Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

This summer, I made this delicious summertime meal from Iowagirleats.com. I had a lot of leftover barley and started dreaming of the fall when I could make a delicious beef barley soup. Well, my taste buds needn't wait any longer and yours don't have to either. I found this recipe on Betty Crocker's website here.

I have made a few minor changes.

Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

Ingredients

1 cup frozen cut green beans 

1 cup frozen corn2 lbs pounds beef stew meat1 chopped bell pepper1 chopped large onion1 cup uncooked pearled barley1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon pepper1 carton (32 ounces) beef broth -Reduced Sodium 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

Directions

Add all ingredients in slow cooker. Mix carefully to not splatter. Place on Low heat for 8-10 hours. Go to work, run after a few little ones, go to the spa, or whatever it is that you do during the day. Come home, ladle a few spoonfuls into your favorite crock and Enjoy!

This also freezes great for those "I just don't have it in me to make a meal" kind of days!

Talk about easie peasie, lemon squeezie! (You can take me out of the classroom, but you can't take the 7 year old lingo out of me!) 

Sufferin Succotash!

With this being the first Thanksgiving away from our families, Mr. Right and I have been busy meal planning for our big Turkey Day. This is no time to forgo a delicious feast nor time to go healthy, right?! Here is what we are planning on dinning on, I hope you can use one of our recipes in your home

Roasted Turkey

Grandma D's Pork Sausage dressing - Check out our family recipes blog for this deliciousness!

Grandma's Cranberry Relish (recipes to follow in a future blog post)

The Best French Bread EVER 

Ruth's Chris' Sweet Potato casserole

Corn & Edamame Succotash 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups frozen shelled edamame

• 1 tablespoon EVOO

• 1 chopped red bell pepper

• 1 chopped onion

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 cups frozen corn kernels
• 1/2 pint heavy cream
• 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter

• 2 teaspoons dried basil

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper

Directions

1. Steam edamame in the microwave per package directions.

2. In large, non-stick frying pan, heat EVOO. Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Stir frequently until they start to soften. Stir in corn and edamame. Add butter and allow to melt. Slowly incorporate heavy cream, basil, salt, and pepper. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes so all of the flavors can meld. 

Enjoy! 

In the Blink of an Eye

And in the blink of an eye, it is no longer May, but November! In my meager defense, a lot has occurred in the time lapse. I settled into my Stay at Home Mom status including updating my Facebook status. After working last school year, our home was close to being quarantined for YUCKY! I made every attempt to clean up the neglected house work. I found this fantastic idea I found on Pinterest: Getting Mold Out of the Shower I was way skeptical but it works! It totally works! Thank you,  Jessica @ http://www.thisblessedlife.net/ !!

We found out in June that Mr. Right's employer was being acquired and it was uncertain whether he would have a job come the closing of the deal. Super, because I just quit my job! Thankfully, Mr. Right is a rockstar in his career and most companies would be beside themselves to have him on board. Sadly, Albuquerque isn't known for having plentiful corporations to work for in his field. Happy news, the Dallas/Fort Worth area is and he was made a job offer. Hooray! 

Dropping Mr. Right off for his first day

We had minimal notice of our move to another state.... like less than 2 weeks. But in good spirits and a belief in God's plan for us, we packed up a 6x12 trailer and made a preliminary move to the area. We were fortunate to find a lovely home to rent in a quaint town outside of Dallas. 2 weeks later, we returned to Albuquerque to pack at 26ft Penske truck with the remainder of all of our worldly goods. (Thank heaven for amazing families that have our back at every turn!) 

 PeeWee posing for pictures on top of her pumpkin while the movers unloaded our moving truck. I will definitely pay someone to move our stuff when it's time to move again! 

Welcoming committee

PeeWee got to be her beloved Olivia for her first Halloween to be Trick or Treating. We are definitely living in a family friendly neighborhood and we couldn't be happier!!

We are quickly acclimating to the area and have even joined a mommy & me group. We have been to the library a handful of times and decided to stay at home today for a low key kind of a day. We enjoyed making these Thankful Turkeys compliments of  http://afaithfulattempt.blogspot.com/

Stay tuned, because I am determined to start blogging more often!