Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Crock Pot Soup!

Fall isn't here yet in the south, but my mind is telling me it is. With that I wanted to make some butternut squash soup. 

I am a huge fan of crock pot cooking and for that I am grateful because we spent this summer with no AC. 

In the south. 

Grilling and crock pot cooking saved me from heating up the house even more to try and make some decent food. This girl cannot live on pbj's all summer, I need a hot meal once in a while. 

So lets talk about this beautiful soup!!

I got two beautiful butternut squash from my garden and wanted to make soup. They were a bit on the small side, so on the fly I added some sweet potatoes.  Thus the name of the soup :)

Here's what you need:

Makes 4 servings

7 - 8 cups of butternut squash (if you don't have enough, throw in some sweet potatoes)

2 stalks of celery

1/2 onion

1/2 c carrots

3 cloves garlic

3 cups broth

olive oil

herbs of your choice

salt/pepper

sour cream

crispy fried bacon.

Let's break it down!

Chop onions, celery, carrots and garlic and saute them in a small amount of olive oil until tender and add salt and pepper. While this is simmering, start the impossible job of peeling the butternut squash. Now that I found out I can buy them at the store already cubed...Never again.

As stated earlier, I didn't have enough squash, so I made up the difference with sweet potatoes. 

Now chuck it all into your crock pot - raw!

Add the sauted veggies and 3 cups of stock. I used veggie stock because I am 3/4 vegan. Chicken stock is great, but beef seems to over power the taste for some reason - IMHO

Now herb it up the way you want!

I used thyme and red pepper flakes for this batch. 

I have used sage, rosemary, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon and I have even added a couple of apples, IT WAS SO GOOD!!!!

Set it to high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. You judge the time by your cooker :)

You can also simmer this on the stove in a lidded pot, or in a slow oven of about 325 degrees in a dutch oven. 

Bottom line - simmer slowly until everything is super tender.

Now that this has simmered all day, and the house smells amazing, hit this mess with an immersion blender.

If you don't have an immersion blender, try a drink blender, food processor, ninja, or even a hand mixer for this soup. Get creative!!!

Speaking of creative, here, if you want, you can add in a bit of butter, or some heavy cream. Trust me, if I could tolerate the cream, I would be adding 1/2 c heavy cream in this mess. 

Note: If you are going to add cream, just cut back the same amount of broth so it doesn't get too runny. 

You want it nice and smooth. 

My mouth is watering writing this post!!!

This soup is my husbands favorite. 

It really is a no fuss no muss kinda soup. 

Honestly I think it took longer to peel, clean and cube the squash than it did to simmer in the crock pot!

Big Daddy likes a blop of sour cream and crumbled bacon on the top of his. I eat mine plain - remember I am 3/4 vegan :)

Here it is, super easy amazing hearty soup for fall, or any time. I hope you like it!!

Leave a comment below if you made the soup, and if you made any changes to the recipe to fit your tastes!!

More crock pot recipes coming!!!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Although I do live a lifestyle that is richly enhanced with healing crystals, crystal energy, and universal energies, some do not, and that being said, I must say - Crystal meanings, metaphysical and spiritual healing lore is lore for inspiration, folklore, reference, and entertainment only. Crystal and spiritual healing lore is not a prescription, diagnosis or healthcare information. See a doctor or other healthcare practitioner for all health issues. By using this site and associated materials, and accessing this metaphysical and healing lore information, you acknowledge and agree that you personally assume responsibility for your use or misuse of this lore.

 

Tutorial - Wire Wrapped Pendant and Link Connectors for Necklace - How To

Quick and simple wire wrap pendant how to :)

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Although I do live a lifestyle that is richly enhanced with healing crystals, crystal energy, and universal energies, some do not, and that being said, I must say - Crystal meanings, metaphysical and spiritual healing lore is lore for inspiration, folklore, reference, and entertainment only. Crystal and spiritual healing lore is not a prescription, diagnosis or healthcare information. See a doctor or other healthcare practitioner for all health issues. By using this site and associated materials, and accessing this metaphysical and healing lore information, you acknowledge and agree that you personally assume responsibility for your use or misuse of this lore.

Getting Ready for Fall - Crocheting Granny Squares

 

I have to keep busy, call it a curse, call it a super power but because of it, I am always making something. And in turn, I have now taken over two rooms of our house. One for tie dye, jewelry, painting and storage of festival gear, and the other for all of my material, sewing machine, mailing supplies, yarn, work desk, computer and printer. 

I am craft hoarder elite!

I get distracted easily, and sometimes I may have more than one project going at a time.

Sometimes I can get frustrated with myself, as I compare myself to other artists out there, that their color combos on their tie dye are more brilliant than mine, their wire wraps are more intricate than mine. 

Once I am done throwing around the confetti of my pity party, and I have had my last bit of dejection cake, I understand, it is because they picked one thing and did it right, where I have to do it all!

And because I have to do it all, it is crocheting season!

It is one thing I do love to do. It is a project that I can do, while sitting in the living room in front of the television and pretending to be watching a movie with my husband. 

I myself personally could spend all of my waking ours in my office or studio working on projects, but I do have to find a balance. So when the weather cools off and there is not so much to do, television is the go to entertainment for my husband. He just wants to know I am in the same room with him, and if he wants to make a conversation, then I am there to join in. 

I started a new project that I am absolutely excited about, and part of the project is granny squares. What I love about granny squares is the versatility of the pattern. Even the versatility of the basic granny square itself. You are basically making a tiny mosaic tile to piece together into a beautiful work of art. 

After I had gotten started on my squares, I realized I needed extra bulk for this project. I do love the crispness of the single strand yarn granny squares. You can see the detail. 

But I wasn't looking for detail. I was looking for comfort and snuggly. I used two strands of worsted weight yarn and made my squares again. What a difference. The extra color gave more texture. The extra strand of yarn gave the squares a soft, cushy, comfortable feel. Perfect for what I am working on. 

I am using a mixture of scrap yarn and Big Twist 100% acrylic yarn. Middle of the road yarn, super soft, doesn't unravel, and affordable -  especially when bought at JoAnns with a coupon. I bought it because I wanted to try something other than RedHeart SuperSaver. Red Heart SuperSaver is a great affordable yarn, especially as a beginner, but it is just too scratchy.  

I am just in the beginning of this project, and have to figure out a couple more things. 

I can't wait to show it to you!

What do you like to work on during the cooler months??

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Although I do live a lifestyle that is richly enhanced with healing crystals, crystal energy, and universal energies, some do not, and that being said, I must say - Crystal meanings, metaphysical and spiritual healing lore is lore for inspiration, folklore, reference, and entertainment only. Crystal and spiritual healing lore is not a prescription, diagnosis or healthcare information. See a doctor or other healthcare practitioner for all health issues. By using this site and associated materials, and accessing this metaphysical and healing lore information, you acknowledge and agree that you personally assume responsibility for your use or misuse of this lore.

Long Necklaces Are The Trend!

Doing an online search as I do three or four times a year to find out what the newest jewelry trends are. I was thrilled to see these long over the head necklaces are making a comeback!

The style is simple. A long chain, 32" or so, that will go over your head without the need of a clasp, and a pendant or a statement focal of several beads at approx 4" - 7 ". 

SO CUTE!!

These necklaces are a great way to use your one off beads or your larger beads that just don't quite fit into a design. 

What a great way to de stash and add beautiful jewelry to your inventory!!

 

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Although I do live a lifestyle that is richly enhanced with healing crystals, crystal energy, and universal energies, some do not, and that being said, I must say - Crystal meanings, metaphysical and spiritual healing lore is lore for inspiration, folklore, reference, and entertainment only. Crystal and spiritual healing lore is not a prescription, diagnosis or healthcare information. See a doctor or other healthcare practitioner for all health issues. By using this site and associated materials, and accessing this metaphysical and healing lore information, you acknowledge and agree that you personally assume responsibility for your use or misuse of this lore.