3 Yummy Soups using Ground Beef {Blast from the Past{

Some folks I know give up on making soup when the weather turns warm.  We enjoy it all year long, so I thought I would share a few of our favorites, and hope you'll be enjoying some soon too.  



This is a wonderfully creamy, thick and easy soup.  Your family will
scream for M-M-More!! 

Amish Cheeseburger Soup

This one is quick because you brown the burger, open a few cans and heat. 
Sweet and yummy. A delicious change from 'regular' chili. 

Quick Corny Chili




This has been a very popular blog recipe. It has options too. 
How can you beat cooking in the slow cooker?  

Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup (Weight Watchers)

Mixed Nut Bars

I saw this old photo in my files...from the holidays!...and decided I needed to share this awesome recipe.

I love this recipe for the holidays, but truly, it's wonderful any time of the year. 

If you like butterscotch, you'll love these. 

It's a butterscotch/corn syrup mixture poured over nuts on a yummy flour, brown sugar and butter crust. 

Can't go wrong! And the recipe can easily be cut in half. 

(This one comes from my cookbook too!=) I'm not sure where I came across the recipe years ago. 

MIXED NUT BARS 

1-1/2 c. all purpose flour

3/4 c. packed brown sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. butter or margarine, plus 2 Tb. (cold)

1 (11 ozs) can mixed nuts, coarsely chopped

1 c. butterscotch chips

1/2 c. light corn syrup 

Preheat oven to 350*. Lightly grease or spray 9" X 13" X 2" baking pan.  In a bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt.  Cut in 1/2 c. of butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into prepared pan.  Bake 10 minutes; sprinkle with nuts.  Melt butterscotch chips (I use a lower power setting in the microwave); add corn syrup and remaining butter; mix well.  Pour over nuts.  Bake 10 minutes.  Cool. 

Yield: about 3-1/2 dozen. 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

Creamy Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

This simple recipe would suit me just fine any time of the year. 

When we spent time in Florida this winter, I enjoyed a baked sweet potato
atleast 3 times a week.  It seems they're on the menu everywhere 
down there! 

The inside of the sweet taters is mixed with cream cheese, brown sugar and a dash of cinnamon...topped with toasted pecans.  

How could it get any better? 

This dish can be made up ahead and warmed when you need it. 
And I think re-heating in the microwave would work great, as long 
as your careful not to overheat. 

M-M-My mouth is watering just being reminded of how tasty these are. 

I adapted this recipe from one I found on a Taste of Home calendar. 

TWICE-BAKED SWEET POTATOES 

2 medium sweet potatoes
3 ounces (light) cream cheese, softened 
1 Tb. brown sugar
(or 1/2 Tb. brown sugar Splenda blend)
several dashes ground cinnamon
2 Tb. chopped pecans, toasted 

Scrub and pierce sweet potatoes.  Bake at 375* for about an hour, or until tender. When cool enough to handle, cut a thin slice off the top of each; discard. 
Scoop out the pulp, leaving thin shells. 

In small bowl, mash pulp with cream cheese. Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon. Spoon into potato shells. Sprinkle with pecans. Place on a baking sheet.

Bake another 15 - 20 minutes at 375* or until heated through. 

Yield: 2 servings 

Linked to Melt in your Mouth Monday
Weekend Potluck

French Cheese Bread & Weekend Potluck #66

WELCOME TO WEEKEND POTLUCK! 

AND...

Where I share something worth sharing...again 

This spread is simple to mix and can also be made ahead. 

Could make a great 'meatless' meal. 

French Cheese Bread

Now, let's take a quick peek back at last week...

The recipe with the most clicks was ~

My Mom's Favorite - Granny Cake by The Better Baker

Recipes that caught our attention ~

Crunchy Beef & Bean Taco Cups by Sumptuous Spoonfuls

Road Trip Chocolate Chip Cookies by Recipes from a Pantry

And, a personal favorite ~

Crunchy Poppyseed Chicken Salad  by Hot Eats and Cool Reads  If you were featured today, please remember to snag the button below...
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Your hostesses ~

• Mommy Time Party ~ Tabitha
• The Better Baker ~ Marsha
• Sunflower Supper Club ~ Kim & Julie
• 4 Little Fergusons~ Tonya
• The Country Cook~ Brandie

Remember that when you link up, it shows on all FIVE blogs. Plus…

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Homemade Garbage Disposal Refreshers

Lemon is always such a good clean smell, don't you think?

I couldn't resist trying these little bits of lemony-cleaning-deodorizing 'thingies'. 

Keep them handy to toss into your disposal when you need to get rid of that nasty odor coming from it. 

The same day I made these, I put some green onions down the disposal and was so pleased with how tossing one of these into the disposal, running the water and the disposal, refreshed the air. 

NICE! 

Sometimes I don't have an orange or a lemon to put down the disposal, but I'm ready now! 

You may want to keep them in the fridge for a longer 'life' for the 'tablets'. 

I adapted this recipe from somewhere on Pinterest...

HOMEMADE GARBAGE DISPOSAL REFRESHERS 

3/4 c. baking soda 

1/2 c. salt

1 tsp. liquid dish soap

1 tsp. water

1 lemon

Sheet pan

Parchment paper

Small spoon or scoop

Airtight jar or container

Gather the ingredients for making the garbage disposal refreshers. Measure and add the baking soda and salt to a small mixing bowl, and give a stir until smooth and blended.

Grate the lemon peel into the mixture along with adding the liquid dish soap and water.

Slice the lemon in half; squeeze the juice into the mixture. Continue stirring and adding juice until the mixture resembles course sand.

Cover a sheet pan with waxed paper or parchment paper, use a small spoon or scoop to mold the half rounds, and then tap them out onto the pan. I used my smallest spring-loaded scoop. Allow to dry overnight.

Keep handy in an airtight container. 

Linked to Scrumptious Sunday