Today’s post is a double entendre because I like things with multiple meanings; plus my former English professors would be so proud. Let’s get to it, shall we.
Shit happens. It does; all the time. You can even buy a bumper sticker which announces it, although I’m not advocating this, nor am I talking about getting your daily fiber quota either. I’m referring to bad things, crappy things, and overall shitty things happening because news flash, they do, and there’s usually not a whole you can do to prevent it.
This does not mean you’re helpless though. Inevitably, a weird and sometimes downright crappy thing is going to catch you by surprise, and it is worse when you are surprised. Nothing like being caught with your pants down, so to speak. I promise you, my pants were on and fully intact.
What you can do in these situations though is control how it impacts you. It can ruin your mood, your day, your week, or gasp, your entire weekend. Or you can choose to squash that shit, and move on. Today, I choose to squash what’s been eating at me for four days now. I’ve let it linger long enough, and I’m done with the negative emotions and ready to be me again. I will no longer allow a shitty situation to bring me down.
I have been through some really scary, life changing shit before, and this situation doesn’t even come close to that. It’s not even a blip on my radar screen. So, I’m going to focus on what really matters (health, family, food….always the food) and squash it because I define me, and I define my mood. Not some crappy situation. You wanna know why? Because I am far stronger than people give me credit for, although I’m sure my former English prof might suggest a little hubris be in order.
In honor of figuratively squashing it, I decided to go literal and make some Squash Soup. Butternut and Apple to be exact.
It didn’t hurt I had a huge helping of squash puree leftover from my attempt at homemade ravioli. I was also trying to remember where I had seen a recipe before that had piqued my interest, and lo and behold, Laura actually mentioned her Butternut Squash and Apple soup in her most recent post. When I went to the recipe, of course it was the one I had been pining for so long ago. See sometimes, things are just meant to be.
This soup is one of them.
Seriously, it’s delicious. The first taste is sweet and subtle, but the aftermath is a fiery little kick at the end, which had me going back for more…and more….and more, and the Hubby practically licked his bowl clean, which is unheard of for him (not me; I have no shame). And since this recipe makes a ginormous pot of soup, we have enough left over to freeze a batch for another day. Always a winner in my book. Plus, my freezer is starting to get stacked with all the delicious frozen creations inside. I can’t wait to start devouring them.
If you’re a fan of squash, sweet and sexy (or just downright hot), you need to make this soup.
When you get around to making this delectable bowl of delight (I did say when, not if), do not be alarmed if you don’t have any red pepper infused olive oil because you can easily make your own. Add some red pepper flakes to a little bit of olive oil and let it marinate for a couple of hours. Feel free to throw in some garlic because well, I still have a crapton and everything is better with garlic.
My advice to you today at the start of a holiday week is to Squash It. Literally and figuratively. Embrace your happy and let the rest go because in the grand scheme of things, it ain’t worth your time, and in the words of Diddy, Grandmaster Flash, and probably somebody before him, ♫”Can’t nobody take my pride. Can’t nobody hold me down. Oh noooo, I got to keep on movin.”♬ Sing it with me and squash it.
How do you work through things gnawing at you? Are you doing anything exciting for Turkey Day? What are you planning on making for the holiday?
Eating 4 Balance says
Love this post. You have such a good perspective on everything. You are so right: When looking back, I’ve gone through so many tough things and the little bumps in the road right now look like nothing in comparison! (Pinspiration quotes are so profound, aren’t they?)
I’m really glad you posted this today. I seriously have been telling everyone that I want to make a soup recipe soon. I think this is “that” recipe. I most likely will only follow part of the recipe, because I’m lame like that, but I will definitely keep its essence with butternut squash and apples. Sounds utterly delicious.
Meghan says
Yep, Pinterest quotes rock. They help put things in perspective and really let you focus on what really matters and how you handle things. I know you’ve had a tough road with your dietary restrictions, but you really seem to manage it well and always with a postive, upbeat attitude. You are an inspiration too.
Good luck with the soup; it was divine!
kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
Excellent timing for an excellent post. The gathering I’d thought we may have for Thanksgiving will not be happening, and I’m embracing the suck (though it’s really not sucky at all) and we’re going in a different direction. But we will be together and eat well, and that’s what’s important.
Polish pottery in the first photo???
Meghan says
Being together and eating well is definitely what’s important, and if you ever need anybody to help you eat all your delicious food, well then I’m here for you.
And that is Polish pottery in the photo. You have a great eye. I picked up a few pieces at the Garlic Festival earlier this year, and I love it. Functional and beautiful.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I am SO glad you liked the soup! I make it all winter long. You pics are much better than the ones I have posted… it was one of my first blog posts! Time for a re-mix. 😉
Meghan says
I didn’t realize it was one of your first blogs! Wow, that’s pretty cool. Yep, the soup is damn good; I loved it.
Liz says
How do I deal? I drink my worries away 🙂 Sorry, but true!
And people don’t give you credit for being strong? I don’t believe it! Have they met you?!? I have. Strong would be in my top five words to describe you.
[In case you are wondering, the other 4 would be: honest, organized, energized, and over-vocabularized (fictional word).]
Meghan says
I love you. How’s that for under vocabularized? You could have said crapton too.
Kristina says
I love double entendre. I love squash. I love smart girls with their head on a swivel (that’s good in my book, and I’ll take any chance I get to quote Ron Burgundy). I love soup. I love positivity and good attitudes. I love common sense, and knowing that it’s not about the things that happen to you but how you choose to deal with them. <3
Meghan says
It is about how you to choose to deal with things because at the end of the day, that’s all you can control. Hence the reason I love positivity and good attitudes as well.