Snowy Day--pics and recipe

Our small part of the sunny South experienced a near-record snowfall yesterday; our local airport registered 8.6 inches!

If you're a southerner, you know that THAT kind of snow (ANY kind, really) leads to a complete halt of life as we know it. Schools and places of business close down, grocery stores are emptied of bread and milk, and everyone, no matter their age, becomes a kid again :).

Our special snow festival has included: taking a family walk to view the neighborhood, making snow angels, collecting a big bowl to make snow cream, opening all the blinds so we could watch it snow while we watched the Winter Olympics, and eating waaaaay to much "comfort food". Calories consumed while it's snowing don't count, right?

Speaking of comfort food, my mom emailed me a wonderful recipe that we enjoyed for lunch today: Cheesy Chicken Chowder.

Ingredients:
2 (14-oz.) cans chicken broth
2 cups peeled, diced potatoes
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken

1. Bring chicken broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce heat. Add potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.

2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add flour and mix well. Gradually stir in milk and cook over low heat until slightly thickened. Stir in cheese and cook until melted. Add cheese mixture to broth and vegetables along with chicken. Cook and stir over low heat until thoroughly heated.

Try it--you won't regret it!

Later Days!
Kelly

p.s. More snow pics will follow!