Saturday, January 9, 2010

WHAT HAPPENED TO FRIDAY NIGHT????

Sorry about that -- dozed off to sleep  last night -- and when I awoke - brain was blank and could only think "Go to Bed" - so I did!  I will try to make up for it tonight!

Guess we've been brrrrrr cold - but very lucky to not have rain - which would have turned to dangerous ice!  God is good!   But I'm cold and wish I was in some place really tropical! 

I was really sorry to see Colt get hurt the other night and Texas lose!  Regardless -- if you are a Texas fan, A&M fan, Raider's fan or what ever -- I would hope that we are all Texans and want whatever Texas team that is playing to win! 

Last year Travis and I started a kind of Saturday morning tradition and that is - we go to eat breakfast some place each Saturday morning.  We try out lots of places - some very good, some very bad (one-timers!) and some that are very good but are either too expensive or take too long.  So along the way - we have a few standbys -- The Shed in Edom, Cracker Barrel at I-20 and 69, and the Diner here in Tyler. Lately -  I've noticed all these "old" men with long gray ponytails (I am talking teenage girl long!) and I could never figure out their deal.  They look really dumb - in overalls (so they don't look like musicians) old flannel shirts mostly, well - just like unkept old men!  This morning -- just maybe I figured it out -- we walked out of the restaurant and that cold air hit my neck and ears and I remarked: "Wow - wish my hair was longer!"  So maybe they've grown it that way to keep warm  -- but in the summertime????? 

I am not sure what any of that blabbering" has to do with cooking, but it is all just thoughts I decided to share!  I have  a wonderful assistant at work that makes my life a lot nicer and she is also a great and adventurous cook!  I had mentioned the Ham & Corn Chowder I had made on New Year's day and she asked that I share the recipe.  I took it work yesterday - but I never got it to her.  So Kathy - just for you!

Ham and Corn Chowder

2 Cups diced potatoes                                   1 Cup Cream of mushroom soup
1 Cup chopped onion                                     2 Cups Milk or half and half (what I use)
1 Cup boiling, salted water                            1 Tsp. Salt
2 large cans Whole kernel corn                      1/2 to 1 tsp. Black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed into soup mix * optional
2 Cups chopped ham (I used ham from Christmas and heated in skillet with tad of olive oil)  "Tad" is about 1 tablespoon full!
1 tsp. Pensey's Fox Point seasoning -- any good spicy seasoning - even garlic and basil or a little French Thyme would be good!                                  

Cook potatoes and onion in boiling, salted water until fork tender.  Do not drain, but stir in corn(including the liquid in cans), soup, ham, salt and pepper, and other seasonings.   Cook a few minutes and add milk or half and half.  If too thin, add 2 tablespoons corn starch to 1/2 cup cold water, and stir into soup and simmer until thick.  IF too thick -- simple add more milk.   Taste to see if it needs more salt or black pepper!

There - Kathy - now you can use your ham!!!

I was really proud of Travis today!  He cleaned out a "lost and found" room that was full of towels (probably close to 100), shoes, and everything in between, that had been left behind at one of the camps.  He took it to the Men's Rescue Mission on Glenwood.  They were so appreciative of everything and he asked if there was anything else they could use.  One of the men in charge  told him they could sure use some meat -- that they had been surviving on a few vegetables for the past few days.  Travis called one of his bosses at Pine Cove, and he, in turn,  made a phone call to the man in charge of food,  and they emptied a pantry of food they were not using.  Travis loaded it up and took about a half pick-up load of food to them.  Then his boss told his Sunday school class and they bought and took over about 20 hams.  Travis had also taken then about 150 lbs. of chicken legs and thighs.  He said regardless of what caused these men's problems that placed them there - you can just look in their eyes and see broken men.   I wonder how many of us really stop and think about how blessed we are?  Probably none of us - as often as we should!!

I'm sure everyone either had peanut butter and banana sandwiches when they were young - or even like me - likes them now -- but have you ever tried sliced apple on peanut butter!  It is delicious!  I've even got my 92 year old Mom liking it -- and she had never tried it!  Never too old to learn something new - and delicious!

Guess I will go see how the Cowboy game is going - so- take care - go to Church - and tune it tomorrow night!!!

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