<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093537075874880649</id><updated>2011-08-23T09:39:35.183-07:00</updated><category term='stone soup'/><category term='recipe'/><category term='Christine Brooks'/><category term='first post'/><category term='faith'/><category term='The Traveling Pendant'/><category term='life'/><title type='text'>IRISH STONE SOUP</title><subtitle type='html'>Irish Stone Soup is the PROUD publisher of &lt;b&gt;"postcards from the road."&lt;/b&gt; To learn more about this wonderful book, or to order, please email me at brooksie19 at yahoo dot com</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://irishstonesoup.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3093537075874880649/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://irishstonesoup.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Christine Brooks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/03286908310263338737</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0Zba6czUfU/SucTM1-wSGI/AAAAAAAAAAM/VQCeISYK5ag/S220/Round%5B1%5D.JPG'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>4</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093537075874880649.post-5172882378890676833</id><published>2011-08-23T09:35:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2011-08-23T09:39:35.291-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='life'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='faith'/><title type='text'>Circles and Squares</title><content type='html'>&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With the sunrise comes to life a child’s toy box.&lt;br /&gt;The lifting of the lid signals the toys that had been forgotten overnight&lt;br /&gt;to now magically be renewed and prepare for the day.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Shiny and fresh, they alertly wait for the morning’s routine to begin.&lt;br /&gt;Sitting patiently as sunrise lessons are learned &lt;br /&gt;tested and&lt;br /&gt;relearned&lt;br /&gt;they are at the ready for any amount of comfort that may be required.&lt;br /&gt;They light up, in reflection of a success&lt;br /&gt;and stand tall, proudly in anticipation of what will come.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;As mid day settles in, and the sun sits high in the noon day sky,&lt;br /&gt;still at the ready, they soak in every detail of the day.&lt;br /&gt;Nothing seems to be enough, or tiring, or too much&lt;br /&gt;for these friends, who are repeatedly loved, enjoyed, adored&lt;br /&gt;and welcomed into the arms of everyone&lt;br /&gt;in need of an embrace.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Now showing slight signs of wear from an abundance of life’s love,&lt;br /&gt;they settle down, and snuggle in for the brilliant colors&lt;br /&gt;that light the sky, to let them know it’s okay now &lt;br /&gt;to sit and rest awhile, and remember all the games, adventures and special moments&lt;br /&gt;that existed on this one day.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Finally, the sun slips away and the moon shines brightly in the dark, night sky.&lt;br /&gt;The toys know it is time now to return home and wait for another day.&lt;br /&gt;Into the toy box they go, ever so gently, as they are frail now, missing parts, and worn.&lt;br /&gt;Carefully placed in the box until they are called on again.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Forever, they will be looked at as perfect, and remembered always&lt;br /&gt;in every childhood tale of life, love and loss.&lt;br /&gt;The memories created will last many lifetimes, and as slowly&lt;br /&gt;the lid is closed&lt;br /&gt;the child rests&lt;br /&gt;knowing they are safe &lt;br /&gt;even though they cannot be seen.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With the sunset comes to life &lt;br /&gt;a new perspective&lt;br /&gt;a new journey&lt;br /&gt;and a new chapter&lt;br /&gt;in the cosmic circle journal.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3093537075874880649-5172882378890676833?l=irishstonesoup.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://irishstonesoup.blogspot.com/feeds/5172882378890676833/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://irishstonesoup.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3093537075874880649/posts/default/5172882378890676833'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3093537075874880649/posts/default/5172882378890676833'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://irishstonesoup.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post.html' title='Circles and Squares'/><author><name>Christine Brooks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/03286908310263338737</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0Zba6czUfU/SucTM1-wSGI/AAAAAAAAAAM/VQCeISYK5ag/S220/Round%5B1%5D.JPG'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093537075874880649.post-4302816373605835293</id><published>2011-07-18T16:52:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2011-07-19T09:14:35.572-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Traveling Pendant'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Christine Brooks'/><title type='text'>The Traveling Pendant</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReWYRYob_9s/TiTIjqpZpVI/AAAAAAAAACE/o1XYJG_TOBI/s1600/5x7_Mom%255B1%255D.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630845949188875602" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReWYRYob_9s/TiTIjqpZpVI/AAAAAAAAACE/o1XYJG_TOBI/s320/5x7_Mom%255B1%255D.jpg" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hello again world!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I started this blog way back, who knows when...but never really used it. I thought since I don't have four leaf clover any longer, I would post thoughts, rants, essays here.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My newest project, which I was lucky enough to find an agent for (phew!) is called The Traveling Pendant. Basically the idea began when my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. She wished she had traveled more, and since she was unable to travel we decided to send my surfboard pendant to all the places she wanted to visit. The pendant is made of bone in the shape of my surfboard and has her initial's carved on the back.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The idea too off, and will be worn by so many wonderful people I am speechless when I stop to think about it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You can follow along on FaceBook at &lt;a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheTravelingPendant"&gt;The Traveling Pendant&lt;/a&gt; . Please forgive me if that link is ugly, I am refreshing my html skills!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That's it for now, but please spread the word and stay tuned for LOTS of cool stuff!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Peace, Chris&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3093537075874880649-4302816373605835293?l=irishstonesoup.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://irishstonesoup.blogspot.com/feeds/4302816373605835293/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://irishstonesoup.blogspot.com/2011/07/traveling-pendant.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3093537075874880649/posts/default/4302816373605835293'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3093537075874880649/posts/default/4302816373605835293'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://irishstonesoup.blogspot.com/2011/07/traveling-pendant.html' title='The Traveling Pendant'/><author><name>Christine Brooks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/03286908310263338737</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0Zba6czUfU/SucTM1-wSGI/AAAAAAAAAAM/VQCeISYK5ag/S220/Round%5B1%5D.JPG'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReWYRYob_9s/TiTIjqpZpVI/AAAAAAAAACE/o1XYJG_TOBI/s72-c/5x7_Mom%255B1%255D.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093537075874880649.post-194147319536598807</id><published>2009-10-27T10:46:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-28T07:30:38.028-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='recipe'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='stone soup'/><title type='text'>Recipe for Irish Stone Soup!</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0Zba6czUfU/SucyEca63II/AAAAAAAAAAw/as9ycapgdgY/s1600-h/Clover_small%5B1%5D.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0Zba6czUfU/SucyEca63II/AAAAAAAAAAw/as9ycapgdgY/s320/Clover_small%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397337730356796546" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It's Tuesday here, and a cold one in New England for sure!  Raw, damp and overall blecht.  Naturally this weather makes me think of soup, and coincidentally, a few folks have asked...what the HECK is Irish Stone Soup? &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So on this dank, dark day, I share with you my recipe for stone soup:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;(few)&lt;/em&gt; of any veggie you may have (carrots, snow peas, asparagus, broccoli etc)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;(one)&lt;/em&gt; of anything you may such as onion, cabbage - chopped&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;broth&lt;/em&gt; - if you have chicken stock great, or beef stock, fantastic...if not stone soup takes on a new life.  Substitute any of the following, soy sauce, spaghetti sauce, water, broth from another can of soup in the house mixed with water, or anything you may have.  This is the basic idea for stone soup broth, get creative, what sounds gross will probably taste amazing!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Meat&lt;/em&gt; can also be added if you have any...hamburger, chicken, steak, anything if not, a clean stone will do.  A virtual one please.  This is the main ingredient of stone soup.  As it is made with whatever you may have, even with the thinnest cupboards.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Pasta&lt;/em&gt; which can naturally be substituted for rice, tortellini, or anything else from raman noodles to spaghetti o's.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Seasoning&lt;/em&gt; is also key here, basil, garlic (again if you have it), bay leaves, salt, pepper...whatever ya got that will make the house smell good and warm it up with your bubbling caldron of stone soup.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;COOK&lt;/em&gt;  - as long as you like really.....&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;MMMMMMM     &lt;strong&gt;ENJOY!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cheers, Chris  =)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Let me know who has made this (and I know at least some of you have) and what other ingredients have rocked your stone soup world!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3093537075874880649-194147319536598807?l=irishstonesoup.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://irishstonesoup.blogspot.com/feeds/194147319536598807/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://irishstonesoup.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-tuesday-here-and-cold-one-in-new.html#comment-form' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3093537075874880649/posts/default/194147319536598807'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3093537075874880649/posts/default/194147319536598807'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://irishstonesoup.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-tuesday-here-and-cold-one-in-new.html' title='Recipe for Irish Stone Soup!'/><author><name>Christine Brooks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/03286908310263338737</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0Zba6czUfU/SucTM1-wSGI/AAAAAAAAAAM/VQCeISYK5ag/S220/Round%5B1%5D.JPG'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0Zba6czUfU/SucyEca63II/AAAAAAAAAAw/as9ycapgdgY/s72-c/Clover_small%5B1%5D.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3093537075874880649.post-7437364516691135134</id><published>2009-10-26T12:11:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-26T12:14:10.438-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='first post'/><title type='text'>Welcome World</title><content type='html'>Welcome to my very first blog post!  Here you will see my thoughts, concerns, rants, recipes...anything really that strikes me.  Please leave any and all comments you may have.  I not only welcome, but invite, everyone to drop by, say hello and leave a hello!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3093537075874880649-7437364516691135134?l=irishstonesoup.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://irishstonesoup.blogspot.com/feeds/7437364516691135134/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://irishstonesoup.blogspot.com/2009/10/welcome-world.html#comment-form' title='3 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3093537075874880649/posts/default/7437364516691135134'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/3093537075874880649/posts/default/7437364516691135134'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://irishstonesoup.blogspot.com/2009/10/welcome-world.html' title='Welcome World'/><author><name>Christine Brooks</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/03286908310263338737</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='32' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r0Zba6czUfU/SucTM1-wSGI/AAAAAAAAAAM/VQCeISYK5ag/S220/Round%5B1%5D.JPG'/></author><thr:total>3</thr:total></entry></feed>
