Fish Chowder

Yesterday was the first day of Fall and "Day to eat dinner with your family," at least according to our calendar.

Our family spent the last three weeks going through different stages while finally accepting the holiday. The first week we laughed about it. There were comments like, "A holiday for us would be to not eat together."

The next stage was a little incredulous, "Could you imagine being a family that celebrates that holiday?"

Then there was a bit of pity, "I feel sorry that they felt they needed to create a holiday like that."

Finally there was a touch of thankfulness. Gnome heard on KTSY that "Families who eat together are happier, healthier and smarter..."

We celebrated the day by eating on the patio. Which is my favorite, with a meal of husband's, recently discovered, top favorites. Fish Chowder. I always adapt it to ingredients I have on hand, yesterday it went something like this:

Instructions:
Saute in 3 Tbl. of butter: a cup of chopped celery, a minced onion and 5-6 cubed potatoes. Add 1/2 tsp of celery seed, 1/2 white pepper, 1 tsp paprika and salt to taste. I say to taste because I didn't really pay attention. Then add raw fish, we had halibut. Barely cover with water and simmer about an hour. The fish will break apart. Just before serving splash with a little half and half -- you wouldn't want to boil it at this point or it would curdle the milk.

We served garden cucumbers and hot homemade bread. Viva family day!