In the midst of one of several panic attacks this weekend, I decided to whip up some soup for the week.  I love that phrase, by the way.  Oh, I’ll just “whip that right up!” It makes me feel like one of those crazy tiny fairies in Sleeping Beauty, when they bake their magical little cake and- Oh right.  I was talking about soup. 

And now I’m singing “Some Day My Prince Will Come”.  Lucky for you, there is no audio feature on this post.  Although I can promise it’s just magical.

True story:  Until the age of like 17, I was pretty sure I was going to grow up and be a singer.  No seriously.  I got all kinds of awesome solos in elementary school, and even got picked for this super elite singing thing in 5th grade.  If I had video footage of it, I swear I would show you because my Sally Jesse Raphael glasses alone are worth seeing.  Add to that a headband the size of the state of Pennsylvania and my awkward …well everything, and you’ve got nothing short of gold, Jerry.  Gold!

Then one day in high school I auditioned for the part of Ado Annie in Oklahoma! and my life was forever changed.  Not only did I receive a standing ovation for my audition, but I was met with dozens of high fives and I swear two people waiting to audition got up and walked out.*   I nailed it and I knew it.  It was my finest hour. 

*I may have embellished that part a tad, but the standing ovation is true.

I eagerly anticipated the cast announcements for what felt like weeks, and a few days later, there it was.   As I peered up, wide-eyed and full of excitement, at that tattered piece of paper, clinging to the wall by a thin strip of scotch tape, I couldn’t believe my eyes.  I felt like someone punched me the gut and stole my trapper keeper.  Not only was I denied the part of Ado Annie  (it was given to a senior, of course), but I didn’t even make the chorus!  People who didn’t even try out made the chorus.  Broken hearted, I sulked off, fighting tears and swearing I’d never sing again.  And as I gulped back my emotion, I swallowed the cold hard truth that high school was unfair on almost every level.

I know, pass the Kleenex, right?
So yeah… this soup… uh…I can promise you one thing: It’s way better than high school.

Squash and Pumpkin Crockpot Soup
(Inspired by Yes I Want Cake)
You’ll Need:
1 bag frozen cubed butternut squash
1 bag frozen cauliflower
1 can pumpkin puree (plain,not with pie flavoring)
4 cups chicken or veggie broth
1 can lite coconut milk (could also use regular milk)
1 tsp turmeric
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp all spice seasoning
Salt & pepper
Goat cheese for garnish

Directions: Place everything in the crockpot, mix until spices are blended.  Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, and then using an immersion blender or food processor, blend until smooth.  Gradually add salt as you taste (I ended up using more than I thought.) Crumble goat cheese over top to serve.

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This soup is so easy.  And you can use fresh vegetables if you like, and mix and match with whatever you have on hand.  And the addition of goat cheese is the perfect balance of tart to the sweetness of the cooked veggies. 

So even though my dreams of stardom were left shattered on that linoleum floor that day so long ago, I still hold out hope that some day… Some day I’ll be rich and famous.  And you’re all invited over for soup poolside cocktails.  And I promise I won’t sing.

Too loud.