[potato soup] snow was falling - it was breathtaking and pure...a gift - i was home alone with margin to simply appreciate it and it dawned on me that i truly felt sorry for anyone who wasn't here in this corner of the world (which is a huge statement coming from a girl who left part of her heart in southern CA when she moved to indy almost 8 yrs ago...) so,enjoying the moment when you snuggle up and gratefully appreciate just watching both the snowflakes fall and the snow blanket rise in mounds everywhere, i had the urge to make a hearty soup for dinner - when making what just sounds good is at 'full tilt', i also associate memories that are especially meaningful, so the first soup i remember inventing in my early marriage days came to mind...a potato chowder

since i had potatoes that needed to be used up, it was the perfect choice!  here's how i made it:

1. •in a large pot, sautéed 1 sweet onion (diced) in 1 stick of butter (remember, i said 'hearty soup')
   

2. •added seasonings (sprinkled directly on the onion till it's lightly coated) of salt, pepper, lawry's garlic salt (w/parsley flakes & light green lid) and just a touch of ground curry (mccormick's brand is subtle flavor that i sneak in to most cream sauces to add a rich buttery, sort of 'nutty' taste - but just a little) and a dash of cayenne pepper to warm it up
   

3. •when onions began to be translucent (i want the flavor, NOT the crunch) i added a package of sweet white corn and let it also sauté to get a little caramelized 
   

4. •4 large peeled baking potatoes (large cubes) were added to the sauté mixture and enough liquid to cover the tops of the potatoes completely (water is fine, vegetable or chicken stock is better, but i used knorr's chicken flavored bouillon added to water) then let boil till all is soft and tender and can be easily mashed
   

5. •using a potato masher, i mashed the soup to thick, slightly lumpy consistency then added approximately (sorry i forget to measure these things) 1/2 cup of half & half (however, you could use milk or cream)
   

6. •garnished with a small dollop of sour cream and a little chopped chive for looks...
   

i must be honest, my kids did not embrace the 'hearty soup moment' that i had created, so since my husband was going to be home a little later, i let them choose options that they preferred and got them on to the other things they needed to do (it being a school night) and served a romantic dinner for two when brad came home, which he appreciated fully, being just what he was 'in the mood for...' and it made for the completion of a perfect moment...

because it matters,

jayne