Southern Living's Baked Potato Soup (a family favorite)

I thought it was a great time to share this yummy recipe, as nothing sounds better than a hot bowl of soup on a cold, wintery evening!

Baked Potato Soup (from The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook)

4 large baking potatoes

2/3 cup butter or margarine

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

6 cups milk

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 1/2 cups (6 oz) shredded cheddar cheese, divided

12 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled and divided

4 green onions, chopped & divided

1 (8oz) carton sour cream

 

Wash potatoes; prick several times with a fork. Bake at 400 degrees for a hour, or until done; cool.

Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp and reserve. Discard shells.

 

Melt butter in a Dutch oven over low heat; add flour, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly.

 

Stir in potato, salt, pepper, 1 cup of cheese, 1/2 cup of bacon and 2 T green onions; cook until heated (do not boil). Stir in sour cream; cook just until heated (do not boil). Sprinkle servings with remaining cheese, bacon and green onions. Yield: 10 cups.

 

(Per 1 cup srvg: 407 cals, 31.6 gm fat, 88 mg cholesterol, 629 mg sodium)

Pretty Packages with Tag a Bag

I am loving the Stampin' Up! new tag a bag accessory kit and tag a bag gift bags!

Tag A Bag tag and Chalk Talk stamp set

 

Here is the Tag a Bag Bundle. It makes it so easy to put together a cute gift!

You can get the Tag A Bag Bundle, shown above, which includes the Tag a Bag Accessory Kit and the Tag a Bag Gift Bags.
Item #131371, Price: $9.95 in the 2013-2014 Stampin' Up! catalog.
It has everything you need to make treats extra-special. Coordinates with Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Gumball Green, Smoky Slate, Tangerine Tango. Includes: * 10 food-safe Kraft bags with White chevron ombre print, each 5-1/4" x 8-1/4" * 10 large base tags * 10 medium builder tags * Baker’s Twine, 20' each of 3 colors: Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango, Bermuda Bay * 10 mini clothespins * 5 Smoky Slate self-adhesive strips, each 12" * 40 Stampin’ Dimensionals

Quick Idea

Here is an altered journal, I made for my wonderful mother.

Saucy Manicotti, from Southern Living's Easy Entertaining

This is a family favorite!

 

Had to share this Manicotti recipe, it takes a little time, but is worth the effort!

You also get two dishes with one prep time.

 

Saucy Manicotti (makes 2 casserole dishes) from Southern Living, Easy Entertaining

3/4 pound Italian Sausage

3/4 pound ground chuck

1 large onion, chopped

5 garlic cloves, pressed

2 (15 oz ) can tomato sauce

1 (14 1/2 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

1 T dried Italian seasoning

1 (8 oz) package manicotti shells

1 (8 oz) container cream cheese with chives & onions, softened

5 cups (20 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese

4 garlic cloves, pressed

3/4 tsp pepper

Garnishes: chopped fresh parsley, shredded Parmesan cheese

 

Remove & discard casing from sausage. Cook sausage, beef, onion an garlic in a large Dutch oven over medium heat, stirring until sausage and beef crumble and are no longer pink: drain. Return sausage mixture to Dutch oven.

 

Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and dried Italian seasoning; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes.

 

While sauce simmers, cook pasta shells according to package directions. Stir together cream cheese, 4 cups mozzarella cheese and next 4 ingredients. Stuff evenly (I slice and use a scoop to drop stuffing into shells). Spoon half of sauce evenly into 2 greased 13 x 9 inch baking dishes . Arrange stuffed shells over sauce; top with remaining sauce.

 

Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake 10 minutes or until cheese melts. Let stand 5 minutes. Enjoy! Yield: 7 servings.

 

Note: Casserole may be frozen. Just prep (don't bake). Thaw in refrigerator 12 hours. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes, or until heated through. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and bake 10 more, or until cheese melts. Let stand 5 minutes.

 

 

Taking a moment to celebrate...

My youngest brother and wife are getting ready to celebrate

their FIRST wedding anniversary.

I'm sure they are thrilled it is cooler than it was last year.

The celebration took place at an outdoor venue in Kansas City last July, 

and it was 106 degrees (in the shade!)

 

 

 

 

I wanted to make a card that tied in with their yellow & grey theme...

 

 

 

 

 

I used the Daydream Medallions stamp set from Stampin' Up in

Daffodil Delight & Basic Grey. The sentiment is from Loving Thoughts.

 

 

 

 

Another favorite recipe : )

This is one of my "go to" casseroles, it's yummy & fast!

Angel Hair Shrimp Bake

1 pkg refrigerated angel hair pasta
1 1/2 lb cooked med shrimp (I buy the frozen 2 # bag)
3/4 C. crumbled feta
1 C shredded Monterey Jack cheese (I used a Colby/jack mix)
1 (16 oz) Jar chunky salsa
1 C. fresh spinach leaves
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
2 eggs
1 C half & half
1 C greek yogurt
Grease 9 x 13 pan, layer half pasta/shrimp/cheeses/salsa/spinach (repeat) Sprinkle with basil & oregano. In small bowl, whisk eggs, cream & yogurt. Pour over. Bake uncovered 350 degrees for 30 min. Let stand for 5 minutes, then serve.

Lari's AMAZING cheesy enchilada dip

I just had to post this quick recipe from one of my best girlfriends.
It's super easy and DELISH! Great for a game day or served with margaritas.
Enjoy!

Lari’s A-M-A-Z-I-N-G Enchilada Dip *

8  oz cream cheese
8 oz sour cream
2 cans refried beans- use big can
Whole enchilada packet powder
1/2 can enchilada sauce
20 dashes of hot sauce
Top with Colby Monterey shredded (or shredded Mexican-cheese blend) towards the end

Bake 350 (15-20 mins) in 2 pie plates or casserole dish.

Serve with Frito scoops or tortilla chips.

 

 

 

(*I don't know who she got it from or if she created it, so I call it "Lari's" recipe : ))

Pop-up Posies Designer Kit

I am loving the versatility of this kit! It's fun, bright and perfect for spring!

Here is a slightly altered version of the card from our spring catty (page 18)...

A Valentine's Day Banner idea!

Love this Valentine's Day Banner from Stampin With Nanna

Lana used the Simply Sent Kit, Sealed with Love. It's a carry-over from the 2013 Holiday Catalog. Super cute and only $7.95!