Spicy Shrimp & Tortellini Soup

This Soup is Another Family Favorite!

This is a very spicy soup. If you are not a fan of spicy food check out my variations below.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Olive Oil
• 2 Celery Sticks, Chopped
• 4 Garlic Cloves, Smashed & Peeled
• 2 large Shallots, Chopped
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 lb Chorizo (Spicy Pork Sausage)
• 2 Cups Dry-White Wine (Pinot Grigio)
• 1 6oz Can Tomato Paste
• 6 cups Chicken Broth
• 2 Dry Bay Leaves
• 1 pack Three Cheese Tortellini (not dry)
• 1 Pound Peeled & Deveined Shrimp (uncooked)
• 1 15oz can of Cannellini Beans (White Kidney Beans), Rinsed & Drained
• 1 Cup Fresh Basil Leaves, 
• 1 Tbs Chopped Fresh Thyme or 1 tsp dry Thyme
• Crusty Bread

Directions:

1. In a large stock pot heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the Celery, Garlic, Shallots, Salt, & Pepper. Cook until vegetables are slightly softened, 4-5 mins. 
2. Add the Chorizo. Break into pieces with a wood sppon and cook until brown, 4-5 mins. 
3. Add the Wine and scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. 
4. Stir in Tomato Paste, Chicken Broth, and Bay Leaves. Cover, bring to a simmer, and cook at a Medium-low heat for 5 mins. 
5. Bring back to a boil, uncover, add the Pasta, Shrimp, Beans, Basil, and Thyme. Cook until the shrimp and pasta are cooked through, 4 mins. Shrimp will turn pink once cooked. 
6. Remove Bay Leaves and discard. 
7. Serve with a crusty bread. I love toasted french bread with a little butter and garlic salt. 

Tips:

• If you are not a fan of Spicy food try a mild sausage or any other favorite ground meat.
• Make sure you get the fresh 3 cheese tortellini usually found near the produce in a cooler. 

Whipped Cream Recipe

Yummy and Easy Whipped Cream!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• 2 Tbs Powdered Sugar

Directions: 

1. Add the Cream and Sugar to a bowl and mix with an electric mixer until fluffy. If you over mix it will turn into butter. 
2. Use immediately or save refrigerated for up to 2 days. 

Tips: Add a flavor to your whipped cream by adding a little extract, cinnamon or even pumpkin spice. 

Crispy Belgian Waffle Recipe

 I Love This Waffle Recipe! My Family Goes Crazy Over These. 

I am not a fan of soggy Belgian Waffles. These get a perfect crispy texture that makes you want more! Try these and you will fall in love like we did!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups All Purpose Flour
• 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
• 3 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
• 2 Eggs, Separated
• 1 1/2 cups Whole Milk
• 1 Cup Salted Butter, Melted
• 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1. Preheat your waffle maker. 
2. Mix together flour, sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl and set aside.
3. In another bowl beat egg yokes. Add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla and mix well. 
4. Add the liquid mixture to the flour mixture and mix until combined. 
5. With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites in a separate bowl. Beat until stiff peaks form. 
6. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the egg whites into the batter until just combined. Do not over mix. 
7. Spray the waffle maker with cooking oil. Add your batter and cook the waffles according to your waffle maker. 
8. Once cooked remove them from the waffle maker. Serve immediately with whipped cream (Recipe) and fresh sliced strawberries or with your favorite syrup! 

• Tips:  If you do not serve and eat immediately spread them out to cool. If you stack them, the steam will be trapped and make them soggy. Once cooled you can freeze to reheat later. When reheating them, let them defrost and then pop them in the toaster to get the crisp texture back. 

Halloween Pumpkin Bucket Light

This is such a fun and cute way to decorate for Halloween! Simple, Easy and Cheap!

Get a plastic pumpkin bucket at your local store or the dollar store. They are usually around $1. Remove the handles from the bucket.

Depending on the type of light fixture you have you will have to figure out how to attach it. I removed the glass part of my fixture and just slid the bucket on. The screws that were sticking out for the glass attachment are holding on the bucket for me. Another way to attach the bucket would be to cut it and wrap it around your fixture. 

If you are worried about the bulb being too hot, use LED bulbs!

Exploding Paint Craft with Alka Seltzer

This was so much fun to do! The kids had a blast and I did too!

 Materials:

• Paint
• Small Film Canisters
• Paper or Canvas
• Alka Seltzer Tablets
• Water
• Outdoor space for easy cleanup 
• Disposable table cloth, plastic shower curtain, or newspaper. 

Directions:

1. Get all of your materials ready.
2. Lay out the disposable table cloth, newspaper, or old plastic shower curtain.
3. Lay down your paper or canvas. 
4. Put some paint in a few film canisters 1/3 full. Add a little water (about 1tsp). Stir or shake it up to mix it. 
5. Get ready to move quickly. Break an Alka Seltzer tablet in half, put both halves in a canister with paint. Put the cover on quickly and set it upside down on the paper or canvas. 
6. Stand back, the canister may fly far. The Alka Seltzer bubbles will build pressure and cause the top to pop off and create a fun splatter painting.
7. Continue to fill and explode the canisters until you have a painting you love. 
8. Clean up, let your painting dry and then hang it up to show off your work!

Easy Cheesy Meatball Subs

 These are easy to make for a quick lunch or dinner. Perfect when the family has a busy night of activities.

 Ingrediants:

• Buns (hoagie or large brat)
• Butter
• Garlic Salt
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese 
• Parmesan Cheese 
• Meatballs (frozen or homemade)
• Marinara Sauce

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425℉
2. Cook Meatballs. When I use the precooked frozen Meatballs, I put them in a frying pan with a little water and cover them.  Heat them up until they are warm all the way through. Remove the cover and brown the outside of the Meatballs. 
3. Pour the Marinara sauce over the Meatballs and let it simmer until the buns are done. 
4. Open buns and spread on butter. 
5. Lay the buns flat of a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with garlic salt and Mozzarella cheese. 
6. Bake for 4-5 minutes.
7. When you are ready to assemble the subs, put a bun on a plate, scoop on the Meatballs and Marinara, then sprinkle the top with Mozzarella and Parmesan.  
8. When I serve this to my kids, I usually cut the meatballs up to make it easier for them to eat. 
9. Enjoy!

Easy Rustic Movie Poster Frame

We have a movie theater theme in out living room but wanted to keep the rustic theme going in our house. So we made rustic frames for our movie theater.

Materials:

• Pine wood 1x4
• Stain or Clear Coat
• Tape Measure
• Saw
• Wood Glue
• Nails and a nail gun
• Hanging Hardware
• Movie Poster
• Tape

Directions:

1. Measure the height and width of your poster. 
2. Measure out the length of your boards to fit your poster. Make sure you have them long enough that your don't cover a lot of the poster but short enough that you will be able to cover a bit of the edge with the frame. 
3. Double check your measurements and then cut your boards. 
4. Glue and nail together each board to create the frame. 
5. Let the glue dry and then stain or clear coat the wood. 
6. Attach the hanging hardware to the back of the frame. 
7. After the frame is complete simply tape the corners and a couple edges of the poster to the frame. 
8. Hang up your poster and then enjoy your movie and popcorn!

Hand Print Frame

These were a fun and easy craft to make for Mother's Day. I made these for myself and for my sister. They would be great for a gift for many occasions. 

Materials:

• Frame
• Paint
• Cute Little Hand

Directions:

1. Get the Frame. 
2. Paint one hand, then make the hand print on the frame. 
3. Make sure it drys before putting it together. 
4. Place it on a shelve or use as a great gift for a mom, grandma, or family member. 

Mini English Muffin Pizza

My kids love when we make these. It is fun for them to be able to help make their meals. 

Ingredients:

• English Muffins
• Butter
• Garlic Salt
• Pizza Sauce
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• Pepperoni 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425⁰F.
2. Line a cookie sheet with foil. 
3. Cut the English Muffins in half and line them up on the cookie sheet. 
4. Spread butter on the English Muffins and sprinkle with garlic salt. 
5. Spread on some pizza sauce, sprinkle with a layer of cheese, and add pepperoni. 
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the English Muffins are crisp on the bottom. 
7. Serve and enjoy!

Variations: You could use any kind of toppings and make any of your favorite pizzas. Another favorite of mine would be a Chicken Alfredo Pizza.

Pickle Roll ups

Perfect pinwheel snack or hors d'oeuvre for a party. 

Everyone will love them!

Ingredients:

• Flour tortilla
• Cream Cheese
• Deli Meat (Ham, Corned Beef, Roast Beef)
• Pickle Planks

Directions:

1. Lay a tortilla on a cutting board. 
2. Warm the cream cheese slightly to make it easier to spread. Spread a layer on the tortilla and be careful not to rip the tortilla. 
3. Add a layer of deli meat. I used roast beef, most people like ham the most but the corned beef or roast beef gives it a good flavor. 
4. Dry the pickle planks on some paper towel. You don't want them dripping wet because it will make the tortilla soggy. 
5. Roll the tortilla tight along with the pickle planks. 
6. Slice and place on a platter to serve. Make more until your platter is full because they will all be gone. Enjoy!

Note: Do not make these the night before serving. They are better fresh!

Classic Chicken Dumpling Soup

This classic chicken dumpling soup is a perfect meal for a cold day!

Ingredients:

Chicken Soup Base

• Chicken (Thighs, legs, or whole small chicken)
• Water
• 1/2 Sweet Yellow Onion Chopped
• 2 Garlic Cloves Chopped
• 1 tsp Salt 
• 1 tsp Pepper
• 1 tsp Thyme
• 1 Carton of Chicken Broth

Dumplings:

• 6 Eggs
• 2.5 cups Flour
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Pepper

Directions:

1. Rinse chicken and put it in a large stock pot. I used about 8 chicken legs. You can use whatever pieces of chicken you have.  
2. Add the onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and Thyme to the pot. Add water to the pot until the water is about and inch or two over the top of the chicken. Boil on the stove top until the chicken is cooked through. The meat will start to fall off the bones and there will be no pink in the meat. 
3. Once the chicken is cooked pull the chicken out of the pot. Clean the meat off the bones and put only the meat back into the pot. 
4. Add the chicken broth to the pot. Taste the soup base and add more salt and pepper until you have the flavor you want. 
5. Make the dumplings. Add your eggs to a stand mixer and whip them until the yokes are combined with the whites. Add the salt and pepper. Slowly mix and add the flour. This dough will be sticky but will not form a dough ball. The stiffer the dough the denser the dumplings will be.
6. Bring the soup base back to a low boil. 
7. Use one small spoon to scoop a small amount of the dumpling dough (about 1.5 tsp) and another spoon to scrap the dumpling off. The dough will not stick as much if you dip the spoon into the soup each time you make a dumpling. As the dumplings cook they will grow at least 4 times their size. Add the dumplings quickly so they all will get about the same amount of cooking time. 
8. Cover the pot and let the dumplings cook for 20-25 minutes stirring occasionally. Check the center of the dumplings to see if they are cooked through. They should not be dry in the middle. 
9. Put some soup in a bowl with a dab of butter and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with a buttered dinner roll. Enjoy!

Note: You could add carrots and celery to the soup base to get some more flavor and vegetables. 

Pink Flamingo Drink

This drink is kind of like a Shirley Temple. 

Our kids love them and so do I!

Ingredients:

• Ice
• Lemon Lime Soda
• Grenadine
• Half and Half Cream

Directions: 

1. Get a glass with some ice in it. 
2. Pour in your soda.
3. Add a splash of Grenadine, to your taste. 
4. Add a splash of Half and Half. 
5. Stir it all together to make your creamy pink Flamingo Drink. 
6. Enjoy!

Variations: Make a large batch for a party. Add a little of your favorite alcohol to make it an adult beverage.

Caramel Apple Grapes

What a yummy little treat!

Ingredients:

• Green Grapes
• Kraft Caramels Squares
• Water
• Salted Peanuts Finely Chopped 
• Tooth Picks

Directions:

1. Wash and dry your grapes. Stick a tooth pick in 15-20 of them.
2. Chop Peanuts. I start out with about 1/4 cup. 
3. Put 10 caramels and 2 tsp water in a small microwave safe bowl. Microwave for about 1 minute, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted. 
4. Dip the grapes in the caramel and then the chopped peanuts. Set on a plate to serve. 
5. Continue to melt more caramels and chop more peanuts until you have your desired amount of Caramel Apple Grapes!
6. Serve and enjoy this sweet treat!

Sloppy Joes

So simple and Delicious! 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Ground Beef
• 1/2 Sweet Yellow Onion Chopped
• 3 Garlic Cloves Chopped
• Salt & Pepper
• 1/2 cup Water
• 4 oz can of Tomato Paste
• 1/4 cup Ketchup
• 1 Tbs Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 Tbs Brown Sugar  
• 1 tsp Yellow Mustard
• 1 Tbs BBQ Sauce

Directions:

1. Add ground beef, onion, and garlic to a skillet pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the ground beef is browned. 
2. Add the water and scrap the brown bits off the pan. 
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and more salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and simmer until it is thick. 
4. Serve on a bun and enjoy!

Disappearing Marshmallow Breakfast Rolls

These are a special breakfast treat that my husbands grandma always made for him as a kid.

Ingredients:

• Pre-made Croissant Roll Dough
• 1 Tbs Melted Butter 
• 1 Tbs Sugar
• 1 Tsp Cinnamon 
• Large Marshmallows

Ingredients for Icing:

• 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar

• 1 tsp of Milk

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven according to the croissant dough package. 
2. Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray. 
3. Divide the croissant dough.
4. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.
5. Roll a marshmallow in the melted butter and then in the cinnamon/sugar mix. 
6. Roll the marshmallow up in the croissant dough. Make sure you seal the dough completely to keep the marshmallow from melting out. 
7. Roll all of the croissants and place them in the muffin tin. 
8. Bake them according to the croissant package. 
9. When they are golden brown remove them from the oven and let them cool a bit. 
10. Make some Icing by mixing the milk and powdered sugar together to have a slightly runny consistency. Add a little milk at a time. You may need to add more powdered sugar or milk. 
11. Once the rolls have cooled a bit place them on a plate and drizzle icing over the top and serve. Enjoy!

DIY Pop Bottle Vase

This is a cute way to use those old glass pop bottles. I used the pick a pop bottles but you could use coke, 7 up, or any other classic glass pop bottle.

Materials:

• 1x4 Pine Board
• Miter Saw
• Drill
• Drill Bits
• Spade Drill Bit
• Air Nailer & Nails
• Wood Glue
• Tape Measure
• Pencil
• Sandpaper
• Clear Coat Polyurethane 
• Glass Pop Bottles
• Flowers and Water

Directions:

1. Make sure you have all of your materials ready. 
2. Measure out how long you will need each board based on the number and height of your bottles. Mark your cutting lines.
3. Cut your boards to the correct lengths. We cut ours to put them together at an angle. 
4. Hold the boards together to make sure they fit together and are all the correct length. 
5. For your top board where the bottle will come through, measure out and mark where you need to drill the holes. 
6. Make a small hole with a regular drill bit first. Then use a spade bit to make the hole big enough for the bottle top to come through. 
7. Sand your boards to get out any rough spots and edges. 
8. Glue and nail the ends together. It will become more sturdy once the glue drys. 
9. Carefully sand any other spots on the boards. 
10. Check to see if the bottles will fit into their spots. You may need to sand down the bottom edges of the holes to give a little more space to get the bottles in. 
11. Once the bottles fit and the glue is dry it is ready for the clear coat. Remove the bottles before painting the clear coat. You could also stain this to match your decor. The natural wood goes well with the decor in our home. 
12. After everything is dry place the bottle back in their spots.
13. Fill the bottles with water and add your flowers. 
14. Use your new DIY decor as a centerpiece for everyone to see. Enjoy!
    
    
    

DIY Painted Welcome Signs

Everyone needs a welcome sign on their front step!

Materials: 

• 10"x6' Pine Board (3/4 inch thick)
• 6" Stencils
• Sand Paper or Power Sander
• Pencil
• Acrylic Paints
• Paint Brushes
• Clear Coat Polyurethane 

Directions:

1. Sand the board to get out any rough spots or marks. Wipe it clean.
2. Line up and measure out your stencils. You want the letters to be straight, centered and evenly spaced. Then trace the letters.
3. For the O in Welcome you can draw and paint anything you like. Flower, pumpkin, snowflake, sports ball, etc.
4. Paint the letters and your design for the O.
5. Once the paint is dry, paint on a coat or 2 of the polyurethane. Let it dry. 
6. Place on your front step to welcome your guests. You could even make these as gifts. 

Ham & Cheese Biscuit Bombs

My kids and husband loved these, and they were so simple to make!

Ingredients:

• Pre-made Biscuit Dough 
• Deli Ham Slices
• Cheddar Cheese Block
• Butter
• Garlic Powder
• Dried Parsley 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven according to the biscuit dough package.
2. Put foil on a cookie sheet and spray it with cooking spray. 
3. Open the biscuit dough and peel them apart. 
4. Add one slice of ham and one 1/2 inch cube of cheese to the center of each biscuit. 
5. Fold and roll the biscuits into a ball. Make sure they are completely sealed. 
6. Place the biscuit balls 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
7. Melt 2 tbs of butter and brush it on top of each biscuit.
8. Sprinkle each biscuit with garlic powder and parsley.
9. Bake the biscuit balls according to the package or until golden brown. 
10. Let them cool a few minutes. Be careful when serving they will be hot inside. Enjoy!

Mini Corndog Muffins

I made there for my kids for lunch and they loved them!

Materials:

• Corn Bread Mix
• Ingredients for Mix (oil, milk, eggs...)
• Hot dogs
• Mini Muffin Pan
• Cooking spray or Mini Cupcake Liners

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven according to the corn bread mix box.
2. Mix the corn bread according to the box.
3. Cut the hot dogs so the will not stick out above the muffins. About 3/4 inch long. 
4. Spray the pan or add your mini cupcake liners. 
5. Put a hot dog piece in each muffin spot. 
6. Spoon the corn bread mix over the hot dog, you want it to be just covering the hot dog but not over flowing.
7. Bake them according to the corn bread mix box.
8. Serve immediately with your favorite corndog condiment.

Spring Bird Kids Craft

 Happy Spring!

This cute spring picture is perfect to bring a little spring into the house. 

Materials:

• Construction Paper
• Glue; stick & liquid
• Googly Eyes
• Dried Grass or Twigs
• Brown Marker

Directions:

1. Draw and cut out a tree with branches, leaves, clouds, ovals for birds, and beaks. 
2. Glue on all the parts starting witb the tree, then leaves, clouds, birds, and last beaks.
3. Add googly eyes on the birds with the luquid glue.
4. Squeeze glue out along the bottom of the birds and press in you dry grass.
5. Add a little detail of tree bark with a brown marker.
6. You can add Happy Spring! or even some little music notes above the birds. Tweet Tweet!