Time is of the Essence

HURRY UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



How many times each day do you say, think or hear these words? Whether intentional or subconscious, our society is on the constant fast track. Instant gratification is the name of the game, and even then, we are impatient for an even quicker outcome.
Cooking has been reduced to zapping in a microwave. Speed dating is done in three-minute intervals. We sleep less, schedule more and expect the most. Exhausted and frustrated, the perpetual fast track eventually begins to feel like a caged hamster, running faster and faster on the wheel to nowhere.
Two sayings come to mind that bring true meaning to the value of a steady, patient pace. The first is from a wine advertisement, dating back several decades that promised to "serve no wine before its time." The second reminds us to "stop and smell the roses."
Life takes on new meaning when you slow down and enjoy all the gifts that nature, relationships and life have to offer. When we want it and want it now —a relationship, new job, more possessions, bigger home, fancier car — our peripheral vision is lost to a narrowed focus on "it." Details become meaningless while the peddle to the finish line becomes an obsession.
During the brief period of time since the release of Creating Empty Bottle Moments, the topic of ‘before its time’ has hit home in the hearts of many readers.

Theresa, a mother of three elementary-age children, felt the pressure for her children to be involved in the plethora of activities available to them. Between piano lessons, French class, soccer lessons and children’s choir, Theresa was spending hours each day taxiing her children between activities, and the children had little time to just be kids. While involved in everything, they excelled in nothing and enjoyed it even less. And Theresa was so busy crisscrossing around town that she rarely had time to stop, look, listen and be involved. Eventually exhausted from the pace, each child committed to one activity each semester. The end result was a more peaceful family life that allowed them to separately and collectively smell the roses along the way.
Margaret returned to their family business after several years of being a stay-at-home Mom, she and her husband Adam arrived home each day to hungry children who were excited to see their parents. Anxious to get mealtime behind them, Margaret and Adam slowly compromised quality for convenience. Microwaved meals and slapped-together sandwiches satisfied neither their family’s taste nor nourishment. By slowing down the pace, including their children in meal preparations and sharing meals at the table, Margaret and Adam quickly recognized the value of serving no meal before its time.
With a recent college diploma under his belt and a new career taking shape, Jerod purchased a luxury sports car. Sure, he knew that it would be a stretch, but life in an immediate gratification society told him to go ahead and take the plunge. Car payments gnawed into his monthly paycheck, and Jerod soon found himself using credit cards as a lifeline. By purchasing an expensive car before the appropriate time in his life, Jerod jeopardized his financial stability and was struggling just live paycheck to paycheck, all in the name of status. Fortunately, Jerod recognized that he had many years ahead of him to enjoy the luxuries of hard work. He sold his sports car and began living within his means which, in Jerod’s words, was liberating.
It’s easy for life to get in the way of living. We all find ourselves in positions, commitments, life-styles and quests that need to be rethought and adjusted, and the Sabbath represents a meaningful day to do just that. The Sabbath also represents an ideal time to begin creating Empty Bottle Moments — those meaningful times shared with family and friends. And remember, it’s about the process, not the perfection, which allows us to stop and smell the roses associated with meals, relationships and… life!
With Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays fast approaching, you will have ample opportunities to celebrate with family and friends. .......in slow motion please!

• QUICK and EASY Mushroom Soup

1-1/2 ounces dried porcini mushrooms, or other dried mushrooms

7 cups chicken broth, 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

5 cloves garlic, minced

10 ounces button mushrooms,

chopped 2 leeks (white part only), thinly sliced 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 parsley sprigs

3 sprigs fresh thyme

1 bay leaf 1/2 cup heavy cream

2 ounces Madeira

1 teaspoon "To Taste"

Place the dried mushrooms in a large bowl. Bring the broth to a boil and pour over the dried mushrooms. Set aside to rehydrate for about 20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the mushrooms and reserve the broth. Roughly chop the mushrooms. Heat the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the button and rehydrated mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and somewhat dry, about 6 minutes. Add the leek and shallot and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more. Pour in the reserved mushroom broth, taking care not to add any grit or dirt that may have fallen to the bottom of the boil, and bring to a boil while whisking constantly. Tie the parsley sprigs, fresh thyme, and bay leaf together with a piece of kitchen twine and add to the soup. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Remove and discard the herb bundle. Working in batches, transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Using a sieve over a large bowl, strain the mushroom puree. Return the puree to the pot and reheat over medium heat. Whisk the heavy cream, Madeira, and To Taste

Divide among warm soup bowls and serve.