One of my favorite Fall recipe!

Hello Friends!
Christmas is almost here but I could not pass the Fall Season without at least one recipe. This is my very favorite season but Christmas is near and getting the attention already. I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving. We had 3 different celebrations in our apt in Madrid. I counted 70 diffent people came though our home! It was crazy but great! So here is my recipe for you:

HARVEST CHOWDER

Ingredients:
10 slices bacon
1 cup finely chopped carrots
1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup fresh chopped mushrooms and/or zucchini
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups water
4 cups mashed potatoes
1 can creamed corn
1 can whole kernal corn, drained
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup half and half (or evaporated milk)
1 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 large tomato chopped (opt.)

Method:
1. In a large pot, fry bacon until crisp. Drain and crumble, set aside.
2. In the same pot the bacon was fried in, fry carrots, onion, celery, mushrooms and/or zucchini for about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with the pepper.
3. Add the 2 cups of water to the pot and simmer vegetables until tender.
4. Add the crumbled bacon and the remaining ingredients and stir well.
5. Cook over low to medium heat until chowder is heated through and the cheese melts. Stir often to prevent scorching and add a little milk or water if chowder becomes to thick.
6. Serve alone or in bread bowls if desired. Serves 10-12. Enjoy!

I am back where I belong!

This may sound crazy as I was born in Brazil and lived in US for many years. Still I feel, in many ways, that I belong to Spain. I have so much history here: I met my husband here, this is the first place I knew outside of Brazil, when I got married we came to live here and my three children were born here!! No wonder I feel the way I do!

I am just happy I get to be here. I love the friends I have, the life I live ... All of these are things I have to thank God for. I do believe that things happen for a reason and life is under the sovereignty of God. I thank Him for allowing me to find pleasure in my life mission.

One of my favorite Bible verses is about God's will being "perfect" and "pleasant". Problems will come, they always do - but then I will think on that other Bible verse, it is "my mourning may last for a night but joy comes in the morning"

As you live your day out, think of the pleasures of your life. Thank God for them. They may be small and simple but the total of them make your life special and unique! Also, be thankful for the obstacles you find. They may be important lessons in disguise.

I just wanted to share with you, my friend, where I am right now. I will be writing more often starting now. Thank you for checking on my blog!