Italian sausage and bean soup recipe

I made this the other night and was so happy to find my picky kids enjoying it. 

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided use

1 pound Italian sausages, casings removed 

1 1/2 cups each chopped onion and diced carrots

1 cup chopped celery (optional)

1/4 cup each red and green bell pepper 

1/4 cup green onion

1 tablespoon garlic, minced in oil (I used powdered)

1 tablespoon of Italian-blend seasoning

5-6 cups of chicken broth 

1 can Italian styled diced tomatoes

1 can red kidney beans, drained

1 cup of pasta

Place 1 tablespoon of oil in a 6 quart heavy pot over medium-high heat; add sausage and cook, breaking up into small pieces. Remove to a plate and set aside. 

Add remaining oil to the same pot. Sauté onions, carrots, bell peppers, green onion, celery, garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook 7-9 minutes or until tender; then return sausage to pot. 

Stir in broth, tomatoes and beans. Bring soup to a boil. 

If you are serving the soup soon, go ahead and add the pasta and cook until it's done. 

Enjoy!!!

Brick Fiesta

What an amazing event! We had a blast. Everything from the MOC's on display to the vendors with great things on sale.

I loved it. My kids weren't as thrilled, but only because there wasn't anything for them to play with and build with.

There were custom builders who even created war sets.

This one was a 1942 scene that was amazingly detailed. As was the following; The Hobbit Shire. 

I'm hoping to have a custom Katniss Everdeen in the mockingjay dress made. Modern Brick Warfare had some pieces they customized to more than just 3D. It looked like paint but raised up. Really cool. 

Parking was a bit crazy. The event was held in the conference room of a hotel, but with a restaraunt next door. And parking filled up rather quickly. You weren't allowed to bring outside food and some people were told to leave their strollers parked outside the doors as well. It's understandable considering the space was hard to maneuver in with so many people.  

The bathrooms were located in the hall outside the great room along with a water cooler. 

Everything was run by volunteer AFOL's. They host these events in a circuit that runs yearly. Next year should be hosted in the Houston area. So be sure and follow their page to keep up with where you can see some amazing builds! https://facebook.com/brickfiesta 

We stopped by our favorite vendor who is also a local store owner, San Antonio Plastic Bricks Inc. https://facebook.com/SanAntonioPlasticBricks

More pictures of some of my favorite builds. Air Zombie and the tools were great! 

1950's Drive In

Air Zombie

Castle with an Army

My Little Pony Castle

The huge airport where Air Zombie was. 

Awesome tool shed equipment.

Looks like Grandma, Red Riding Hood and the Woodsman lost the battle against the Wolf! 

This guy taught his son engineering skills using Lego. This device spun a huge top showing kids how speed mixed the red and blue parts to look like purple and pink parts on the side. It was interactive for my kids. 

Happy Independence Day!

First off, let me start by saying... Happy Fourth of July and Independence Day!!! Technically we actually gained our independence on the second on July as signatures were gathered, but on the fourth is when the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted. But I digress. Enjoy today's festivities! And remember what it means to be free. For all those English readers, better luck next time? And no hard feelings. We would be speaking proper English and drinking tea every afternoon had we been the ones to lose.  http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th

Anyhow... I'm awake and preparing for a full day (and then some) at our wonderful *insert sarcasm here*  retail store, at 12:37 AM. This comes after a glorious 4 or so hours of sleep as I ended up tossing and turning from a blinding light that was still shining at 8 PM. I think the Texas sun needs to go down earlier. And/or I need blackout curtains. I had to take my daughter upstairs as I found her sleeping on the couch and my husband on his recliner. 

Back to school season is in full swing for us retail employees. You aren't seeing the products roll out just yet. But next week, check the seasonal section at the back of your local Target and you should see a wide variety of supplies magically on the shelves over night. You can thank the Target fairies for that.

For my part, I'll be back stocking everything that rolls off the trucks until then. We are getting mountains of office and school as well as pallets full of supplies for your holiday party needs. Yesterday I worked a 12 hour shift, 4 AM to 4 PM exactly. Got a workout like no other. Today will probably be similar with the exception of time and a half pay! 

But the best part is what comes after my work day is over. Fun with friends as we celebrate freedom! I'll be buying key ingredients to make some heavenly brownies to bring. And it will be the kick start to a work-free weekend. 

Tomorrow I look forward to taking my family to Brick Fiesta here in San Antonio. (http://www.brickfiesta.com/) If you're a local Lego fan, you do not want to miss it! Between all the MOC's (My Own Creation's) that AFOL's (Adult Fans Of Lego's and some younger) put together for display, the vendors selling Lego products, and just an all around good time - it's worth seeing. My favorite Lego vendor will be there as well. San Antonio Plastic Bricks will be one of the first ones you should see. (http://www.sanantonioplasticbricks.com/)And probably where I'm likely to hang out if I get tired of wandering around (as if!). Check out a sneak peek at something you will see there and remember to have a wonderful weekend! Like SAPB on Facebook and see all the amazing things you could build with just a little help.https://m.facebook.com/SanAntonioPlasticBricks

Stay safe and have fun!!! 

Saunders product review via Shoplet.com

Shoplet.com is hosting another review. This time it's for office supplies from Saunders.

 The small clipboard is perfect for my husbands inventory pages.

It's portable, durable, and has a strong clip. It's also a good size for shopping lists.

I've used it to hold coupons and my list while at the store. It's made from 100% recycled/recovered materials so you are getting into the earth-friendly products zone from the USA.
The Storage Clipboard is going to be mine.

Partially because it's pink (let's show our support against breast cancer!) and my husband said absolutely not when he saw it. But this little office pal is going to help me stay organized. I can keep spare paper and pens inside while I carry it around. It's a light feeling but firm plastic. So it won't collapse as I write on it but it won't weigh me down. It snaps closed to protect the things stored inside.
Saunders is an American company that makes their products here. They employ blind folks to make some products which is a great way to include physically handicapped people in the productive fields.
The UHU glue style pen is fun.

I loved the vibrant fairy designs and colors. It also comes with a mini photo frame. I'm gluing in style! It's solvent free, so there aren't any strong odors. It sticks fast and doesn't wrinkle the paper. It comes in an ergonomic form to allow for easy carrying in a pencil case or if you're a mom - your purse. Another great thing, especially for parents, it washes out with cold water. We made a special card for my husbands dad with the kids.

They had a blast. And the mess was minimal.

Its so easy for them to handle.

There is a regular UHU glue stic as well that my kids loved using.

And my husband is thrilled with the UHU tac. These are little adhesive strips that hold things in place. He plans to put some under his desk mat and other office supplies so they can't slide when he uses them or so they don't get up and walk away anymore....

So check them out and tell me what you think is the best product! Shoplet.com offers many other products as well. They now have Medical Supplies, Office Stationary and Promotional Products to help you build your business!