The Prudent Wife

• 2 onions
• 3 cloves of garlic (all I had after making stock) would do 6-8 next time
• Couple of handfuls of carrots, celery cut
• 1 large can diced tomatoes
• Canned jalapenos, about 10 BIG FAT whopping ones - chopped (hand burning) would prob use fresh - but did not have any
• Broccoli - couple of handfuls, chopped
• Cilantro - half a bunch - chopped
• I vaguely remember throwing cumin in - about a tablespoon

Might be other stuff in there - I was busy showing the house - remember! LOL!

What does the Civil War and Eureka Springs have to do with a miscarriage?

So here is my story. When we began to lose Hope, after the 21 day wait, I finally felt free to leave the house. I was sort of on a self imposed house/bed rest prior to that. I was stir crazy and needed to get out, Emily too. We went to Jonesborough and went to the library - and I found the most delightful cookbook. Checked it out, came home, and read it almost cover to cover.

While my heart was breaking, it somehow thrilled me - it was from the place we honeymooned, bursting with tales of the beautiful Ozark Mountains, of places we loved and visited, full of recipes I knew would be wonderful - just a delightful cookbook that brought me back to the happy days of our honeymoon. Out of print, I was able to order it used on Amazon! Somehow, the recipes inside of it's pages have blessed me, comforted me, and just been awesome! It never fails to be a book of possibility - at every touch or glance!

Through it, I perfected my bone building broth - which nourished the body and the soul back to health. That broth reminds me of the countless Civil War books we have read - the nurses greatest tool for nourishing the patient back to health was broth, simple, pure broth. It was such a mystery back then, but now I realize how broth is a simple miracle! Life is in the protein from long simmered stock, life and love and healing, such a simple, forgotten treasure! So different than the pressed and formed bouillon cube of today.

So, this morning, I whipped out my huge stock pot, chopped some veggies, sprinkled some herbs, got fresh water, and some bones, and started simmering a nourishing pot of broth. Yes - it is hot - and I know you hate hot -but I shall make it into a vegetable soup of some type - probably a jalapeno salsa veggie soup and will bring it this arternoon. Probably make some cornbread (I know - your personal favorite - ha!) but I have buttermilk that will make a yummy one up and your kids seem to like mine alright!! It is from the cookbook too, and it just gave me hope!

Made bone building broth w/tons of spices. Once stock done, reduced for about 30 minutes.

Here is where it goes Lisa. It ain nevuh goin taste the same again. I was using stuff I had on hand - as I hadn't been to the store since last week!