Mishmash

I'm going to go on about a variety of things this week. The term "mishmash," which means 'a confused mixture of different types of things,' seemed apropos to me. Similar terms would include: hodgepodge, patchwork, mixed bag, jumble, assortment, or mess. Of course, mishmash is often used in a negative way, as if the person it refers to couldn't stay on topic. I'm okay with that, as often I am confused and disorganized. (I'm thankful that those who don't care for my ramblings don't bother to tell me. Unless it's my daughter, who doesn't hesitate to tell me I'm starting a topic in the middle.)

Now I'm going to circle back to that similar term 'mess.' This time of year, the time of mud, is always a mess. That mess gets tracked in everywhere. Trying to keep the entryway clean is a hopeless task. (I need a mud room.) That mud gets onto and into our vehicles. If you don't exit your mode of transportation carefully, you'll find that mud drying on the backs of your trouser legs, and possibly getting transferred to the footrest of your recliner.

If your footwear has good, grippy soles, you'll later find dried up chunks of earth up and down the hallway. (And we want those good grippy soles because Montana mud is slippery. That gumbo really grabs hold of your feet, too.) Said footwear isn't always removed upon entry to the house because "I'm only going to be a second. I need the (flashlight, screwdriver, tool, bathroom...)." I will confess I've also not always kicked off my shoes when I've come in from the garden.

The other current mess glaring at me after the snow departed is the yard in general. There are downed tree branches everywhere due to heavy snow, freezing rains, thick frosts, and the ever-present Montana wind. There are the dried-up dead leaves that first early snow kept me from raking up (sucking up with the grass catcher on the mower) last fall. There's the blown dirt that was deposited atop the snow. It now makes the lawn look browner. That's so not attractive. And let's not forget the calling cards left by all the wildlife. We don't have any pets to clean up after, but we've had deer, skunks, badgers, raccoons, and fox come through as though they own the place.

The birds are contributing to the mess. They're leaving droppings on the front deck as they return. They're busy enlarging their communal nesting area in the Virginia creeper growing up the side of the house and over the top of the front deck. But it's so nice to again hear their cheerful chirping. I get a good earful while in the kitchen as that nesting space is right outside the vent over the stovetop.

I do have a bright spot inside the house. One of my many amaryllis bulbs is blooming. The huge red blossoms are bringing me joy. There aren't even any leaves on this plant, just the flower stalk. We were hoping it would be an Easter amaryllis, but it will surely be finished before that day arrives. So it's a Christmas amaryllis with extremely poor timing. My shooting star Hoya has five distinct flower clusters forming. They take their time producing actual blooms, but once in full flower, they last a long time. So, I have that to look forward to.

The last item on this week's mishmash, is a different recipe for chicken soup. This featured recipe isn't as bland as the last one I shared, and uses rice rather than noodles. You cook the rice separately. Just put the rice in your bowl and ladle the soup over it. This keeps the rice from absorbing all the liquid. Of course, if you're going to consume all the soup at once, go ahead and add the rice to the soup. This soup will make your kitchen smell great.

Chicken and Rice Soup

1 tsp basil

1/2 tsp EACH parsley, oregano, thyme, and mustard powder

1/4 tsp pepper

2 Tbl butter

1 small yellow onion, diced

1/2 C diced carrot

2 ribs celery, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

5 C chicken broth

1 tsp soy sauce

1.25 # boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 1/2 C chicken broth

3/4 C long grain white rice

In a large pot, melt the butter. Stir in the herbs. Sauté the onion, carrot, and celery. Once they're softened, stir in the garlic for a minute. Add the 5 cups broth, soy sauce, and chicken breast. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower heat and simmer slowly 15-20 minutes. Remove and shred the chicken, then return to the pot,

In a smaller pot, bring the 1 1/2 C broth to a boil. Stir in the rice, lower heat, cover tightly, and simmer 15 minutes. Turn off heat, let sit 10 minutes covered, before stirring.