Summer Asparagus & Potato Soup

It's Summer in New England. Yesterday was a sticky hot and humid day. Today is a dappled breezy cool Sunday perfect for reading and quilting. I don't want to spend a lot of time cooking and cleaning on my newly designated leisurely day. Here is my quick and satisfying summer soup to enjoy as a simple lunch or dinner.

 

Summer Asparagus & Potato Soup

¼ c. butter

1 medium onion finely chopped

1 bunch of Asparagus cut into 1” pieces

8 tiny red potatoes

4 c. chicken stock

2 c. whole milk

1 c. sour cream at room temperature

1 t. salt

¼ t. pepper

1t. thyme

1. Boil potatoes for 15 minutes or until fork tender.

2. In a stock pot on medium low heat, melt butter; add onions and sauté 5 minutes until soft.

3. Add asparagus pieces to onions and sauté for 5 more minutes.

4. Add chicken stock and milk. Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.

5. Drain potatoes, cool 1 minute until you can handle them. Cut into quarters. Add to the soup.

6. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.

7. Remove soup from from heat. Whisk in the sour cream stirring well to incorporate into the soup.

8. Ladle into soup bowls and season to taste with additional salt & pepper

Serves 4 generously or 6 with a side salad.

 

Giving Proper Directions After a Fire

I rent a small studio space in my hometown. It's a rare find in a mixed use neighborhood flanking west main street and a redneck towing company. I'm a holdout making my artists space work despite the poor maintenance and parking lot sinkholes. Today I suddenly lost all power while sewing mid seam and mid mystery book on CD. Naturally today being a great summer Saturday I was the only person in the building. All my fears leap to mind as I swear off the scary stories and find the flashlight feature on my cell phone. I hope I've unplugged everything and scram out into a pitch black hallway. No emergency lights or lighted exit signs. I make it outside to my car and text my landlord. No reply. 
Driving it's eerily quiet. I meet a woman in her driveway towing her oxygen tank. I ask if she's OK. She replies yes for now with her three hour supply. I call the police to report her situation and ask about the power. A four alarm fire they cut all the power. Traffic is detoured as we snake through a tiny adjacent neighborhood. I get the low down from a junior firefighter manning the road block " there's a white building  downtown on fire"  R & T Furniture is on Fire!

  

I loved this old building. I loved what it was and what it stood for in our town. A family run furniture store where everyone purchased their furniture. Furniture still serving a useful life in hundreds of homes long after the business closed. I dread what will replace it. Our unique Mom & Pop businesses have been overrun by progress and replaced with the bland franchised Jiffy Lubes or Dunkin Donuts. Hardly the places 
to sit around and reminisce about what was lost.  After tomorrow when the dust settles and someone asks I will include this landmark in my directions long after the people asking have no idea it existed. I will remind them of this business and maybe add a few more places from even longer ago just for good measure.