On Christmas Eve night we have soup. A few years ago our traditions was to have Homemade Chinese food. Based off the movie a Christmas story. They end up in a Chinese restaurant on Christmas because the neighbor dogs get the Christmas turkey. Anyway we did Chinese food for several years but as time has gone on we all like soup and that is what it has turned in to now.
This year the soup selection was Cheese Tortellini with sausage and Zupa Tuscana. They are both absolutely delicious soups.
Cheese tortellini with sausage
1 (19oz) Bag frozen cheese tortellini
1lb Italian sausage
1 bag fresh baby spinach
2 cans Italian style diced tomato’s
2 cans chicken broth
1 8oz package of cream cheese cut into cubes
Brown the sausage until cooked, crumble and drain.
Add the sausage, broth, tomato’s, and cream cheese to pot.
Bring to a boil, add tortellini and reduce heat.
Simmer until tortellini are cooked about 10 min.
Add spinach and simmer additional 5-10 min.
Optional sprinkle with Parmesan cheese when serving.
We enjoy it with Garlic Bread
Zupa Tuscana
1lb Italian sausage cooked and crumbled
1 lb bacon
1qt water
2 cans chicken broth
3 large russet potatoes scrubbed and cubed
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
1 medium onion
2 cups kale
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Salt and pepper to taste
In a skillet brown sausage, breaking into small pieces. Set aside. In a skillet brown bacon in pieces and set aside. Place water, broth, garlic, chopped onions in soup pot. Simmer over medium heat until potatoes are tender. Add sausage and bacon. Simmer for 10 min. Add kale and cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat through. This is great the first day and even better the second.
If you make and enjoy these soups please tag my blog jamixstitch.blogspot.com or my Instagram @jamixstitch
Merry Christmas to you and your families.
Jami
Janalyn and I did a selfie in front of the fountain on our way to get a fancy soda drink from Fizz.
We took a ride to Shepard's Bush in Ogden, Ut. It is an amazing cross stitch store. If you are ever in the area check it out for sure. It is worth the stop or detour along your way.
I was wanting to meet Sara Lusk, for a long time. I was thrilled that she was at the retreat with us. I loved getting to know her so much better. She is a sweetheart and I can't wait to get together with her again. She is cityfarmin_id on insta and youtube.
This is Jorden showing her retreat exclusive patterns that she designed from Debbie's ideas. They turned out amazing and hearing everyone cheer when she displayed them and Debbie announced that everyone at the retreat would be receiving the patterns and that Debbie had kitted up the fabric and flosses for everyone to stitch 1 of the patterns...It was amazing. 
I am with IvyHouseCrafter, Stephanie, she stitched the amazing small I recieved in the smalls exchange. It is amazing 1 over 1 on 28 count. Mind blown! She also put in a nice pair of stitching scissors and a scissor fob and tea and chocolate. Which were unnecessary but I loved as well. 
Jorden, Up close with the retreat patterns.
We meet so many awesome friends I didn't get pictures with them all but we did with these two lovely ladies, Lorinda and Jordan.
And Sara. Sara put together and unofficial sal for the retreat to stitch one of Jorden's patterns. Harvest House. I can not tell you enough how much I loved this weekend. It was amazing!!!! We made a video while we were at the retreat. It will be edited and put up on youtube as soon as possible. Thank you for following.
