Copy Cat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana

1 lb italian sausage
2 large russent potatoes
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup of bacon bits
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups kale or 2 cups swiss chard, chopped
16 ounces chicken broth
1 quart water
1 cup heavy whipping cream

     Brown sausage links in pan or cook in oven at 350 for 25 minutes or until done.  Cut links in half lengthwise, then dice into 1/2 inch slices.  Place cooked sausage, broth, water, garlic, potatoes, and onion in slow cooker.       Cover.  Cook on high for 3-4 hours until potatoes are cooked and soft.  Optional, Mash potatoes a bit with a potato masher for texture.
     Add the Kale.  Return the lid for 10 minutes and then add the whipping cream.  May need to add salt and pepper to taste.

This was delicious with a slice of baked bread or by itself!

I froze half of this mixture for another meal:
Directions for freezing:

add all ingredients execpt potatoes, whipping cream and bacon bits.

Freeze for 3-4 months in a ziplock bag.

Defrost in fridge the night before serving.  Add to crock pot the contents in bag and potatoes for 3-4 hours then add kale.  For the last 10 minutes add whipping cream and then serve with bread or by itself.  This was amazing!!!

The babes...September 2012

Well my children are getting way too big way too fast!  I don't know where the time goes.  Cash is going to be 3 in January and Camdyn will be 2 in April.  We decided to put Cash in preschool at a nearby church.  It is only two days a week for 2.5 hours.  I am happy and excited for him but I'm also nervous.  I'm so afraid he will hit another kid or that another kid will bully him.  He is used to playing with his sister and a couple of cousins, but he isn't used to playing with new kids.  The teachers seem wonderful and the are very reassuring.  I know Cash will have a wonderful time once he gets used to it.  Cash is also talking really well now.  He knows all kinds of equipment names like backhoe, bulldozer, big truck, tractor, school bus and train.  He also copies everything other people say...even bad words.  Camdyn talks too.  She says bow, momma, dada, nana, pawpaw, ba, baba, papa, cheese, bite (vitamins), choo choo.  They both love riding in anything with dada, pawpaw or granddaddy whether its a mower bulldozer or dump truck.  They fight all the time over toys food just about anything. 

We went to the museum of life and sciences the week before school started and the kids loved it.  They played in the sand, dug for dinosaur bones, rode the train, played music with the pots and hanging metal, and played in the mist.  I definitely want to take then back soon. Todd and I went in a trip to Indianapolis Indiana for his Dixie Chopper meeting. We have had a great time so far. We stayed at the marriott in downtown. I've enjoyed getting to meet other dealers that Todd knows and a few new people. We toured the factory today and believe it it not it was very interesting. We are on our way back to the airport and depending on how much time we have left we may get to do some shopping. I know I am ready to get back home to my babies that is for sure!