The Dude I Love

A few weeks back, I went to a women's retreat with our ladies at our church. I think I did not mention too much about it here because it kept me pretty busy beforehand and when I got back I was tired. It was very refreshing in sooooo many ways though.

Throughout the weekend we visited with Beth Moore. . .(ah gotcha-no not in person- hehehe through the "Retreat In a Box.") The study goes over how to love people well, hence the title, "Loving Well". There are four people whom we get the "opportunity to love." There are the people who are a joy, those who are "testy," those who are our foes, as well as, those who are far (meaning we may not have met them yet, but they are who God may have sent to us).

That's partly why I did not mention the retreat, I was trying to forget what I learned so I would not be responsible for that information, especially for loving the last three! :) So, I guess that is the story of all retreats, you come back very ambivalent-should I have gone or should I have stayed home. Well, for sure I am a better woman for having gone. I got to know ladies I would not have known otherwise-now I have Shopping In Crime Partners!

Probably the most important thing that I learned though is a new recipe!!! Not just for the sake of learning it, but to love testy my sweet husband better. :) He loves soup and especially French Onion Soup! So, my dear friend Lynn shared her recipe with me that she made the first night of the retreat. It is yummo. I am not a soup, nor a french onion soup fan, but now I am a French Onion Soup Groupie!!

Here goes the recipe that saved my marriage! :)

• 4 large onions, sliced into thin rings (I have a pampered chef slicer that worked well for this)
  
• 1/2 cup margarine (melted)
  
• 2 (10.5 ounce) cans beef broth or I used 8 bouillon cubes dissolved in 2 cups water
  
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 8 ounces sliced Swiss cheese
• 7 slices French bread

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot over medium high heat, saute the onions in the butter or margarine for about 5 minutes, or until tender. Add the broth, water and wine. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
2. In individual oven-proof bowls (I used tin ones that look like they are for chicken pot pie), place one slice of toasted french bread in the bowl. Ladle in the soup and cover with Swiss cheese. Put bowls in the oven and allow cheese to melt on top.

Eat and imbibe!!! :)