Clam and Potato Chowder

I did love a good clam chowder or oyster stew, but I have recently developed a seafood allergy, so I probably won’t be making this again anytime soon, as I don’t particularly care for the ER.

If this recipe looks a little familiar, that is because it is very similar to our potato soup recipe.

Clam and Potato Chowder

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pound bacon, chopped
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 T. minced garlic
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
  • 3/4 cup diced celery
  • 6-8 medium to large potatoes, diced
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 c. chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2-3 small cans of clams
  • 4 cups heavy whipping cream
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional toppings: chopped chives, bacon bits, or parsley

Directions:

Fry the bacon in a large pot. Drain bacon on a plate lined with paper towels and set to the side.

Cook onions, garlic, carrots, and celery in the bacon grease until the onions are translucent.

Add the potatoes and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Reduce the heat to low and whisk in flour, stirring constantly until the flour is cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Add broth, juice from the clams, and half of the bacon.

Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer.

Cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.

Add whipping cream and the clams. Let simmer for 5 minutes.

Add water, broth, or milk to get it to the consistency you desire.

Season to taste, and add your favorite toppings.

I like to serve it with oyster crackers.


Making Memories: An Afternoon Tea Time Menu Ideas

We want to create special memories, and my kids enjoy having tea time. Shyanne didn’t understand the concept of a make-believe tea time for a good while, but she likes having the real thing. We like to try out different teas, and we have been growing some of our own herbs for teas.

You can cut the regular sandwiches into small shapes for ‘finger sandwiches’ and make or buy a variety of cookies, cakes, and other treats. Check out our Hobbit-Inspired Menu for some ideas.

The conversation should be positive and productive, and it can help teach proper social interactions. Set the table with some pretty dishes and cups… maybe even buy some that are special for this event.

Getting ready for the event shouldn’t be complicated, and everything doesn’t need to be homemade… if you make it too hard, you won’t enjoy it, and you will be less likely to repeat it.

Let the kids help plan the menu and themes, and have them help prepare the treats. HAVE FUN!

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Start Your Holiday Prep: Week 6 Guide

Have you gotten started on your Holiday Prep? If not, don’t worry because you still have plenty of time, but don’t procrastinate any longer!

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Special Holiday Meals: November Edition

This time of year seems to be a little busier for us, so I thought it might be helpful if I just got all my special meals and recipes gathered for the month. I checked the menu plan and have made a list of the holidays that we want to celebrate.

If you haven’t seen our Perpetual Meal Plans yet, then you really need to check them out, as they have all kinds of special and unique holidays listed. Now is the time to start making your bucket list for Fall things, if you haven’t already.

Special Fall Meals with Recipe Links

You can also check out our Holidays tab and the November Holidays post for even more ideas!

Don’t forget to add upcoming birthdays onto your Meal Plan!

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Special Needs Resources: Cerebral Palsy Toolkit

Recently, I came across a glitch on the blog that had caused the requests put through on my ‘Contact’ form to not be delivered to my email anymore. I found several questions and requests. I have made a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page to hopefully answer some of those. One of the requests was to post this special resource.

Finding out that you are expecting can be one of the most exciting times of your life, but it can also be very scary. We know from experience that things can be downright terrifying, especially when faced with the knowledge that your child may have special needs.

Our youngest daughter, Shyanne, was born with multiple diagnoses and health conditions. Before she was even born, the odds were stacked against her. The doctors never expected us to make it through the pregnancy, and things got very scary towards the end when both of our lives were at risk.

It felt like someone had taken our life and made a HUGE jigsaw puzzle out of it, then added some extra pieces in there that had to fit. Every time we thought we were making progress, someone would come along and mix it all up again or ‘find’ a couple more pieces that needed to go in. Her story was complicated, and no one knew what the big picture would even look like… but God did!

He helped us through that very emotional time, and even though we couldn’t figure out how we were going to make it all work, HE gave us a sense of peace. We had to hand it over to HIM and HE put the pieces in place… one at a time, to create a BEAUTIFUL masterpiece that we could have never imagined.

HE made a way when we couldn’t see one, and we have witnessed miracle after miracle in our daily lives… That is why we created her blog:

Sweet Shyanne: The little girl who could

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