Pasta Soup

As you can see from this post, I am all about soups, lately anyways.  It is that time of year, that I love making soups and chowders.  I usually don't use a recipe, but just throw in what I have around the house.  They are delicious enough to make again, so I decided I had better start writing my recipes down.  This pasta soup is very tasty with a little Italian flair to it.  It is super easy to make.  The ingredients you will need are:

(Makes  approx. 8 Cups)

1/4 C. Onion (diced)
1/4 C. Celery (diced)
1/4 C. Carrots (diced)
2 Garlic Cloves (minced)
1 C. Spinach (chopped)
1/4 Pound Italian Sausage (mild or hot)
1/4 Pound Ground Lean Hamburger
1 Can Diced Tomatoes (10 oz)
4 C. Chicken Broth
2 C. Pasta (cooked)
1 Small Can of Hot and Spicy V8 Juice (8 oz)
Olive oil

Add 1 tablespoon of  olive oil to saute pan, add onions, celery, carrots and garlic, saute for about 3 minutes.  Add crumbled sausage (remove casing) and hamburg and cook through, add chopped spinach and cook til wilted, remove from heat.

 In large soup pot, add  chicken broth, v8 juice and  diced tomatoes, add cooked meat mixture and pasta, stir, and heat til hot.  Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle a little parmesean cheese on top and serve.

 

Potato Soup

 Fall is in the air, and what better lunch than a hot bowl of Potato Soup.  I love soup, the homemade kind that is.  My Mom was an awesome cook.  I remember the days when the house smelled of deliciousness.   When my Mom cooked, she cooked by taste and smell.  No recipes for her.  I tend to cook the same way.  No recipes....unless of course it is baked goods, then recipes I surely need.  I thought I would share with you the recipe of this delicious soup.  A dear friend of mine gave me a recipe years ago, and I have modified it.  This recipe serves 4 (large bowls).

1  Very large baking potato (peeled, washed and cubed in bite size pieces)
1/4 Cup  diced onions
1/4 Cup  diced celery
2   Tablespoons of cooked crumbled bacon
1   Italian sausage (about 1/2 cup)(casing removed) (hot or mild your choice)
1   Clove of Garlic (minced)
1  T. olive oil
3 Cups Chicken Broth
1 Cup of Whipping Cream (light or heavy)
2 T. butter (optional)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Prepare ingredients, set aside.  In medium pot, add olive oil, then garlic, onion, celery, and bacon.  Saute til veggies are tender, (about 3 minutes), add chicken broth and potatoes, bring to boil, turn down heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, but still firm.  ( about 8 to 10 minutes,do not over cook)  Add cream, butter, salt and pepper, stir and then simmer til warm.


Serve with shredded cheddar cheese on top, a sprinkle of crumbled bacon, and/or diced green onions.

Optional additions: 1 Cup Corn (frozen, or canned) OR
                                 3/4 Cup of Chopped Kale or Spinach
Add these optional ingredients when you add the cream.

Outerbanks Travel Journal

 My husband and I celebrated our 30th by running away to the Outer banks of North Carolina.  We have lived in N.C. for over 24 years, but had never been to Ocracoke.  We had a fabulous time.  During our get away, I took numerous pictures, collected mementos along the way, and was made sure to journal our adventures.  Though I didn't journal the pages every day, I did write down a few notes on special things we did or saw so I could remember them when I completed the journal when we got home. Here are a few pages of that special journal.

As you can see, I used plenty of little journal tags/spots to tell a story.  When taking pictures, I made sure I captured all the hot spots, and special places we visited, things we drank, and those special meals we consumed.  I made sure to ask people...strangers, waitresses, etc...to take pictures of the two of us together.  If you are looking for that special journal for your next adventure you can check out my shop here.  I know there is a special journal for you there.

Travel Journals..

Okay so I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  I have been busy, as we all have been I am sure.  Just got back from a vacation in Maine.  I made two travel journals, one for my self and one for my daughter who could not go with us, but her 2 year old son came along  I thought it would be a perfect way to share his adventures with her when we returned.  If you are looking for a travel journal, feel free to visit my shop here.  They are perfect to take on your next adventure..just journal as you go, take plenty of pictures, and add them later.  Collect all those special keepsakes and store in the premade pockets.  Here are a few photos of the journals I just completed: