Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup

I am a huge fan of two types of soups 1- The kind that you make in the slow cooker and 2- The kind that you can throw together quickly and simmer for less than 20 minutes.  This one falls into the second category.  When I made this the other night, I had to eat it and rush out the door to a meeting so I didn't get to hear everyone's comments and feedback.  I enjoyed the soup a lot, but I wasn't sure what my mother-in-law, father-in-law, and husband were going to think.  Well, 3 days later my father-in-law was still talking about how much he enjoyed it and was wondering when I was going to make it again.  He generally likes everything that I make.  He is by FAR the most critical member of the family.  If you likes something he lets me know and if he doesn't like something he also lets me know:)  I appreciate his feed back and I have learned to take his critiques as encouragement  so I appreciate his opinion.  Although sometimes he tries to get way to technical and we all laugh at him and keep eating.  

Ingredients:

• About 2 Cups of Baby Spinach
• 3 14 oz cans of Chicken Broth
• 1 lb of Mild Italian Sausage
• 1 can of Italian Seasoned Diced Tomatoes
• 4 oz Cream Cheese (not fat free, it won't melt) at room temperature and cut into cubes
• 1 small package of Frozen Tortellini

Serves 6

Cook, crumble 1 lb of bulk mild Italian Sausage.  Drain off excess grease.  In a large pot combine chicken broth, tomatoes (undrained), and cooked sausage.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to med and add cream cheese.  Stir to combine and melt.  When cream cheese is melted throughout, add in spinach and tortellini.  Cook for about 15-20 minutes or until tortellini is cooked.

If you want this soup to be spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes and/or use HOT Italian Sausage.  

Follow the Magical Moms on Facebook and Pinterest for weekly menu ideas, crafts, and Disney Magic.  

Cheddar Garlic Mashed Potatoes with French Fried Onions

I think that mashed potatoes are an ultimate comfort food.  At my house they always accompany warm and cozy foods like turkey, or pot roast.  But I want to eat them way more often than that!  You can change them up and add different things to them to make them better accompany what you are having for dinner.  I don't think I have ever measured the amount of salt, pepper, butter, or milk that I add to my mashed potatoes, but I did today.  Please adjust if you find it necessary.  Mashed potatoes are easy to make just start with less milk because you can always add more.  

Ingredients:

• About 5 Medium Russet Potatoes
• 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
• 3/4 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• About 1/3 Cup Milk (start with a little less)
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• French Fried Onions

Serves about 6

Wash and peel the potatoes.  Cut into chunks and place them in water.  Bring water to boil and cook until fork tender.  Drain.  Place in large bowl and add butter, milk, and garlic.  Using electric hand mixer beat until smooth.  Add more milk if needed.  Add in cheddar cheese and a handful of French Fried Onions and mix throughout.  Top with a little more cheese and a couple of onions and serve!

I served this with Cranberry Pork Tenderloin, green beans, and Homemade Cranberry Relish.

Follow the Magical Moms on Facebook and Pinterest for weekly menu ideas, crafts, and Disney Magic.  

2x4 Pumpkins

I love fall!  So of course I love to craft and decorate for the season.  This year I made a few things with scrap wood.  I did this for a couple of reasons.  1.  My boys think of it more as "Building" not crafting and 2. They have discovered that they love to paint.  I love when they want to participate so I am all for it!  Don't be surprised if  I continue the "building" crafts into winter!  

Supplies:

• 2x4 (or 2x2) Piece of wood
• Orange Paint
• Wood Glue
• Various Artificial Fall Foliage, Berries, or other
• Ribbon
• A stick with approximately a 1 inch diameter (for the stem)
• A Piece of Sand Paper
• Hot Glue Gun

First I cut the 2x4 to the appropriate lengths.  I made the large pumpkin with 2- 8 inch and 2-10 inch pieces.  The smaller ones are made with 2- 6 inch and 1-8 inch pieces.  This allowed me to make 3 small and 1 large without wasting any of the piece of wood.  PERFECT!!!!  Next, I lightly sanded the rough edges.  I then glued the pieces together.  The small pumpkin has 6 inch, 8 inch, 6 inch and the large is 8 inch, 10 inch, 10 inch, 8 inch.   Make sure to center the smaller pieces on the larger ones.  Then using two shades of orange paint ( I put them both on a paper plate and lightly swirled them together as I painted the wood) I painted all sides of the wood.  The wood needed to coats of paint.

After they were dry I glued a piece of the stick to the top of the pumpkin.  When that glue was dry, I tied a piece of ribbon around the stick and then attached a few pieces of the accessories.  I used the hot glue gun to secure them in place.

Make sure to check out the Frankenstein I made with a piece of scrap wood
Here is the link to Frankenstein

Spooky Spider Ice Cubes

I was looking for something super easy that would entertain the kids for a bit.  They love to mix and cook but I am not always up for the mess.  I decided I could deal with a little spilled water because that is an easy clean up.  These ice cubes entertained Nathan and his friend for a long time.  I had the boys use tongs to place the spiders in the ice cube trays to help them work on their fine motor skills.  Then I let them fill their measuring cups with water from the refrigerator door (which was exciting for them...sometimes it's the little things that make them happy)  They had to very carefully walk it back to their seats and pour it in.  It took them a couple of tries (and towels) but t hey learned to pour slowly so it didn't over flow.  Then we place them in the freezer.  Our friend was coming over the next day too so we left the water alone over night to let it freeze.  The next day they were excited to serve their spooky drinks to Nathan's grandma.  I showed them how to break apart the ice and gave them each a large bowl to play with.  They first tried to melt them with their hands.  We had a race to see who could melt it the fastest.  Then we compared how fast ice cubes melted with cold water vs hot water.  It was a fun little experiment with out a lot of mess!!

Supplies:

• Plastic Spider Rings
• Ice Cube Trays

They were concentrating.

Follow the Magical Moms on Facebook and Pinterest for weekly menu ideas, crafts, and Disney Magic.  

Pumpkin Playdoh Party Favors

Many schools are encouraging healthy treats for parties and some are even suggesting non-food items.  I decided that I was going to make Playdoh Jack-o-Lanterns for my son's preschool class.  They were very simple and used very basic ingredients so it didn't cost me an arm and a leg either.  

Supplies

• 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
• 4 TablespoonsVegetable Oil
• 4 Tablespoons Cream of Tartar
• 2 Tablespoons Salt
• 2 Cups Warm Water
• 1 6oz pakg Orange Jello

• Small Cello Bags
• Ribbon
• Happy Halloween Tag
• Black Sharpie

This is enough to do 10-12 small balls

In a medium sauce pot combine flour, salt, cream of tartar, and jello.  Mix together.  Then add water and vegetable oil and whisk until all the lumps are dissolved.  

Over medium-high heat stir continuously as mixture begins to thicken.  This will take a couple of minutes

Continue stirring and folding the dough as it becomes more solid.

Remove from pan and place on wax paper to cool.

After Playdoh cools place rounded balls into the cello bag.  Attach the tag and tie the top closed with a small piece of ribbon.  Last draw a Jack-o-lantern face on the bag with a black sharpie.  

Here is the link for the Happy Halloween Tags

Follow the Magical Moms on Facebook and Pinterest for weekly menu ideas, crafts, and Disney Magic.  

Chicken Corn Chowder

                If you want more magical mom stuff, please like us on Facebook here!

I know that Sherrie made a corn chowder last week that her husband absolutely LOVED, my husband is a little skeptical of it because he has never had it before (and neither have I) but what's not to love... bacon, chicken, corn, potato... It all sounds good to me!  My mother-in-law has been asking me to make it for awhile and she saw Sherrie's Recipe (because she is a devoted Magical Mom follower) and said that this was the one she wanted to try.  Sherrie included lots of tips and tricks in her recipe that I used. The biggest difference is that I am adding chicken to mine.  We had our Slow Cooker 8 Spice Lemon Chicken earlier this week and there is some left over so I figured it would be the perfect time to try Sherrie's recipe.

Ingredients:

• About 1 1/2 Cups of Rotisserie Chicken (shredded)
• 4 Slices of Bacon (cooked and chopped)
• 1 Small Sweet Onion (finely diced)
• Olive Oil
• 4 Idaho Potatoes (peeled)
• 1 Can of Cream Corn
• 1 Can of Cream of Chicken Soup
• 1 Cube Chicken Bouillon
• 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
• 3 Cups of Milk (I used 1%)
• 1 Cup of Water
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Serves 6+

In a large pot drizzle a little bit of olive oil and heat.  Add onion and cook until they start to become soft.  Peel potatoes.  I took Sherrie's advice and quartered them and placed them in my Pampered Chef Manual Food Processor to chop them very small.  The smaller pieces allow for the soup to cook quicker and gives a great consistency to the soup.

Shred the chicken.

Add bacon, cream corn, cream of chicken soup, potatoes, chicken, bouillon cube, and cajun seasoning.  Stir to combine.

Pour in milk and water and stir.  Heat over medium heat stirring occasionally.  When soup is heated through reduce to low and simmer for about 30 minutes stirring often.

Quick, Easy, and Inexpensive Halloween Crafts

If you want more magical mom stuff, please like us on Facebook here!

I wanted to make some crafts with supplies that I already had, but since I LOVE the craft store I decided I was willing to buy a few things to complete them.  I ended up spending less than $6.00 and made these cute decorations.  Get creative and have FUN!  Oh and drink a bottle of wine while you do it... you will need an empty bottle!

Supplies I Bought:

• $1.99 Bag of Google Eyes (the one that comes with a variety of sizes)
• $1.00 Small Wood Frame
• $0.45 Letters E E K
• $1.00 Small Chalkboard Frame
• $0.99 Sparkly Tree Branch
• $0.49 White Crepe Paper

Total $5.92

Supplies I Had on Hand:

• Wine Bottle
• Purple Paint
• Black Paint
• Green Paint
• Orange Paint
• White Paint
• Scrap Ribbon
• Glue
• Random Jars
• White Chalk
• Spider Sticker 
• Spider Web Place Mat
• Tape

** You can use what ever color paint you have on hand or you can buy acrylic paint for about $0.59 each.

EEK Googly Eye Picture Frame

First I painted the picture frame a lime green color and the letters orange.  After they dried, I attached the piece of ribbon, letters, and googly eyes with glue.  Last, I added a SUPER cute picture of my son in his Halloween costume!

The Witch is IN Chalkboard

First I painted the chalkboard purple and let it dry.  I lightly wrote on the chalkboard in pencil what I wanted it to say so that I had a guide.  Then I used white paint (you could use the chalk) to trace the writing. I actually glued the piece of chalk to the frame because the witch is ALWAYS in!  Next I added a piece of scrap ribbon and a Halloween sticker.  Last I dipped my finger lightly into the black paint and gently rubbed it in to the frame to give it more of a worn look.  

Mummy Jars

I chose three different sizes of jars.  A jelly jar, an olive jar, and a quart size Mason jar.  First I took a very long piece of the white crepe paper and crumbled it up just a little bit to give it a more mummy like look.  Then I just began wrapping it around until it was all covered.  I taped down the ends and even tied on a few extra pieces.  Last I glued on a pair of googly eyes.  I plan on placing FLAMELESS tea lights in them to let them glow at night.  

Now that you have finished that bottle of wine you can stick the sparkly glitter branch in it and your display is complete!

be sure to check out some of our other Halloween Ideas
Pretty Pretty Pumpkins
Pumpkin Playdoh Party Favors
Free! Chalkboard Halloween Printables
Free Halloween Chevron

Zucchini Fritters

If you want more magical mom stuff, please like us on Facebook here!

This is definitely my new favorite zucchini recipe.  It's so easy and everyone loved it.  I grew up eating fried zucchini and I make it for my family now, but this is way LESS mess and according to the non-veggie lovers of my family "it's not slimy"  So it is a Win-Win situation for me!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Cups Grated Zucchini
• 2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Onion
• Vegetable Oil
• 1 Egg
• 1/2 Cup Flour
• 1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt 
• 1/8 teaspoon Pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder

This made 10 fritters.  

Dipping Sauce
Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup of Mayonnaise
• 1 Tablespoon Key Lime Juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

For sauce, combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.  Refrigerate until ready to use. 

In a medium bowl, combine grated zucchini and finely diced onion.  In a separate bowl lightly beat 1 egg.  In another bowl, mix together flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and baking powder.  

Add egg to zucchini and mix well.  Next, stir in flour mixture.

In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil.  When oil is hot form the zucchini into small patties and gently place them in the oil.

Cook for about 2 minutes or until a nice golden brown and then flip.

When they are cooked crisp on both sides, remove them from oil and place on a plate lined with a paper towel.  The paper towel will absorb any extra oil.
Then serve hot with the creamy lime dipping sauce.  YUM!

Mickey Wreath

If you want more magical mom stuff, please like us on Facebook here!

It is officially fall now so I can finally hang up my newest Disney project.  This wreath was so simple to make...I just might make one for every season!

Materials Needed:

• 1- 18" Grapevine Wreath
• 2- 6" Grapevine Wreaths
• Various fall floral picks
• 2- 24" pieces of ribbon
• Craft/Floral Wire 
• Hot Glue Gun

The instructions are pretty basic, attach the smaller ear pieces to the larger head piece with craft/floral wire.  I used green wire because that is what I already had and just tried to hide it in the vines.  Then position the various leaves, berries, and pumpkin picks in the wreath.  You can attach them with hot glue or  just stick them in so you can change them out for the different seasons or holidays.  Then I took two pieces of ribbon and tied them in a bow together and used another small piece of wire to attach the bow.  Last, I added a piece of wire to the top to hang it on my door.  

Pretty Pretty Pumpkins

Every year we carve pumpkins.  My husband HATES to clean out the guts of the pumpkin.  I on the other hand love to pretend to eat it and try to feed giant spoonfuls of it to my kids.  Some times they run from it and others they pretend to eat it!  Either way we have fun doing it.  This year I decided I was going to invest in some fake pumpkins from the craft store so that we can enjoy them longer.  Plus real pumpkins have become very expensive.

Materials Needed:

• Pumpkin
• Pencil
• Puffy Paint

I am not the neatest crafter so I also used a wet paper towel to wipe away any mistakes and a toothpick to shape a couple of dots.  

When I sat down to work on these pumpkins I thought I was going to free hand the dots, well I was wrong.  So I got a pencil and lightly sketched a picture.  It isn't perfect, but I think it turned out really cute!  On one of the pumpkins I did a swirly design, an other I wrote BOO, and on the large one I put our initial.

{Tracy's} Grandma's Apple Squares

This is a recipe that I have been eating for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't until a couple years ago I started making it myself.  Okay, well maybe "I" haven't been making it even now.  My husband, Scott, enjoys making this.  I didn't even make it this time, I even put him in charge of taking the pictures.  When he said he would make the apple squares, I am pretty sure he had no idea I was going to blog about it.  I very casually set the camera down next to the ingredients and kept on walking.  I could barely keep a straight face while I did it.  I love to get out the recipe card that my grandma mailed to me over ten years ago, it makes me think of going to her house to visit.  I love to serve this to other people because they always ask me for the recipe and I love to share my grandmother's recipes with them.  

Ingredients:

• 2 Sticks of Butter or Margarine
• 1 1/4 Cups of Sugar
• 2 Cups of Flour
• 1 teaspoon of Vanilla
• 1 Can of Apple Pie Filling 
• Powdered Sugar for Dusting

With a mixer, cream together sugar and butter.  Add in flour and vanilla blend well.

 Pour 3/4 of the mixture into an ungreased 9x13 glass baking dish.  Cover with pie filling.  Drop small mounds of the remaining batter over pie filling.  Bake at 325 for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.

 Dust with powdered sugar while it it still warm.

Let them cool, and cut into squares.  Make sure you get your hands on one soon or they will be gone!  YUM!!

Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup

This is one of the easiest recipes you will EVER make!  I made my grandmother's potato soup recipe one time and boy was it difficult.  It was way to much work for something I knew I could make in the slow cooker.  So when I came across the original recipe to this potato soup I was so excited to try it.  Our version is a staple recipe in our house.  Perfect for a fall/winter day and it leaves me leftovers for my lunch too!
Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup diced onion
• 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
• 1 block of Cream Cheese (don't use fat free, it won't melt.  some times I use about 3/4 of a block to make it not so thick)
• 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
• 1 bag of Shredded Hash Browns
• 28 oz of Chicken Broth 
• 6-8 slices of Bacon cooked crispy and crumbled
• Scallions

Combine hashbrowns, cream of chicken soup, pepper, onion, and chicken broth in slow cooker.  Cook on low for about 5 hours.

For the last hour, cut cream cheese into cubes and place in slow cooker.  Add in crumbled bacon and stir.  I usually stir a few times to help the cream cheese melt and evenly distribute.

Top with a little more bacon, some shredded cheddar, and scallions.

This recipe was featured on our Appetizing April Menu. Check out the entire April menu for a variety of dinner ideas!

Honey's Dutch Apple Pie

I spent some time hanging out in the kitchen with my Mother-in-law this morning.  She was making a Dutch Apple Pie.  I am watched  her very closely because I have never had success with making my own pie crust.  She made it look so simple!  I am sure that you will notice that in the ingredient list there is no honey.  It is named after my mother-in-law.  My kids have always called her "Honey."  My oldest started it and it has stuck for almost 7 years.

Ingredients for Pie Crust:

• 1.5 cups All Purpose Flour
• 1/4 Cup Vegetable Shortening
• 1/4 Cup Butter
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 4-5 Tablespoons Ice Water

First combine flour and salt.  Then cut in the butter and shortening with a pastry knife or two forks until a crumbly mixture forms.

Add in 4-5 tablespoons of ice water until dough forms.  Next roll into large ball.

Place ball of dough in between floured sheets of wax paper and roll out to desired size.  Remember to go from the middle out until the crust is about 1/8" thick.

Place in pie dish and lightly press down.  Pinch edges to form decorative crust.  Place in freezer for about an hour or until ready to use.  Or you can bake it immediately you are using it for a cream pie.  To use for Cream Pie, preheat oven to 425 and bake for 7-9 minutes.

Ingredients for Pie Filling:

• 5 1/2 cups peeled and sliced Apples
• 1/2 cup Grandulated Sugar
• 1/4 Brown Sugar (packed)
• 1/2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
• 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
• 3 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
• 1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg

Peel apples and cut slices into uniform sized slices.  Add lemon juice as you go and toss with apples to make sure that they don't turn brown.  Add sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and nutmeg.  Toss to evenly coat apples and then pour into pie crust.

Ingredients for Crumb Topping:

3/4 Cup All Purpose Flour

1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar

1/4 Cup Brown Sugar (packed)

1/3 Cup Butter (at room temp)

The crumb topping is my favorite.  Mix together with a fork the butter, flour, brown sugar, and sugar until crumbly mixture forms.

Next sprinkle the topping on the pie crumbling as you cover it.

Bake pie for 50 minutes at 375