After Fiona wrote this beautiful post as my guest, my nudging came literally one hour after the post went live.
The night before I made a HUGE pot of Chicken Noodle Soup. As I started to make the recipe, I felt like I should double the ingredients. I wondered if my kids would even like the soup, as I was secretly adding 2 ingredients (homegrown parsnips and dill!)
Chicken Noodle Soup
2 quarts chicken broth
4 cups pulled chicken (I buy Costco’s, pull off the bone, and freeze ahead of time)
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups baby carrots, cut in small pieces
1 large (or 2 small) parsnips, peeled and chopped
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. pepper
4 cups uncooked medium egg noodles
1/4 cup snipped fresh dill
1 bag frozen peas
Put broth, chicken, celery, onion, carrots, parsnips, garlic and pepper in large saucepan.
Cover and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
Add noodles, cover and simmer for 10 minutes, or until tender.
Add fresh dill. Serves 12.
Then the nudge came to share this meal with our neighbors. Neighbors who just heard devastating news this past week.
Breast Cancer.
I hate the “C” word, as I lost my Mother to cancer. It robbed me of more memories I could have had with my mom.
I knew I couldn’t sit back. And that’s when I knew why I had made extra soup.
After putting bread in the oven and getting the pot of soup out of the refrigerator, I printed out a note for the family, grabbed a quart of Apple Pie in a Jar and made a dessert, and off to the neighbors I went.
A friendly nudge can go a long way. It says ‘go the extra mile’ and ‘reach out to others’ and ‘think beyond yourself.’
Along with prayer, I’m glad we could bless another family on this day.
What do you do with leftovers, when you double a recipe?
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Hi Sandy,
I made a big batch of split peas soup for our Halloween supper Saturday night, knowing my son, DIL & granddaughter would enjoy the leftovers. My DIL is having minor surgery this morning so I knew they could use an easy meal. And hey, soups only get better when reheated
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This post gave me goosebumps!!
Where I used to live I would always give me leftovers to my in-laws. My mother-in-law is not a cook so my father-in-law loved when I did that. I was also an active member of my church and there was always someone in need of an extra hand, so I helped out there too.
Now, I just freeze what I can.
But this post has given me a nudge and I know what I need to do.
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That is one hearty looking chicken soup and I like the idea of parsnips and dill in it. You were sweet to share it with your neighbors.. who have too much to deal with right now.
I give leftover (or even first overs) to neighbors and friends. Especially the fattening ones!
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All day long I’ve been trying to decide whether to throw chicken noodle soup in the crockpot – confirmation! And I’ll be making double thanks to your nudging, and finding someone to share it with.
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Beautiful, Sandy! You inspire me, and I can’t wait to make the soup, and share it. Blessings.
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Great post! I do this too. Then I freeze the soup in jars. You never know when someone might need a homemade soup….
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Sandy, thanks so much for this post. It is definitely a reminder to me to be ready to help a neighbor of friend. It’s so easy to get caught up in my own world that I forget to look around to help others. Thanks also for the chicken noodle recipe. We’ve all been sick in our home and having some of this would be nice to help us get better!
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I double quite a few things: scones, chicken enchiladas, stuffed shells, and sweet breads, bbq beef etc. I make cute labels and file them, that way, when someone needs a meal or encouragenent, I can grab it out of the freezer, wrap it in cellophane, tie it with a label, and it makes me feel so blessed to encourage neighbors, teachers, family etc!
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Did the same thing this last week but instead of chicken I used turkey. Instead of peas I put in celery. I did not add the parsnips and dill but that sounds yummy!
Took batch to our neighbors still warm for their dinner if they so chose, or to put in their fridge for a later date.
Always reminded and amazed at how blessed I am in the sharing and giving!!
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That sounds like a great recipe. Ad you gave me (us) something to think about…simple gestures mean so much to people.
Holly
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Half the time, I freeze it. The other half I either bring to my sister or mother. The beauty of it is that they return the favor. It makes meal planning that much easier.
After my son was born, cooked meals were our gift a choice. It is a wonderful gift to a family when their energies need to be directed elsewhere.
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Hi Sandy! I’m so glad you stopped by. I was wondering why you hadn’t been posting, but I guess I should have paid attention last time I was here when you said to subscribe (I had been following and just assumed it would keep updating). I’ve resubscribed now. So glad I’m back! I’ll read through the posts I’ve missed. Have a good night…
pk
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Loved this post about sharing… and listening to that little voice/gut feeling when you hear it. Too often we don’t..
Have a blessed week!!
Sallie
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That is tough about your neighbors, so glad you were listening to that nudge and blessed them with a wonderful meal. I’m taking the nudge now and going to the store so I can make your recipe…sounds delightful.
Have a lovely day friend!
xoox
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This recipe looks delicious and we all love soup in this family. I’ll give this a try!
I had a similar nudge lately and found myself making a huge batch of spaghetti sauce. As it was simmering, I learned the little boy across the street was in the hospital with pneumonia. I was so happy to be able to put half of the sauce into a container for them to heat for quick suppers.
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