Sunday, Skies and Recipe

 

We awoke yesterday morning to this gorgeous sky! At first it looked like wide black brush strokes across the sky, as soon as the sun started to rise, those black clouds looked like this!! I know there is a message in this...such as when things seem the darkest, just know there will be one of life's beautiful moments will appear. 

 

I also found this quote the other day:

"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud." Maya Angelou

 

Our yard men came  and  power raked the yard Sunday. They also cleaned around the house, and deck etc. They even took our Christmas lights down. (Off the bushes..not a big deal..) ha..ha... I couldn't believe how beautiful the day was. Windows were all open, the birds were singing. It was just so lovely.

 

 

 

Remember the Clam Chowder I told you we made? We had leftovers yesterday, (actually it was better than the first day!) Soups and Stews always are, aren't they??

 

Here is the recipe:

Clam Chowder

4 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into ½ inch pieces

2 large onions, cut into medium dice (about 4 cups)

½ cup flour

8 6.5-ounce cans minced clams, with clams and juice separated

4 8-ounce bottles clam juice

2 cups water

6 medium boiling potatoes, cut into medium dice

2 large bay leaves

1 tsp. dried thyme leaves

2 cups heavy cream

½ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves (I substituted with dry parsley)

Salt and ground black or white pepper (to taste)

Oyster crackers, to serve 

Fry bacon in a large soup pot over medium-high heat until bacon is crispy, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon to a small bowl; set aside.

Add onions to the pot; sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add flour; stir until lightly colored, about 1 minute. Whisk in clam juice (from both the drained clams and bottles of juice) and water. Add potatoes, bay leaves and thyme; bring to a simmer.

                Reduce heat to low; simmer, partially covered, until potatoes are tender; about 10 minutes.

                Add clams, cream and parsley, bacon and season to taste with salt and pepper; bring to a simmer.

                Remove from heat and serve immediately with oyster crackers.

Makes 4 quarts, 10 servings.

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 Hope you're having a good week.

Surprise!

Tom has been looking high and low here in the city for some pickled pigs feet! (Don't ask me why...smile..) But he just loves them and when he goes to the grocery store they just have a very small jar. We have checked with local meat markets, bars (that is where they use to have them), I mean everywhere, to no avail. So finally, I ordered a gallon of them on line. When the Fed Ex truck came the other day, he said "my name is on this box!" So I said, well open it...lol  He was so excited to get them! I hope he likes them, then I'll know what to get him on special occasions...smile...

Yesterday, Tom and I made these cheesy chicken enchilada's! The recipe was in the latest Family Circle magazine! And if you click on Cheesy Chicken Enchilada's you can find the recipe right here on my blog. They were really good, served with fresh tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, served on a bed of lettuce! Yumm.. we had enough for more than one meal....so that is always a plus in my book! I'm adding this to my 'how to use leftover rotisserie chicken!'

Today, Tom's been busy working out in the yard and I've been at my desk (and my back is letting me know it!) Ouch!! 

I always hate to cut these short..but will continue to try and put something up each day until my new laptop comes in! Then I can sit in my easy chair and do my blog!! I have tried to use the iPad, but it doesn't work as well. I even talked with Apple yesterday and now understand why the two programs are not as compatible as I thought they should be!

I shall end this with a quote I just love.

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." 

Marcel Proust (French author)

more as it happens here in the city.................