Some funnies from our house....

We have had a lot going on around our house lately.  My newly turned 15 yo daughter just got her driving permit, a fact that makes her mother feel very old.  I still vividly remember the day I went to get my permit and it does not seem all that long ago.  Certainly not so long that I could be old enough to have a child that can drive!  The streets of our town will never be the same again.  All I can say, is wait till my two boys start driving, then we are really in trouble.  


After, my daughter, Paige's birthday dinner we were on our way home from the restaurant and I used the opportunity to have a teachable moment with my youngest son.  He is 12 years old and not lacking for self confidence.  I told him that God calls us to be selfless not selfish.  David said "Mom I'm not selfish or selfless, I am kind of in the middle.  I am self centered!"  Where does he come up with the things he says. 


We came home and ate the birthday cake that I had ordered from a local lady that makes the most unbelievable cakes.  I let my daughter pick out which one she liked.  Her cake was pound cake with an almond buttercream icing.  The cake was so moist and the frosting was to die for.  I will definitely be ordering another cake from her soon.  I will post the link to her website so you can take a look at this talented lady's creations.  I am definitely ordering the sweetgrass basket cake for my mom's upcoming 70th birthday.   

Carolina Cake Queen

What's for dinner tonight??

I am always looking for good recipes to make in my crock pot and I think that this one is a keeper.  I feel like we are all on the go all the time and having dinner made that morning makes the evenings run much smoother.  I bought kielbasa sausage at the grocery store recently on BOGO special and was looking for a different way to eat it.  I will definitely be making this stew again.  My youngest and pickiest eater ate a whole bowl and commented on the "depth of flavor".  Might have something to do with the 6 pieces of bacon!!  I hope you and your family enjoy this as much as we did.



Crock Pot Kielbasa Sausage Stew
Serves 6-8, prep time 20 minutes,
cook time 8-10 hours

Ingredients:

•                6 slices bacon

•                1 onion, chopped

•                2 packages of  kielbasa sausage, sliced in bite size pieces

•                2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans great northern beans, rinsed and drained

•                1 24 oz can crushed tomatoes

•                1 (4 ounce) can green chilies, chopped

•                1/2 c chopped carrots

•                3 stalks of celery chopped

•                1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning

•                1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

•                1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1  Fry bacon in skillet until crisp and drain on paper towels

2  Crumble bacon and place in large slow cooker.

3  Add onions and sausage to drippings in skillet.

4  Cook until onions are soft.

5 Transfer onions and sausage to slow cooker.

6 Add all remaining ingredients to cooker and stir together well.

7 Cover.

8 Cook 8-10 hours on low

I think this is too thick to serve with rice.  I just heated up some of the  sister schuberts dinner rolls and served them with the stew.