Kielbasa & White Bean Stew with Tomatoes & Spinach

With the cooler weather creeping in our Crockpot has come out of the cupboard and taken its place on the counter for the coming months.  So far this Fall we have tried a variety or recipes, but this soup has been a favorite!

We tossed everything (except the spinach) in the slow cooker before leaving for work which made the house smell so delicious when we came home!

Such a yummy soup for cold rainy (and snowy) Colorado days.  Enjoy!





Kielbasa & White Bean Stew with Tomatoes and Spinach
http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2012/02/recipe-for-slow-cooker-kielbasa-and.html

1 lb died small white beans
1 onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp dried thyme
6 cups chicken broth
1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes
14 oz kielbasa sausage, cut into half moon sizes
4 packed cups fresh spinach
Grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Toss all ingredients into slow cooker, except spinach, and cook on low for 6-7 hours.  When the beans are done to your liking add in chopped spinach for the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

This recipe made about 6-7 servings for us, which was perfect for dinner, lunch leftovers and enough to freeze to have another day.  The frozen soup reheated perfectly in the Crockpot too!

I hope you enjoy!

Tucker's 6th Birthday

Mallory's little boy turned six back in September and she wanted to celebrate with something special.  Sometime close to his birthday Mallory made "Doggie Cupcakes" so the boys could have a special treat in honor of Tucker's birthday.

Here is Tucker at nine weeks, the day he came home:

How cute was he?  It is hard to believe its been six years since he came home.

Anyway, here is Tucker's birthday celebration!


Carrot Peanut Butter Dog Cake
http://amycollette.blogspot.com/2012/04/luna-first-birthday-party.html

1 cup white flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 egg

Mix flour and baking soda together, then add all additional ingredients.
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
Whip non-fat cream cheese with electric mixer for frosting - I love this KitchenAid KHM512ER 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer, Empire Red

This recipe made six cupcakes, which was perfect!  I was able to freeze half of them for Kenobi's first birthday a few weeks later.

The dogs devoured the cupcakes, and all the crumbs they left on the floor.  They were so easy to make and enjoyed by all!