culinary rockstar / pioneer woman!

While I typically try to plan out a menu for the week, lately I have been in the mood to just cook what I feel like eating at the end of the day. Maybe its because I'm swamped with school work. Who knows. Luckily I love inventing new dishes and get a thrill out of making a meal out of the contents of my pantry or fridge, so I am able to put dinner on the table, get rid of leftovers, and have a creative outlet all at once! I plan on making this at some point this week.

Italian Tortellini Soup

In a big stock pot, combine:
Chicken or vegetable stock
Canned tomatoes
Veggies and Greens: I have carrots and a lone zucchini on hand, as well as some kale from the farmer's market (I heart kale. Buy some today.). Use added onion and garlic. You could substitue fresh spinach leaves for the kale, but just be sure that you leave the greens out and add them at the end of cooking, with the pasta.
Canned Beans: canellini beans, but garbanzos (chick peas) would also be a good choice.
Frozen Tortellini or Mini Ravioli: Once the broth/tomato/veggie/bean mixture has come to a boil, toss in a bag of frozen tortellini and simmer until tortellini is tender.

Cheese: fresh mozzerella is a favorite of mine. Spoon the soup into bowls, top with some cheese, and pop those suckers under the broiler until the cheese is all bubbly and melted, a la French Onion Soup.

Soup is one of my favorite ways to use what I already have in the kitchen. It saves money and leaves you feeling like a culinary rockstar / pioneer woman!

Vegas in Pictures

Leo Gets a Bath

Its really quite sad.

Here he is at the top of the stairs, knowing danger is near.

(notice how his leash is still on, its the only way we can catch him as he bolts down the stairs)

He is not a happy boy.


Resisting arrest.

Notice how his bottom foot is clutching the door in protest.

He's a lab. I don't know why he doesn't like water.

Isn't he supposed to be a water dog?

Reggie

Jeremy and I tend to name our

holiday family members.

For example, our Christmas Trees are Bob.

Our First Christmas there was Bob, last year was Bob Jr.

You get it.

So we thought it natural to name our pumpkin.

Ladies and Gentleman I introduce you to

Reggie.

We are picking up Reggie's mate today- she will be

fondly known as

Regina.

So above is a picture of Reggie being carved.

Here are Reggie's insides

Here is Pandy, watching the action go down.

Leo wasn't paying attention, he was too busy watching a squirrel.

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

POINTS Value: 7
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 8 min
Cooking Time: 360 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Seasoned canned tomatoes and Italian turkey sausage add instant life to chili. Try tomatoes with different seasonings to vary the flavor of your chili.
Ingredients

1 pound(s) raw turkey sausage, hot-Italian variety
14 1/2 oz canned diced tomatoes, with garlic and onions, undrained
15 oz canned pinto beans, undrained
14 1/2 oz canned diced tomatoes, with chilies, undrained
1 medium onion(s), chopped
1/4 tsp table salt, or more to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper, or more to taste

Instructions
Remove sausage from casing and place in a 4-quart or large slow cooker; break up meat with a spoon. Add beans, both cans of diced tomatoes with their liquid and onion; stir.
Cover slow cooker; cook on low setting for 5 to 6 hours. Stir in salt and pepper; garnish with chopped onion if desired and serve. Yields about 1 1/2 cups chili per serving.

Notes
You might find raw Italian turkey sausage in links; four links are about 1 pound. Use two cans of diced tomatoes with chiles if you prefer a very spicy dish.

This weekend...

The final "M" gets married on Sunday.

The other two "M's" are blessed to be standing

at her side.

Best friends are such a precious gift

and I don't know where I would be

without these girls!

I am lucky to have amazing girlfriends

Not only my M's

but countless girlfriends, who mean the world to me

I love you Melanie!

You will be a beautiful bride

and I'll try

not to cry during the ceremony :)

Ladies, are you looking for a bible study? Check this out.

Ponder on this thought today...

God can soften and change the hardest of hearts.