Monday, April 12, 2010

Souper Saturday was amazing!


Wow! Super Saturday was amazing! Thank you to everyone who helped with preparing food, setting-up, moving furniture, greeting, speaking and crafting. And a huge thank you to Michelle for hosting!

Click here to read how all of the details came together to make this event happen.

Souper Saturday recipes

Many of you have asked for the wonderful soup recipes from Souper Saturday. Here they are!



Turkey Chili
Stephani S.
1 lb ground turkey
1 large onion
2 cloves of garlic crushed
1 Tablespoon Chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon cocoa
1/2 teaspoon red pepper sauce
1 large can (24 ounces) diced tomatoes (undrained)
1-2 zucchini
1-2 red pepper (or any color)
1 can (15.5 ounces) red kidney beans—

Cook ground turkey, onion and garlic in 3-quart saucepan, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in remaining ingredients except beans. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1 -1 1/2 hour, stirring occasionally.



**

Potato Soup
Michelle O.

6 - 8 lg. potatoes, peeled & cubed
1 sm. bag of carrots, peeled & chopped
1 can evaporated milk
1 Tbsp. parsley flakes
5 cups water
4 beef bullion cubes
1 stick of butter
salt & pepper to taste
1 1/2 cup instant potato flakes

In lg. saucepan place all ingredients, cover & cook over low heat, stirring often for min. of 1-2 hour. Thicken by adding approx. 1 1/2 cups of instant potato flakes. Cook 1/2 hour more.

**

Corn Chowder
Emily N.

2 small onions, chopped
4 slices of bacon
2 celery stalks,chopped
2 potatoes, chopped
4 cups corn (frozen or canned)
4 cups chicken broth
1 Bay leaf
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 T. butter
2 T. flour
1 1/2 cups cream or half n half
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Cook onions, bacon & celery, put in slow cooker. Add potatoes, corn, broth, bay leaf, salt & pepper. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Take bay leaf out and throw away. On the stove top, melt butter, add the flour so it makes a paste. Cook until light brown. Slowly add the cream to the paste, heat until it thickens. DO NOT BOIL! Move it from the heat, add the cheese and mix until melted. Add this mixture to the slow cooker mixture. Stir well and serve.

**

Chicken Tortilla Soup
Emily Invergo

3 chicken breasts
15 oz jar of salsa
1 can of corn
1 can of black beans

Combine in a crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-8.

After cooking, add brick of low fat cream cheese. Stir in cream cheese and shred chicken.Add 2 cans of chicken broth.

Crinkle tortilla chips over soup and serve.

**

Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Holly W.
2 ribs of celery, chopped
1 shredded carrot
1 onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
2 T. butter
3 T. flour
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1 1/2c. cooked wild rice (1/2 box)
1 c. water
1 (10 oz) can condensed chicken broth
1 c. half and half
1/2 c. parsley
2 chicken breasts, cooked and cut in cubes
1/3 c. silvered almonds (optional)

In a 3 qt. saucepan, cook and stir celery, carrot, onion and green pepper in butter until celery is tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Stir in cooked rice, water and broth. Heat to boiling, reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining ingredients.

**

Cheeseburger Soup
Tara Bozarth
1 1/2 cup water
2 cup cubed potatoes
2 small carrots, grated
1 small onion chopped
1/4 cup chopped gr pepper
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 beef bouillon cube or 1 tbsp granules
1/2 tsp salt
1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
2 1/2 cup milk, divided
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
8 oz process American cheese, cubed (Velveeta)
1/4 to 1 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
1/2 lb sliced bacon, cooked & crumbled

In large saucepan, combine first nine ingredients (to salt); bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover & 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 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. Yield: 6-8 servings (about 2 quarts).

**

Tomato Zucchini Soup
Kara H.

1.25 lbs. of Italian sausage (casing removed)
1.5 c. sliced celery
4 lbs. tomatoes, peeled (I use 4 cans of diced tomatoes)
1.5 lb. zuccini, cut in 1/4" slices
1.5 c. tomato juice ( I use v-8 juice)
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. garlic salt
2 green peppers, cut in 1" pieces
1/2 c. shredding mozarella cheese

Brown sausage. Add celery and cook 15 min. Drain off fat. Cut tomatoes in wedges (I use canned, diced tomatoes). Add tomatoes, tomato juice, zucchini and seasonings to sausage. Simmer covered for 20 mins.

**
White Chili
Debbbie W.

One large jar of northern beans (48 oz)
One jar of salsa
1lb of cubed chicken.

Place all of it into a crock pot,stir, simmer on low for 8 hours, stir occasionally. Serve with tortilla chips, shredded cheddar and sour cream.

**

Italian Soup
Bobbie R.

2 lbs italian sausage broken into pieces
1 medium onion chopped
2-3 carrots sliced
2-3 celery stalks chopeed or sliced
1 large can tomatoes, any kind
1 medium can of beans: garbanzo, black, northern whatever is handy
6 cans chicken stock
Italian seasoning
1 box frozen spinach or 1 bag fresh spinach
cheese to garnish

Brown sausage in large pot, add carrots first. Cook for a few minutes then add the rest of vegetables, not spinach. Add stock and seasoning. Simmer until veggies are tender, then add spinach.

MP3s from Souper Saturday


If you missed Souper Saturday, you can still listen to the audio!

Just click the links below:

Part 1, Alexis H.
Part 2, Terra A.
Part 3, Katie A.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Women's Link video

If you weren't in the service on Sunday, be sure to watch the video of our Women's Link events from last year!

I am so excited by the response to our next event, Souper Saturday, April 10. You will hear testimonies of three ORDINARY women who have learned to walk in faith through EXTRAORDINARY circumstances.

You also will get to sample the awesome cooking of CrossTown women. We will have soup, salad and desserts! Let me know if you would like to bring something.

To sign-up, just e-mail Women's Link.


Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Souper Saturday sign up

You can sign up now to attend Souper Saturday, our next Women's Link Event!

6  to 9 p.m., Saturday, April 10
At the home of Michelle C. (e-mail Women's Link for address)

What happens when life’s ride takes an unexpected twist? Several ORDINARY women will share their personal stories of how they faced EXTRAORDINARY circumstances. We will hear how they grew closer to God and learned to walk in faith through difficult situations.

If you love to cook, would you be willing to bring a crock pot full of SOUP for our group to share? Or how about some bread, salad or dessert? We will be sampling lots of soups and salads. If you would be willing to bring something, please let me know.

But most importantly, start planning now to BRING A FRIEND! This will be a fun evening, with time to get to know other women and be encouraged in our walk with Christ.

Sign up by sending the following info to Women's Link:
YES! I will attend. There is NO cost and NO obligation to bring something!

Name:

Phone and E-mail (if you aren’t in the directory):

**

If you would like to bring something, please let me know:

Soup (we need 6, have 2 already):
Salad (we need 4, have 3 already):
Bread:
Dessert (we need 5, have 1 already):
(2) 2-liter bottles of soft drink (we need 10, have 0):
Bag of ice (we need 1):

A lot of people have asked if they can help with something. I also will need a few people to help with set-up at 5:30 p.m. and clean-up until 9:30 p.m. If you are interested, let me know.

Yes! I will help with
Set-up:
Clean-up:

I really appreciate all of the encouragement and enthusiasm about Women’s Link!

BIBLE STUDY

If you are interested in attending a Tuesday morning Bible study, please let me know by this Friday. We will be going through the Beth Moore study, Living Beyond Yourself. The morning study will begin March 16 and meet at a home in southwest Naperville. Childcare is provided.

I’m also gauging interest in an evening study. Please e-mail Women's Link if you are interested in either of these. We will be ordering the workbooks at the end of the week.

Monday, March 1, 2010

March playgroup schedule

Join other CrossTown women on Wednesday mornings for playgroup:


March 3 – Jungle Safari indoor playground at the Romeoville Rec. Center – 900 W. Romeo Rd., Romeoville. $1/child for Romeoville resident (must show proof of residency) and $2/kid for non-resident.

March 10 – Kiddie Klub Lane – 1300 S. Main St., Lombard. Visit www.kiddieklublane.com for more information, directions and rates.

March 17 - Beth M.’s house
March 24 –Emily I.’s houseMarch 31 – Brookfield Zoo
If interested, contact Brenna for more information.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Women's Bible study

Do you struggle to find patience, joy, gentleness or self-control in your daily life? Join other CrossTown women in a Bible study exploring how to develop the fruit of the spirit by maintaining an intimate relationship with the Spirit of God.

We will be studying Beth Moore’s “Living Beyond Yourself”, beginning in March. We will meet on Tuesday mornings at a home in southwest Naperville. Childcare will be provided.

If you are interested in this study, please e-mail Women's Link! The 11-week study will begin March 16.

If you would like to be part of a women’s Bible study, but a weekday morning doesn’t work for you, please e-mail me. We are gauging interest in an evening study, as well.