Thursday, October 16, 2008

Soup's On!

When the weather gets cooler, Larry and I really enjoy a big pot of soup. It's so nice to come home to some comfort food when you've had a long hard day. This recipe works well for us, because it doesn't take long, and we get at least two meals from it. Fast and Cheap - that's our motto! If you have ever ordered the Pasta e Fagioli from Olive Garden this soup is very similar. We have lovingly named it:


"Garlic Soup"


2 pounds lean Ground Beef
1-2 Tablespoon(s) minced garlic
2 15.5 ounce cans Hunt's diced tomatoes with roasted garlic (can substitute green pepper & onion)
2 15.5 ounce cans Bush's pinto beans with bacon
2 32 ounce boxes Beef broth (I use the low sodium since we don't need the salt)
1 cup small shell pasta




Add the minced garlic to the ground beef (I season it with Mrs Dash and a little seasoning salt) Brown and drain.




In your soup pot, combine the tomatoes, beans and drained ground beef. Add one box of broth and bring this to a simmer, stirring occasionally. NOTE: If you are feeding a large crowd, use both boxes of broth, but I save one for tomorrow when I reheat so that both times we have it there is plenty of "juice"!


Just before serving (about 5 minutes) add the cup of dry pasta shells. You want to do this the last thing because they will soak up all the broth, and if you cook them first they get mushy - not good! Stir them in, cover and let them cook until al dente. ( I'm getting all Giada on you!)



You could easily make this in the crock pot and add the shells just before serving. I hope you'll try this - it's really good!
Side note: Larry thinks I have officially lost my mind because I am now taking pictures of our food! :)

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Confessions



I might have OCD. I'm fairly certain that anyone that knows me will confirm this, but I'm okay with that. I spent this past weekend doing some MUCH needed cleaning, and organizing my closet. I needed to get my summer clothes put away and get out the fall and winter stuff. I have a nice size walk-in closet, but it never seems quite big enough. Everything needs to be in it's place. Color coordinated. Dresses together. Skirts together. Tshirts folded the same size, stacked neatly on the shelf. I am going to attempt visual evidence to support my diagnosis.
Rubbermaid totes hold the off-season clothes so they don't get dusty. Purses I'm not using fit nicely in a tote on the top shelf.

Shoes. Sorted by color and style - sandles to the back for now! You can also see the skirts hanging neatly together, sorted by color...

It makes me so happy when everything is in order!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Blueberry Crunch Cake

Today's "Tuesday Treat" is by special request - Thanks Lindsay! I've made this recipe several times, and it could not be any easier! It is featured in Paula Deen's magazine, the July/August 2008 issue. This is a great recipe for potluck or picnics. Try it, I know you will like it!

Blueberry Crunch Cake
Makes 1 (9x13) cake
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice
1 (21 ounce) can Blueberry pie filling - I use 2 every time I make it and I like it better!
1 (18.25 ounce) box butter recipe yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
3/4 cu butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour pineapple with juice into a 9x13 inch baking dish; spread evenly over the bottom of the dish. Spoon pie filling evenly over pineapple. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pie filling; level with a fork. Sprinkle pecans over cake mix; drizzle with melted butter. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until brown and bubbly.

The blueberry pie filling can be substituted with strawberry, blackberry, cherry or peach pie filling.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Prayer Guide For The Presidential Election

It is critical that Christians pray for the coming Presidential election. There is amazing power in united prayer. The power of prayer can overcome any obstacle or ungodly influence and, indeed, do great things!

10/10- 10/16 John 16:33 - Pray that the man of God's choice would be given wisdom and ability from the Lord to overcome any obstacle or difficulty during this campaign.

10/17- 10/23 Acts 17:30 - Pray for repentance for yourself and for our nation.

10/24-10/30 Luke 12:54-57 – Pray that God's man and our nation will be discerning and do what is right.

10/31- 11/06 Phil. 4:13 - Pray that the Lord's choice for President will have special strength and unusual ability from God.

11/07-11/11 Habakkuk 1:5 and 3:2 - Pray that the Lord would do something that would utterly amaze us and give His servant victory.

During the days of Nov. 7 - 11, be encouraged to set aside a time of fasting during these days to commit this election to the Lord in whom we put our trust. Acts 14:23

Remember 2 Chronicle 7:14: 'If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.'

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

I've been tagged!




Lindsay is initiating me to the blogosphere - uh, Thanks! It did cause me to think way more than I thought I needed to today! Okay, so seven random/weird things about myself, how to choose? Believe me, I know I have many to choose from! I hope this doesn't cause you to not read my blog anymore!






  1. I sleep on my stomach. This is not weird, but wait! there's more. My feet have to be over the end of the bed, tucked between the mattress and blankets. While we're at it, the blankets have to be over my head so that only my nose sticks out - I have to breathe! Larry calls this "my fort" I know...


  2. I have an obsession with office supplies. There should be a support group.


  3. I have the complete DVD collection of "Friends" All 10 Seasons. And the Final episode. They still make me laugh. And Thursday night has not been the same since they took that final bow.


  4. I can cry at the dumbest things! The Folgers commercial where Peter comes home for the Holidays, or opening day of football and my Huskers are running out of the tunnel with their new coach, Cris Carter catching his record breaking reception for a TD, and the Final episode of Friends. I'm hopeless.


  5. I've never had a manicure or pedicure. I'd like to change that...


  6. Larry and I only dated one month before we became engaged. Our first date was on his Mom's birthday - August 13th, and on September 13th, sitting in the porch swing on my parents back patio he asked me if I ever thought about getting married....


  7. I love cruising! Larry and I have been on 4 so far, and I can't wait until we can go again! I would like to go for our 25th anniversary, but getting married in December was poor planning on my part! Christmas and all the wonderful activities that come with that always come first. Maybe in the spring...




Okay this is where I am supposed to tag 7 people. Only problem with that is - everyone I know that has a Blog has already been tagged by Lindsay or Christy! So here is where I will change the rules and ask you to share my new blog with a friend!







Tuesday Treats

I like "theme" days! So I think we will have recipes on Tuesdays! Yay!! For our first Tuesday post, I will share my recipe for Pumpkin Bars. These are the best thing you have EVER wrapped your lips around!! They are very simple to make, but everyone will think you went to way more trouble than they are!

Pumpkin Bars
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
5 eggs, beaten
1 cup salad oil
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups canned pumpkin (15 1/2 ounce)
1 cup chopped nuts (I like pecans)

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix Well. Pour into a large jelly roll pan (greased and floured) Bake for 20 to 25 minutes
Let cool completely and then frost with Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounce cream cheese
1/2 cup butter or margarine (make Paula Deen proud here! - BUTTA)
1 pound powdered sugar

Mix room temperature cream cheese and butter together. Gradually add powdered sugar until frosting is the consistency desired


Now as soon as I figure out how to add pictures, we'll have some of them! Until then, Happy Baking!!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Weekend Update

This weekend we celebrated my Mommy's 70th Birthday! We had a late lunch because I Cooked! I fixed all her favorites. Our menu included a salad, Cavatini and garlic bread and Pumpkin bars for dessert! Yummy!

What is Cavatini you ask?

WAAYY back in the day, Pizza Hut offered a pasta dish on their menu. Larry and I would treat ourselves to this on payday Fridays. I picked it apart until I came up with a "formula" of my own. Here is what I do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2 small Green Peppers, diced

1 can sliced Mushrooms (I use Green Giant)

1 Lb. mild pork sausage, browned and drained

1 pkg. Pepperoni, cut in to quarters ( I get Hormel in the pillow pack, use about half)


Combine 1 cup of each of these pasta, boil and drain

Rotini
medium shells
Penne

1 Large Jar of Prego Fresh Mushroon Spaghetti Sauce

2 jars of Ragu Pizza sauce

1 Cup shredded Parmesan Cheese

2-3 Cups shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Use a large cake pan (9x13) combine all ingredients except the cheeses. Stir until sauce completely coats the pasta. Top with Parmesan cheese and end with the Mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is brown and bubbly.

Feeds an army! (ok, 6 adults and 4 children!)