Tortellini Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Italian sausage
• 1 cup coarsely chopped onion 
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 5 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cup chopped canned tomatoes 
• 1 cup thinly sliced carrots 
• 1/2 tsp. basil
• 1/2 tsp. oregano 
• 1 8-oz can tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 cup sliced zucchini
• 3 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
• 1 medium green pepper chopped
• 1 8-oz bag tortellini 
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese (optional) 

Brown and drain sausage.  Saute onion and garlic until tender.  Add broth, water, and all other ingredients up to and including zucchini.  Bring to boil. Reduce heat.  Simmer uncovered for 30 minute.  Add everything else and simmer covered for 35 minutes.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and mozzarella if desired.

World's Best Chicken Enchiladas

These chicken enchiladas are truly the world's best.  I grew up with this recipe, and no matter how many different chicken enchilada recipes I try this one is my favorite.  I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup chopped onion 
• 1/8 tsp. minced garlic 
• 2 tbsp. margarine 
• 1 1/2 cup cooked diced chicken 
• 1 (4 oz) can green chilies chopped
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 tsp. chili powder 
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• Flour tortillas
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 tbsp. water
• Cheddar Cheese

Saute the onions, garlic, and margarine.  Then, add chicken, chilies, sour cream, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.  Heat the mixture until hot.  Spoon into flour tortillas and then place rolled up flour tortillas in a pan.  Cover with 1 can of cream of chicken soup and 1 tbsp. water.  Then top with cheese.  Bake the enchiladas for 15 - 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Family Blocks and Shelf

I know how difficult it can be to decorate a home that doesn't have a neutral color scheme.  Currently, I have teal colored carpet, and although I love it, it can be next to impossible to find any decor to match if teal isn't a popular color at the time.  Luckily with a little ambition and creativity you can make your own matching decor!

To make this project you will need:

• A shelf
• Paint that matches your house's color scheme
• Wood blocks
• Scrapbook paper
• Small mirror
• Clear sticker tape

The first step is to simply paint your shelf.  I found this shelf at Michael's for $10, but I had a coupon so I got it for $6!  After painting your shelf, set it aside and let it dry.  Sand the blocks and paint them.  While the blocks are drying, cut different layers of scrapbook paper, and either print or attach stickers that say FAMILY on the scrapbook paper.  Attach the paper to the blocks using mod podge.  To make the mirror project, print an image on the clear sticker paper and simply stick it on the mirror.  Be careful cleaning the mirror in the future.  I have ruined the print in the past by using a glass cleaner on the mirror.  I hope this post helps you get ideas for simple inexpensive ways to create matching decor for your home.  Happy crafting!

Lucky Blocks

Our St. Patrick's Day crafts continue with these lucky blocks.

To make this project you will need:

• Wood Blocks
• Green Paint
• Scrapbook Paper
• Accents 

First, choose blocks and sand them until smooth.  I chose to do smaller blocks that are all the same size and my sister chose blocks that were a little larger and different sizes.  Whatever blocks you have will work great.  After your blocks are all sanded paint them green.  We chose a paint called Shamrock Green; it seemed appropriate. :)  After the paint is dry cut different layers of scrapbook paper and attach the layers to the blocks with mod podge.  Finally, add LUCKY to the blocks.  You can either print LUCKY on the scrapbook paper before you attach it or cut the letters out afterwards.  We wanted to use white letters so we both cut some white vinyl on the Cricut, which made it easier to stick the letters on the blocks.  After adding LUCKY you can choose to add a little somethin' somethin' like I did or just leave the blocks as they are.  Either way, these blocks are a pretty simple and fun craft.  Happy St. Paddy's Day!!! 

Why I'm Lucky Blocks

As St. Patrick's Day draws near my sister and I have decided to post some more of our St. Paddy's Day projects on this blog.  I have included a picture of the completed blocks below, and as you can tell, I'm no photographer. :)

To make this project you will need:

• Three Cubes (We cut these out of a 4 X 4)
• One Base (We cut a 2 X 4 for the base)
• Scrapbook Paper
• Black Paint
• Sandpaper
• Ribbon 

First sand the wood until it is smooth, and then paint the blocks.  After the paint has completely dried, sand the edges of the blocks to give them a weathered look.  Cut scrapbook paper into squares that are slightly smaller than the cubes and attach them to the cubes with mod podge.  If bubbles appear under the paper, gently rub them down.  Don't try to lift the paper to get rid of the bubbles because it will most likely rip the paper (trust me I know.)  Then, choose a font and print the words, "Why I'm Lucky" on scrapbook paper.  I found a ton of cute free scrapbook fonts just by searching "free fonts" on Pinterest.  After you print on the scrapbook paper, cut and attach this paper to the base.  Add a bow around the top cube and place pictures that describe why you're lucky on the blocks.  I'm obviously still in the process of finding some cute pictures to put on my cubes.  Happy crafting!!!