Family Recipes - Mom's Minestrone Soup

One of my favourite things to do is to make a scrumptious dinner for my sweet family. And when it's one of my Mom's recipes, it's even more special. This is Mom's Minestrone Soup. I need to ask her where this recipe came from, as I'm 99.8% certain that we have no Italian heritage. You wouldn't know it, by how much we enjoy Italian foods, though. And this is one of our faves.

Mom's original recipe called for dried kidney beans. I don't think I've ever made it with dried beans, but feel free to do so. The above photo is incomplete, as I had forgotten to get out the garlic. And another ingredient that's missing is fresh spinach, because I had forgotten that I used the spinach in another dish a few nights ago. Whoops.

It starts with chopping some yummy veggies - celery, carrots and garlic. Sauté the trio in a little butter and olive oil for 3 or 4 minutes, then add in 3 cans of kidney beans, that have been drained, rinsed and half of them crushed. Mix in a large can of crushed tomatoes, some dried basil, dried parsley, 3 bay leaves, 2 boxes of chicken broth (or water), salt and pepper. Let that simmer for 30 minutes to an hour. Add in the macaroni pasta and cook for 15 more minutes. 

Fresh Parmesan cheese is the perfect topping to this delicious and filling soup. Serve with garlic bread or bread sticks, like I did last night or just add a green salad. Either way, it's the perfect meal for a chilly January night.

Mom's Minestrone Soup

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 carrots, sliced
4 celery stalks with leaves, sliced
4-6 cloves garlic, chopped
3 cans kidney beans, drained, rinsed and half of the beans crushed
1 large can crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons dried parsley
3 bay leaves
2 boxes of chicken broth (or the equivalent of water)
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
1 to 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
2 cups macaroni pasta
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Chop celery, carrots and garlic. Sauté the trio in a little butter and olive oil for 3 or 4 minutes, add in kidney beans. Stir in crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried parsley, bay leaves, chicken broth (or water), salt and pepper. Let that simmer for 30 minutes to an hour. Add in the macaroni pasta and cook for 15 more minutes. Add spinach in last 5 minutes of cooking.

Add Parmesan cheese as a garnish. Enjoy!

This recipe serves 8. It can easily be vegetarian by switching the chicken broth to vegetable broth or water. And it's a frugal recipe, too!

Blessings and love. xo

Friday Faves

Happy Friday, Lovelies!

I know I said I would post an update on us, but I have been so busy there just hasn't been time to sit down and sift through everything. 

One fun update on me is that I have joined my older three children as a "farm hand" on the farm where they have been working. You'll find me in the market or on the front porch processing admissions. I haven't been in the workplace in so long and it feels great! I was practically giddy my first day. It's only on the weekends, and maybe even just one more, as the pumpkin festival season is coming to a close. I am very thankful for the opportunity. 

I thought I'd share some favourite things on Fridays from time to time, starting with my new favourite way of organizing our school days. 

School has been going incredibly well this year, meaning consistency is in the house! How am I enjoying said consistency, you may wonder? It's all thanks to Sarah Mackenzie and her post How I Am Using Spiral Notebooks to Simplify Homeschool which I read early in the summer and have implemented for the first time. Why didn't I think of this before!?! I am writing a post and will share more about it soon.

Some of my favourite deals this week:
So many possibilities! 2 Designs -Thanksgiving Treat Candy Boxes- Set of 12 for $5.99

I love these! Plaid Winter Boots - in 3 Colors - 45% off!

And how about some favourite inspiring words?
This is a good word from Kris Vallotton:

So many Christians think it's normal to sin. It maybe common but it's not normal. Cancer is common but it's not normal.

Read the rest HERE. 

And huge thanks to my friend, Elizabeth, for sending me the link to Bill Johnson's message entitled: Supernatural Sleep. I'm going after more 'throne room encounters'!





Two of my favourite books I'm currently reading (reviews coming next week):
Strong and Kind: And Other Important Character Traits Your Child Needs to Succeed by Korie Robertson

The Power That Changes The World: Creating Eternal Impact in the Here and Now by Bill Johnson


And last, but certainly not least, here are some favourite recipes we have enjoyed this week:
Easy Pull Apart Pizza Bread - yum! Thanks to Emma for making this for us one night.

I made this pot of delicious soup last night along with some bleu cheese nachos. It's one of my favourites for a cool autumn night - Buffalo Chicken Soup.

I made this last week and it was a hit, so I'm planning to make it for supper tonight . . . One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese.

Have a great weekend! 

Blessings and love. xo

Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links. This simply means that when you use my links to make a purchase, there is no additional cost to you, and I make a small commission. Thank you!

Weekly Menu Plan {September 20-26}

Hello and Happy Sunday! We've had a lovely weekend, complete with lots of activities and work. We normally have clean the house day on Saturdays, but schedules are a little crazy, so it's getting done in bits and pieces. The weather was quite warm yesterday, so Bob and Austin were able to cut tree limbs and get some things accomplished in the yard. I have been planning and organizing, cleaning out closets (with the kids' help) and taking bags of clothes and household goods to the local thrift store (with Bob's help). It feels so good!

I hope you're weekend is going well. Are you as excited as I am about welcoming Autumn this week (if you are in the Northern Hemisphere, of course)!?!? 

Here is our menu plan for this week:

Sunday - Taco Salad

Monday - Chicken Pot Pie and salad

Tuesday - Crock Pot Pinto Beans and Sausage, cornbread

Wednesday - Leftovers 

Thursday - Tacos, chips, guacamole

Friday - Hot dogs, baked beans, chips

Saturday - The Best Lasagna Ever, salad, garlic bread

May you have a refreshing Sunday and a week full of good things.

Blessings and love. xo

3 Piece Flexi-Pour Measuring Cup Set with Lids {Review}

Hello! I am excited to share my latest review today. I received the 3-Piece Flexi-Pour Measuring Cup Set in exchange for my honest review.

Check out these features: 

• Dishwasher Safe, Microwave Safe, Freezer Safe, Oven Safe
• Each Cup Nests Inside the Larger Cup for Easy Storing
• Measures in cups, ounces and milliliters
• Can Be Used for Liquid or Dry Measurements
• 3 Piece Set, includes 1 Cup Measure, 2 Cup Measure and 4 Cup Measure

I will be honest and let you know that I was a little concerned when I first received these measuring cups. The "Flexi" aspect of the product made me wonder if the cups would be easy to slip or awkward to use. I will put your mind to rest . . . they are very easy to use. The flexibility of these measuring cups is truly a plus and not a minus. We use them in our home on a daily basis, whether measuring oatmeal for breakfast or flour for pizza crust on pizza night or sugar for sweet tea or for mixing a homemade salad dressing, these cups have come in handy in our kitchen!

Here are a couple of photos so that you can see the flexibility of this product for yourself:

The cups stack one inside the other for easy storage and come with lids, and although we haven't had a use for the lids yet, it's nice to have them available. I am so pleased with the 3 Piece Flexi-Pour Measuring Cup Set with Lids and give them a high recommendation, not just from me, but from all the cooks in this family!

Blessings and love. xo

Disclaimer: I received a product in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my very own. This post contains my affiliate links. Thank you for your support!