*Recipe* Ham and Corn Chowder

So, I made a ham for Thanksgiving, and with two of us, even an 8 LB ham was a bit much.  I decided to use up some of the extra ham in some soup.  Normally I make my Ham and Lentil Soup, but I decided I'd mix it up with a creamy soup for a change.  I paired the chowder with a grilled cheese and, honestly, it was one of the best meals I've had in a long time!

Ingredients

-2 Celery Ribs, diced

-1/2 cup onion, diced

-1/2 tbsp garlic, minced

-2 tbsp butter

-2 tbsp flour 

-3 cups milk (I used 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk and 1 cup light cream and it was plenty thick.  You can use whatever kind of milk you want though)

1/2 cup chicken stock

-2 cups cooked ham, diced

-1 cup potato, diced and lightly cooked (I cooked mine for about 4 minutes in the microwave, but they could be boiled as well)

-1 can kernel corn

-1 can cream corn

-1 tsp Old Bay seasoning

-2 tsp (or to taste) pepper 

Directions 

-In a large saucepan, sauté the onion, celery and garlic in the butter until softened.

-Stir in flour until blended, then slowly add the milk.

-Bring to a boil, stirring until thickened, about 2 minutes.

-Stir in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.

-Reduce heat, cover and simmer about 15 minutes or until heated through. 

thanks to food.com for the inspiration!

Fab Friday Faves 11.25.16

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends and family!  We didn't do too much to celebrate this year, as Josh had to work, but we did have a ham and some fixins and last weekend we had a big celebration with our travel family that turned out great.  Obviously today is Black Friday...I have yet to decide if I am going to brave the crowds.  I have a feeling that it could be a bit insane around here, just a hunch, sometimes you can just tell.  I've actually had a really busy week this week.  I know I haven't said that in a long time, but I did, and it was great!  My friend Mel and her little guy Myles came to visit Jason that works with Josh so I spend most of the week with them along with Lindsey and the kids, a sort of new friend Megan that I met in Peru and her two adorable kidlets, and Rob's wife Theresa and their two girls. It was nice to have some company and some new people to explore with.  I have no clue if Josh and I will be able to do anything this weekend but I'm hoping!  Alright, everyone have a safe and fun weekend wherever you are!

1. On Wednesday we packed up the cars with Mel and Myles, Nicole and I and Megan And Julien and Kayla and went to the Farmer's Market for coffee and wandered up to a couple churches in La Plata, then went for a drive to Chapel Point State Park, which I have visited before, to check out the really cool old church there.  Myles is obsessed with churches, so it was kind of a church hunting mission.  We then stopped at Port Tobacco at the old courthouse and then to lunch at one of my favorites, Red Oak Bistro.  It was a really great day with some awesome friends.  

2. Since I wasn't cooking a Thanksgiving turkey, I decided to adopt one instead.  Her name is Spunky and she lives in California and loves blueberries.  <3

3. Like I mentioned, we had our big travel family Thanksgiving last Saturday and Dave and Lindsey's.  I really dropped the ball and literally took one picture, and it was of the Griswold style Christmas light unveiling.  The whole night was so great, with more food and friends than we could ever ask for.

4. Food was a major theme this week.  I think I ate out more than I have in the last three months combined.  Josh and I even ordered pizza one night which we haven't done since Spring.  We got the new Jalapeño Popper pizza from Vocelli's here in Waldorf and it was DELICIOUS!  And actually really spicy!

5. Again, food, I went to Spoons Korean Barbecue in La Plata and got this delicious hot pot.  This place is relatively new and there is nothing else like it in the are and I am so excited for some thing new and delicious.

Today I'm Linking Up With:

Paula @ Sincerely, Paula

Jerri @ Simply Sweet Home

Heather @ Life In Leggings

Lauren @ Style Elixir

Erika @ A Little Bit of Everything

Katie @ Cup Of Tea

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*Recipe* Marinated Cauliflower and Carrot Salad

Thanksgiving is here, and it is always a challenge to find new and interesting side dishes.  I have the classics; my Bourbon Bacon Sweet Potato Casserole, Green Bean Casserole and creamed spinach,  but I'm always looking for something a little lighter and cleaner to add in.  This year we did our Thanksgiving a week early with our travel family, and we had two kids with tree nut allergies.  You don't realize how hard it is to find Thanksgiving sides without nuts until you have to!  I finally found this marinated salad with nothing even resembling a nut in it and it turned out great.  So, if you are looking for something a little lighter, but still delicious to add to your holiday meal, give this a try!  

Ingredients

• 
  -1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• -1/4 cup olive oil
• -2 tablespoons water
• -5 cups cauliflower florets, fresh
• -1 bay leaf
• -1 garlic clove, minced
• -1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
• -1/2 cup carrot, shredded
• -1/4 cup red onion, chopped
• -1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced
• -1/4 teaspoon dried basil

Directions

In small saucepan, bring vinegar, oil & water just to a boil.

Meanwhile, place cauliflower, bay leaf, garlic & lemon pepper in large heat-proof bowl.

Add hot oil mixture to cauliflower mixture, then toss to combine.

Cover & refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight, stirring occasionally.

Add carrot, onion, parsley & basil, then toss to coat.

Cover & refrigerate another 2 hours.

Before serving, discard bay leaf.

thanks to Food.com for the recipe!

Fab Friday Faves 11.18.16

Happy Friday, Darlings!  I'm at a loss for things to tell you this week... No, really I can't think of anything!  I have a cold this week, so that is fantastic.  I'm also homesick for my friends and family which happens when I get sick and tired.  Luckily, my new drugs I am on for my migraines make me dream a lot and all my dreams have been about my friends and family.  So that helps.  I'm on my way to get my nails done this morning and pick up a few last things for our traveling family Thanksgiving tomorrow.  I'm making my famous Bourbon Bacon Sweet Potato Pie and A marinated Cauliflower Salad.  Most of our core travel family will be together, and even Mel and Myles are coming down from Maine today for the week so it will be great to see them for a few days.  What else?  hmm... I am almost done my Christmas shopping, which makes me excited, and everyday, it looks more and more like we are going to be able to go home to Florida for at least a few days at Christmas.  The in-laws will be at the house so it would be nice to be there with them!  Alright, I have a lot of errands to do today and I feel like crap, so I best be getting my butt in gear.  Have a great weekend everyone!

1. On Friday, I took myself to the Veteran's Day Parade in Leonardtown, MD.  It is one of the largest on the east coast and it was great!  There were tons of floats and veterans and the weather was perfect.  After the parade I went to grad a coffee and wander the town and I stumbled into BTB coffeeshop which is also a speakeasy that I have been wanting to visit for a while so that was neat too.  

2. Saturday was the last vintage market at Boondoggie Farm.  I took Lindsey and the kids and got some stocking stuffers, some wine and we played with the many animals they have out there.  I must say, it was cold but I preferred the 50 degrees to the 100 degrees that all of the summer markets were.  I am going to miss this place a lot and can't wait until it starts up again in the spring.

3. Sunday, Josh and I went for dinner to the Red Oak Bistro in La Plata.  We have been wanting to go for a while and I wish we hadn't waited.  The vibe here is so chill and homey and so not what most restaurants and bars are in this area.  We got the Pork Belly and Gravy Fries for an appy and I got the French Dip for my meal and everything was delicious.  I can't wait to go back!  

4. Holiday cups are back at Starbucks and they have holiday stuff on them this year!  YAY!! haha.  Also, the Holiday Spice Flat White is back... my favorite drink ever at Starbucks.  YAY!  

5. Since it is mid November I thought I would remind everyone about Movember and the importance of raising awareness of Men's Health including Prostate and Testicular cancer Screening and Mental Health and Suicide prevention.  My family has been touched by all of these and it is so important that we make all these issues not embarrassing and turn them into things that are talked about and dealt with before it's too late.  If you haven't donated or don't know anyone that is raising money please click HERE to donate in the US and HERE to donate in Canada.  And if you are a man, go get screened.  It's a lot better than what you will go through if you wait until it's too late.  Thanks to the Charles County Public Library for the use of their Mustaches.  

Today I'm linking up with:

Jennie @ The Diary of a Real Housewife

Paula @ Sincerely, Paula

Jerri @ Simply Sweet Home

Erika @ A Little Bit Of Everything

 

Lauren @ Style Elixir

Tif @ Bright On A Budget

Heather @ Life In Leggings

Christina @ Carolina Charm

Amy @ The Farmer's Wife

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Fall In Maryland

It has been a few years now since I have really got to enjoy a nice Fall season.  Last year we got the start of it in NYC we caught the start of it but then were busy packing and moving to Florida.  The year before, it literally went from 90F to snow in New Jersey, missing Fall almost completely and the year before we were in Peru, with no seasons.  So, this year with a nice long, not too hot, not too cold Fall has been a welcome sight.  Fall is still in full swing in Southern Maryland and the trees are still in color and it is still mostly in the 50s and 60s which is very welcome after the 5 months of 90+ temps we had prior.  I've been trying to get out as much as I can to enjoy it, and along the way I have gotten some fairly nice photos.  They say Autumn on the East Coast is the prettiest anywhere in the world and so far, in my few years here, that is totally true.  So enjoy!  There isn't much story behind most of the pictures, but I have labelled their locations.  

Gilbert Run Regional Park, Early October

Amish Market- Charlotte Hall, MD

Indian Head Rail Trail- Indian Head, MD

Fall arrangement I made for the balcony.

Pond by our apartment- St. Charles, MD

White Plains Regional Park

Indian Head Rail Trail

 Gilbert Run Regional Park

Ellicott City, MD

Patapsco State Park

Gilbert Run Regional Park- Mid November

Pretty butterfly outside our apartment.

Laurel Springs Regional Park