As I type this post, the light from the office window is barely peaking through the snow covered panes. The wind is howling, and the branches on our massive pine trees are drooping from the weight of mother natures fury today. I like it. It gives me a sense of peace and a sense of home.
Bad weather usually puts me in full-on baking mode! We’ve all been just a bit under the weather though. It was the tax prep that was killing me. I swear.
Soup. Soup sounds good. So . . . after I had a little discussion with my husband on these matters:
- How much laundry detergent is needed to get clothes clean.
- Yes honey . . . I only use one softener sheet in the dryer.
- If you’re itching, it’s because you refuse to use lotion.
- I don’t itch . . . I use Lotion.
- Here . . . Have a bowl of this Soup . . . It will cure you.
Oh, you just have to love husbands. I’ve been doing wash now for ohhhh let’s say 34 years now and suddenly it seems I do it all wrong. Thats quite o.k. I still consider myself pretty darn lucky. If laundry is the topic of our discussions, I can live with that. I’ve never been put on a budget or been told how much or how little I can spend at the grocery store. I guess he decided a long time ago, that I was smart enough to balance a checkbook. If there wasn’t any money in the checking account, then I knew I couldn’t write out a check. He can blame his itching on me. I can only remember a few times that he went screaming around the house like he was on fire.
Picture this scene: A wife . . . 4 teenage daughters . . . clothes . . . shoes . . . hairspray & perfume . . . more clothes . . . more shoes . . . too much hairspray & perfume. One day he had a melt down. We were all banned from clothes, shoes, hairspray and perfume!
It didn’t last long though. A couple of minutes and we forgot about it. He can blame his itching on me!
One last thing. As I was writing this post, guess what was staring at me?
This tree is right outside our office window. I think he’s cold. He’s not alone though. I believe he itches too!
The other one is his wife . . . she refuses to do his laundry!
Potato & Cheddar Chowder with Crumbled Bacon
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons butter
- 2 to 3 carrots, peeled and thinly diced (opt)
- 2 to 3 celery stalks, thinly sliced (opt)
- 1 small onion, chopped (opt)
- *I substitute 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder instead
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 8 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups milk
- 4 chicken bouillon cubes
- (*I use Knorr brand bouillon cubes)
- 4 cups water
- 4 to 5 potatoes, peeled and cut into small 1/2 ” cubes
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
Instructions
- DIRECTIONS
- About 45 minutes before serving: in a large pot, over medium heat, melt the butter. If adding vegetables, once the butter has melted turn the heat to low.
- Add diced carrots, celery and onions, (all optional) and cook until tender, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in flour, mustard, paprika, salt, pepper, and stir for about 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk, water and add the bouillon cubes and the potatoes.
- Over high heat, heat to boiling, stirring constantly, then reduce heat to low.
- Cover and simmer ten minutes or until potatoes are tender.
- Remove saucepan from the heat and stir in the grated cheese, just until melted, or turn heat to lowest temperature.
- Do not let the soup boil!
- If you like, top each serving with crumbled bacon, or add directly to your soup .
- Makes about 8 – 1 cup servings.
by Get Off Your Butt and BAKE
Looks delicious! About the “itching” and laundry…my hubby always gets itchy ankles in the winter and thought the soap was staying in the elastic. But we came to the conclusion because this only happens in the winter, it’s from the cold…which dries out your skin.
We just found out this week that our 4 yr. old granddaughter has Celiac disease 🙁 Very upsetting but at least not life-threatening, thank God! So we’re all in for a food life-style change. Would you happen to have any good gluten-free recipes or know of a good source? She hasn’t seen the nutritionist yet but I’m sure they will be very helpful. Thanks Jonna!
I will sure do some looking Ellie!
Jonna
This soup looks perfectly delicious. It’s cold and snowy in Utah. This is going on the menu this week!
We couldn’t live without out water softener. My skin is super dry and painful. No amount of lotion gives relief. But soft water helps! Oh the things one shares on a blog comment!!!
Hi Cindy,
That’s funny because the two things he blames his itching on is laundry soap and our water softener! I would die without it!
Jonna
I am drooling now for this chowder! Cannot wait to make and serve to my hubby! PS – I solved the itchy skin problem with using Aveeno Skin Relief body wash (fragrance free). I highly recommend!