Wendy's Clam Soup

This is supposed to be a clam chowder recipe, but I never make it thick or chowdery. I've been making this for years now, the original came from a cook book so old that it told you to shuck your own clams. I have modified it since then and "just make it" so I apologize for the vagueness of some of my measurements.

Wendy's Clam Soup
1 lb of regular bacon (i.e. not maple, etc. you can use low fat, etc. if you want)
1 medium onion, diced
8 6.5 oz cans of chopped clams
6-8 potatoes, diced
Paprika
Milk - your choice on which fat level. I use 2%.

Slice the bacon into small pieces (I find this easier than cooking it and then cutting it) and cook in a large soup pot until slightly crispy.

Remove bacon and most of the bacon fat, leaving enough to cook the onions in. Saute the onions.

Once the onions are cooked, add the clams, including the juice and potatoes. The clam juice should be enough to cover the potatoes. Add paprika to taste. Potatoes absorb salt, so you'll probably be using more than you'd think. My guess is at least a tablespoon. Bring to a boil and then let simmer until the potatoes are cooked through.

Add milk - approximately 2 cups. Be careful not to add too much, or you'll thin the clam juice too much and it won't be as flavorful. Taste it and add more if you'd like.

Add the bacon and let all the flavors mix for about 5 minutes and it's done!

It doesn't sound like much, but it has a great flavor. Experiment, add other spices and make it your own :)

Photography Challenge Day 14: Eyes

It's funny, since Angie was born various people have told Lenny and I that she looks just like us, yet Lenny and I don't look much alike. For this photo challenge I thought it might be fun to compare our eyes. So, whose eyes does Angie have? :)

Next up in the Photography Challenge: Silhouette

United We Stand

I've tried to write two other blog posts tonight, but my mind just kept wandering. It's not hard to figure out why... tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of September 11th, 2001. For ten years now any time anyone says nine-eleven, no matter what they're talking about, my shoulders tense ever so briefly.

I found this via Google Images, but couldn't find original artist. Great picture.

My 9/11 story isn't overly dramatic. I spent the day at work, crammed into an office with my other co-workers glued to a small tv screen. We watched the towers sway, then collapse. It was surreal. I will never forget it.

I am proud of my country, of the people on Flight 93 who were the first to fight back, of those who saved lives that day, and those who died trying to, of the servicemen and women who responded to an unforgivable act and the feeling of unity that came in the days afterwards. Sure, Americans aren't always united - just look at our politics, but you can be pretty damn sure that if you attack us, especially on our own turf, we're going to come after you. 

It's just a shame that "United We Stand" often only happens during the worst of times.

Time

As I mentioned, I'm doing two photo challenges at the moment. This week's challenge in the other contest was time. I tried several different ideas, but settled on this one.

Photo of our HUGE assortment of watches, with effects added.

The next two challenges in this photo challenge are Open Study, followed by Stop Motion.

Photography Challenge Day 13: Yourself with 13 things

This one took me forever. It's awfully hard to take a picture of yourself, let alone figure out 13 things to put in the picture with you.

Actually, some of the "13 things" are cut off at the bottom of this picture. Yes, I know, there are a lot more than 13 things in this picture, but the ones I specifically included were (from left to right):

1. Cathy - my baby doll from my youth.
2. Chauncy Bear - one of my favorite bears
3. Perry the Platypus - because he's just that cool
4. Secret deodorant - because I got a years supply free because I have "Klout"! LOL
5. The Ladybug pillow pet - because she's cute and reminds me of Angie
6. Bud Light with Lime - because it's yummy
7. My iPad - because it too is just that cool
8. Stephanie's Clown - she gave it to me when I left New Orleans. Her mother gave it to her and it means a lot
9. The Heart Aunt Pat sent me (barely visible on the clown's lap) - because she means a lot to me
10. Kermit the Frog - he was my first love
11. Pooh Bear - he's been with me since I was born
12. My iPod Touch - I use it almost daily. Best thing I have ever purchased, hands down.
13. My Kindle - my newest geeky gadget and I love it :)

Don't you just love my library, not to mention my Eeyore jammies? :)

FINALLY this photo challenge is behind me! Next up, Eyes.