St. PATRICK'S DAY 2025~Val's 4Patriots Irish Potato Soup; Kingman-AZ

My Irish DNA (I have Dutch, Welsh, English, Irish, German, Hebrew = Sephardi & Ashkenazi, Lakota, Hungarian, French & Latina DNA; basically, I'm a mutt 🤔 - but today, I am Irish 🤝) woke up this morning wanting Corned Beef Brisket with a side dish of Colcannon (creamy potatoes mashed with cabbage), for Supper tonight … but we aren't living large anymore (meaning my kitchen space is very small now; and cooking space very limited) - 

So, my brain went to work. What it came up with, was a potato soup with brussels sprouts: and that sounded good to me, since brussels sprouts are basically tiny cabbages 😉

Between morning coffee and Supper prep, we touched base with Aunt Gaye, & kept updated on weather reports concerning the areas we hope to visit before leaving AZ … and the regions we want be hunkering down in for a week or so, before aiming towards OR

Text from Aunt Gaye; we'll be leaving AZ following this appt.

Holland had planned wonderful Daytrips around the upper end of AZ before we pull stakes, but those are still up in the air since this late season storm blew in: snow in higher elevations, wind storms, flooding, and landslides in the lower end. It's a seasonal mess all around us - but we are thanking the Lord that we are not dealing with what is happening in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, California, Oregon, and West Virginia. We both have friends and family in theses states, and pray daily for them - but we area also thankful we are here, instead of there.

Windy; and noisy here, today.

All day long - laying dirt to cover ruts that got muddy Monday's rain storm; now laying & smoothing a gravel top cover.

Holland doesn't do the holiday stuff - but listening to my wistful remembrances of meals I used to cook (even as  solo lobo, I did Holiday fare - scaled back, but done); he suggested corned beef sandwiches for lunch. That was doable. It was only Budding sandwich slices, but it was fine. And it was a thoughtful thing my husband came up with 😘

Tonight's "creamy potato" Supper is also a change, and that's okay, too. Instead of Colcannon, we will be enjoying an substitute soup utilizing the last 4Patriots Potato Soup Package.

New Life.

New Husband.

New Holiday traditions: we are both willing to meet each other in the middle - Holland doesn't want a lot of holiday fuss, but he is indulging me; and I am gratefully & graciously keeping holiday observances low key ❤️

Maybe next year, we'll have Irish Soda Bread, too … I didn't make a loaf this year because I didn't want to overwhelm his senses; marriage, new experiences, new foods, and holidays to observe - I've got to bring my loving laddie along, gently 😊

Val's 4Patriots Irish Potato Soup Recipe ~serves 4 (or 8 smaller servings)

1 med. Yellow Onion, sliced * 2 cloves Garlic, peeled & sliced crosswise * 1 cup cooked Ham, julienned * 3 med. Yukon Gold Potatoes, pre-cooked & cubed * 1 & 1/2 c. Brussels Sprouts, steamed & quartered * 1 pkg. 4Patriots Creamy Potato Soup pkg. * 5 c. Water * 5 c. Chicken Broth * 1/8 tsp. grnd. Sage * 1/8 tsp. dried Thyme * 1/8 tsp. Mace * 1 tsp. Parsley * 1 Bay Leaf * 2 TBSP. Butter * Salt & Pepper to taste * Lrg Soup Pot * Cooking Spray

Soup Ingredients.

4Patriots Creamy Potato Soup.

1) Liberally spray the bottom of your soup pot with cooking spray. Over medium-high heat, add veggies and sauté until onions are tender.

Onions, Garlic, Celery, Potatoes …

2) When you are satisfied with the outcome of the onions, add the ham pieces; cook about 10 minutes :

3) Open the 4Patriots Creamy Potato Soup Packet - add to soup pan along with 2 cups water: stir to blend.

Blend dry mixture & water into veggie-ham mixture.

4) Add remaining water and spices; blend thoroughly.

5) Stir in brussels sprouts and carefully stir to combine all ingredients; bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium - carefully stirring frequently to avoid scorching. Cook 20 minutes.

6) When soup has thickened, turn heat off. Ladle into bowls or soup mugs & enjoy.

We liked it - and I hope you will, too 👍

I also hope you had an enjoyable St. Patrick's Day 😁