Bits and Pieces

It should tell you something about my frame of mind that I did my Tuesday Ten a day early. For some reason ... I had myself convinced that yesterday was Tuesday. We have so many things going on that I apparently can't even keep of what day it is properly! Ah well ... at least most of the insanity is good. This is the last week of soccer, and baseball just ended last weekend, so hopefully this means things will settle down for a few months. Until baseball starts up again in the spring, at any rate.

I'm going to see if I can dig up my (pitifully few) projects. I have a half-knitted dishcloth (trying to remember what I learned many months ago), a not-quite-finished knitted scarf, and a baby blanket. Actually, a second baby blanket, but I need to finish that one. I also started a crocheted scrap ripple - all in sc - but that is going to be a long time in the making - that one is for me, which means it's anyone's guess how long it will take to complete.

Let's see, what other things do we have going on? B started band this fall. He chose flute (which I think is cool!). E, A & J all started soccer (B played fall baseball instead) and E and J both seem to have a knack for it. A is afraid of the ball and watched more than he played - but he did have fun. Hmmm ... what else ... B is in Webelos 2 and working towards his Arrow of Light and Boy Scouts. E is a first year Junior and loving that. A started Tiger Scouts and he and I have been having fun with that. Ummm ... hmmm. Not much else on the kid front.

I have been doing a lot of cooking and recipe trying. Since I don't have a fiber project to share, here's a recipe I tried on Sunday. Mike swears it's one of the best things I've ever made (high praise indeed), and I confess I even think it's good - and this isn't a kind of soup I usually like - I don't like the texture. This one, though, I can eat AND enjoy. The thing I especially like about this is while it does have a "long" list - I normally have everything in the house, so I could make it almost any time. Simple is usually best. :)

Parmesan Corn Chowder

Link takes you to the original recipe, what I have posted here is what I did.

2 1/2 cups cold water
2 cups diced peeled potatoes
1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots (I used one large carrot, sliced in half lengthwise, then cut it thin)
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp butter or margarine
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried parsley
2 cups 1% milk
1 (14.75 ounce) can sweet corn, drained
3/4 cup parmesan & romano cheese blend (in the cannister)

In a large saucepan, combine the first six ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until vegetables are tender (do not drain). Stir in drained corn, thyme and parsley and let stand while you do the next step.

In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth; cook, stirring (it will bubble), over a medium low heat until it turns a light caramel color. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir into the vegetable mixture. Stir in cheese. Cook until heated through (I heated until it just started to bubble and turned it off).

Double if making for a larger group. We would definitely need to for our family - I made it as a test run, as written, but will double it for a meal for all six of us.

It was better after it cooled a bit so you could taste the flavors. The thing I liked about it was while there were chunks of potato, and it didn't get that weird gritty texture that potato soups and chowders tend to get (which is what makes me not like them). It's very smooth.