Italian style tomato soup with Tortellini

I'm a giant fan of anything that doesn't take a whole lot of effort or time to put together.
I'm also a giant fan of cheap.
I have a gift for seeing something and knowing - after minor thought - how to replicate it with minimal effort and financial output.

So today's recipe is another Pinterest find. I'll be totally honest; I never even looked at the recipe. I just knew how I wanted it to taste and how to make it happen in 4 ingredients.
Like I said, it's a gift.

Italian Style Tomato Soup with Tortellini
1 giant can Campbell's condensed tomato soup made according to can directions with half water and half milk
1 normal size jar of your favorite tomato based pasta sauce
1 bag frozen tortellini (I used a smallish bag but would add more next time - who doesn't need more tortellini?!)

Mix soup and sauce first, heat it near to fully heated and then add the tortellini. Cook soup until thoroughly heater and tortellini is tender.
Serve with garlic bread. Mmm.

Truly By Julie also made me these beautiful paper cherry blossoms and posted this fantastic tutorial. You really should give these a go. They look great in any setting.

Happy Saturday, ladies and gents.
(It's also Volunteer Recognition Day and Look Alike day (It's also 4/20, but let's not get into that). Personally, I think I look like Adele. What about you?)

Zesty Tomato Veggie Stew

I have another recipe for you! This one's a classic in our house.
It's one of Hubby's all time favorites.
It's great on cold nights and warm afternoons.
Ironically, it was fantastic with yesterday's beer bread though I hadn't planned them together at all.
It's stew!
We usually call it Beef Veggie Stew.
But we've eaten it with Italian Sausage and chicken and ground turkey and venison and... You get the idea.

Lasts really well in leftovers.
Fantastic with crackers.
Good with cheese and sour cream.
It is easily one of the most versatile soup recipes in my repitoire.

Zesty Tomato Veggie Stew
1 lb of any meat
2 (15oz) cans stewed diced Italian       Style Tomatoes
1 (16oz) can tomato sauce
3-4 cups frozen mixed veggies
3 (15oz) cans of water
1 package taco seasoning
A few shakes tobasco sauce

Cook meat in large stock pot. After cooked, add everything else. Let simmer for 30 minutes approximately, stirring occiasionally.
Serve however you like.

Enjoy!
Happy Thursday!
(It's also International Juggler's day, National High Five Day and
Newspaper Columnists Day!)

I also want to share a picture of my almost 3 year old wearing her baby doll in a wrap (wrap meaning my favorite scarf) earlier today. She kept calling the baby doll her backpack.<3