Catching Up

Lots to tell from our busy weekend, only about an hour left to tell it in (Mama's at yet another office party tonight):

Friday--My birthday playgroup, pinatas, and purple frosting

I had a great birthday playgroup, even though lots of people cancelled at the last minute. The remaining few fit perfectly in my house and made the day very happy. Sis had decided minutes before the party that we could indeed use the pinata instead of keeping it as a pet and so we stuffed it full of M&Ms and Tootsie candies (including, Aunt H, the fruit kind, since you had asked). We had fun knocking its head off, literally, with everyone getting a turn and my delivery the final blow (with lots of help from the other moms--this was one stubborn pinata). We then enjoyed chocolate cake with deep purple frosting and rainbow sprinkles, with all the kids helping me blow out the candles (it's a wonder the next plague didn't get its start that day)--one candle for each guest (instead of one for each of my 38 years). Oh, and did I mention that we decorated sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles? Yep, it was sugar overload at my house. With sherbet punch too! No wonder I've sworn off the stuff now.


Friday--Kids' party at Mama's office and Frosty's sneakers

That afternoon, we headed to Mama's office for the company party, also with cookie decorating (but with brushes to put on the Royal Icing--I'm going to try this at our next groundhog party!). Plus foamie ornament making. And face painting. And Santa, of whom Sis is still deathly afraid (she said all week that she didn't even want to go to the party because he'd be there, but Mama was her protector and Santa was kind enough to steer clear when he saw her cowering). And Frosty, whom Bud befriended right away. He showed Frosty his Thomas the Train "tattoo" and the cookie he decorated and his own picture with Santa. He thought Frosty was cool. Sis, clever Sis, was suspicious--why would a snowman wear shoes? Maybe there was a person in there. She didn't make friends with Frosty, but nor did she cry. He intrigued her, from a distance. And she even braved the clowns to have a white bunny painted on her arm. They both loved the fiber optic wands they took home, waving them in the dark car all the way.

Saturday--see "Christmas in the City, Expanded"

Sunday--Decorating the church for the holidays
This was the final touch of our jam-packed, festivity-filled weekend. We participated in the pageant at church and then attended the soup potluck (I liked the cheesy corn chowder. Didn't realize there was bacon til I got the recipe, below. But yummy!) and tree trimming. Oh what fun the kids had helping with that! We'll be putting up our tree this weekend.

-=-=-=-=-

CHEDDAR CORN CHOWDER (this serves 10 to 12)

8 ounces bacon, chopped
1/4 cup good olive oil
6 cups chopped yellow onions
4 tblsps unsalted butter
1/2 cup flour
4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
12 cups chicken stock
6 cups med.diced white boiling potatoes(about 2 pounds)
10 cups corn kernels (fresh 10 ears) or (frozen 3 pounds)
2 cups half-and-half
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese grated.

In large stockpot over med.high heat, cook the bacon and olive oil until the bacon is crisp, about 6 min.. Remove bacon with slotted spoon and reserve. Reduce the heat to med. add the onions and butter to pot, and cookfor 15 min, untill onions are translucent.
Stir in the flour, salt....... pepper and turmeric and cook 3 min. Add the checken stock and potatoes, bring to a boil, and simmer uncovered for 15 min, until the potatoes are tender. Add the corn to the soup, then add the 1/2&1/2 and cheddar, Cook for 8 more minutes, until the cheese is melted, season to taste with salt and pepper.
serve hot with a garnish of bacon.

Enjoy