Sunday, October 2, 2016

Little of This, Little of That

So, today's post is a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

1) The cooking supper thing that we talked about is coming along pretty well.  I've got my kitchen mojo back and, upon request, I thought I'd share a recipe that we just love at our house!  It's a good, hearty soup that you make in the crockpot and it's perfect for a fall night.  Now, I know there are some crockpot snobs out there, but I love an easy one pot dinner and this one is really good.  It's got your meat, your starch, and your veggie.  So, here goes.....        
Zuppa Toscana
(or as we'd likely call it in Mississippi- that sausage/potato soup like they have down at the Olive Garden) 

1 pound sausage
4-6 potatoes, cubed or thinly sliced (I slice mine)
1 chopped onion
2 TB garlic, minced
32 oz chicken broth
1/2 bunch kale, destemmed and torn into bite size pieces
1 c heavy whipping cream
2 TB flour
salt and pepper to taste
Cayenne pepper to taste
1/4 c bacon, cooked and crumbled

Brown sausage and drain. 
Place sausage, broth, garlic, potatoes, and onion in slow cooker. 
Add just enough water to cover the vegetables and meat.
Cook on high for 4-5 hours until potatoes are soft. 
30 minutes before serving:
Mix whipping cream into flour until smooth.
Add cream and kale to crock pot and stir.
Cook on high 30-45 more minutes.
Add salt, pepper, cayenne to taste.
Top with bacon right before serving.

Blair brought us some good, crusty bread from New Orleans to have with it and it was so good, it made you want to slap your Mama!  Of course, we'd never do that but it was very good.  

2) Well, you asked for a picture of me in my wedding dress so, here, it is. 
You can't really tell in the first picture because of my flowers, but take a look at that stomach on the right side.  You could play Jenga on it.  Now, it might make a better skee ball ramp than Jenga table. Davis, well, he looks exactly the same but he didn't birth the children either, so it doesn't count.  And, yes, some of you asked if Blair tried it on and she did.  It fit her with even a little room to spare and the arms were a bit too long but it's just as well.  I don't think its 90's charms worked on her. 
  
3) October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  Maybe like some of you, my first pregnancy ended in miscarriage and so many of our family and friends have also experienced that same kind of loss.  A couple of months ago, one of my blog readers, Daphne Petrey, sent me a children's book that she'd written, I Have a Brother-My Brother Is in Heaven.  She and her husband experienced the loss of a son at only two days old.  She had older children at the time and she used her experience to write the book to help siblings cope with such a confusing and sad situation.  This sweet book is written from a child's perspective and I would definitely recommend it if a child in your life is dealing with this kind of loss in his or her family.  Daphne also has a blog, Carry Them Forever, if you'd like to go and check that out, as well.  She's a lovely lady!   
4) So, I'm going to be gone for a couple of days.  My Mama's birthday is Tuesday and we're going on a little overnighter along with Blair who will meet us when she gets done working.  We'll be in Birmingham and plan to do some shopping, eating, and, of course, see my brother and his family who live there.  I believe having lunch with my niece and nephew at their elementary school is on tap for Tuesday.  Oh, I hope it's grilled cheese and veggie soup day or rectangle pizza and corn on the cob day.  My love for those cafeteria faves go way back.  Anyway, I'm sure I'll have a lot to talk about when I get home.

Hope your week gets off on the right foot.......and I hope you can feel a little fall in the air!  
 

4 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! You're a beautiful bride with a handsome groom. Blair looks like you! I'm sorry to hear about your miscarriage Joni. It's good to have a book that can help understand loss of a love one. Sai Hi! to Boomama when you're visiting in Birmingham:) Happy Happy Birthday to your mom!
    Your soup sounds delicious and Fall like temps are coming my way, low 90s and high 80s with no humidity. We had 30 days of temps 110 and higher this summer.
    Have a wonderful week celebrating family, Kathleen in Az

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kathleen! Still not feeling like fall here! Low 90's through next week! UGH!!!!

      Delete
  2. Thank you for sharing about my book! I hope you have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so welcome, Daphne. Sweet, sweet book.

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