Cheesy Broccoli Soup

I read an article this morning about some Scandinavian country that has like zero seasonal depression even though they have like zero sunlight in the winter. Because they are choosing to enjoy their winter. And I was all like...well, good for them! Snort.

Seriously? I feel like I wilt inside on overcast, rainy, grey days. I feel energized on sunny days. 

But, I also know that generally it is possible to enjoy rather than to wallow. 

So, I am putting my best foot forward today.

Despite the fact that the sound of dripping rain is the prevalent sound in the window right next to me, I am still striving to enjoy my day as is, not as I wish it was. (sunny and 70, of course) I am enjoying hot apple cider. I am enjoying writing. I am enjoying reading good books. I'm making steady progress in the Iliad. (Quote of the week-referring to Diomedes...but here's a maniac run amok! Isn't that awesome!)

In my quest to enjoy this November day, I'm remembering these lines from Robert Frost...

Not yesterday I learned to know

The love of bare November days

Before the coming of the snow...

Frankly, I haven't learned yesterday, nor today, but I am working on it. Always working on it.

We are doing our annual November "thankful" game each morning this month. It is such a great exercise. And we've brought out a thankful pumpkin again this year. Each kid is totally enjoying periodically writing various things they are thankful for onto the pumpkin. So fun. Meres has even added a few random letters to the pumpkin. Something along the lines of "hilty oh".

I love this photo of Meres. She is always going.going.going.-except when she is sleeping. She sleeps hard. I love how peaceful she looks here. And how she has her bear snuggled up close to her face. She always sleeps with him tucked in her arm. It is a combination death grip/strangle hold. 

I updated my laptop operating system let Saturday. And I've not been happy with my laptop since. The desktop is funky. The fonts are funky. The colors are funky. And Safari is slow and funky.  It all gives me a headache from looking at it. 

I am now eagerly awaiting the bug fix update. 

We have had soup for 3 dinners this week. Which I think it terrific. I love eating soup and bread, with a good side of salad. 

Our three soup dinners were composed of two different soups. I will share one recipe this week, and the other next week. 

So, today's recipe is Cheesy Broccoli Soup.

There is everything delicious, and nothing healthy, about this soup. If you are lactose intolerant, it's likely to kill you. But, what a way to go! It is vegetarian. At least it has that going for it...

Broccoli. Carrots. Cheese. Butter. Oh the butter!  Sautéed onions. A tig of nutmeg. Fan-ta-stic!

Insider tip...the soup was delicious the first day. It was out of this world, the second night. Something about the flavors having time to meld or something. It was creamier. It was something...

Cheesy Broccoli Soup
Prep time: 15 minutes, Cook time: 1 hour, Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
4 Tbsp butter
2 medium onions
2 sticks butter
1 cup flour
8 cups half and half or whole milk
8 cups chicken stock
2 pounds fresh broccoli
4 cups julienned carrot
1/4 tsp nutmeg
6 cups (24 oz) grated sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

-Chop the onion. Sauté onion is a small skillet over medium heat in the 4 Tbsp of butter until soft. Set aside.
-In a large stockpot, melt the 2 sticks of butter. Add the flour and whisk together for 3-4 minutes.
-Slowly whisk in the half and half or milk and the chicken stock (8 cups water, 8 bullion cubes). Let simmer for 20 minutes.
-Chop the broccoli and julienne the carrots. Add with the onions to the stock. Simmer over medium low for 25 minutes or until the carrots and broccoli are tender.
-Add the nutmeg, salt and pepper and cheese. Let the cheese melt and serve. Puree if you desire a smooth soup.

Enjoy your weekend...