There's No People Like Snow People!

"All of us every single year, we're a different person.  I don't think we're the same person all our lives."~ Steven Spielberg

 

 

 

Can I just say that I love winter?  And I love snow.  I find snow people very enchanting.  Here are two snowmen that my daughter and I came across in our neighborhood.  The second snowman was built around a mailbox and seemed so whimsical when the mailbox lid was opened; as if he wanted to tell us something or spit out the bills. 

 

 

 

 

I found a snowman panel and a snowman border print in my stash that I remember buying last year.  I used the border print and a 60 degree triangular ruler to make a cute table runner.  I added two borders to the snowman panel to make a cute snowman wall hanging.

 

 

 

 

           I've said it before that I love a good soup recipe.  Soup is the ultimate comfort food for winter.  I was looking for the perfect recipe for corn chowder.  I found several and combined ingredients from all of them to come up with this one.  I think it turned out pretty good.

Corn Chowder with Ham

2 Tbsp. butter

½ onion, diced

3 celery ribs, diced

1/3 cup green pepper, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ cup carrots, diced

2 cups chicken broth

4 cups diced potatoes

1 (15 oz.) can creamed corn

1 (15 oz.) can corn, drained

2 cups diced ham

½ tsp. paprika

¼ tsp. sage

¼ tsp. thyme

¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

½ tsp. parsley

4 Tbsp. butter

4 Tbsp. flour

4 cups half and half

salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter in large pot.  Add onion, celery, green pepper, garlic and carrots and saute’ until tender.  Add diced potatoes and chicken broth.  Bring to a boil. Turn to low and cover with lid and simmer for about 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.  Add corn and ham and seasonings.  Melt 4 Tbsp. butter in medium saucepan.  Add flour and stir for one minute. Add half and half and cook until thickened.  Add this mixture to the large pot and stir.  Season with salt and pepper.  Serves 8-10.  Optional garnishes: bacon crumbles, shredded cheese, fresh parsley, paprika.

 

Before each new year, I try to read a good self-help book to inspire me to make good resolutions for the coming year and to help me do better.  My niece brought this book on tape to me one day and I listened to the author read it.  I have to admit that it was very inspiring.

 

 

The best gifts are homemade gifts.  I love this homemade snowman that my daughter and son-in-law made from slices of a thick tree branch.  He looks at home on our porch.