This is another post I did for www.heyrachiekae.com

I posted this last week

I hope you enjoy!

Stirrin' It Up With Stacey

Today I will be sharing a recipe for

Turkey Tetrazzini

This is a something I was really craving and it was an easy casserole to make. I made it for Sunday lunch. I prepared it Saturday afternoon and then I pulled it out of the fridge to come to room temp before we left for church in the morning. I wanted it to heat through quickly when we got home!

1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil (You can use vegetable oil if you want to)

6 stalks of celery diced

1 large onion diced

3 cloves garlic minced

1 pkg. fettucini, linguini, or spaghetti noodles

1 stick butter

1/2 cup flour

3 cups chicken broth

2 cups milk

4 oz. cream cheese

2 tsp. sea salt

1 tsp. black pepper

1 2/3 cup shredded cheese (I used monterey Jack but parmesan would be delicious)

4 cups cooked chicken or turkey breast chopped

1 bag frozen peas and carrots thawed

2 cups bread crumbs

In a large pot bring some water to boil, stir in your noodles and cook until done. Drain, rinse, set aside. Mean while in a pan heat oil and stir in the celery, onion, and garlic, saute until tender.

set aside.

In the pot you used for the pasta, melt the butter stir in the flour and cook until browned. Stir in the broth, milk, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook until thickened. Reduce the heat to low and Stir in the cream cheese, and shredded cheese. Melt completely. Stir in the chopped chicken or turkey and bag of peas and carrots. Turn off heat.

Grease a 9x13 baking dish and preheat the oven to 375* F. Place a good layer of the cheesy mixture in the bottom of the dish, layer the pasta on top, and then cover in the remaining sauce.

NOTE:This made enough for me to use a 9x13 inch dish and a 9x9 inch dish.

Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs and bake for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly.

I served this with a nice green salad. The kids loved it, the kids' friends loved it. Even the picky ones and my hubby loved it. IT WAS YUMMY! And a great way to use up left over chicken or turkey. I used turkey. Most of the recipes I came across used mushrooms but knowing that I was having guests I left out the mushrooms. People can be funny about mushrooms you know! Especially kids.

I hope you all enjoy this as much as we did and let me know if you decide to try it!

Until next week blessings to you and yours,

Stacey

hey rachie kae post

This is a post I did for www.heyrachiekae.com last month. I promised I would post these recipes and here they are. A little late but that's all right!

Stirrin' It Up With Stacey

Hello ya'll,

I hope everyone is having a sweet Christmas season!

You all know It has been incredibly busy for me since October. However I see a light at the end of the tunnel! My husband and I just renewed our wedding vows on our 15th Anniversay. You can check out my personal blog for more details there.

www.holeykneesanddragonflies.blogspot.com

The week before that we had our church Christmas party. It was a blast! We had a sign up sheet for people to bring soups, chili, and stews. I believe we had 20 crockpots of food. I made 2 soups and they were both a huge hit. I have had so many requests for the recipes. Unfortunately I am a dump and pour kinda gal so alot of times my recipes are just expiramental creations. I am going to go ahead and try to put down the recipes here for you. I have tried to adjust all of the amounts, and I did fortunately write down everything I used in each soup.

so here goes

Butternut Squash Soup

8 cups winter squash ( butternut, banana, hubbard, pumpkin) peeled and cubed

2 cans chicken broth

1 tsp. each salt and pepper

1 onion diced

1 stick butter divided

1/2 cup sour cream

2 cup milk

1 tsp. nutmeg

2 tsp. sea salt

2 chicken bullion cubes

1/4 cup brown sugar

in the crock pot combine the squash, chicken broth, salt and pepper, cook on high 4 hours or until soft.

in a skillet saute the onion in 1/2 stick butter until browned.

next stir the onions into the squash and then start to puree the mixture in a food processor or blender until smooth. setting aside each batch into another bowl. When all of the squash is pureed put it back into the crockpot then stir in the remaining 1/2 stick of butter, sour cream, milk, nutmeg, sea salt, chicken bullion, and brown sugar.

Cook on high another hour or so.

serve hot.

My husband liked this soup and he is very picky!

I thought that it had the most comforting taste ever!

my kids refused to try it because they said it looked like baby food.

I had so many wonderful compliments on this from other people.

The other soup I want to share with you is

Sausage Tortellini Soup

1 pkg. frozen veggies (carrots, green beans and peas)

3 celery stalks diced

1 can tomato paste

2 tbsp. knorr brand tomato bullion with chicken flavor. (see note)

1 can diced tomatoes

water enough to fill up crock pot about 8 to 10 cups

2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 tsp. garlic powder

sea salt to taste

1 pkg. frozen cheese tortellini, thawed

1 pkg. sausage links like brats etc. (I used cheesy italian sausages) sliced

In a crock pot place veggies, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, tomato bullion, water italian seasonings, garlic, let cook on high 3-4 hours or until veggies are tender. 1 hour before serving pour in the thawed cheese tortellini, and the sliced sausages. let cook until tortellini is cooked through. Season with sea salt. serve immediately with French bread. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.

*** Note: You can fry up ground italian sausage such as jimmy dean and add it at the last minute if desired. In place of the other sausage.

****Note: The knorr brand tomato bullion with chicken flavor is usually found in the mexican foods aisle. It is not spicy at all and does not contain chilie. It has a picture of a tomato and a chicken on it.

This soup had rave reviews!!! I hope you all enjoy this as much as we did.

So until next time blessings to you and yours!

I hope your CHRISTmas is Special, because of the ONE who we celebrate!

Stacey

Sledding winter 2010

We went sledding this weekend. Most of my photos speak for themselves.

Justin got in on the action. But he told the kids he needed to turn his hat around because it makes you go faster!

Elyssa crashed she was really upset that I was taking photos of her!




My favorite photos are of Elyssa on this trip.


Ashton was taking a rest. It is hard work climbing back up the hill!
Daddy's little girl!
Daddy's sweet boy!

ONE WORD

Resolutions have never been my thing. I don't make a New Years resolution never have probably never will. But I came across a concept that I really liked while reading some of the blogs I follow.

The concept was about 1 word. That's it one word!

At first, I really liked the idea but I had no intention of actually doing it. Let me explain how it works. Or my vague understanding of how it works.

First, you write a list of one word things that you would like to work on this coming year. Things that maybe you should focus on. Next, place each of these items, that you have cut into strips, into a hat or basket or bowl. Then, you mix them up and draw one out. Lastly, this is the word that you focus on for the New Year. For the whole year.

My friend Jo has decided to do this. I loved the concept but as I said before I was not about to do it....something about being too lazy. Any how as the week wore on I felt more and more like I really should do this. I tried to let it go. But to no avail, it just became a nagging thing. Well, I am a homeschool mom and If I have to do it everyone has to do it. You know the drill ... it is a valuable lesson and we can all learn something from this. (COWARD)

I gave the kids a piece of paper and explained exactly how this thing was going to go down. Then I split and let them write their lists. I have to say I was very impressed with the lists. I had mine yet to write. Although I had been praying about what it was that God would have me work on. I have to admit there was a time or two that I said I'm not putting that on the list! Well they made the list anyway...

Here are the lists we made:

Elyssa:

Bible

kindness

Attitude

Help out

Anger

Trust

Lying

Cleanliness

Worship

Praying

Ashton:

Listening

Wake up

Gentleness

Anger

Bedtime

Greed

Attitude

Bible

Trust

Cleanliness

Me:

Communication

Worship

Bible-study

Repentance

Fear

Health

Joy

Patience

Weight

Ministry

Kindness

Talking-G

Homeschooling

Kids

Before the kids pulled a slip of paper out of their bowls I asked them if they had prayed about it. They both said yes, Elyssa said she had prayed about it the night before and Asked if I would pray with her over her bowl. We prayed that God would guide our hands and that whatever we chose, it would be Him that decided what it was we needed to work on. We also prayed that God would give us strength and wisdom to work on these things.

Out of the bowl Elyssa chose: Lying

Although she does not just fabricate stories and is not a bald faced malicious liar, She really irritates Ashton with the, "MOM said you have to go and see her", so that when he leaves what he is doing.... she takes his seat. Or the I was just playing a joke on him type of LIE. Still a LIE! She knows this and she was very excepting of her choice.

Out of the bowl Ashton chose: Anger

Very fitting I assure you. At first I was puzzled I told him, that he didn't really seem angry at all, EVER! Well, as he told me the crux of the problem I understood. He said Elyssa was always lying to him and tricking him and it made him super angry ALL the time. YES, 2 birds with one stone Lord! You surely have a sense of humor, GOD!

Before I tell you about my bowl. Let me tell you that I had a difficult time with the list. There were things that I already knew I had to work on. And I fully recognized them and then there were things that I knew could be worked on but did not want to recognize them. I wanted to push some of these things under the rug. Not look at them because they can be really ugly. Not want to deal with them because they can get nasty.

I knew my weight was an issue and I try always to eat healthy, Justin is the one who chooses to eat Oreos and Lay's potato chips for every break. I rarely touch the things... The problem is that I am not active! Plain and simple. We got the new Wii Fit Plus for Christmas and I am really enjoying that.

I knew I needed to learn how to communicate with people on the phone better. I am great in person, I do great with an email but I really don't want to pick up the phone and call anyone and ask how they are doing.

I knew my Bible study had been lacking for a while.

Fear I have some of those. Usually I am able to just surrender those to God and let them go but there are a couple that keep me hostage.

There were many on my list as you can see but the one I really did not want to put on the list was Talking-G. The G stands for GOSSIP. But I was too coward to put that on my list. As a matter of fact I said I am not putting this on the list! But you can see it was on the list.

So on to the bowl,

Out of my bowl I chose:

Talking-G

Imagine that! I really had to come to grips with that! I knew exactly what would come out of the bowl!!! I was not one little bit surprised!

Now, let me tell you I don't make it a habit to go around and speak maliciously about other people. Generally speaking it is almost always out of concern for another's well being. But let me give you the definition of

GOSSIP:

From Webster's 1828 dictionary... n. One who runs from house to house tattling and telling news. An Idle tattler, Idle talk.

Merriam Webster's online.... n. 1. a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others. 2. rumor or report of a personal nature, chatty talk.

IDLE: Merriam websters online: Lacking worth or basis; Idle chatter

CHATTER: To talk idly.

TATTLING: v. 1. to let out secrets,

2. to chatter, prate or gossip.

3. to utter idly; disclose by gossip

n. 4. the act of tattling

5. idle talk chatter gossip.

I really don't feel like I go house to house telling secrets. But regardless of what I speak about, generally it will lack worth. It doesn't affect me so why do I talk about it. As long as it is not being discussed with the person in the situation it should not be talked about. But what if I am really irritated with someone and I let my husband know about it... Is that gossip? Not sure? But I am going to treat it like gossip. I am going to work really hard to put these conversations to an end. The best thing I can do is keep the conversation on wholesome things.

So the focus this year is going to be Ephesians 4:29!

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

A Review of 2009

So much happened in 2009.

I don't quite know if I will remember it all but I am going to try!

1. January, Justin took over as worship leader for our church.

2. January 10th, Chris and Natalie got married and I was honored to have been able to help with the decorating!

3. February, we had our first ladies night out slumber party, at the church.

4. March, we went to see Jeremy Riddle in concert. John and Marisa, and JJ and Erin joined us.

5. March, the Kids and I went to the Chocolate Fest at the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum, And Elyssa turned 9

6. May, Erin and I hosted a baby shower in a box. This was for her sister in law who moved away.

7. May, I got a new kitchen door with windows!

8. May, Our first Pine Wood Derby.

9. May, We put in our very first garden in our new home. It was huge!

10. May, Memorial Day weekend, we went on our first ever trip to Moab. Lots of adventure!

11. June, Miss Abi graduated from High school and I hosted her graduation party.

12. June, Justin and I surprised the kids with an ice cream adventure, we left the house at 9pm and drove to Park City to have ice cream I had packed. We got home around midnight.

13. July, Elyssa made her very first batch of apricot freezer jam all by herself.

14. July, 17th, that's my birthday I turned 33 and the neighbors house burned down.

15. July, I dyed my daughters hair pink. Yes she is only nine and it is only hair!

16. August, we went to Justin's family reunion, there was a 1/2 wolf, 1/2 German Shepherd there.

17. August, Kids went to Disney Land with grandma and grandpa.

18. August, we bought Jet skis.

19. August, We went on a church campout.

20. September, I was asked at the last minute to go to a ladies retreat. It was a ton of fun!

21. September, I participated in the Taste of Home cooking school. It was an all day adventure and then I helped present during the evening session.

22. September, Justin and I took our last ride on the honda motorcycle to the alpine loop. Unbeknownst to us.

23. October, Justin went hunting and shot an elk. I painted our bedroom! PURPLE...

24. October, Erin and I hosted our 3rd annual pumpkin carving party.

25. October, I started Guest blogging for www.heyrachiekae.com

26. October, Justin and I dressed up and went to our first ever Halloween party with out the kids.

27. November, The kids went with Abi and Grandma and Braydeelicious to the Park City art museum to see the lego sculpture exhibits.

SPILLING HIS GUTS!!! lol

28. November, The ladies of our church were published in the Taste Of Home Cook Book, Cooks Who Care Edition.

29. November, I catered a wedding....Huge Event.

30. November, Justin bought a Harley Davidson Road King. Which I still have not been on! Hurry up spring!

31. November, Justin and I got new tattoos. We had wedding bands done or in my case a "J" on my ring finger.

32. November, Ashton turned 12

33. December, Justin and I celebrated our 15th anniversary. We also renewed our wedding vows.

34. December, I was just published in the Country Woman Magazine, due out in Feb/Mar 2010 (pg. 37)

PHEW!! That is a lot of remembering...Thank Goodness I have photos to help!

We have so much to be thankful for. We have had our share of hardships this year but the good outweighs the bad sevenfold! We are so richly blessed with the best friends and family any one could ask for. Our experiences and memories are so full!!! So here we are at a new beginning, out with the old and in with the new! (that is my fridge motto! haha)

So I wish you all a very blessed, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!