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COMMENTS
Now maybe you can help me out. What in the world is my sister, Carol, thinking? Trash talking is so unbecoming! 11/18/06 - "Boy did I get nervous reading your website.. glad you didn't mention I bribed your sons back in 2003 ( 50 bucks) for your grocery list. Wouldn't want to ruin my image!!!" 11/18/06 - I guess www.mysterysoup.com is a family topic of discussion. Carol's ten year old daughter has joined in. Her honesty is very refreshing. "lol, that is funny! my mom thought you were kidding about this website but it is actually a website!!! well byebye!!!" ~Jessica!!! 11/20/06 - My fellow workout buddy, Nancy F., ever so succinctly summed up the soup site concept... "I love it!!!! I smiled all the way through.... You have inspired me to keep all my senses on red alert for any pureed soup I see, hear of, smell, or read about. Notice I haven't mentioned "eat". " 12/1/06 - Did you know that depending on what someone does for a living can color their views even on soups? You probably won't have a hard time understanding a stockbroker's thoughts. "Rosalie...Very entertaining writing, a la Erma Bombach. You should expand your horizons! As far as the soup recipes, they look promising. Maybe artichoke and parsnip are future possibilities. Now that you've got the site you need to promote it and somehow turn it into a revenue producer...all the best, Dave." 12/18/06 - Nancy F. makes me laugh. "I HATE Brussel Sprouts, and I have to admit that this sounded great. I can't even begin to imagine how your relatives guess the kind of soup. I am so glad to see this, as we have been talking about you at Curves. Everyone has been waiting on the edge of their machines for this year's pick! Now I can tell them it's on line..." 11/3/07 - I'm beginning to think my sister, Carol, is the only family member who pays attention to me or, perhaps, the only one willing to humor me. Now let's face it. This is really pathetic. "Soup recommendations- Matzoh Ball- Everyone will think it's some kind of gourmet matzoh ball like cauliflower butternut and the joke will be on us." 11/6/07 - I actually ask family members for soup suggestions, but, of course, I could never accept one from them. When I asked our nephew, Michael, he had a perfect idea. "My suggestion is the soup that you served 19 years ago. It was delicious." 11/11/07 - There seems to be some very resourceful people out there. Special friend Roberto's nephew, David, just might make some minor adjustments to these masterpieces in order to please his palette. "I could make vegan veggie versions of some of the soup... haaahhahaha." 11/15/07 - Friend Roseanne's opening statement about my womanhood is just perfect, but it's questionable that her choice of the word "delicacy" is. "I have to say, you are a sick woman! Where do you find all these "creations"? I saw some of them were attributed and others ~ just out of that brain of yours? Let me see, root of this, obscure ingredient here.....No, Thanksgiving must be a hoot at your house. I can just see you standing there smiling while your poor guests try and come up with what that pureed delicacy is in front of them." 11/19/07 - The pressure is mounting. Chuck suggested that whatever soup I make should be something (assuming there would be extra) that my Folks would want to take home. How insulting that he would even think there would be any leftover! I'm still waiting for someone to tell me that Mystery Soup is an idea that they will use at one of their gatherings. I try not to take myself too seriously, but between you and me, don't you think this is a step in the right direction towards world peace? 11/21/07 - I am so excited one of my major dreams is being fulfilled. Eileen likes my idea Finally I have influenced someone in a positive way. Hi Rosalie, I am Adam's wife. I met you once somewhere in the Grand Canyon. I love this mystery soup idea. I think I'll try to incorporate it in our Thanksgiving tradition. Have you thought about rating the soups? Perhaps have your own rating and perhaps the family members rate it too? ...and furthermore fans in spite of what you might believe I am open to suggestions. Week of 11/16/09: Hip Hip Hooray! I was in the produce department at Stop and Shop and someone remembered me from Curves for Women and asked about my mystery soups. See, folks, I am making a difference! 11/24/09: Carol: "FYI- There's a rumor going around that the mystery soup is fruited yogurt granola and I heard something about you have to dip the spoon in the yogurt first, then the granola...or was it the other way around?" Look how low some people stoop for just a bit of website exposure. 11/25/09: Elyse, the sweet potato maven, called today and needed to know how many people would be attending Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. I mentioned that I wouldn't have enough soup for any seconds and she said, "Well, make some more". She's awfully bright! So I went through the pot, blender and food mill routine, again. What a waste of time and energy that was! 11/26/09: My son, Darryl, was kind enough to bring up the 12 quart pot of mystery soup from the downstairs refrig so I could heat it for our Thanksgiving dinner. He tasted it cold and it reminded him of applesauce. Now that scared me. I wonder who he got his taste buds from?? 11/27/09: Much to my surprise I found out today that an anonymous person in my very own home felt that this mystery soup site should be shut down because of my poor choice for this year! Watch out world for 2010. Negative recognition inspires people like me!! 11/25/10: Well, several family members with bad attitudes want a "do-over", but the protests were ignored. Did you know that I make the rules for mystery soup? What a shame that out of 28 people only Ally had ever heard of my main ingredient, yucca! She just didn't guess it...and you know I don't believe in partial credit! I need to give thanks and credit for the inspiration I received to Mery and Rosa. They are the terrific cooks at the Cross Cultural Solutions' house in San Carlos, Costa Rica. Check it out: www.crossculturalsolutions.org 10/14/2011: That sister, Carol, of mine is at it again. She sent this email not only to me, but had the audacity to cc all of my invited guests. Take a look at this: "Please add the following to the Mystery Soup Rules and Regulations: If ingredient(s) in soup are from another country and 50% or more of the participants have not heard of said ingredient, then the soup is disqualified. Furthermore, if the offense occurs 2 consecutive years then the hostess must prepare a normal soup ( eg chicken noodle) on year number 3. :) xoxo, Carol" I know you'll be so proud of me because I exhibited such verbal control: Dear Ms. Carol- Excuse me, Baby Sister! I'm the one who makes the rules for various reasons: 1. I'm old and wise. 2. I don't get excited over serving egg salad and tuna fish at my family gatherings. 3. It's my kitchen; therefore, I am in charge. 4. The only reason you said something so stupid is you wanted your name, once again, on the www.mysterysoup.com website! Kisses, Ms. R The next day her email was, "Your farfel does suck!" and quite contritely I commented, "You win this round!" On 11/11/2011 and 11/12/2011: I put out a plea through Facebook for mystery soup suggestions. 1. Carol has obviously gotten to her husband, Michael. His comment, "Try chicken noodle...I won't tell anyone and they'll never figure it out!" You can tell that they must get along real well! 2. Even Carol's special friend got in on the act: "Hey Ro, this is Lorri, remember me, of course you do, The cute blonde sister!!!!! I have a terrific recipe, I will call you with it! I must tell you. however, that Carol offered me big bucks for the ingredients! Go Figure!!! xoxoxok talk soon!" 3. My son Joshua's girlfriend, Lisa, wrote "I. Can't. Wait. Just FYI." 4. My brother, Mark, got into the act, also: "say it ain't so. You ran out of mystery soup ideas. How are you going to top "Horseradish Apple Soup", "Radish Summer Soup with Berries", "BRUSSELS SPROUT BISQUE" and my favorite "THE INFAMOUS SAUERKRAUT CHOWDER?" Hey Bro: I'm just trying to make people feel important! 5. Another comment from Lisa: "Ok after rereading your website again (I read it around Thanksgiving last year too), I couldn't help but google some ideas. Have you ever seen this pretty all-encompassing soup recipe page??" Sometimes there must be secrets between a girlfriend and her boyfriend's Mom! Hey Lisa: Great site! I'm so excited that you might be an accomplice to my insanity! 11/13/2011: At breakfast this morning I made the big announcement that I've decided to make creamed cauliflower as the main veggie for Thanksgiving. Chuck thought that, perhaps, we should have turnips. Good thing I'm not an ESP believer! 11/22/2011: Niece Lauren commented on FB that she was really looking forward to coming home from college for Thanksgiving break. I wrote, "I bet some of your excitement has to do with mystery soup!!" Sister Carol wrote: "Can't wait to see you Lauren! BTW Aunt Rosalie told me the mystery soup tastes "interesting"......you know what that means..." 11/22/2011: Now look what I've started...Seems as though we need to start guessing mystery ingredients in everything that is served on Thanksgiving. That's about as stupid as my idea to have name tags!!!! (Well, there were three newcomers and I thought name tags would be helpful! So what if everyone made fun of me. I think I'm the only one who thought that was brilliant!) FB: Carol- "Ok Newman Thanksgiving guests: Adding to our tradition of "mystery soup" this year we have a "mystery sweet potato" Guess the key ingredient and you win the prize...hint you must be 21 to win the prize! Looking forward to celebrating with you today :) Happy Thanksgiving to all my family and friends. I'm sooo thankful for you!" 11/23/2011: FB chat with Lorri: "What was the soup this year?" "As soon as I'm not comatose I'll beg Joshua to update the www.mysterysoup.com site. My niece from the Newman side's dad figured it out. It was Cream of Turnip. It disgusted a few, but the guests with highly developed taste buds liked it! You're the only one that was not in attendance and asked. You're a faithful friend! Korean Veteran, Ron, at Trumbull Mall: "Your Kaluha brownies sound a lot better than your soups!" 10/4/12: Some family members just don't get it! This is what happens when you're the youngest of 5 siblings: (It's, oh so, sad...) Hi Everyone, I just submitted my "sincere" soup idea privately to Ro on the mysterysoup.com website. I think she's going to love it. I also made a suggestion that if she chooses the soup suggested by a guest, it's an automatic seat at the adult table. I think she's going to hate that. Maybe I have a chance this year! xoxo, Aunt Carol 11/19/12: I destroy the tell-tale evidence of any packaging or identifiable leaves, stems, pods, etc. before I actually do any of the cooking. The ingredients were all in my 12 quart pot when Chuck tries to walk into the kitchen for a glass of water having no idea that he was about to ruin my life! I had no problem shouting, "Get out!" Because I'm a real screamer(!), I quickly got him the glass of water that he needed and there was no peaking into my pot. Whew! Brendan, the 7th grader I help with homework, walked in for a session after the soup was pureed. "It smells like stew. I smell onions and peppers. I can't tell what it is!" Safe, again... Texting with Lisa: Me: I'm Mystery Souping...I can't even figure it out!! Lisa: Need help? Me: Ur a spy. NEVER! Lisa: Hahaha 11/20/12: Even people in FL try to get in on the act: Texting with Niece Ally: Me: This year's Mystery Soup is waiting to be savored. Ally: Omg, can you give me the SECRET in the soup? Me: Of course not. I know ur type. Ur going to friend me on FB and then announce to the world what the Mystery is...and then defriend me! 11/22/12: I was in the Monroe Fish Market the day before Thanksgiving and told the guys about this website. The manager asked if there is a prize for the winner. I proudly announced, "Of course, the glory of being named on the site my son, Joshua, created for me!" You can see that my family members aren't showing much growth: Carol to Lisa: First time EVER we will miss the Newman wonderful Thanksgiving! I'll miss serving the Mystery Soup with you! Lisa: We will miss you all!! I will solo soup duty and think of you (while desperately trying to crack the soup mystery.) Carol to Elaine: Text me about the mystery soup. Lainey take a picture and maybe I can guess from Longmeadow! Mark to his sisters: OMG Rosie is making detailed Thanksgiving assignments and plans a year in advance. Pick me up off the floor. Lol. Next year I'd prefer to bring the Mystery Soup! (Hey Bro- This is year 20. You're on! Be careful though. I think we're running out of main ingredients!) 11/23/12 Happy Thanksgiving: You'll be able to easily see that in my family we really support each other and encourage creativity... Chuck: The winner can go for a swim in the pool! The soup's delicious! (After 46 years he's learning how to handle me!) Sue: Something smells familiar. I taste beef. Me: No! Sue: No, I don't! Mike: Soy, lentils?? Mike: After my "flamboyant" Okra Soup proclamation, "That was my next guess!" ...and finally a text from Niece Amanda: Happy T'Day. Miss you all. I don't even know what okra is, but it sounds creative! On Monday, 11/25/13, I stopped by Cork and Barrel, a local Newtown package store, and purchased dry sherry for THE soup. Of course, I'll discuss mystery soup with anyone who will listen. Britney got lucky. Her suggestion was to make sure Chuck had enough beer so he would sleep through the soup preparation. What a great sales approach! I got lucky this time. The beer wasn't needed! I posted the following request on Facebook last week: Hey FB Friends~ This is my annual insincere plea! Do you have any suggestions for my Mystery Soup for Thanksgiving? I'm wondering since the first night of Chanukah is Wednesday if that might have an influence...If you have a chance or are thinking of starting a new holiday tradition, just check out www.mysterysoup.com. Please "message" me with your suggestions...You just might be thanked when the 2013 mystery soup is announced! Lorri Flagg Fay: I'm not helping cause I'm still mad at you!!! Lol lol Rosalie Newman: GET OVER IT! When I figure out what forgiveness means, I'll share the concept with you!!! Lorri Flagg Fay: I love you!!!! Alison Madar: Am I allowed to suggest or no because I'm part of the guessers? Rosalie Newman: Of course, you can suggest, but you're a spy! You'll be ignored!! :) Sharon M Servidio: Currant and Raspberry Soup,Swedish Fruit Soup,Caldo(The National soup of Mexico),Cordero,Chilled Orange Soup,Pineapple Mint Soup,etc. Any of these sound interesting ? I hope I've helped. Rosalie Newman: Great food for thought...Because some of my "consumers" are on FB, I'll have to save your suggestions for next year and hope that they won't remember them. I smiled when I read your sauerkraut suggestion. When you have a minute check out the site. Chuck's comments the year (1994) that the mystery soup was sauerkraut chowder are priceless! Michael Cole: Progresso's Minestrone Lisa Newman: Carol, Max's only flavor references still come straight from the tap, so to speak, so he's really no help this year. Though I really respect your covert tactics! Danielle DeVito: We had a really simple creamy shrimp Thai soup with lemongrass and ginger that was out of this world! Matthew Newman: stone soup (I didn't understand this "stone soup" reference, but niece Amy showed me the light. Read on, folks...It's worth it!) Stone Soup My sister Carol tries so hard to understand me. Three years ago when I was a volunteer in Costa Rica with www.crossculturalsolutions.org the mystery soup for 2010 was yucca. Yucca is a root veggie that is a healthy food staple there. She obviously thinks since I just got back from Morocco as part of the same program that I would do the same thing, but guess what! Her list of vegetables didn't include green olives and the olive groves in Morocco are plentiful...So, there Carol! Here is her pathetic research: Newman Tradition: Mystery Soup Day. Ro, since you just came back from Morocco, here is my guess. It's possible I can be listed on mystery soup.com as the winner this year and I may have made history by guessing it before even trying it. : potatoes tomatoes green peppers artichokes cucumbers zucchini slaouia (Moroccan gourd) green beans peas lettuces carrots parsnips sweet potatoes mallow leaves spinach Italian parsley Cilantro onions garlic pumpkin squash leeks eggplant zucchini The following FB comments were on Thanksgiving: Kris Walko Stewart: What was the soup du jour? Tara Larsen Costello: Happy Thanksgiving! Soup du jour what was it? I just remembered that too!! Alison Madar: Don't ask... Kris Walko Stewart: Need a photo...I'd love to guess. Lisa Newman: And the soup was delish! ...AND THE MOMENT OF TRUTH My years of being part of drama clubs (I'm actually a Thespian!) at Andrew Warde High School in Fairfield (Class of 1962-I proclaim proudly!) have come in handy. I gave no reaction to the actual tasting while everyone was announcing their opinions. Lisa was the first to make a soup proclamation: It tastes like a Dirty Martini without the fun! (That means the vodka.) It's got to be Green Olive Soup. I love olives! This was devastating for me. It was the beginning of my psyche downfall. Most of my consumers without hesitating agreed that it was a green olive concoction with carrots. There were no carrots, but I still have to give them full credit because the main ingredient was determined. A few folks thought, perhaps, apples were included with the olives, but that was not the case. Woe is me! Here is a sample of a group effort: Phil decided it was a pickled something. Michael identified pimento. Elaine put 1 and 1 together and the three of them determined it's green olive soup...It's so hard for me to make these confessions! Texts regarding the soup: A niece or nieces texted the soup announcement right from my own home. I'm thinking this might be considered sacrilegious(!): Lisa: (2:45pm) I CALLED THE SOUP! If you have leftovers, please bring some down to me. Olives are my favorite and the soup was good. Rosalie: (2:47pm) You got full credit with my announcement. Lisa: I want my name on your website!!! Rosalie: (7:47pm) I just saw ur message. I've got some pretty big decisions to make! Lisa: (7:49pm) You remember- My husband is the gateway to the posting!!! Rosalie: (7:51) I'll try to keep that in mind So what if this just took me almost 3 hours to write! If anybody has read this entire thing, I'd like to say, "Thank you!", but what's your problem?? You'll need the same 364 days to regroup as I will. Would you believe it took me 3 hours to write this? I hope to share with you next year... 10/18/2014: Nephew Michael- My guess for the soup, without seeing it, is acorn squash with a hint of pumpkin. Happy Holidays! 10/19/2014: Lisa- ...but, let the record show I would still like insider soup hints in honor of my birthday. I'll take your secrets away on vacation with us, I swear!! ? Or may I just suggest a cake flavored mystery soup? NO ONE COULD GUESS IT!!! Hey L- Now there's a thought! You've given me a great idea! I could just add chicken broth to my Kahlua Brownie recipe. Don't tell! 11/3/2014: email from Roberto- I imagine you're already beginning to plan your mystery soup. One of these years I am going to have to drop by for a taste and guess myself! ? 11/8/2014: email Carol- My soup is spicy pumpkin with Mexican cream/ My mystery cocktail is.....pumpkintini - Love it! Coles have mystery drinks. (new tradition starting this year?)/ NWMN's have mystery soups! Gotta love it! 11/24/2014: email Rabbi Praver- I love your chicken soup blog. May I share it on the newsletter? The Mystery Soup site was created and is maintained/updated by none other than Joshua. I believe it's nice to share...and, maybe, someone will have a suggestion for next year's Mystery! I continue to pretend I'm open-minded! 11/25/2014: Phil P- kitchen conversation- I got it! Just use a bunch of bouillon cubes, store bought croutons and puree! Not one person would ever figure it out! 11/27/2014: My 98 year old Daddy- Good thing it's not spicy! 11/27/2014: ...and then there were shout outs of: artichoke, parsnip and rutabaga from the Leah, Beth, Darryl and Matthew table. The first two veggies have already been used and I would need help identifying rutabagas! 11/29/2014: As some of you know our friend, Barbara, gives thanks with her family in Larchmont, NY and on her way home on Saturdays stops by to sample the soup. I wasn't home, but My Man heated some soup up for her and she took a deep whiff of it and announced to him, "Smells like celery." I don't think even chocolate or Kahlua can help my new-found depression! 11/29/2014: Well, I now have almost a year to gather my thoughts and rebuild self-confidence! Well, faithful followers, curiosity seekers or just people who care, I'm proud to announce my success. Besides being thankful for having my 99 year old Dad, Henry, and my 94 year old Mom, Sylvia, here today to sample my soup, NO ONE GUESSED IT! Mystery Soup 2015 Comments: Niece Beth's email: 11/25: We will be back next year! Tell everyone hello for us and I want news about the mystery soup! Uncle Chuck walked into the kitchen from outside yesterday just a second after I dragged my immersion blender out of this year's Mystery! The words spewing from my mouth were not very lady-like!! To his credit he walked by the stove and only saw the rue!!...AND...Then went directly from the kitchen into the living room! Our marriage will continue!! So many tasters~ Mom, Dad, Chuck, Leslie, Lauren, Mark, Asya, Brendan, Leah, Darryl, Ellis et al shouting things like carrot, parsnip, squash, potato, pumpkin, earthy roots, etc. What a shame!! Oh, so sad that the best compliment came from my brother, Mark, "It's not bad." I doubt he'll be cutting and pasting this recipe and using it for a future meal! Sonia was honest, "I give up!" I think my Dad summed it up the best, "Who knows who and who knows what?" Let's eat! By the way nobody asked for seconds! EMERGENCY UPDATE! Today is Saturday, November 28, 2015...Two days after Thanksgiving. I didn't learn my lesson. Two years ago Okra Mystery Soup was served. The day after the holiday THAT Barbara was the only one who guessed correctly. Well, as many of you have thought I am a slow learner! In my very own kitchen at 11:35AM fool that I am, I let her try the soup. First she smells it. Nobody else does that! Then she tastes it several times and announces, "Green Beans"!! My comment, "Holy S**t!! It will take me at least a year to regroup! HELP! I'm having an identity crisis! My self-confidence has disappeared. My ability to make wise choices ~gone~. My hopes of setting a creative environment ~nonexistent~. Oh, woe is me! ( I just had to look this up to see if this is grammatically correct. Yep! It is!!) I have a folder with Mystery Soup possibilities. Some people keep their private important things locked in a safe or in a bank's vault. My folder is even in a safer spot, but I don't trust you! I choose Banana Soup this year because whoever heard of a soup's main ingredient being a fruit? What a great idea...only in my imagination! The Tuesday before Thanksgiving Linda, Stacie and Gail stopped by to help me get organized. I let each one have a mouthful of soup to just get into the spirit of things! They weren't even close. Of course, I was beaming with pride. What a fool!! Chuck saw the finished product, but I removed and destroyed all of the telltale evidence and I never offered him a taste. He did lift the lid and took a deep breath, but to no avail. Now we're up to the big day. There were 13 potential victims! Darryl lifted the lid before the other guests arrived and blurted out "Parsnip turmeric". This gave me false hope! Comments: Lauren: "I'm so bad at this." Joan (first one): "Pumpkin" Chuck: "It's really good!" Zach: "Apple" ...and then there was Beth! In a matter of seconds she announced that the main ingredient had to be bananas. Please don't think this is the first time she has TAKEN AWAY THE CONCEPT OF MYSTERY! I had a fast rant and then got over myself! Joan: (second one): She receives Honorable Mention! There's a rumor that she also figured it out!! Finally, from Amy Jessell: 
This email was so much fun for me to receive: Hi Aunt Rosalie, Thank you very much for the invitation. Unfortunately we won't be able to make it this year. We'll miss all the great food, sweets, and people. Hopefully we'll get up your way soon and be able to stop in and visit. Have a great holiday and I hope everyone enjoys the butter pecan squash soup this year. Love, Michael & Gemma (10/18/2016) 
Happy 25th Anniversary to this Mystery Soup site which was created by Joshua and was acknowledged by the Westport Newmans. I'm now the proud possessor of two bowls that include the years 1992-2017. Perhaps, I'm supposed to share one with Chuck!
Let's get serious now: Welcome to my World...I'M A LOSER, but a proud one! This Thanksgiving there were three shifts of guests from 1:00-5:30PM. Some actually overlapped. The good news is that justified using paper goods instead of real dishes and utensils and this enabled two tasters to become Superstars! On Wednesday we received a lovely Thanksgiving card from our special Florida friends Sheila and Danny. Part of the message Sheila wrote included the following: "I bet your fridge is already loaded with lots of good stuff. Is it chocolate soup this year? Did I guess right?" Hmmmm...not this year!! I'm proud to announce that the CORN SOUP was even enjoyed by many! In fact after all of these years, this soup got the most comments for "yummy-ness"! The taste-testing winners are my 5th grade granddaughter, KAYLA and senior in high school friend, JORDAN! Here are some of the comments/reactions: Kayla: "I was about to give up, but then I noticed some white pieces and figured out that it could be the coating on corn kernels." Jordan: He recognized the corn kernel coating, also. "I love this soup not just the taste, but also the texture!" Joshua: "If this was spicier it would taste like a tortilla soup". The original recipe called for using cayenne as one of the spices, but I chose not to bother. I, also, chose not to mention that! His next verbalization, "This is the best. Usually they're not that good!" This Mother refuses to take this personally! Nancy went from "Not bad...It's good...It's delicious. It could use oyster crackers!" Amy: After mentioning 4 kinds of squash the art teacher said, "It has good color. I'm throwing in the towel!" Tom: "Tastes like gravy!" Matt: "Here are napkins or you might need the sink (as he pointed to the kitchen!)" (I'm much too bright/sensitive to have asked if he was alluding to spitting up or puking!!) Lots of Folks guessed all kinds of squash, beans, pumpkin, chicken, artichokes, etc. ...and for the first time two people asked for seconds- Joshua and Mark...and one person had thirds- Jordan! ...AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER... Monday, 11/19, our special friend, Barbara O'C, brought over a quart of soup for us to share and on the plastic lid wrote "Barbara's Mystery Soup"! Now that's funny! My response the next day was a text: "Thank you so much for the Yummy Lemon Zucchini soup!! :)" Her response: "Gotcha!! Wrong! Asparagus and potatoes." My response: "Nice! We're both soooo mature!!" Chuck started a tradition years ago. The day before Thanksgiving he takes Barbara out for lunch. That becomes a perfect time for my mystery creations. Well, Mystery Soup followers, I used Heinz Vegetarian Beans "in rich tomato sauce" whatever that's supposed to mean! The ingredients on the can start with water and then prepared beans. The type of bean is not listed. Aren't they fancy, tricky and/or annoying? I actually removed the outside paper from the cans and put them through our paper shredder. How pathetic is this lady?? So when several of my guests called out possible main ingredients and shouted out kinds of beans I felt I had the right to ignore them. Remember it's my kitchen and my soup! Oh, Rosalie get over yourself and calm down!! Here's the text my sister, Carol, sent this morning: "I want to make the website again. Here are my thoughts: My response: You're right about our Mom...BUT...get over yourself! You've just put yourself in the Clueless in Canton Category!! :) Lots of tasters mentioned lots of veggies! Between tomatoes, squash and lots of kinds of beans "diners" like Kayla, Lisa, Joshua, Tom, Nancy, Amy, Chuck and Mark were great "shouters"...BUT...Mark is the winner. He figured out that BAKED BEANS were the secret! Once, again, I would like to pretend I'm open to suggestions for next year's Mystery Soup recipe. That will be the 27th time! I think someone should consider another exciting site: MYSTERY DESSERT! I'll have a suggestion or two for you!! 
Well Folks...I'm a failure today, Thanksgiving, November 28, 2019. Did you know that I spend hours annually searching for soup recipes? I have a hiding place for my Mystery Soup Folder because I take this part of my life so seriously!! Today my personal devastation brought joy to others!!
Here's the Salmon Soup Story: After several soup sniffs and tastes the discussion began. Lisa thought the main ingredient was tuna fish. I held my breath because she was close! Kayla thought that carrots might be the main ingredient. The soup did have an orange tinge...BUT...after less than 1 1/2 minutes, Joshua announces, "It's salmon!" To make matters even more difficult for this Mystery Soup Chef his comments continued: 1. "Really good...I think it's the best soup you've ever made. Mostly because I guessed it right!" 2. His joy continued with "Ever since I guessed the Mystery Soup the World seems brighter!" With great pride Kayla did add, "I'm upset I didn't get it, but I did come in second!!" I now have 365 days to improve my status and become a Model Mystery Soup Maven! Last week my husband Chuck and sister Nancy were talking. He complained to her that he was trapping squirrels because they were destroying our roof solar panels. Her comment, “Have Rosalie use them for her Mystery Soup!” That just might be the choice for 2021! Today we had 20 consumers! The COVID-19 Nightmare has changed so many things…BUT…the mystery soup consumption and discussion took our thoughts to another direction! YAY ZOOMING thanks to sister Carol! The following is part of her official email invitation: “In spite of Covid the mystery soup tradition continues. Aunt Nancy drove to Aunt Rosalie's (Newtown) and picked up her samples. Uncle Mark met Aunt Rosalie and Uncle Chuck half way (Waterbury) and Uncle Mark then drove to my house (Canton) and delivered my samples and Amanda's and Matts! My guess is all of the Newmans have their soup as well. All of this was happening during Bubbe's (our Mother’s) yahrzeit (memorial day), making carrying on the family tradition even more meaningful.” Some High-level family thoughts: 1. Nancy: “I tried to cheat and sent a soup sample to the New Haven Soil Center. Great job Ro you even stumped the lab!!!” 2. Ally (niece): …”We shall see if I’m envious or relieved that I cannot try the soup!” 3. Lisa (daughter-in-law):…11/26- It is 12:01am and OFFICIALLY THANKSGIVING so please let the record show I am here with what I'm quite confident will be the very first guess on mystery soup….Zucchini” The taste buds conjured up the following INCORRECT main ingredients: roasted red peppers, zucchinis (again!), eggplants, turnips, carrots, chestnuts, celery, parsnips, green beans and pumpkins! It is with great pride I congratulate Mark and Ally! CABBAGE WON THE MYSTERY SOUP 2020 CONTEST!! It is with great pride I share their texts: ALLY: “For the record I said cabbage first!! But I’ll let Uncle Mark have it since I didn’t taste it!!” MARK: “Ally I will give you the Mystery Soup Championship since you not having it is the same as my tasting it-no sense of smell and bad taste buds.” ALLY: “It’s a team effort hahaha! Let’s both take the win!! 
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