What I've Always Wanted My Home To Look Like

Somehow, this one single space in my home stays untouched by toys, laundry, or any other household junk. It's like it has an invisible defence shield around it. It's my tranquil oasis of tidiness.
When it gets so messy that it starts to make me nuts, I look at it, and pretend the whole place looks like this.

The Reality

This pretty much sums up life with a two-year old.

Chowder Troubles

I love seafood chowder. I love to cook, and am not bad at it.
And yet, I have never been able to find a good chowder base. I've tried dozens of recipes over the years, and have tinkered around on my own, but I have never been able to come up with the thick, creamy kind of base I like.
It's very frustrating.
I'm going to try this one from Legal Seafood in Boston whenever I have time.
I'll just have to settle for Chunky today.