What's for dinner???

TRY THIS SOUP!!!!. Chad and I are big soup fans, and area always excited about finding a new one. This one came from a magazine. I cut it out, and pasted it to a recipe card several years ago, but had never made it until tonight. Chad said, "You mean we could have been eating this, all that time?!" It's easy, simple and quick. Thomas even gobbled it up. It is not very spicy- just right!!

Spicy Cheeseburger Soup

1-1/2 C. water

2 C. cubed peeled potatoes

2 small carrots, grated

1 small onion, chopped

1/4 C chopped green pepper

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 TBSP. beef bouillon granules

1.2 tsp. salt

1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained

2-1/2 C. milk, divided

3 TBSP. all purpose flour

8 ounces Velveeta

1/4 to 1 tsp. cayenne pepper, optional

1/2 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled

In a large saucepan, combine the first none ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir in beef and 2 cups milk; heat through. Combine flour and remaining milk until smooth; gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; stir in cheese until melted. Add cayenne if desired. Top with bacon just before serving. Makes 6-8 servings ( about 2 quarts). Enjoy- OR if you come visit- I'll make it for you!!

We had a good weekend. We were able to visit and spend time with these guys, who let us stay with them this time. Had a fun evening and dinner with these guys, and spent part of Saturday afternoon with these guys and these guys. we went to church Sunday morning and got to see and talk a littl bith with so many friends, (I must say, Mrs. Trade-off was looking super-fly in her cute oufit). I think I need to go shopping with her.

We ended the weekend with Sunday lunch with Blake and Jana and their girls. They have been our closest friends since college. It was a great way to end the weekend, catching up and laughing over frito/chili dinner while the girls caught up on the latest and greatest in Barbies and dress-up. Ella played herself to sleep. Before we got into the truck to head back to the mountains, she had crawled up into my lap and crashed.

It was fun to see her play with all her friends- and great to see all of ours. We are so blessed- and I am so thankful for the amazing group of people we spent time with, regularly, when we lived there. We missed seeing several- but will make efforts to see them first next time! It is still weird to be an out of town visitor. It still feels so much like home.

The drive, both ways, was good. We purchased an ever-so-useful portable DVD player, and Ella was thrilled about that on the ride home. Thomas showed signs of interest when Elmos was on. The drive is seeming much shorter to me now, since it is more familiar.

I did not take my camera, so I have no images to share of the weekend. Maybe some of "these guys" will have some to share.