The Youngs

  Hi Ya'll...as we like to say here in the South!  It has been a while since I have changed my web page, so I apologize...as I mentioned in my last letter, I thought I would not be as busy once our children were grown and moved out..not so! 

Speaking of children moving into their own homes, has anyone ever had the same experience that I have had, that a child  moves out, and mysteriously, the animals that "belonged" to them, suddenly become yours?  It seems that I know more than one person besides myself, that this has  happened to...Actually, our daughter Becky did buy a Cocker Spaniel about 8 years ago, with me in mind.  As a child, we had one that was our most favorite pet ever, given to us when she was a puppy, by Charles Stanley and his wife..(yes, the pastor of First Baptist in Atlanta), and we named her Sugar.  So of course, this identical black dog was named Sugar as well.  We bred her one time and sold all the puppies but one, who was promised to a young lady that never came back for her.  A friend of mine name her Ollie.  Now I know you are wondering where this is all going to and what kind of possible lesson from the Bible I could have with this story!  So let me explain:

Both  are well loved, very spoiled,  but also very loving animals...Ollie Dolly, is especially devoted, perhaps a little more intelligent than her mother, and completely trusting of me..and herein lies my lesson.  Please remember, my husband and I love these animals (whether he admits it or not) and we would NEVER feed them any thing that would harm them.  There are many times that when I hold out a special treat, or snack, that Sugar sniffs, looks at it as if she does not trust me.  Ollie, on the other hand,  gobbles it right away, and often, because Sugar waits too long, Ollie gets her part as well!

It has occurred to me many times when this happens, how  we as Christians are when God gives us something, whether it seems to be good or bad...We are one of two ways:  We willingly trust that whatever He gives us is from His hand, and whether it looks good or not, we completely trust Him.  Or we "sniff", then question Him, as though if we take what He has for us, it will be disagreeable  and not to our liking. 

We likewise do this when He witholds things from us as well, and become pouty and question His goodness and His motives, without stopping to think that He wants only the very best for us, and that nothing can happen to us without it first passes through His hand. 

So what kind of Christian are you?  One that trusts completely, or one who questions God when He only wants  and has the very best for you?  Ask Him to show you!

Live like it's real...because it is!

Til He comes,

Dianne

                               CLAM CHOWDER!

 Now how about a good "cold weather" recipe?  This has been a favorite with my family for quite a number of years now, and any time I have invited friends over and said "I am making clam chowder", they show up in droves!  It is not that it is my cooking, it is just a great recipe, that I understand, originally came from Barbara Bush.  You will see that I have added my own notes and embellished it to suit how many I am feeding!  You don't even have to like clams to enjoy it, as it is not "fishy" at all....try it... you will love it!

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2 cans chopped or minced clams

2 cups peeled diced potatoes

2-4 cups of milk

4 or more strips (depending on your own taste) bacon

small to medium onion chopped finely

1 can of cream of celery soup

butter

salt and pepper to taste.

Cook bacon til it is crispy...you will need to crumble it.  Saute your onion in about 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings.  (No one said this was low calorie, altho you can substitute however you like!)

Drain the juice from the clams into a dutch oven or large pot and add the potatoes...if there is not enough juice to cover the potatoes, just add a little bit of water.  Don't forget to stir them now and again!

Simmer them until tender.

Add your milk, cream of celery soup, onions and some butter and heat til thoroughly warm.  Stir frequently so the milk does not stick and scorch!  Add your clams and finish warming.  Last of all, add the crumbled bacon to the mixture....

Now for my additions:  Depending on the amount of people I am serving, I usually add more potatoes.  If you have family or friends that do not like clams, just ladle them some soup out before you add the clams and presto, you have a delicious potato soup!  I usually add more milk as well...

I have always had to at least double the recipe.  I usually cook more bacon than required because everyone loves it in the soup.  If one friend is coming over, I usually cook a pound!  Plus everyone wants to "snarf " up  a piece while it is cooling.

I usually substitute at least 2 cans of evaporated milk for a creamier soup...I have used a little half and half as well, but not often!  Also, as I am not a big celery soup fan, I do not usually double that amount, altho if you like the taste, it is fine as well.  It is not at all unusual for me to make 4 to 5 times the recipe when I have had friends over and usually I will use 2-3 cans of celery soup in that case.

I have made this using turkey bacon for those that are more fat concious (as I should be) and used skim milk and low fat soup.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and would certainly love to hear if you try it for yourself...It is very easy to make.  The longest thing for me is peeling and chopping the potatoes!