Clamming & Chowdering

I am very grateful, in my time here in CA, to have made a WONDERFUL new friend Michelle.  She's in my ward, my visiting teaching companion, and just all around awesome!  We hang out almost everyday and just have fun!  Yesterday she took me clamming!  I'd never been before yesterday and so I documented it photographically for your pleasure!

We went to the beach at Naval Base Coronado and what a beautiful day it was!

Michelle's son (the lil guy on the left side of the picture) went "bowling for buzzards" lol It was crazy to see that many birds out!

Michelle had her sweet baby all bundled up on her back, I had to take a picture of it!

Ok, so what you do is walk along at low tide and feel for bubbles (very distinct) or soft spots.  Then you dig, dig, dig with your toes til you find one!  Let me tell you, the water was FREEZING!!!

The first clam we found, but it was too small, so we threw it back.  The smallest one I found was smaller than a DIME!  Crazy huh?!?!

These are the bad boys we are talkin' about!!!  Look at the size of this thing!

The first clam we found

LOOK!  The first clam (and only one lol) I found on my own!!!  YEAH ME! lol

 More of the GORGEOUS scenery!  Thank you to my husband for being in the Navy because otherwise I would of never known how much I LOVE living by the water!!!  I love love LOVE it!

He loves the sound of the waves and slept pretty much the whole time!

Oh!  We found a jellyfish!  Don't touch!  I've never seen one in real life, and yes I quoted 'Finding Nemo' lol.  We think this is why there were so many birds around.

So at first I thought this was a clam butt.  Until I flipped it over...

Hey mister hermit crab!  Nice house! lol

My first real-off-the-beach-not-store-bought sand dollars I've ever found!  

It was a big day for firsts!

Nominated my new FAVORITE picture!!! Isn't it AMAZING!  Man, Heavenly Father sure has good taste!  Look at this beauty!  (you should click on this pic to make it bigger so you can see how gorgeous it is!)

Ok!  Here are all twelve of the clams we collected!

We're gonna let them soak in fresh salt water over night...

Even clams need to brush! ;)  This is not to prevent cavities, but to make sure there isn't any sand in the cracks... hehehe 

Putting them in water to boil.  (Special thanks to Michelle for being my hand Vanna!)

I'm chopping potatoes

Michelle's chopping celery, onions, and scallions (the latter just for garnish)

They're boiling away!  MWHAHAHA

Oh!  Our first one's cracked open!

Opps... this is what happens when I don't set a timer and I get side tracked with chatting... burnt bacon.  It's pretty hilarious to go into a store and buy just one package of bacon while smelling very strongly of burnt bacon lol. 

They're all done!

Ok, I've pulled them out of the shells.  And the chowdering begins!

Reserving the 'milk'.  You just skim from the top, you don't want any of the sand at the bottom of the pot!

Pushing out the muscles...

Pulling back the lungs and grossness that we don't need..

More pulling...

Ewww...

The muscles,  I think they look like mushroom stems, lol

Slicing in half so we can clean them out...

Looks like this guy needed to go to the bathroom...

Scrapping it out with out hands...

Gotta make sure it's REALLY clean!

Cutting it into strips...

Dice it up nicely...

I'm crumbling the bacon (2nd package that I didn't burn lol)

Mmm... bacon....

Sautee-ing the celery, onions, and garlic in olive oil

After they're done, add the potatoes.  Then fill with clam juice (or water if you prefer) until just below the top of the potatoes.  Then about 1/2 cup of milk and some half and half...

These are the seasonings we used.  On the left is fresh thyme Michelle dried herself (She's got an AWESOME garden in the back!!!)

Stirring, stirring, stirring.  Then add a bit of flour mixed in cold water to help thicken and another 1/2 cup of milk...

After some cooking time, VOILA!  Ladle into a bowl and garnish with bacon and chives (scallions).  It's soooooooo delicious!  The husband even loved it!   SUCCESS!!!

(sorry I don't have a beautiful bowl picture... I was too excited to eat to take a picture lol)

Anyway, I had a GREAT time clamming and chowdering with Michelle!  I'm so grateful for her teaching me how to do this!  What great fun!!!  Hope you guys enjoyed it too! :D

Long time, No post...

Well, it certainly has been a long time since I posted anything!  It's been pretty busy lately.  I'm in the works of a Blog Post - Tribute to my Grandpa, so look for that!  Until then, I hope everyone is well! :)

"Touch This Cloth"

Touch this cloth to your face and remember if you will

The night long ago when all was so still

When in a lowly stable a mother gave birth

To a child, the Savior to all the earth.

In his mother's arms he was held so tight

Kept safe from the chill that would come in the night,

His skin was so soft, and his face oh, so sweet

Such love would he feel for each stranger he'd meet.

The star shone bright, herald angels did sing

Wise men came from afar, shepherds stood 'round the King

The babe safely lay as they came and they left

As his feet they set their offerings and gifts.

As you think of the great gift that was shared by our Father

Imagine what you'd have felt had you been his mother,

Having carried within you, this small child, yet so strong

Who would teach, and walk tall, bringing blessings to all.

So touch this cloth to your face, remember if you will

The night long ago when all was so still

When in a lowly stable a mother gave birth

To a child, Savior to all the earth.

 Janis Feichtner

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells...

I love decorating for Christmas!  Those that know me best know that I LOVE snowmen!  In fact, as I was unpacking my Christmas decorations and I only had one of the four boxes unpacked and I thought, "Uh oh, where's all of this going to go?!?" lol  When it was all out, I did have to put some back!  Anyhoo, I've documented it photographically.  :)  Enjoy!

Our front door

Welcome! :)

Cute lil Tucker helping me put up the Christmas tree :)

(some of us in this house are allergic to pine, so we go for an artificial tree) 

Tucker investigating the tree's box

A temporary spot for this jingle bell!

He's having too much fun!

Mozart posing on the couch

The fireplace

I just noticed Rob's stocking is on the side of the picture with the man and mines on the side of the picture for the woman!  Also above Rob's stocking is Tucker's and above mine is Mozart's :)

I told you I love snowmen, lol

Nutcracker Corner

I made this angel years ago, I think right before I got married, and the greenery is eucalyptus.  I love it because it STILL smells sooooo good! 

A mouse that if you pull the bottom he plays Christmas music until he winds back up!  My mom has one of these (this one was my Grandma's) and it totally makes me think of my childhood Christmases! 

Side view - Cute lil house that lights up and a plate for Santa's cookies!

Super long stocking wall (and new place for that jingle bell, lol)

Snowmen love America!

On top of the desk

My Santas

More snowmen, lol

Cookie jars on top of the microwave.  I want to get cinnamon sticks for the cup!  I love cinnamon!

My Nativity Nook

Can't forget the reason for the season!  I got this Nativity from my Grandma.

I made this when I made my cloth angel

The BEST Salt and Pepper shaker!  The ornaments are magnetized to his mittens.  This is actually on the table, but at the time of the pictures, the table was a MESS!

More Salt and Pepper Shakers.  I know you don't need more than one set, but they're so cute!

Candle warmer - the candle in there is a mix between cinnamon and gingerbread! Love it!

The BEST and cutest nightlight :)

Here's my tree!

Hehehe, taking pictures of the tree and Moz just popped right in.  He's so cute!  He's saying, "Who's present am I?" :) :) :)

Such an adorable puppins!

Top of the tree

Middle of the tree

Bottom of the tree.  I thought I had a tree skirt, but I guess not...

Decorated TV

I love my jingle bell tree!

Top of the TV

I made these!  Idea from my brother-in-law Bryce!

Can't wait until Christmas!!!

Hope everyone's in the Christmas spirit!  I'm so thankful for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and the wonderful blessings and experiences this Holiday brings to the world!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

...and I told you I had a lot of Snowmen!  ;)