I spent all of today on my feet – walking, cleaning, running, cleaning, eating (ok, that was done at the table!) and doing 5 loads of laundry. I cleaned over and under everything!
The house now rests with a quiet sparkle. I really like having company now that we have a guest quarters so that Matt and I and guests have a dedicated bathroom, section of the house and privacy. It’s also fun to see how guests use our house. The highlight for me was a sandwich made of Andrew, my dad, Kanz and me on our 2-person loveseat during a long movie. I was surprised it worked!
Larbs, Matt, Kanz and I went for an urban hike around downtown this morning. I gave them the real estate tour and we breathed in the sweet air of Cville. They made sandwiches and departed, and Matt and I went for a 2.5 mile run and got started on housework. The floors are all clean and the last of the laundry just finished. Woot.
***
Oh my gosh – just realized I deleted all of my lunch photos!!!!!!! Obviously I don’t normally skip my mid-day post but today I decided to roll it all into one. I cleared my memory card before dinner and had this faint feeling I had important photos on it while I was doing so – and lo and behold I did!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a great lunch, but not worth a photo recovery. I had a deconstructed turkey sandwich in a bowl: salad greens, turkey shavings, carrot, tomato, celery, Dakota bread cubes and a big blob of cranberry sauce on top. ‘Twas good!
***
And for dinner – we made a leftovers soup!
Into a pot until all was hot:
- ~3 cups white bean mashed potatoes
- ~1 cup leftover turkey meat
- ~3 cups fresh collard greens I had on hand
- ~3 cups veggie broth
- ~1.5 cups Dakota dressing ( <—the best part!)
Served with smoked paprika and a hunk of Dakota –>
Now that this holiday is over, what’s the next big thing?
I actually have a pretty calm December. No traveling, no big events, no guests – just normal life. And a whole lotta bakery shenanigans. December is predicted to be our busiest month of the year, hopefully with a crescendo a lot like we experienced at Thanksgiving in the few days before Christmas.
And on December 26? We’re going somewhere warm……any guesses?!
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
PLEASE tell me bahamas!!! Or Bermuda 😉
Julie @ Wearing Mascara says
That soup looks lovely. I love how you just threw everything into the pot 🙂 I need to be more adventurous with leftovers. Hmmm somewhere warm… not sure but I’m jealous either way. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
kathleen @ the daily crumb says
can’t wait to hear where you’re going!! we are headed to florida for the holidays and i cannot wait from some warm weather (especially coming from chicago).
the soup looks delicious! have a great night, kath.
Alyssa says
Kath, I just had to mention that I went to my first Great Harvest in Delafield, Wisconsin while in town for Thanksgiving! I think they just opened in September. I had a very delicious and doughy maple oat scone and took home a loaf of honey whole wheat. I’m so glad your blog inspired me to check it out!
KathEats says
And I’m so glad you went and it was good!!! 🙂
Erika - The Teenage Taste says
Ooooh, it’s a shame you deleted the pictures of your lunch – it sounded really good! Dinner made up for it though! Yum! 😀
Sana says
🙂 It’s nice to have a low key life once in a while!
donna says
After reading all about it on your blog, I finally bought some smoked paprika and have been trying it on different things. But I was surprised that it doesn’t have any more flavor than it does. In fact, it was tasteless! Maybe it was the brand I bought! What is it supposed to taste like?
KathEats says
Oh dear – ours is most definitely not tasteless!!! Regular paprika is though, so maybe yours was mislabeled?
Sara @ Real Fun Food says
Definitely adds a big smoke flavor to foods! I like to use it in soups to add a kind of meaty flavor.
Lisa (bakebikeblog) says
yay for holidays in the sunshine!!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
Oh my goodness, that soup looks amazing!!! Thanksgiving in a bowl! And I am going to guess that you are going to St. Thomas.
Elisabeth says
Can’t wait to hear where you’re going! I’m envious 🙂
Simply Life says
can’t wait to hear where you’re going! I love vacations (we just got back from Paris and London this weekend) but also love a chunk of time with no travel plans!
Cait's Plate says
Mmm that soup looks incredibly delicious – but the hunk a hunk a doughy bread still wins out in my heart 😉
Glad that you have a calm December coming up – and I’m going to go with Jamaica for 12/26!
Olena (The Fit Gourmet) says
Hi Kath,
Please say “hi” and “thank you” to Aneesha for her fab Butter Chicken, which I cooked tonight, albeit without butter 🙂 It turned out delicious and I’ll likely make it again. So easy-peasy too!
KathEats says
Oh wonderful! I will!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I loved going to my in-laws’ for the holiday, but I kind of missed the activity here too. I love having people here for the holidays. Sounds like you have a great December planned! Enjoy the rest of your night Kath.
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
The soup looks awesome — great use of leftovers! For us, we have a somewhat mellow first week of dec customer-wise but are doing a ton of prep, then a big gifting week with lots of special orders, baskets, shipping boxes, etc (hence all the prep!). And then Christmas week is crazy as you would expect. We consider Christmas the marathon and Thanksgiving the sprint 🙂 Good luck!
KathEats says
Thanks for the tips!
Jen says
What’s ‘white bean mashed potatoes’? Somewhere warm – could be anywhere…who cares as long as it’s warm!
Donna says
The paprika I bought says “smoked paprika.” it smells great (and smoky) in the jar, but once sprinkled on food, I taste nothing. But maybe that’s because I’m from south Louisiana and am used to things highly seasoned! What do you like it best on? I really want to add some flavor to my food. I cant find lavender salt anywhere either.
Where do you find it?
KathEats says
Very weird. I guess it does have more aroma than flavor… But that still adds so much.
lavender salt is from San Fran farmers market but you can make your own too
Kelly says
I think it also depends on where you get it from. I’ve definitely learned that all spices are NOT created equal. Have you tried Penzey’s or The Spice House? I buy products from both regularly and the spices always have tons of flavor. That said, I think it also depends on what you are used to and what kind of paprika you regularly use. I have some hot paprika that packs quite a kick, but there are also milder versions that don’t really pack a lot of heat. I also might try using more, I generally find that paprika does really adds something to a dish.
Karen says
I agree, Kelly…there’s a huge intensity difference between freshly ground spices/herbs you purchase at one of these specialty stores and those that are ground who knows when and sit on the shelf for months on end. The Spice House has two strengths of smoked spanish paprika – the hot version is super flavorful and fairly hot, but not the mouth burning hot that you would get with a cayenne pepper.
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
Mexico?!! Or Costa Rica??
I love a good soup–yummy!
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Lovely soup! Ohh! Warm weather?! Jealous 🙂
carolyn says
How long does Great Harvest bread last on the counter? Should you keep it in the fridge?
KathEats says
7-10 days on the counter… Sometimes longer for whole wheat and less for cheesy breads. Do not refrigerate!
tracy says
Why not refrigerate?
KathEats says
It causes the bread to weep and mold much faster
KathEats says
Our breads have an ideal ratio of honey to ingredients where the honey acts as an anti-microbial agent and prevents syneresis (weeping) so they stay fresh sitting on the counter
tracy says
Thanks! That is good to know.
Katy says
I’m just sitting here, picturing a loaf of bread crying.
Lea @ Healthy Coconut says
“it causes the bread to weep”…..lol! just like the previous commenter said, pictuing a loaf of bread crying. The statement made me laugh but I understand what you are talking about.
Emily says
I hope it’s Texas so we can do lunch! 🙂
Army Amy* says
Somewhere warm, huh? I’m going to guess Hawaii. I was going to say Mexico, but y’all like to hike. I’m thinking that Hawaii has some good hiking spots.*
Meagan says
Oh yes, be prepared. Bakery will get VERY busy… VERY busy. I speak from experience!! Good luck!! Good prep is always key 😉
Angel7 says
Let me think… Somewhere warm… Florida? The Caribbean? I am not sure, but I am thinking it is somewhere that is not too far away.
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Stacy @ Say It With Sprinkles says
I love the sound of your super-active day! And pretty much anyplace warm would be an awesome winter vacay!
lynda @ healthy hoboken girl says
Machu Picchu….I see you and Matt hiking/exploring down there, maybe? am I right?
I’m so jealous, I need a vacation!! Good for you guys!!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
los angeles?!?
Candice @ Sailing on Paper says
Mmm that bread looks so delicious. I love dipping bread in soup!
Kim @ Kickin' it with Kim says
The soup looks very good!
Kathy W. says
maybe another trip to Bermuda (w/Karen?) not superwarm, but prob. 70 or so. I’d take that over the ice & snow we’ll probably have here!
Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says
No idea where you are going…
As for your soup, what a great idea! I have a bunch of collard greens from my CSA shipment and wasn’t sure what to do with them. Well, besides wraps… Thanks for another thought. 😉
Khushboo says
My bets on Hawaii for Boxing Day???
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Dec 26th..that’s a great day. Have fun where ever you will be. I will still be in the Caribbean. Any chances you’re gonna be there?
Deleting pics before you realize ooops you needed them…umm yeah. I have done that. More than once.
Your soup looks awesome, too.
Kelly says
Yay for warm weather vacations. I realize I’ve never noticed (or thought to ask) about this until now. Do you have store managers or assistant managers who keep things going while you’re gone or do you and Matt act as management all by yourself? I was curious if you always have to close the store (like the T-day weekend) when you want some time away or if you have others that can back you up. For some reason, I’ve never thought to ask until now.
I’m a bit of a control freak at times myself so I can understand where leaving one’s business in the hands of someone else could be tough, but I think especially when you’ve had a 9-5 with vacation time (or school with designated breaks) it would be hard to get used to not just packing up when you want to. I know because blogging rather than the store is more of your focus you have a bit more flexibility than most, but wasn’t sure about Matt & the bakery.
KathEats says
We’re working on that. We don’t currently have a manager, but we’ve been working on training our employees to be able to do everything we do – within some limits. They’re almost there – just a few more systems need to be in place. We are actually closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s, so that’s why we’re able to take a vacation. We probably wouldn’t leave the bakery open and running for more than a day for a couple of years.
Kelsie says
Just curious – will your employees get paid for their involuntary week of time off?
Jess says
Leaving a manger in charge places great trust in the manager and also the employees, but it also builds self esteem in the staff and a mutual respect between employee and employer.
I think if you were to leave your shop in the capable hands of a trained manager and staff they would probably surprise you. They would probably work extra hard to try and impress you and show you that they can be left unsupervised for longer periods of time.
I am just speaking from experience, however I respect that this is your business and you can run it however you want.
Molly @ RDexposed says
Maui? If so you’re the hundredth person that I’ve heard that has/is going there within the year!
Drisana (SoulShineBlog) says
Hmmmm, maybe Bermuda? Sounds like a fun plan, no matter where you are going!
Lauren says
Enjoy a nice relaxing December, you definitely deserve it. And an incredible vacation to top it all off. Sounds incredible!
Clare @ SweetnSimple says
Oh yum.. your soup looks beautiful 🙂 And for somewhere warm? It is hot here in Australia!
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
Ha! We made turkey soup last night too- with collard greens. We also added sweet potatoes and sage (amongst other things). It was soooo good, but we have enough left to feed an army!
If you tell me you’re going to Hawaii I will be SO jealous…
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I love making soup with the turkey leftovers! Usually we just make a classic turkey noodle soup, but I love your recipe! The potatoes and beans would add such a nice creaminess.
Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count says
I’ve deleted photos I thought I had used but didn’t. Makes you a little crazy. It’s nice to get back to regular life after a holiday.
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
That soup looks really tasty! There is nothing like a comforting bowl of soup after a long day. 🙂 I cannot wait to hear where you are traveling to! I’m jealous.
Hilliary @Happily Ever Healthy says
Soup looks delicious!
Sarah@The Flying ONION says
I love leftover Thanksgiving soup. So delicious. 😀
Emily says
I hope you’re headed somewhere beautiful and warm!
Jeanie says
I love your website. Actually forgot about it for a bit because it was on a favorite that didn’t get transferred when my old computer crashed. Now that I have found it again, it is an inspiration! I am always motivated to make the most of my leftovers when I see the amazing looking concoctions you come up with. Thanks for the inspiration. Oh, and I started frequenting our local Great Harvest after coming across your website. Love it! Love it! Love it!
Hope you feel better soon.
KathEats says
Welcome back!! Glad you are into GH now 🙂
Tamara Marie says
I really hope you’re going somewhere cool like Spain or Portugal and not somehwere lame like the Bahamas!
KathEats says
What if I am!? That’s kind of mean to say. Europe is awfully expensive..
Tamara Marie says
Europe is at least awesome. I can’t think of someplace more boring to go to then Bahamas/Bermuda, etc IMO. At least someplace with some culture!
Tamara Marie says
Or maybe Cuba?! Someplace with some actual substance!
Wendy says
Yes, Kath and Matt are hopping on a flight straight into Havana. It’s United’s latest non-stop!
Lea @ Healthy Coconut says
my guess is Hawaii or the Caribbean
carla says
Mexico!
katie @KatieDid says
I will be jealous of anywhere south of here you are going! I just got back tonight from a wonderful trip in Europe but I was not so pleased with the weather. Weather can make or break a trip for me in a way!