Laboring Through the Hodgepodge

Today's Hodgepodge is all about labor. Thanks to Joyce @ From This Side of the Pond for the questions and for hosting the get-together each week!

1. Something you've done in recent days or months that might be described as a labor of love?  I'm so tired this morning that the only thing I can think of is all the cooking I did for Leah's first birthday party in July. That was not fun and made a ginormous mess (when I spilled the baked bean sauce), but I did it because of love.

2. Last time you 'worked your fingers to the bone'?  My literal fingers? Probably the last time I made Christmas cookies. If not so literal, then yesterday when I mowed our yard and my mom's with the push mower.

3. According to a recent survey people named the following ten jobs as the hardest-nurse, doctor, paramedic, police officer, firefighter, surgeon, healthcare worker, bomb squad, farmer, and prison warden. Of the jobs listed which would you say is the hardest? The one you'd most like to do? Least like to do? What's one job you would add to the list?  Oh gosh...I have no idea which one is the hardest. They are all high stress (at least at times) and tough jobs. The one I'd most want to do on the list...farmer. Hands down! I'd add school bus driver to the list...they have a bus load of kids behind their backs and very little authority to do anything to maintain control other than moving seats around or writing misbehaving kids up and turning them into the schools (which often don't do anything but warn the kid). They have to deal with principals and parents who expect them to know and hear everything that goes on (including with the kids slouched down in the back seat) while never taking their eyes off the road. And then there are the kids. Most are fine, but there are always kids who are either trouble makers, troubled, or mean to other kids or the driver.

4. A recipe you make that is labor intensive, but worth it?  Harvest Corn Chowder.

1 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1-1/2 t. minced garlic
1/2 t. poultry seasoning
1/4 t. dried thyme, crushed
1 T. olive oil
4-oz. pkg. ham, chopped
2 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 c. water
1 T. chicken bouillon granules
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1-1/2 c. chicken, cooked and cubed
1-1/2 c. milk
3/4 c. half-and-half

In a saucepan, saute onion, pepper, garlic, poultry seasoning and thyme in oil for 5 minutes; add ham. Heat for an additional 5 minutes; stir in potatoes, water and bouillon. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Mix in corn, chicken, milk and half-and-half; heat until warmed through. Serves 5.

5. Last job you did or task you completed that required teamwork?  Taking down the tent we had our Labor Day picnic under. It took 4 of us to lower the legs and fold it up.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.