Umbrellas, Snow and 1-2-3- Potato Soup

A day to remember. 

It rained

I walked a couple of blocks

Picked up my playmate

She was dressed for the occasion

Boots

Mittens

Hood

Umbrella

Off we went

Wind caught under our black sails

Cold-footed drops tap-dancing over our heads

I said

"Can you hear the pitter patter of the rain drops?"

She giggled

"Mommy already asked me that."

I smiled

"And what was your answer?"

"YES!'

(Okay, obvious question, even to a 4 year old.)

~
We arrive home

De-brief the camera

She, on a barstool

Me, standing close behind

We both like the posterized version

Papa is home

He calls out like a trumpet

" It's snowing!"
We run to the window

Huge flakes of snow
Floating down like happy parrot troopers

She dances
(Poor Auntie Em's been wanting snow for 20 years!)

Then we make hot chocolate

And potato soup
(...because I intend to have a grandchild say to her grandchild,
 "I learned to cook in my Mimi's kitchen.)

                 

                         Here is our recipe 

1-2-3- Creamy Potato Soup

8 large potatoes washed, peeled and cubed

    (I used red this time and removed half the peel.)

½ - 1 lb. cooked bacon

2 chopped onions

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 quart chicken stock

2 cups water

2 cups milk

½ cup flour mixed with ¼ cup water (to thicken soup) 

3 tbs. butter

Salt and pepper

Stove top instructions:

1.  Sauté onion and celery in large stockpot. 

2.  Add chicken stock, water potatoes, and bacon. Bring to boil, turn down heat and simmer 2-3 hours.

3. Add milk (slowly).It is best if milk is room temp. One hour before serving, mix flour and water and add to soup.

*For extra creamy soup: when ready to serve, scoop about 3 cups into blender and mix until smooth and pour back into soup pot.

Crock pot instructions:

1.  Add butter vegetables, stock and water to crockpot.

2.  Cook on high 6 hours.

3.  One hour before add warmed milk, make paste with ½ cu. flour and 1/4 cu. water and stir into pot.
(See * above)

When serving soup, add one cooked, sliced hot dog (or sausage, or not) and a handful of cheese to the top of each bowl.

 Makes 8-10 servings

                                

(Click the Print Friendly button to save or print.)

~Enjoy

Linking up with:
Farm Chick Chit Chat
Brighton Park: Tender Moments with Toddlers and Preschoolers
White Wolf Summit Farmgirl
Backyard Farming Connection
Deborah Jean's Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop

Listening : "This Moment"

I was inspired this week by two people:

The first was my yoga teacher, Mary.

Mary delivers a beautiful card to her students at the beginning of each year with a sankalpa, or resolution that is stated as fact (or faith). Interestingly, this concept is also called an "intention."  And since Intention is my word for 2013 I listened,...well, intently. Here is the lovely sankalpa written on her card, which I have placed in the center of my home:

"I listen to my heart's whispers." 

The second inspiration came from Sheila, a fellow blogger and new friend who has purposed to post, (in her words) : "...a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." farmhousewife

Sheila also inspired me to think harder about self acceptance.  If God accepts me as I am, why don't I?  Hmmmm....I'm thnking about that one.

In honor of these two women and their ideas, I've decided to post a photograph each Saturday that depicts one single moment that spoke to my heart, or my intention, causing me to think, to feel blessed, or to change.  Unless noted, "This Moment" will be seen through my camera lens.

If you're inspired to do the same, tell me about your "intention', or leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see."

~Blessings to you,
Becky

A Word for 2013

Since 2011, I've begun each new year with a word choice -- a word that would become a point of meditation and even decision throughout the year ahead.

My first word, 'OPEN,' became a password, causing hinges on closed vaults to budge, inviting me to consider, probe and try things I would have ignored before "open" presided over my decisions.

The logo for 2012 was 'STEP,' a logical word to follow open. Step invited more adventuresome decisions and even ended up in the title for another blog: Step into Our Garden.

However, with 'step' and 'open' as influence peddlers, I noticed that life became cluttered with a few chotchkies with no clear purpose.  Thus, my word for 2013: Intention.

The mantra for 2013 reflects my desire to become more aware of what lies behind my choices.  I plan to study my intent and I intend to pay close attention to how it lines up with my desire to be time-wise and purpose-wise.

I'm certain 'intention' will inspire editing of the hubbub created by the previous words.  But more importantly, I hope this word will rejuvenate the connection between the intentions of my Father-God and my own, as His indwelling Spirit gives me the wisdom and power to choose and do his will, performing His intention in my life.

I'm linking this post with the lovely Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop at Deborah Jean's Dandelion House.