Can you Lent me some seafood recipes?

Seafood Chowdah'
(this recipe has been adapted by me from Ina Gartner's Lobster Corn Chowder)
(and can be Lent suitable with the omission of the bacon)
(complete ingredient list at the end of this post)
(just couldn't stop with the addendum's)

1. Brown off the bacon bits, remove with a slotted spoon to drain.
Heat the seafood stock along with the sherry, milk, herbs and spices.

2. Add in the corn, onion and potatoes. Cook over medium high heat until potatoes are barely tender.
Keep warming that stock!

3. Combine stock with 1/2 & 1/2, corn and potatoes. Simmer on low for about 5 minutes.

4. Add in the crab, shrimp, bacon bits, and peas. Simmer another 5 minutes or until the shrimp and peas are done.

We love this soup. It's hearty with the perfect balance of sweet from the crab and salty from the bacon. It also holds up to reheating really well; although, I don't know how well it would freeze.

Seafood Chowdah'

Stock:
32 oz seafood stock
1/4 cup cream sherry(optional, but makes a huge difference)
2 cups milk
1 T Old Bay
1 tsp paprika
2 tsp thyme

Add to large saucepan and cook on a low simmer.

Soup:
4 sliced bacon, chopped (If not using, substitute 1 T olive oil)
1 lb cooked crab meat, chopped
1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and cooked
3-4 large Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped (I leave the skins on)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb frozen corn
1/2 lb frozen peas
1 cup Fat Free 1/2 & 1/2
Salt & Pepper to taste.

Ok, but I'm not wearing overalls.

Yesterday I received a much anticipated package in the mail. Seeds! I'm planting my (first ever) vegetable garden. Not now, of course. It is still too early despite averaging one or two 70 degree days a week. I do plan on starting the seeds inside in paper egg cartons. Why? Because I refuse to spend money on stupid little plastic trays that only end up in the landfill. Woo Hoo, I feel my tree hugging, hippie traits rising to the surface again! Break out the tie-dye and crank up the Dead! Just kidding, although I do own both.
I have this dream of walking out to the back 0.40 and cutting some lettuce, spinach, tomato and pepper for a salad every evening, picking and snapping green beans and cutting into a fresh, ripe cantaloupe. Now I know this dream may not happen. I may just end up crying over dead, wilted vegetation, but at least I know I'm going to give it my all.

Food for thought

Hmmm, the government is looking to take a larger stake in the banks. It's not that I distrust our current administration, consider the alternative, but I'm thinking a shoe box or mattress might be best for my money.
It would still earn the same interest rate.

Again? Crap.

I'm sick, AGAIN! My head feels like it's going to explode. Mike thinks he may have found the problem to my prolonged illness last night. There was mold in our humidifier. I am really allergic to mold. It's amazing I survived living in my egg-donors house. He put a little bleach in the water to kill it off so hopefully, I can recover quickly and finally.
I can't let a little thing like lack of oxygen keep me from putting the house in order though. Mike was sweet enough to get the laundry started last night and scrub the kitchen. He's a keeper! Today I have, have, have to clean the bathrooms and change some sheets. I can handle that. I think.

I haven't fallen off the planet. Our beloved 14 year old Husky, Mojo, passed away this week. I hope to be back to regular posting soon, but not today.

Up on the rooftop...

The other day I was in the sewing room making a Pink Panther scarf for a little girl's birthday present when I noticed a spot on the ceiling. Crap, there's a leak in the roof. This morning we promptly called our roofer who true to his form said he would be here in a few hours and arrived not an hour later. Hail damage, grrrr. He gave is two options: the cheap quick fix or the $200 not going to have this problem again fix. We, having learned our lesson on quick fixes a long time ago, opted for #2. Unfortunately, he also let us know that there are about 10 other hail damaged spots that pose future problems. That does not make for a happy Monday, but it could be a lot worse. I will take this hit and count my blessings.

Premature Posting

My last post now seems like wishful thinking. I'm still battling what Gryffin calls "the little green things" in my chest and head. Last night as Mike went to the drug store for cough medicine, Gryffin covered me with blankets and brought me one of his favorite toys to snuggle with so I would feel better. I don't know how my kid got to be so sweet but I'm damn thankful for it.

Cured

I've been sick, again. But thankfully, I'm pretty much over it now, which is good because for some reason the house looks like I've been sick for a while. Toys, clutter, laundry, dishes and an empty pantry are the sure signs of my neglect. At least they are all easily remedied.