Mommy Group 9/11/13

Creamy Slow Cooker Tortellini Soup

4 cups white sauce (you can buy dry packets for this or make your own with a roux. For instructions on a roux, click here.)

1 can veggie broth (I use chicken instead because that's what I always have on hand.)

1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cloves minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Mix all above in crock pot.  Cover and cook on low 5-6 hours or high for 2 1/2-3 hours.

Add 7-8 oz pkg dried cheese tortellini.  (I like to add a little extra because I can't seem to find this size pkg and I also like to have a little more "meat" in my soup.  I add at least a 9-10 oz pkg.)
Cook on low for 1 hour or high for 45 minutes.

Add the following:
1 12 oz can of evaporated milk
6 cups fresh spinach (I forgot this one when I was at the store, so my soup didn't have any, but I think it would still taste great.)
ground black pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese to taste

the original pin says that it makes 4 servings, but this is so yummy, that one batch is only really enough for maybe 3 adults.  If you double the batch, however, be prepared for a VERY full crock pot.  Yummy, yummy, yummy!

Maria brought her yummy Sugar Cookie Bars again.  To view that recipe, click here.

The kids decided to find the Tupperware under the sink. What fun! 

September Craft Night

Decided we were going to learn how to make some super cute bags. Thanks so much for Amelia for teaching!

My cute bag!

Ready for use.

Here's a sneak peak on what Charity was working on! Going to be gorgeous! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Evangeline's Birthday Party

What a great day! Thanks to all who came and those who supported from a far. :) Evangeline had a cute little Monster Party, but she started the day with pancakes!

Gone like hot cakes!  ;)

Then got all cute in her monster outfit! Thanks to Maria for the cute monster onsie!

Now to the decorations!

Yes, it was not planned for it to go sideways, but it was cute enough I don't want to try to make another. :)

We had a "Build A Monster" lunch!  How fun, right?

Jello Monsters! (Whipped topping front he can and chocolate chip eyes)

Time for presents!

Took a while to get her to let go of the bear long enough to open another present. :)

Cousin Isabelle wanted to help unwrap the gifts. :)

Ready for cake?!

Now you see it...

Now you don't!  Seriously, I turned away for half of a second and it was gone! Not on her lap either. All gone!

Cute little Rosie found the monsters to be quite appetizing! What a little cutie!

Thanks again for all who came and supported!

Mommy Group 9/4/13

Well, this week's mommy group was a little chaos to start off with. Sorry about that. A little too much to do and really slow systems to do it on. :p

Anyway, on to dinner!

Quesadilla Casserole

1 lb ground need (I used chicken because I didn't have time to defrost the beef, still worked great.)

1/2 cup chopped onion

16 oz tomato sauce

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 can green chilies, undrained

2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp dried minced garlic (I seasoned to taste with garlic powder)

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

6 flour tortillas, 8 inch (I had the 10 inch since that's what I had and they worked just as well)

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Brown beef and onions on medium heat. Add tomato sauce, beans, corn, and green chilies. Mix well. Add all spices, except red pepper. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer about 5 minutes. Then add red pepper. (I just added everything at the same time and just brought it to a low simmer).

Spray 9x13 with Pam. Spread 1/2 cup of mixture on bottom. Place 2 tortillas on that. Spread with 1/2 of remaining mixture. Spread with cheese. Repeat tortilla, mixture, cheese, tortilla, then top with cheese to taste. (I also think you could add sliced olives on top for looks, but I ran out of time). 

Bake 350 degrees for 15 minutes. 

Yum yum yummy. A lot like Mexican pizza in a casserole dish. :)

View the original blog here. 

http://joyful-mommas-kitchen.blogspot.com/2012/04/quesadilla-casserole-freezer-meal.html?m=1

Then, Maria was sweet enough to bring this awesome and yummy...

Pear and Cranberry Pie

So yummy!  And I don't normally like pie!