Loaded Potato Soup

     A few years back I started a new tradition at our house where we have soup on Saturdays in the fall.   There is just something about fall weather, watching Alabama football, and enjoying a warm bowl of soup at home.  I like to try new recipes most Saturdays, but this one has become a regular.  Since this potato soup has become one of our favorites, I thought I would share it.  Everyone agrees that the green onions are what really make it delicious.  

Ingredients:

4-5 lbs. new potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 in. thick slices

1 small onion, chopped (I use frozen chopped onions)
2 (14 oz) cans chicken broth (I use a 32 oz. box)
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 pt. half-and-half
Toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, green onion slices

Directions:

1.  Layer sliced potatoes in a lightly greased 6 qt. slow cooker; top with chopped onion.
2.  Stir together chicken broth, salt, and pepper; pour over potatoes and onion. (Broth will not completely cover potato and onion.)  

3.  Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 to 5 hrs or until potatoes are tender.  

4.  Mash mixture with a potato masher; stir in half-and-half.  

5.  Cover and cook on HIGH 20 more mintues or until mixture is thoroughly heated.  

6.  Serve in bowls with desired toppings.

*You can also cook potatoes on stovetop with broth, onions, salt, and pepper until tender (I also add water); Mash and add half-and-half, cook on medium for 20 min. and serve with toppings.

Inspiration from Southern Living 2006 Annual Recipes

Parmesan Knots

Need a simple, but yummy bread to go with your Italian dish?  These parmesan knots are quick and easy, look cute, and taste great!


Ingredients:
1 tube (12 oz.) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/4 cup canola oil
3 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano


Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
2.  Roll each biscuit in between hands (as if rubbing palms together) to form a 12 inch rope and tie rope in a knot.
3.  Place on baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.
4.  While baking, combine other ingredients in bowl.  
5.  Brush oil mixture on warm knots immediately after removing from oven.

inspiration found at realmomkitchen

Chocolate Banana Bread

If you are a chocolate lover like myself, you will love this wonderful spin on banana bread complete with cocoa and chocolate chips!  It is very moist and tastes great for a few days.  I found this recipe on pinterest, originally posted by the sisters cafe.  


Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups mashed bananas (about 3)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips


Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  
2.  Spray 8x4 inch loaf pan with cooking spray.  
3.  Beat sugar, eggs, and oil with electric mixer on medium speed until combined. 
4.  Beat in vanilla and bananas on low speed.  
5.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.  
6.  Beat dry mixture into banana mixture on low speed just until combined.  
7.  Stir in chocolate chips.  
8.  Pour into loaf pan and bake for 60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  

Don't forget to let your helpers take a lick!

Enjoy!

I Am From

This is where I'm from - a little bit of present mixed with past . . . .

I am from a town, not too far from the city, with tractors, cows, and corn fields right around the corner

from diapers and snotty noses and messes to remind me it's all holy things

food coloring

finger paint

broken lamp

I am from the brick house in the middle of the neighborhood - the one with the purple door

I am from the Dogwood's blooming as a first taste of spring, offering beauty and life


I'm from stools at the kitchen counter that welcome conversation about life and learning while preparing meals for family and guests

Thanksgiving 2011

from Bible drills and weekly chapel services
diaries, fishing, tree houses and pony rides


I'm from making movies, swimming all day, climbing trees, and playing in the woods

from pastors who "preach the word" and members who keep coming to listen

the best preacher I know

I'm from organizing, bargain shopping, party planning, project scheming, bicycle riding, park playing, trampoline jumping, sport cheering, teeth cleaning, scripture verse memorizing, church going, Bible studying, school teaching, ABC chanting, picture coloring, song singing, menu planning, grocery shopping, food cooking, dish cleaning, book reading, laundry sorting, floor mopping, flower planting, grass cutting, friend calling, guest welcoming, living life at home

and from date nights and family snuggle time


I'm from work now and play later and Trust in the Lord with all your heart 
and Be careful little eyes what you see


I'm from turkey and dressing twice a year surrounded by family
pictures that need to be printed and kept in albums for memories to be remembered

I'm from the south, USA, and hard-working grandparents

From serving God in all of life, because it's all spiritual
worshiping God for who He is and grateful for His grace


From sweet childhood memories stored away in mind and heart, making me thankful for my parents and the home God placed me in, then and now

children giggling, keeping things in perspective, as I enjoy the simple things in life










idea taken from Ann Voskamp, author of 1000 Gifts, and blogger at a holy experience.


to write your own "I am from" poem find template here

Massage Your Little Ones

    When my 3 year old daughter was 21 months old she moved out of her crib into a toddler bed in order for her 2 month old brother to have her crib.  She transitioned well and one of the things this has allowed me to work in to her bedtime routine is nightly massages.  After bath time, reading a Bible story, singing and praying, I would be kneeling down beside her bed and begin to massage her, starting from the tips of her toes and moving to the top of her head.  I love massages and I figured she would also.  These massages have become just one more way for me to show my daughter I love her.  While pregnant, and since having children, I have read many times the benefits of massaging and I recently came across another article I wanted to share, so that other moms might be encouraged to incorporate this into their parenting toolbox of "I love you's."  Here's what I learned from the article in Parents magazine (February 2012):
1.  Infants who have their skin stroked regularly cry and fuss less than those who don't
2.  Skin-to-skin contact lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol
3.  The touch-induced release of the hormone melatonin causes better sleep
4.  Improves immune system, motor skills, and intellectual development
5.  Promotes healthy weight gain
I thought I would also add that I did massage my babies some when they were infants, but both of mine were active and did not want to lie still on their backs for long.  My now 3 year old daughter loves this part of her night time routine and her brother will enjoy it soon when he makes the transition to the toddler bed.
  

Apple Butter

One of the benefits of living in the country for two years (Canaan, IN) was witnessing some of our church members make homemade apple butter.  It was such a great experience to watch a family get together and make this family recipe in a huge copper barrel over a fire in their backyard.  Everyone had a part whether it was getting the fire burning, putting in the ingredients, stirring for hours, pouring the finished product into glass jars, putting the lids on the jars, or storing the jars away.  Some of the jars even got a special cinnamon stick.
I have always liked the taste of apple butter, but once you have tasted the homemade version, Kroger brand or Cracker Barrel don't quite measure up.  I came home wanting to make this a family tradition of our own.  After a move to TN and not having the barrel or fire pit in the backyard, I stored this thought away for later use.  Then, while on Pinterest one day, I saw it - a recipe for crock pot homemade apple butter.  I have a crock pot.   I ended up combining several of the recipes I found and came up with this one.  This recipe could easily be doubled or tripled if you have a larger crock pot.  The fall is the perfect time to make this because apples are in season and everyone is in the cooking mood this time of year.  Enjoy!

9 red delicious apples
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Peel, core, and chop apples.  Place in crock pot.  Add sugar and cinnamon and stir to mix with apples.  Cook on low for 2 hours and then high for 5 more hours.  Enjoy the great smell all over your house.  Puree in blender.  Pour in glass jars.  Be careful because it will be very hot.

Teaching Our Daughters To Be Homemakers