Another New Year

Happy New Year!

Have A Safe & Happy Celebration...

May Your 2012 Be The Best Year Ever!

Christmas 2011

Christmas 2011

This year's celebration was a joyful event!

This Christmas Eve was the year that our married children

spent quality time with the In-Laws.

For the first time in 30 years, Doug really wanted to include some remembrances of my childhood Christmas celebrations. Doug, Oliver & I ended up dining out at La Costa Restaurant, where we savored Mexican cuisine, Tamales in particular. I had spent the day cooking in preparation for all the kids & grandchildren on Christmas Day so I was especially grateful to have a night off...It was fabulous! After Dinner, we decided to go see the latest Mission Impossible movie...very action packed. Then, we came back to our house to follow a 30 year family tradition...the opening of one gift...always PJ's.

On Christmas morning, Oliver came over, we exchanged gifts and had cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Shortly thereafter, Doug & I attended a church service to pause and reflect on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the reason for the season. Later in the afternoon, all the kids, grandchildren, & some extended family came over to celebrate.

Excitement was in the air...Children make Christmastime so Magical!

We ate a wonderful Christmas feast, exchanged gifts, enjoyed dessert and family time together.

It was a memorable occasion and one that our family always looks forward to with fondness!

I ADORE this season because people always seem to be Kinder, Gentler & more Loving!

As 2012, fast approaches, may we carry the spirit of this season throughout the New Year!

Seafood Lover's Winter Soup

I Love Dining at our local Market Street Grill and their Clam Chowder is one of my favorites!

Last night, as the snow was lightly falling & the temperature dropping, there was nothing better than a pot of hot Homemade Soup & Toast...Absolutely Fabulous!!!

Market Street Clam Chowder (Serves 12)
Ingredients:

1 cup red potatoes, diced ½ inch (I diced about 5 good sized potatoes.)

1 cup celery, diced ½ inch (I diced 3/4 stalk of celery.)

1 cup onion, diced ½ inch (I diced 1 white onion.)

1 cup green pepper, diced ½ inch (I diced 1 large green bell pepper.)

1 cup leeks, diced ½ inch (I diced 2 leeks.)

¾ cup chopped clams (canned or fresh) (I used 3 cans of clams 5 0z each.)

¾ tablespoon coarse ground black pepper

1 ½ tablespoon salt

¾ tablespoon whole thyme (I used fresh thyme.)

6 bay leaves

1 teaspoon Tabasco

¾ cup dry sherry

2 cups water (I used about 5 c. water...Enough water to barely cover top of potatoes.)

¾ cup clam juice (drained from canned clams or purchased separately in can)

¾ cup butter, melted

1 cup flour

2 quarts half-and-half

Method:

Combine melted butter and flour in oven-proof container and bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. (Sounds odd, but it is the easiest to do a thickening for cream based soup.)

In large saucepan, combine remaining ingredients except half-and-half. Simmer until
potatoes are thoroughly cooked. Stir butter-flour mixture into chowder and stir
until thick. Mixture will be slightly less thick than cookie dough. Remove
chowder from heat. Stir in half-and-half until blended. Heat to serving
temperature, stirring occasionally.Serve immediately.

Toast

Method:

Slice any kind of bread about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick...I prefer Artisan, French or Baquette. Arrange on baking sheet, laying flat. Spoon good Olive Oil on the top of each slice. Bake @ 350 degrees until bread slices are lightly golden...approx. 5 - 10 minutes.