I misplaced my creativity. I found it in my bowl.

I just can't seem to get myself motivated these days. Everywhere I turn, I'm bombarded with messages of layoffs, the failing economy, and the messed up things we're doing to the environment. Even the good days are overshadowed by these dark clouds rolling overhead.

While I've been hiding from the world quite effectively in my little love bubble, I'm pretty sure the sickeningly sweet words swirling through my mind are nothing you people need to hear.

I was pretty excited today to get the International Association of Business Communicators' CW magazine delivered to my desk. The front cover urged me to "Get Creative!" and yet, nothing within its pages did the trick. Over and over, articles told me the importance of being creative in this failing economy, the doom and gloom of this economy and attempted to educate me on how to weather the downturn.

I need something to get my creative juices flowing. Maybe some delicious homemade butternut squash soup? I wanted to dive into the blender to devour every last drop.

Butternut Squash Soup
1/2 of a white onion, chopped
4 tablespoons margarine
2 butternut squash (I used 1 squash and 1 sweet potato to change things up)
water and chicken bouillon/chicken stock (enough to make 3-4 cups of chicken stock, but you can use broth if you want to)
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (I was out of this, so I used curry powder. Yum.)
About half a stick of light cream cheese.

1) In a large saucepan, saute onions in margarine until tender.
2) Cut squash in half, put them insides down on a plate with a bit of water, and microwave for 12-15 minutes.
3) While squash is cooking, add water, bouillon, marjoram, black pepper and cayenne to the onions.
4) Take the outsides off the squash when it's cooked. It will be hot, so be careful.
5) Add squash to pot and let the flavours do their little dance.
6) Puree soup and cream cheese in blender (I did half at a time) until smooth.
7) Return to saucepan, heat through (don't boil).
8) Try not to lick to bowl. Who am I kidding? Go for it.