Hanging With My Girl

One of my all time favorite people to hang out with is my 11 month old granddaughter. Every single day she accomplishes something new. Last week she waved at me, kissed me when I asked for a kiss and clapped when I sang "Patty Cake". Yesterday she did the motion (in her own way) for 'roll 'em up & roll 'em up" - the next verse in "P'Cake". I can't wait to see what today holds!

Potato Soup

Nothing warms the soul like thick, hardy bowl of potato soup. I love to make this dish because every ingredient is normally already around the kitchen. It's not important how much of each ingredient is used; only that the process and type of ingredients are considered. This is a very non-intimidating recipe. Enjoy!

What you'll need:

Large pot

Big spoon to stir with

Potato masher

Small bowl

Wisk

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Bacon

Onion

Garlic

Butter

Flour

Cream

Chicken broth

Potatoes

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To taste; shredded cheese, salt and pepper

As you can tell, I don't have fancy kitchen equipment. I like the feel of cooking the way my grandmother did; use what you have. (I would not be opposed to a new stove though!)

To get started, cut bacon in to about one inch pieces. I used a pound of smoked bacon. In a large pot, brown bacon until crisp. Do not cook too fast, you want to avoid any burning. Once crisp, scoop out bacon and drain on paper towel. Cut onion (I used sweet yellow and green onions) in coarse pieces, mince garlic (I ran out so I used garlic powder), and add a couple of table spoons of butter to bacon grease. Cook just until onion is soft. Be careful, garlic burns easily. Once your onion mixture is cooked, add some flour; I use enough to absorb most of the grease while maintaining a fluid consistancy. Stir until completely blended.

Cut potatoes in large cubes. Place potatoes in onion mixture and stir to coat potatoes with the wonderful flavors. Add chicken broth (or make broth by following the directions on the chicken bullion jar) enough to just cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil stirring as to not allow ingredients to stick to the bottom of the pot. Cook until potatoes are soft. Once potatoes are done, use your potato masher and mash one time around the pot to add to the wonderful thickness of the broth.

In a small bowl, sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of flour. Pour enough cream to keep a liquid consistency. To prevent curdling, dip out a couple of cups of hot soup broth and gradually pour flour & cream mixture into the broth. Now, pour entire mixture back in the pot and gently stir. Your potato soup is now done. Add the crisp bacon, graded cheese, fresh cracked black pepper and salt to taste. Voila!

I Won!

That's the way I feel every time I am with my granddaughter, Lillian Marie. She is so lovable and lets me smooch and smooch her chub-cheeks as much as I want without a budge. She holds her hand out to me so I'll kiss her palm. For the past 9 months I have had liquid delight flow through my veins because of her sweetness. The greatest prize; being a grandma!

Traditions: Knitting

The needles were my grandma Nettie's, the vintage bag is from my dear friend, Sue.

I learned to knit from my grandma Nettie. I don't remember much about what she created; I just remember us knitting. We would be completely intertwined on the sofa; her arms around mine and her hands shadowing mine. I was around 8 years old when she began teaching me. Her soft skin felt like aged velvet; I bet that's why vintage velvet is one of my favorite fabrics.

The patience it must have taken to teach a young girl to knit had to be tremendous. However, now that I am a grandma myself I can see where it may have seemed like a privilege to spend such tender time with her granddaughter. Knitting and pearling were very challenging but casting on was a breeze! I still like casting on. I am not a great knitter, not even a good knitter but I still dink around with it because I don't want to forget how it feels.

My daughter, Stephenie can knit beautifully. She didn't learn from me; my knitting is still at the 8 year old level. I started a nice cotton washcloth for my mom about two years ago; I hope to have it finished by next Spring...I'll keep you posted!