Memory Lane.........

Today we are going to take a walk down my memory lane and end up with a favorite recipe...

I had to have been around my daughter's age, maybe 6 or 7 and I was at grandma's house. That right there could say it all. I loved going to grandma's and being with my cousins... There was lots of land to discover, woods and corn fields to play in, snipe hunting, a B B gun, good food and just plenty of joy. There were also apple and pear trees that brought us all together every fall. So many memories of those trees... but that is another story!
There was a day when grandma's neighbor and good friend showed up at the door with a Mason jar full of beautiful creamy soup. It was a small jar. I remember my grandma, mom and I are standing around that jar with spoons. It might be the best soup ever. We had to make Thelma go home and get us the recipe right then! It was Potato-Leek soup and it was wonderful. Creamy, without being heavy, savory, just the right amount of smooth and chunky... Every time I think of the soup, it takes me back to Grandma's kitchen and that moment. I hope for all of you, that you have something like this that can take you back to a place where there is joy and peace...
One last note, I have a sign in my kitchen that reads "Kitchens are made to bring families together". So true...

THELMA'S POTATO-LEEK SOUP
1/4 lb bacon, diced
3 leeks, white part only thinly sliced
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cups chicken broth
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup parsley
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
In a 5- quart dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown bacon lightly. Remove bacon and set aside. Add leeks, celery and onion. Saute for 10 minutes or until golden. Add broth and bacon. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add potatoes and parsley and simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Beat flour into milk and then stir into soup. Add salt and pepper, stirring over medium heat, bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes.

Enjoy!!!