderful as a hot bath (what the heck did I do those 4 years when my apartment only had a shower?), or a really great song that you can play on repeat until your significant other starts sending out the death rays with his eyeballs. It can also be a plate of really, really good cookies. The cookies above are delicious and easy to make. Plus, if you can believe it, they are actually GOOD FOR YOU. Whole wheat flour, oats, chocolate…hmm, well you get the picture. I wrote about these cookies over at Poppytalk and I include the recipe. I encourage you go over there, drool over the photos and then get your butt into your kitchen and whip up a batch. And maybe you want to send some to a friend who is struggling because there must be something official about cookie encouragement, right? I think so too.
Now that we’ve got the sweet stuff out of the way, I have to fill you in on my secret vegetable love. It’s the rutabaga. I’ve been eating that round, ugly, purplish veg since I was a tot and I haven’t gotten sick of it yet. I wrote a post about rutabaga over at ReadyMade and I include the above rutabaga soup recipe. Root soup, big deal? Well, wipe that thought out of your pretty head because it is a big deal. It’s delicious and warm and inviting and it’s like a cozy yellow sweater for all your cold bits. It’s also vegan (uh, minus the parmesan cheese of course) and gluten-free too.
If you are a new reader to my site, you may not realize that besides talking a lot about food, I also make greeting cards and paper goods (like Dutch birthday calendars). I have an etsy shop called The Beautiful Project and I sell my sweet & sassy cards online (& at a few Vancouver & area shops) or if you are in town, please visit me at one of these great fairs:
- On December 3rd & 4th I’ll be at Toque, a fundraiser for the Western Front. The Friday night is always a fun time with seasonal libations flowing.
- Line up early because on December 5th, it’s Got Craft?, a super popular & full-o-fun craft fair with swag bags for the early risers. I have my own table, so look for me! Also if you see Got Craft? posters & postcards around town, I designed those!
- December 9th to 12th, I will be a part of the One of a Kind Show & Sale with my craft collective Hob Snob buddies. Last year we won best booth, so now we’re trying to figure out how we can top that – while still creating the cutest products around.
Now, enough of my craft prattling…because rumour (and I mean Twitter) has it that it is snowing outside. Seems crazy since this is Vancouver and our winters don’t often include snow…especially November snow, but it is kind of a nice thought in theory. So break out your hot chocolates and bundle up.
Can you believe that I’ve never had a rutabaga?? But I’ve heard such good things about them and totally want to try em out! Need to make one of your recipes when I do!
Both cookies and soup look delish! I’m going right now to look at the recipes 😉 I’m going to try and make it this year to a couple of craft shows! I would love to go to “Got Craft” this year! If I do, I’ll say hello! xo e
It’s hard around the Northwest to keep upbeat once the gray weather settles in and buries us until June (maybe even July) so I understand. A good plate of cookies, however, can do wonders. Thanks for sharing!
You got me at maple syrup in the rutabaga soup! I’ve roasted some root vegetables, including rutabaga, with a maple syrup glaze before and oh was that tasty. Not to mention the aroma it gave to the house. Sweet card, too — dig the owl’s glasses.
Cheers,
*Heather*
Everybody’s mixing it up with turnips and parsnips and now rutabaga. I guess I have to get over my fear of root vegetables. They just look so… alien. The soup looks delicious though! And your stationary is lovely. I like the birthday lion with the frizzled mane! 🙂
Rutabaga, rutabaga….I wonder, is that the same as Kohlrabi?
I love your cards and one of these days I will actually get round to ordering some!
I’m a new reader from Montreal and adore your blog. You make lovely cards and those cookies sound fantastic, will try!
Joanne, I’m shocked! I’m sure you’ll love it.
Thanks Eva & I hope you come to Got Craft, I’d love to meet you!!
I agree completely, redmenace.
Heather, it’s a nice touch the maple syrup. Thanks 🙂
Lauren, get over it! Once their chopped up and pureed, it’s a whole different beautiful beast. And thanks for the comments about my cards!
Thanks Natasha for reading along 🙂
Yeah! Another great cookie recipe to add to my roster! That soup just oozes sensuality…I think it’s the grated cheese on top that beckons my name 🙂 As a kid I had an obsession with owls and that still applies today. Love that card! And have a great time at the upcoming handmade craft events. Wish I could drop by.
Here in the Caribbean a root veggies soup is always popular. Of course the type of vegetable differs as we don’t have rutabaga but I’m guessing the heartiness and comfort levels for such soups is the same:-)
Wow! I’m impressed with how enterprising you are. You’ve got all kinds of cool things going on.
My mom used to make rutabaga once in awhile. I always thought it tasted like squash – but without all the bells and whistles. *wink* But I like your soup recipe so it may just be worth another go around.
I made choc chip cookies over the weekend, but mine weren’t as good for you as yours are…they still taste delicious though!
Snow here, too. Hot chocolate on the way. Your soup looks like just the thing to curl up with when it’s all chilly outside.
Aw shucks, thanks Bijoux! And I wish you could come out to a craft fair too 🙂
I’m sure it must be, wizzy. Nothing wrong with root soup.
Thanks Denise! I’ve never thought of the squash comparison at all (and I like rutabaga better than squash! Must be the texture).
Susan, well give these a try 🙂 Can never have too much cookie recipes.
Lynn, the snow is gone (at least in my ‘hood – I’m at sea level) but the cold snap sure is snappy!! Warm up with some soup by all means 🙂
I’m new to Everybody Likes Sandwiches, but I love what you’ve got here. I’m also really into food but I do paper crafting as well, and I adore the handmade holiday card you’ve got on here. And as for the Chocolate Cranberry Cookies – well they look and sound delicious and I can’t wait to try them soon. Thanks for sharing!
AHa! Rutabaga fans unite. THis much maligned (or overlooked) veggie is also a favorite of mine. I love it smashed with potatoes, or layered in a gratin. I’ve never made soup with it, though… I guess I’ll need to try that out!
This post was absolutely hilarious and I’ve had one of those dreary months you mentioned, so thanks for perking me up. 🙂 I must make those cookies! And can you believe I’ve never had a rutabaga before? Now I’ve got to try that as well.
Thanks so much Laura for stopping by and liking what you see 🙂 Yay!
Hail hail the rutabaga, lo!
bambino, what the heck is going on with the month? Glad we’re not alone. Phew!