The other day...I decided it was time for some soup...
I had always wanted to make Potato Leek soup....
One of the blogs I follow "The Crafty Gardener"...inspired me, with her recipe...to get started...
Her recipe was very easy to follow...[in my sidebar]
I "tweeked" it a bit...to suit my tastes...
I prefer a lot of seasoning in my soup...
After thinly slicing the leeks...[2..white and pale green parts only]
Softening them in butter...[you decide how much]
I added the chopped celery...[3 stalks with leaves]
I also included the celery leaves....as I find they add a ton of flavour...
Generous amounts of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper...
Sauteed those ingredients until tender...
Added the chicken broth, and water...[3 cups broth...1 water]
Added the diced potatoes...[LOTS...as i love them..5-6]
Some dried Thyme...
A few Bay Leaves...
More Pepper...:o)
Bring to a boil...then....
Let that simmer until the potatoes are tender...
That took quite a while...but well worth the wait....
Added the milk...[2 cups]
Simmer again...[do not boil]
When fully cooked, you may puree 1/2 of the mixture...and add back to the soup...
I did not puree mine...
I used my potato masher...just to break down the potatoes...
Enjoyed with some fresh crusty bread...
Delicious!!!
Bon Apetit...
Nothing better on a cold Winters night...
Thanks for the inspiration Linda [AKA Crafty Gardener]
Hope you all are having a great day...
Off to feed the cats...ONE last time...
And to get our Tree...HO HO HO!!!!
Driving to the cottage tomorrow,see what's happening
out there...
Have a great evening...
Lamb Chops and Wild Rice are on the menu...
With a Greek Avacado salad on the side...yummo!!!
Cheers! :o)
linda
I had to go to Burlington again today...to feed my daughters 3 cats...
So....
IKEA is right around the corner...
So....
Vivian and her Mom and I decided to go to IKEA before feeding the cats....
Erika and I also had lunch there...
What a ZOO!!!!
She picked up a few things she needed...
ANd I paid for my Tree...and will pick it up tomorrow...
When I GO back to feed the cats for the last time...
They are home from Disney World on Friday night...
VIvian had a grand time....charmed the crowds...
We arrived at my daughter
Lissa's...
Fed the cats...
Pixie gets some Cat Milk and wet food...
Maximus and JJ...get the hard...
Plenty of fresh water...
Changed the litter...:o(
I took a few shots of Lissa's backyard...
It is sooooooo cute....She also loves to garden...
Erika and Vivian lounged on the couch...
After her bottle...
Sweet little Pixie jumped up to say "Hi!"
Vivian smiled and smiled...
She also has 3 cats at home!
Took these last year when I
looked after them...
Pixie....:o)
J.J......:o)
Maximus......:o)
I am pooped.........again.....long day...
Have dinner in the oven...pork tenderloin...roasted potatoes...
Sauteed mushrooms and red peppers....
Then..........RELAX....until tomorrow...do it all again!!!
Hope you all had a great day...
CHeers! :o)
linda
After we had done some more raking...
And BLowing of the leaves....
We had lunch in the sun...
I even did a crossword after we ate...
I keep a stash of them there...
For just such an occasion..
The parsley is still growing...
Woodland Geraniums a lovely red....
That stone is still in place on the beach...and a pumpkin washed up!!!
Found a very large shell...still intact...
The grass is still green and lush...
You only know it is Fall...as there are no leaves on the trees...
It was rather chilly that day...and kinda windy..
But the sunshine made up for that...
We both had our "cottage" selection of clothes...
We never seem to bring enough warm stuff!!!
With the Lake breeze...it can be deceiving...
Pretty soon we will have to shut the water off...
And say goodbye to another year at the lake...
But...
We are only 75 minutes away...so can visit often..:o)
Hope you all had a great day...
I had another busy one...
Cheers! :o)
linda
Another thing a lot of you don't know about me...
Besides.....
My love for gardening, cooking, decorating...
Photography...loving my Family...and Friends...
Nature....birds...
Thunderstorms across the Lake...
I also enjoy making my own cards...
And buying small gifts for the people I love...
Doesn't have to be a Grand gift...
Just something thoughtful....unexpected....from the Heart...
My son purchased his first home, and moved in May of this year...
Brand new experience for him... for his cat Buddy....and for Anna...
They have been dating for at least 3 years...
And began "co-habitating" in May....at the brand new house...
They have made it thru 6 months together...
SO....
I had purchased this candle...for my "secret stache" of goodies...
Pulled it out...
Slapped a beautiful ribbon on it....
And found these "disco-balls" in the drawer with the ribbon...
And....feeling 'kinda Festive....tied them on!!!
I think it looks very romantic and charming....
I made them a card....featuring a beautiful Florida Sunset...
And wished them all the best for a future full of Sunsets together ...
Knew that I could share this with you...
And you would understand completely....
Hope you are having a great day...
Cloudy and cool...
Will be babysitting this evening...
My boyfriend is away on business...
So.......I AM ON MY OWN!!!!
Cheers! :o)
linda
After finally putting my garden to sleep for the long winter ahead...
I brought in a few to try and keep alive 'til next season...
I brought in 2 Purple Spikes...and one of them had a few precious begonias
still blooming in the pot...
Their cheery faces forced me to take a few pics...
Aren't they lovely???
Such a beautiful bright pink...yellow stamens...
And the softest soft of pinks ....
I hope they keep flowering for me...
For a while longer...at least...
Hope you are all having a great day...
Did a run to Burlington to feed my daughters cats...
Took a few pics...will see how they turn out...
Got my hall table decorated for Christmas...
Stay tuned...
Enjoy the begonias....I am... ;O)
And this little flower as well...
Cheers! :o)
linda
I have a few Christmas Cactus...
I have had them for years...
A few are blooming now....
And I am sure the others will soon...
I will be sure to share them with you...
Hope you are enjoying your Sunday...
Take a few moments...
Enjoy the blooms...
From me....
To you...
Enjoy your evening...
Cheers! :o)
linda
More Pepper...:o) 
