Potato soup recipe

I received this recipe as a gift from another dear blogger.  It quickly became a favorite at our house.

1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped celery
2 Tbsp Butter
4 Cups potatoes, peeled and diced
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups milk
1/4 tsp pepper
dash paprika
bacon-cooked and crumbled (optional)
parsley or chives, minced (optional)

In a large saucepan saute onion and celery in butter until tender.  Add potatoes and broth-bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until tender.  Puree in small batches in blender until smooth and return to pan.  Stir in cheese, milk, pepper and paprika.  Cook and stir on low until cheese is melted and soup is heated through.  Garnish with bacon and parsley.

Listening...

As a pot of Potato Soup simmers on the stove (recipe from a dear friend), I'm thankful for the sounds from the other room-my 3 girls (16, 14 and 9) watching Wizard of Oz-one of my favorite childhood movies.  This weekend they watched Gone with the Wind (a must for every southern girl) and prior to that it was White Christmas.  I'm so glad they'd rather watch the old classics instead of all the new fangled 'twaddle' shows.  My heart warms as I see my 16 year old crocheting as she watches.  The movie is silent and I hear the 14 year old practicing violin upstairs...the 9 year old has a box of colors spread in the floor as she creates a 'master piece'.  I'm so thankful to have girls who enjoy simpler times and simpler things in exchange for all the materialism of today.  I can't wait to see the women they become.