Here we are in the deep heart of winter, mid-January. How’s everyone holding up?

Baby, it’s cold outside!

I love winter. I think it is beautiful, and the air feels clean, but lately, it has been so cold. I mean, we live in Pennsylvania. It’s mid-January. This is expected, for sure. And honestly, we have been spoiled with the weather. Fall was absolutely gorgeous and mild.

It’s one thing being freezing cold and no snow, but it’s another thing being cold and having snow. This just could be the winter girl in me, but I could sit and watch it snow all day. I think it is just so beautiful. Cuddle up with a cozy blanket with a mug of hot tea and be serenaded by snow.

*Chhoo!!! Chooooo!!!!*
Snow! Snow! Snow! Snow! Snooooooow!
It won’t be long before we’ll all be there with snow.
Snowwww, snow. I want to wash my hands, my face, and hair with snow!
If you all just sang that as you read it, you must be a Bing Crosby fan like myself!
Snowball throwing, that’s what I’ll do.
How I’m longing to ski through the snow, snow, snow, snow…

I just love that song and have really grown to appreciate it over the years. I have become so fond of the movie “White Christmas” that it is one of my very favorite Christmas movies now the older I get (This song is sung in that movie.) It’s funny how we get older and appreciate the things we didn’t do before. How true is this!? Right?

But winter? Oh, I have always loved the snow. I think one of the best parts about cold weather is soups. Oh, baby. There is nothing like a boiling hot pot of soup with the wind howling outside, and it is bitter cold with nowhere to go.

This is one of those other things I have learned to appreciate the older I get. I hated soup when I was younger. I think the only one I really liked was tomato soup, and I dunked a grilled cheese Sammy in it. There is nothing more simple and delicious than grilled cheese and mater soup.

I would be disappointed if my momma would say we were having ham string beans and potatoes, beef stew, or chili. I was never a fan of those. Growing up, they seemed to be the ones we would eat. I would drive my mother crazy not liking meals like this.

Now, when my momma asks, “Do you have any ideas what I could make for dinner next week?” I will throw down an answer like, “Can you make your cornbread and chili, please!?” Nothing would keep me away! I love so many new soups that I never have before. It’s funny because when we go out to eat, I can’t wait to see what their soups are! I feel so grown up. Hahaha! I always thought “old people” were the only ones who ordered soup when I was younger. Now, heyyyyyy, I am one of those old people! And proud of it! You know what else I am proud of??

I whipped up this new soup recipe after Christmas. I had corn, bacon, and a half bag of potatoes and peppers from Christmas. I was trying to figure out something I could make that I could use it all so it wouldn’t go to waste, and I came up with chicken corn chowder. I put some seasoned chicken in a crockpot and slow-cooked it all day in chicken broth, then added some ingredients to it once it was cooked. Here. Let me walk you through it. It turned out absolutely delicious and made enough that I could freeze some for a whole other meal some night. Win! Win!

Chicken Corn Chowder
Ingredients:
• 3 large boneless chicken breasts, cleaned and seasoned
• 4 cups of chicken broth
• 1/2 bag of Ore-Ida Potatoes with onions and peppers (in freezer aisle)
• 2 cups fresh corn (Or canned if you have to)
• 8 slices of cooked, chopped bacon
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• Salt/Pepper
• 3 cups shredded sharp CABOT cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
Directions:

Place thawed, clean, seasoned chicken breast in a crockpot with 2 cups of chicken broth. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours. When chicken is cooked, shred chicken right in the crockpot with two forks. Add the rest of the chicken broth and frozen potatoes. Cook on high for an hour. (Until potatoes are warm and tender.) When taters are ready, add corn, heavy cream and then salt and pepper to your liking.

Continuing cooking while that warms up. (Doesn’t take long at all.)

In the meantime, get your cheese shredded and make a roux to put in your soup.

I just use flour and warm water to make a slurry. You want a thin paste like consistency.

Start with 1/4 cup of flour and slowly add the water while stirring.

When soup is hot, add the roux, cheese and sour cream and stir until thick.

Your soup will be ready. Enjoy, friends!