This blog will be short and sweet! Phil and I have just returned from a FABULOUS cruise.  Can you guess which one we took?  If you guessed the Paula Deen Cruise to Honduras, Belize and Mexico you are a winner!

After eating all of the divine food and enjoying the wonderful frozen beverages, we were both ready for something simple and delicious.  It was cold in Albany when we left and just as dreary when we returned.  Nothing better than a large pot of homemade vegetable soup was screaming from the kitchen when we settled back in. When I say large, I mean enough to freeze and share.  This recipe that I am going to share with you sounds difficult, but it is so easy and gives you a reason to clean out the freezer.  Yes, I am a hoarder and I save every little bit of any kind of leftovers.  All the reason to make a pot of soup that will hit the spot on the cold nights ahead.

HOMEMADE VEGETABLE SOUP

1 pound of ground chuck
1 onion chopped
1 cup of chopped bell pepper
1 cup of chopped celery
1 (10 ¾ ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1 (10 ¾ ounce) can cream of celery soup
1 (20 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (46 ounce) can V-8 juice
1 (16 ounce) bag of frozen mixed vegetables
4 potatoes peeled and cubed
1 tablespoon sugar
Salt and Pepper to taste

(I had a ham bone left from Christmas in the freezer and threw it in along with any veggies that I had frozen)

Brown ground chuck, onions, pepper and celery.  Drain off fat.  Add soups, 1 soup can of water, tomatoes, V-8 juice and vegetables and ham bone.  Add sugar, salt and pepper to taste.  I cook mine on low heat for hours!  Stir occasionally to keep from sticking to the bottom of the pot.  I double the recipe so that I can have some for my neighbors, parents, and friends.  One recipe will serve approx. 12 people You will not be sorry if you take my advice – DOUBLE!

Wanda Sellers gave me this recipe years ago and I cannot tell you how many times that I have shared it.  Serve this with lacey cornbread, regular cornbread, or just saltines.

I can’t wait to have a bowl.  How about you????

Love and hugs!

Bubbles