Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Cold Weather Chowder

Yep, it's been getting cooler lately and what better then a delicious corn chowder for dinner.  There is nothing better then using the slow cooker.  I love throwing everything together in the morning and BAM come dinner time it's ready. Check out this great, yummy corn chowder recipe (via Pinterest).  It has become a household fave.

What you'll need:


1/2 pound bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
About 5 medium sized potatoes, NOT peeled, diced in 1/4 inch cubes
about 2 pounds kernel corn (I used frozen)
1 medium/large sweet yellow onion, finely chopped
1 cup chopped celery
6 - 8 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
32 ounces (4 cups) chicken stock
16 ounces heavy cream
salt and pepper

You will combine all the ingredients except for the heavy cream. 










John's favorite part..the bacon. Crumple it and add to slow cooker.




Put it all in a large crockpot. 


Give it a good mix.  Look at how great that looks.

Once all the ingredients are added, cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10.
Once cooked, you will take half of the soup and place into a blender or you can leave it in the slow cooker and use an immersion blender. I spooned half of the soup into my Ninja blender. 


blend and return to the rest of the soup in the slow cooker. 


now's the time to add the cream. Once added heat through for another 15 minutes or so. Salt and pepper to taste.


and here ya go. 

Serve with some corn bread and enjoy. 

Sorry, no presentation plate...we just dug in. 






Tuesday, November 6, 2012

With what does your heart wrestle?

Contentment is a topic that seems to revisit me often. I catch myself wanting this or that, change this or that, move here and there. I'll be happy once this, I'll be satisfied once that. I have always questioned myself lots of times as to why I struggle with my walk with God.  Why I have never been content or why I do not let myself be completely overwhelmed by His love for me. To have an intimate relationship with Him. I would wonder why I would not hear from God or why I never felt a "closeness" to God that I know is possible.  I have in the last year strengthened my relationship with Him but there is always something that is holding me back from giving my all, to completely surrendering. During church last Sunday something clicked.  I love Jesus and I have always had one hand holding onto Him but my other hand has been gripped tightly to my past and to the things of this world that I just could not let go. I guess the older I get and as a mother I see how unimportant things of this world really are.  This world will pass away.  Where my treasure is, there my heart will be. Have you heard of that song by Jeremy Camp..? You can have this world...just give me Jesus.  I must always find my roots buried in Him. That is the only place I will find true contentment, rest, and peace. 


"If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." -C.S. Lewis

Got the wheels turning