On The Menu

There is rain in the forecast ... lots of it.

So I thought it would be a good time for some soup.

I just happened to have a bag of baby spinach that I needed to use.
There was tortelinni in the freezer. 
 A can of tomatoes from the pantry.
And, I was lucky, 32oz of vegetable broth.
That's all I needed.

I found this recipe in Fine Cooking years ago and it remains one of my
favorite quick and easy recipes.
You can find my original post here.
And, it's pretty too.

I chopped a small onion and let it cook in some olive oil.
Added 32 oz of vegetable broth.
The canned tomatoes.
A bag of baby spinach.
Letting that cook until the spinach was wilted.
Then I added the tortellini.
Let all of that come to a boil and the tortellini fully cook.
Done!

Sprinkle with a little parmesan cheese and serve.

Quick and easy.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

This and That

It is pumpkin time at Trader Joe's. 

You name it they have it.

Pumpkin Bread Mix

Pumpkin Tortilla Chips

Organic Pumpkin Toaster Pastries

Pumpkin Bagels

*Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli

Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Pumpkin Spice Granola

*Pumpkin Yogurt

Pecan Pumpkin Instant Oatmeal

Pumpkin Cranberry Scone Mix

Pumpkin Spice Rooibos Tea

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancake Mix

*Pumpkin Bar Baking Mix 

*Pumpkin Butter

Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkin Cheesecake

*Pumpkin Cream Cheese

Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Pumpkin Panettone

Iced Pumpkin Scone Cookies

and on and on.

* These are the "pumpkins" I've tried and I think are very good.

I went in to get the pumpkin yogurt and cream cheese.

I'll enjoy them while I can!

**

I have a new flag for the balcony.
I change them up with each holiday or when I get the urge!

He makes me smile.

***

This is latest look at the afghan.
I've added the tulip, waves and puff rows.




I am trying to follow their suggested colors by using my stash yarn.
I'm delighted to see my stash dwindling.
The more it dwindles ... the more yarn may be in my future!

Mina has to give her seal of approval.
I think each kitty would like an afghan of their own.

****

While I wait for the next section of the afghan to be posted,
I'm working on more cowls for gifts for the coming holidays.
There are a number of birthdays to think about, too.
This is the Papillon Cowl and it does resemble a butterfly.
Fun!





Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining Mosaic Monday 



and Hookin' On Hump Day.
 

This and That

It's October and another little front has blown through

leaving a few delightful days of nice temps and low humidity.

*

I got my flu shot .. the high dose for those of us of a certain age! 

**

I'm taking part in the Spice of Life Crochet A Long along with 4000+ others!

The crochet a long is being sponsored by Stylecraft and Black Sheep Yarns. 
I've been using yarn in my stash.
As much as I would like to, I just couldn't by more yarn! 
We get new instructions each week.
Here is my first week:

And this what the afghan looks like after the second week:
Love those stacking shells!

It's been fun, a great stash buster and I've learned a few new tricks 
from the ladies in the FaceBook Group. 

***

A night out at the zoo to meet the new CEO.
Good friends, good food, and a cute animal ambassador:
meet Winston -- the Juliana Pig.

His tail was in constant motion ... as was his head ... yummies on the floor! 

The Juliana Pig is a small colorful pig originating in Europe through selective
breeding of various kinds of pigs. The Juliana Pig, also known as the 
Miniature Painted Pig, is small and spotted without a pronounced
pot belly or sway back. They have a long snout and are slight in frame.
They have a great temperament as the Juliana pig has been bred specifically 
 to work with humans. 






****

Last, but not least, it's the perfect weather for
FOOTBALL!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining:

and the lovely Judith at Mosaic Monday.

On The Menu

I really like stuffed peppers.
I found this recipe on Skinnytaste and had to give it a try.

Santa Fe Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Skinnytaste.com 

Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 1/2 pepper • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 4 pts

Calories: 160 • Fat: 3 g • Carbs: 19 g • Fiber: 4 g • Protein: 15.5 g • Sugar: 1 g

Sodium: 119 (without salt)  

Ingredients:

For the filling:

• 1/2 lb 99% lean ground turkey

• 3/4 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained

• 3/4 cups frozen corn

• 1 hot pickled serrano pepper, chopped (or jalepeño) more to taste

• 1 large diced tomato

• 1 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 tbsp chopped onion

• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish

• 1 tsp cumin

• kosher salt to taste

For the peppers:

• 3 red bell peppers, cut in half lengthwise

• 1/3 cup reduced sodium, fat free chicken broth

• 9 tbsp shredded reduced-fat Sargento Monterey Jack cheese

• 1 tbsp chopped scallions, for garnish

Directions:

In a large skillet brown the turkey and season with salt. When the turkey is browned, add onion, garlic, black beans, cilantro, serrano pepper, diced tomatoes, and cumin. Mix well and simmer on low, covered for 20 minutes. Remove lid, add corn and simmer an additional 5 minutes or until all the liquid reduces.

Preheat oven to 350°. Cut peppers in half lengthwise, removing seeds and stem.  

Place peppers, cut side up in an oven-proof dish. Fill each pepper with 1/2 cup turkey mixture. Pour about 1/3 cup water or chicken broth on the bottom of the dish. Cover tight with foil. Bake 45-50 minutes, or until the peppers become soft.  

Remove foil, top each with 1 1/2 tbsp of cheese and bake uncovered an additional 5 minutes.  Top with scallions and serve with reduced-fat sour cream if desired (optional).

I rarely make a recipe as it is written.
I didn't have a tomato or a serrano or jalapeno pepper
so I used a can of Rotel Chile.

It was yummy and looks nice on the fall table! 

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining the lovely Judith for Mosaic Monday.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

I'm joining Scavenger Hunt Sunday

at Ramblings and Photos by Ashley Sisk.

1. Birds

Flamingos at the Houston Zoo.
It is baby time and this little grey fluff is the first one of the season.
He was determined to keep his "back side" as his good side! 




2. Beach

This was the closest I could come to one of my favorite places ... the beach! 
I'll just have to dream on.....


3. Bridge

Bridge in the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park, Houston
I love the reflections.



4. Bottom

This is Mina when she first came to live with me (and Teddy and Cassie).
I think her little "bottom" is cute -- with her manx tail!




5. Butterfly

This is from 2009.
Cosmos in Musashi's Garden.
It was a good year for the Monarch butterfly.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!