Friday, August 15, 2014

Crockpot Recipe - Zuppa Toscana Soup

This might be one of the easiest crockpot recipes ever!  If you love Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana soup, then you are going to love this.  The best part is that it is super easy and makes great leftovers!


Recipe c/o Retro Modern Mom - Thank you Pinterest!


Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana


INGREDIENTS:
  • 5 1/2 cups chicken broth (or 3 cans)
  • 2 cups whipping cream
  • 2-4 cups chopped kale (FILL TO THE TOP OF YOUR CROCKPOT)
  • 2-3 potatoes sliced thin and quartered
  • 1 lb sweet Italian sausage
  • 2-3 shakes of red pepper flakes
  • salt and pepper (to taste)


Combine the chicken broth and heavy whipping cream in the crockpot.


Chop up kale into bite size pieces or, if you are like me, buy a bag of pre washed and chopped kale! I didn’t really measure it but grabbed about 3 large handfuls. I would certainly suggest grabbing more than you think you need as it cooks down A LOT. I almost filled my crockpot to the top with kale and still felt I could have added more.


Wash and cut up the potatoes with the skin on. I used 3 large potatoes and felt the soup ended up being too potato heavy. I would suggest 2 large or 3 small baking potatoes. Add both potatoes and kale to crockpot.


Brown the sausage and break apart into small chunks. Season with a touch of salt and pepper then add to crockpot.


Mix all ingredients together and add more salt and pepper for taste as well as a few shakes of red pepper flakes. I don’t like things spicy but I didn’t feel this made it spicy at all. It just gave it a much needed kick to cut the heaviness of the cream base.


Set your crockpot on high for 3-4 hours until the potatoes break apart easily with a fork.






This is what it looked like in my crockpot - so delicious!!!!!!  Don't be scared to buy some good crusty bread either!  Dipping never tasted so good!


Thursday, August 7, 2014

Stella's 1st Birthday Cake / Cake Smash Video

Stella was hilarious when it came to eating her first birthday cake.  She dove in head first - no hands!

Of course I would expect nothing less from my Stella!  The girl can certainly put some food down her!

I could just eat her up in this video!  :)

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Stella's First Birthday Party - Fiesta

I can't believe I am just getting around to blogging Stella's first birthday party.  Since Stella was almost a Cinco de Mayo baby, I thought the perfect first birthday party would be a "FIESTA" party.


Between the two baby showers I hosted for my sister and the hours upon hours spent preparing for my nephew's birth, I didn't get to put in as much time as I'd like in prepping Stella's First Birthday party.  With that said, it turned out super cute.  Great food and family - can't ask for much more!


Stella's first year has been full of lots of wonderful memories!  I truly can't wait to watch her grow this next year whether that be here or across the pond (more on that very soon).


There were lots of firsts.......
  • First Word: Thank You, Mama, Baby, Bath, NO!, gnome, etc.
  • First Signage: MORE (of course it was - girl always wants more food)
  • First Teeth
  • First roll
  • First scoot (never once traditionally crawled)
  • First foods: her favorites are bananas, grits, spaghetti, strawberries, peaches, grapes, lima beans, pinto beans, yogurt, chicken........ I just realized that I could go on for days!  The kid loves every kind of food out there.
  • First surgery: tubes at 6 months
  • First smile and laugh
  • First game of Peek-a-boo
  • First tantrum


I have loved every first we have experienced (the good and the bad).  It has taught me that no matter what we go through, we can get through it as a family!  Stella - you are the final piece to our puzzle and we wouldn't trade you for anything (even after all that crying!)  :)


We love ya babe! 
























I picked up this hat at a market while on a trip to Mexico back in 2006.






My little Mexican cutie! 






I picked up the cutest little Mexican dress from a kid's consignment sale earlier this year.  Lottie looked so cute!  Unfortunately, they didn't have one in Stella's size since it was hand made.



I made crockpot chicken tacos, black beans and Spanish rice - it was delicious!





Stella's Fiesta Cake



Stella's Smash Cake

 


She was hilarious!  She literally dove right in - face first, no hands!





































Ari and Stella





After cake, I changed Stella into the same dress Lottie wore when she opened her presents on her first birthday.  Stella definitely fills the dress out better than her sister did!






Steve Junior!






I just love this picture!  What a beautiful little girl you are! 

We love you so much! 

Happy First Birthday Stella!! xoxo
 

Sunday, August 3, 2014

It's a MIRACLE! Stella WALKS!


It is a MIRACLE!  I honestly never thought I would see the day when Stella walked!  With that said, I figured I needed to capture her scooting in what would soon be the very last time.  She has NEVER traditionally crawled - always been a scooter / leg dragger.  The video above is for Stella!  When she gets older, I can't wait to show her how she got around for months! 

P.S. Stella hates when I capture video of her!  I think it must be something with the light on the phone.............OR...........it could just be that Stella is still crying!!!!  Lord have mercy!

 
Flash forward - Stella is walking!

Last weekend Steve and I heard a loud clacking noise walking through the house.  When we turned to see what it was, Stella was walking with one of Lottie's dress up shoes on one foot.  How she managed to do that is beyond me.  I guess she's just showing off now!