Homemade Non-Petroleum Jelly

Found this excellent post about making your own Homemade Non-Petroleum Jelly.  I smeared Michael in Vapor-rub last night and am envisioning a homemade version!  This is more a note to self as I really want to do this!

Frogs, snails, and puppy dog tails

I am always amazed at what I find when I help tidy the kids rooms.  These pictures are brought to you from the depths of the boy child's room.

Arrows

Tools

Do these things breed?

This guy likes to hide where
Mom will unexpectedly uncover him.
His massively large family also likes to hide places.  

Foot puncture trap

What unexpected treasures do you find in the depths of your child's room?

Potato Leek Soup ~ Recipe

Potato Leek Soup

5 medium Leeks (white and pale-green parts only)
2 TBSP Butter or olive oil
6 Russet Potatoes, peeled and chopped (or don't peel if you'd like)
30 ounces Chicken broth (I have also used vegetable broth)
1/2 to 3/4 cup half and half (I've used whole milk or skipped this as well)
salt and pepper to taste
sometimes I also add garlic powder

1) Halve leeks and slice into 1/4 inch thick half moons.  Rinse and drain well.

2) In a large pot melt butter over medium heat.  Add leeks and cook until tender, be careful not to brown (though I do it all the time and it tastes fine unless they are black, then its well uh gross.  Hey I'm a mom, I get sidetracked. lol)

3) Add prepared potatoes, broth, and 2 cups water.  Bring to a boil: reduce heat to simmer.  Cook until potatoes are tender.  About 15-20 minutes.

4) Puree with an immersion blender (or regular blender) until smooth.  Stir in half and half and season with salt and pepper.  (Or don't blend at all for chunky soup, I tend to blend about half as the kids like the creamy and Husband likes the chunky, so they have to share and get both.  I totally just noticed a similarity here, its to peanut butter.)

Enjoy!  I tend to make this soup from memory so its a bit different each time.  Sometimes more potato, more leeks, etc.  Its pretty forgiving and I've never made a version that kids didn't devour.  I usually serve with fresh bread and butter.