VICTORIA'S PASTYME : introduction and a chowdah recipe

Tomorrow I'll be busy in my friends wonderful stores. I am going to work part time for her again. The store? Victoria's Pastyme of Purcellville, VA. She is on the net and takes credit cards!

I am going to be in the newest store she has opened. This store has the most fantastic candles, primitives, baskets, and beautiful linens! She finds fantastic florals and has signs made by American folk artists. If you are a teddy bear enthusiast, she carries Lori Baker, Pat Murphy, and others. For those who appreciate Debbie Thibault, she has new and retired pieces! Since tomorrow is going to be colder and possibly rainy, I can't imagine a cozier place in which to be. I'll post photo's of the shop so all may enjoy. Until then here is a recipe a good friend gave me many moons ago. It just happens to be in my Southern Living Cook book. I call it:


" Harvest Cheddar Chowder "

• 3 cups chicken stock
• 4 medium potatoes, with or without skin, diced
• 1 medium onion, sliced (for this, a mandolin is perfect )
• 1 cup thinly sliced carrots or cheat and use a pkg of shredded
• 1/2 cup diced green pepper

• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• 31/2 cups milk, whole or two percent
• 4 cups (1 pound) shredded Cheddar cheese ( the better the Cheddar, the better...)
• 1 (2 ounce ) jar pimiento, drained
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce ( optional ) I prefer Tobasco Sauce

Pour stock into a Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Add veggies;cover and simmer 12 minutes or until veggies are fork tender.
Melt butter in a heavy saucepan; whisk flour 1 minute. Gradually add milk; cook over medium heat until thickened, whisking constantly. Add cheese, stirring until melted.*
Stir cheese sauce, pimiento, and optional hot sauce, into vegetable mixture. Cook over low heat until thoroughly heated. Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
* Do not allow it to boil

This is a decadent chowder and served with a baguette, and white wine...(sigh)

For those of you doing weight watchers, one cup is 8 points. But well worth it!

Off to get my daughter!