May Flowers 🌷
May musings, Sick Soup, and kitchen must-haves
Monthly Musings
Whoever said April showers brings May flowers was really on to something in the grand scheme of things. I’ve never thought much about this particular phrase, but I’ve noticed the sentiment feels like it’s everywhere. It pops up in poetry, lyrics, speeches, wall decor written in Papyrus. All the way back in 1650 Thomas Fuller coined the phrase “it’s always darkest before the dawn”. John Milton is attributed with introducing the idea of clouds with silver linings. And I’ve probably heard Brad Paisley croon “thinking that your luck won't ever change is like thinking it won't ever stop once it starts to rain” about a thousand times as the Cars soundtrack is on repeat at my house. It seems that however it’s phrased, as humans, we crave this reminder that there is always good that follows the bad. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I think for a lot of my life I’ve actually really hated these phrases. There’s something about them that has felt so dismissive to me. I’m not saying that I don’t see the value of using these sentiments to offer a new perspective. I totally get that every once in a while we need a mindset shift to shake ourselves out of a funk. But I also sometimes just want to sit and kick the door that closed before I’m ready to turn around and see the new one open, ya know? And while I’ll never be a supporter of “good vibes only”, I have recently found a new appreciation for the sentiment behind these phrases.
I started my 30s this year and with that came plenty of reflection. I reflected on all the ways my life has changed since I turned 20 - I graduated college, I got married, moved 8+ times, got my first “big girl” job, and I had both of my children. Part of that reflection was being able to appreciate all the peaks and valleys I’ve visited over the past 10 years. And part of that reflection made me realize that some of my valleys now don’t feel quite as bleak. When I feel myself surrounded by darkness, I find I have a little bit more faith that things will work out. I can tell myself with some confidence that things probably won’t last forever even though it may feel like it. Overall, I have more trust in myself that I will get through whatever life is throwing at me and come out on the other side. And while I can’t always appreciate it in the moment, life has taught me resilience (whether I was ready for it or not). Life has taught me to keep going and to look for the good.
I’m not sure if there’s a grand takeaway I’m trying to get at, so I’ll leave you with this: if you’re in a season of sitting in the rain, we’ll sit out there with you weathering the storm, waiting for the rainbow. And if you’re making lemonade, offer grace and empathy to those with lemons. Happy May, soup friends - xx Emmy
Share the Good - Soup of the Month
This month’s soup comes from my very dear friend, Alex. I have loved this soup for years and can’t wait for you all to love it too!
Sick Soup
Please allow me to introduce you to Sick Soup™️. (Disclaimer: you don’t need to be sick to enjoy.) Whether you’re under the weather or celebrating success, this soup is for you. I was raised with Sick Soup, sprinting down the stairs to the kitchen when my mother reported it was ready.
As we grow up, we often part ways with simple comforts of our youth, but not Sick Soup. Despite *my* inability to cook, this remains in my rotation. And as meaningful as this soup has been in my life, so is sharing it with a dear friend and seeing it become part of her family’s rotation. Knowing others enjoy this soup as much as I do warms my soul like a big bowl calling my name. That’s love. And that’s soup. - Alex
Ingredients
3 oz Fideo or angel hair noodles
2 tbs butter
1 c hot water
2 c broth of choice
1/4 -1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 -1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp celery salt
1/4 c cheese, shredded (we like Monterey Jack or sharp cheddar)
Method
Melt your butter on med-low heat in a small saucepan. Crush/break up your noodles then add them in with the melted butter. Toast them, stirring continuously, until they start to turn golden brown.
Add in your hot water and cook until absorbed by the noodles. Add in your celery salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir to combine and then add your broth and return to a boil. Finish cooking the noodles, anywhere from 3-5 minutes.
While your noodles are cooking, add the shredded cheese to the bottom of your bowl. Once your noodles are done, pour the contents of your pot over the cheese. Let it sit for a minute of two and then stir gently. Enjoy!
Hot Stuff
This month I’m sharing my top 5 kitchen tools and gadgets and why I think they’re so great. As always, you don’t need anything on this list to be happy or be a superstar in the kitchen. You do you!
Top 5 - In the Kitchen
2-in-1 Oil Dispenser - this is a new add to my kitchen and I love it! I always have a bottle of EVOO on my counter, but I’m way too lazy to grab spray olive oil from my pantry when I need it. This little gadget allows me to switch between pouring and spritzing without having to take the 10 extra steps across my kitchen (my daily step goal will never recover).
Air Fryer - this feels so boring and mainstream but I really do cherish my air fryer. I actually held out on purchasing an air fryer for years, but we end up using it for something almost everyday. We fry up hash browns in the morning, and it’s so quick for roasting tofu or veggies! The air fryer has rightfully earned a permanent spot on our counter.
Handheld Lemon Juicer - maybe this is also too boring and mainstream, but I use my handheld lemon juicer all the time. Adding citrus is such an easy and cheap way to add flavor and brightness to a dish. I almost always have half a lemon somewhere on my counter (my husband loves this) and my juicer within arms reach.
Silicone Mini Muffin Tray - do you know what stops me from making muffins? Having to clean muffin tins. I absolutely hate it. And no, I don’t want to deal with muffin tin liners tyvm. My kids LOVE mini muffins and this silicone tray has been a game changer. I get an abundance of muffins that are perfect for tiny hands, and there’s no muffins falling apart trying to pry them out with a butter knife. Clean up is also a breeze. 12/10 stars from me on this one.
Reusable Paper Towels - I saw a really good Earth Day deal last year and finally decided to try out re-useable paper towels. I gotta say, I really love having a near endless supply of tiny towels I can use for spills, crumbs, little faces, etc. We still use regular paper towels, but these have been a great eco-friendly addition to my kitchen!
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🫶 Feel like doing some good? Consider donating to World Central Kitchen today. WCK was founded in 2010 by legendary Chef José Andrés. It is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises.
