Lasagna Soup

Happy Friday! Last week, I mentioned I was going to share some budget friendly dinners this month. Today I am sharing the first recipe...Lasagna Soup. 

You can make this for under $10 and it makes enough for dinner, plus leftovers!

It's easy to throw together and has great flavor! 

I've put prices next to the ingredients. Some things I didn't put a price on because they are hard to calculate and would be pennies on the dollar. Also, some pricing might different around the country, but nevertheless, this is a family favorite that is easy on your pocket book. WIN WIN!

LASAGNA SOUP
adapted from Paula Deen


Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped (.25)
1 pound ground Italian sausage ($3.99)
3 cloves garlic, chopped 
1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 cups (32 oz) low-sodium chicken broth ($1.79)
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes (1.09)
1/2 pkg. lasagna noodles, broken into pieces (about 7-8 noodles) (.50)
1 zucchini, sliced (.50)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (.69)
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (plus more for sprinkling) (.85)


Directions
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. 
Add the sausage, garlic and oregano and cook, stirring and breaking up the sausage with a wooden spoon, until the sausage is browned, about 3-5 minutes. 
Add the chicken broth, zucchini, tomatoes and noodles; cover and bring to a simmer. 
Uncover and cook until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes. Stir in basil and parmesan; simmer 2 more minutes.
Divide the soup among bowls. Top with parmesan.

Serve with a salad and some crusty bread and you've got yourself a filling and fabulous meal! YUM!

Garlic Herb Dinner Rolls

I'm sharing a super easy and tasty dinner roll recipe over at 30 Days today. My family goes bonkers over these and they are perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. 

Or to accompany your favorite soup. 

Or salad.

Or lasagna. 

I could keep going. 

They really do go with almost any dish.

Go get the recipe here.

Halloween 2013

This Halloween was a fun one.

It didn't rain (BONUS!)

The kids were happy to out running around the neighborhood.

Other than our sweet baby frog girl falling asleep and missing the trick-or-treating, there were no melt-downs or tantrums. WIN!

The Boy was Luke Skywalker, Sweet Pea was the Tooth Fairy ("poof! I got your toof!") and Baby Girl was set on being a frog (or a ribbit, as she calls it). There was no changing her mind. Froggie or bust!

As for me? I was Flo the Progressive lady.

This is the first year I've dressed up in a long time. And I forgot how fun it was! 

I also forgot how hard it is to find a good, clean costume. Almost every woman's costume is short, tight and trashy. When did Halloween become an excuse to dress inappropriately?

Anywhoo, October is gone and we keep moving forward.

For the month of November, I'm focusing on eating healthy dinners at home on a budget. I'm excited to share some recipes with you throughout the month! Stay tuned

You are a good mom!

I've been feeling challenged as a mother lately. Faced with challenges, unsure what to do, at my wits end. But today I read a devotional about how to be a successful mom.

The secret? Show your children you love them and teach them to love the Lord. If you can do that, you are doing just fine.

Whew! That was a little slice of encouragement to me.

And then there was this.

A short video about how we as moms view ourselves and how our munchkins view us. What a change of perspective! It is a must-see (tissues required).

Cast your “anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7) and your kids!

Fall Fun

We've had amazing weather here in Oregon. Beautiful sunny, crisp days, lovely trees in every color and did I mention sunny days?

I've been enjoying mornings/early afternoons with the girls. Here are a few pictures that capture our Fall fun...

Found these on our porch...sneaky neighbors ;)

Halloween is in one week from today! Are you ready? I'm about 1/3 ready...eeek!

Weddings and Birthdays

October is whizzing by! Yesterday was my hubby's birthday. We went out to dinner at our local Mexican place, but in our family we celebrate a birthday WEEK, so the celebrations will continue into the weekend :) Football, wings and other manly stuff! Happy Birthday Babe!

Last weekend we welcomed a new addition to our family...Auntie Kate!!

2012

Aren't they the cutest?

She and my brother got hitched this weekend and it was a blast of a wedding. I was honored to be their wedding coordinator and had a lot of fun planning (with the help of my mom and aunt) all the fun details of their "industrial chic" wedding. Here are a few photos:

fluffing LOTS of pom poms

I wrote on the chalkboards using this technique. Super simple!

Photobooth props purchased here

Photo collage by Meghan Donnelly

It was such a fun day! Their friends are all amazing, talented people and an army of them made it all happen. Not to mention my aunt, uncle and cousins who were a critical piece to the puzzle. So many of the touches were personal and heart-felt. I was blessed to be a part of it. Congratulations Kate & Spencer! We love you!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

WOWZERS! It's definitely Fall in the Northwest. We've had lots of rain and gray skies, so I've been sticking around the house and baking! I'm sharing our families favorite Fall treat over at 30 days. Go get the recipe here and then make them today! YUM!