Scrap Kits - 5 of them!

Okay,,, I have been very busy trying to play catch-up here... =) Because I have had 3 computer crashes in the past 3 years, and hubby's retirement, I lost interest in PSP. Seems like I would just get all set up to play and I would have to start all over again.. Although when we went on the road with our motor home, I would bring my external hard drive, and I would save some of the scraps I created (when we didn't have wi_fi). =) Well,, because I was afraid of losing all of my goodies, I have put them all together and am posting them here, finally.. Hope you can use them.. Same TOU, for personal use only.. If by chance you use them in a tut please send peeps here to download.. Thanks & enjoy! Discovery Bay - Pictures that I took when on vacation in Discovery Bay, WA Download HERE BlueJeans Baby FIBJ - HERE Twinkle me please - HERE Twinkle Me Blue - HERE Sunflowers - HERE

Dianne Sierra's Clam Chowder Recipe

I made Clam Chowder for my ailing hubby today and a friend asked for my recipe.. So sharing here as well.. Enjoy! Dianne Sierra's Clam Chowder (I prefer fresh steamed clams, but use canned when not available, as I did here) 3 - 6.4 (184g Tuna sized cans) Canned Minced Clams 5 slices bacon cut into pieces and lightly browned 8 medium/large Red potatoes quartered and thinly sliced (w most of the Skin ON) 1/2 med Onion diced 1 Carrot diced 3 ribs Celery diced 1 Cup half and half 1 Cube Butter 4/5 T. Flour Salt and Pepper to taste *Oyster Crackers for garnish *Optional ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cook Bacon and set aside.. Prep all veggies At the same time.. Prepare potatoes and place in a large pot and just barely cover them with the JUICE drained off the canned Clams and a little water (but not too much water please) Cook potatoes , bring to a soft boil and simmer only as long as it takes the other saute veggies to soften.. You do not want them mushy.. In a saute pan add the whole cube of butter, celery, carrot and onion, salt and pepper. Saute on medium heat until softened. Stirring to keep from browning. Next: Spoon the veggies to the potato pot( but save the butter in the saute pan), and continue to simmer Chowder on low... Add the flour to the butter (in the saute pan) and stir it until it is smooth and well blended (about 2-3 minutes on med heat), add the cup of half and half (or heavy cream)slowly and stiring until smooth. I like to use a wooden spoon when I cook. Add this mix to the simmering potato pot and stir well 2-4 minutes, then add 2/3rds of the Bacon, stir, then when all is well blended, add the minced clams, Stir. Done! note: If the Chowder is too thick, add a little more half and half before you add the clams.. Do not cook the clams for long, they turn to rubber, so add them just before serving the chowder.. The clam flavor really comes from the juice from the clams that goes in at the beginning with the potatoes.. Serve with a few Oyster crackers and a few crumbles of reserved Bacon for a garnish.. Approx 6 lg. servings Total time about 30-45 minutes for me.. Enjoy I make this minus the clams and juice, for my Potato Soup or Italian Sausage Soup, you can also make Potato and Ham soup.... Just saying it is a great soup base recipe, one I concocted many years ago.. Enjoy!!!! ************************************************************************ ♥