The Ultimate Grilled Cheese and Creamy Tomato Soup recipes

 Hi Uncommon readers!  My name is Karen and I am visiting from my blog Pocket Full of Pink, where I like to post about crafts I am working on, recipes, and a little bit of everything else!

This is one of my family's favorite meal!  I found these recipe's years ago in the Taste of Home Magazine.  If you haven't been on their website, you should go visit.  Lots of yummy recipes!  I tweaked this one just a bit, and I think it tastes fabulous.  Here it goes:

Personally I don't care for the chunks of diced tomato's in the soup.... soooooo I put the diced tomatoes in the blender first.

Creamy Tomato Soup

1 medium onion, chopped (today I didn't have an onion, so I used dehydrated onions.  Tasted fine!)

2 TBSP Butter

2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes undrained.  (if you don't like chunks, blend it first!)

2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed tomato soup, undiluted

1-1/2 cups milk (evaporated milk works great)

1 tsp sugar

1/2-1tsp dried basil

1/2-1tsp paprika

1/8-1/4 tsp garlic powder

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, cubed

In a saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender.  Stir in tomatoes, soup, milk, sugar, basil, paprika and garlic powder. Bring to a boil.  Reduce  heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes.  Stir in cream cheese until melted. I used a wire whip and stirred quickly to get any lumps out.  Serve immediately. 8 servings.

This is the best tomato soup I have EVER had! 

The Ultimate Grilled Cheese

1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened (you can use the lowfat kind!)

3/4 cup mayonnaise (I use the kind with olive oil)

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup mozzarella cheese

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/8 tsp. seasoned salt

10 slices Italian bread (1/2 inch thick)

2 TBSP butter or margarine, softened

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth.  Stir in cheeses, garlic powder, and seasoned salt.  Spread five slices of bread with the cheese mixture, about 1/3 cup on each.  Top with remaining bread.  Butter the outsides of sandwiches; cook in a large skillet over medium heat until golden brown on both sides.  5 or more servings.

 

These sandwiches are YUMMY!  My family can't get enough of them.  Just try to forget how much fat is in each one.  Remember.....moderation:)

Thanks for letting me hang out with you all today!  Stop by my blog anytime!  I would love a visit:)

My take on a Fabric Rosette Burlap Wreath

The other night, I got in the mood.  Not THAT mood. The crafting mood!  I ended up crafting the whole evening!  It was soooo fun:)  Here is my version of this wreath that I know lots of bloggers have made.  I had to try it:

It was super easy!  I was really excited when I finished it.  You don't understand.  It's a big step that I actually finished it.  I am reallllly good at starting and not finishing.

I have a few other crafts to show you this week!  I can't wait.....
Have a great weekend!

I am linking up to these parties:

Crazy Domestic

Young and Crafty
Sassy Sites 
Sew Much Ado 
My Backyard Eden
Everything but the Kitchen Sink
504 Main 
Katie's Nesting Spot
Fingerprints on the Fridge
Fireflies and Jellybeans 
Craftomaniac 
Skip to My Lou

Anthro Inspired Wreath

Wow, has it really been 3 days since I posted??  This has been a killer week in school.  I had a test, quiz and a presentation all within 2 days.  I  have been studying a lot.  Actually.....I think I should have studied more.  I get a little carried away when I am on the computer.  Does anyone else do that?

Onto the cuteness I have found.  I love this wreath and I really have wanted to make one like this for a while.  I think springtime is a good time, don't you think?
Here's what I mean:

Isn't it just adorable?  It looks so easy to make!  You'll find the tutorial HERE.

Guest Post: Cute Dog Tags with Scrapbook paper

Last week I guest posted this on http://ready-set-create.blogspot.com.  Thanks Aleesha!  Here is my cute Dog Tags that I Mod Podged scrapbook paper on with some adorable embellishments!  Super easy and FUN!!

Here is what you will need:
-Dog tag (purchased HERE)
-Mod Podge
-a piece of pretty patterned scrapbook paper
-craft knife
-self-healing cutting surface
-glue gun
-paper flower or whatever you want to embellish your necklace with!
-emery board
-ribbon or ball chain

Here we go!  First put your dog tag down on the wrong side of the scrapbook paper and trace around it like this:

Next, cut it out with the craft knife, being careful not to rip the paper.
Then, slap some mod podge all over the wrong side of the paper and glue that baby on the dog tag, matching up edges. Let it dry for about 1/2 hour.  Then add a letter sticker for whoever you are making it for.  Add some more mod podge on the top of the paper once you have attached the paper to the dog tag.

OOOh, love that nice blue mat!  Yes, it has been well used.

Let the mod podge dry for at least 1-2 hours.  Then using an emery board, sand gently around the edges, making sure you are working down, so not to lift the paper off the dog tag. 

Next add embellishments!  I added a paper flower with a pink round pearl in the center.OOPSEY!! I couldn't tell where the glue was going.  It's hard to take picture's while you are crafting:) You get the idea, right?

Here is the finished necklace!  I used a pink ball chain that I purchased HERE

Here's another one I made. 

I am linking to these parties!!

Craft-O-Maniac
Under My Umbrella
Skip to My Lou
C.R.A.F.T. 
Keeping it Simple

10 things you probably don't care to know about me.

I saw this on someone's blog today and I had to read ALL of the 20 things about her!  Well, I don't think I can come up with 20 things, so here is 10:

1.  I am over 40 (not much!). I do not feel like it, but I have to admit it.  I am getting old!

2.  I love MUSTARD!  I could drink the stuff out of the container.  Just squeeze it into my mouth...yum yum!

3.  I have REALLY bad PMS.  In fact I am having it right now!  No worries, as long as you don't leave a meaney comment at the end of this post. 

4.  I exercise everyday.  I either RUN or WALK.  If I don't, I get a creaky back:)

5.  I have so much scrapbook paper, I could open my own scrapbook store.  Really....I could.  It's pathetic.

6.  I was adopted.  Yep, when I was 6 wks old.  I am grateful to my birth mother that she gave me up.  I LOVE the people that adopted me!

7.  I like to try something new, but if I mess up the first time, I get really discouraged and don't usually try again.  It's terrible.  I am working on this one.

8.  My favorite movie is PRETTY IN PINK.  Yes, I am a 80's girl.  Big hair and all.

9.  I love to read to my kids.  It is my favorite thing to do with them.

10.  I don't enjoy housework.  Enough said.  My house is clean because I have a 14 yr. old and 16 yr old who do chores.

Well, that was fun:) I hope I didn't bore you too much.  Sorry about the the sarcasm, but that is what happens to this girl about every 4 weeks!! 

Thanks for stopping by....see ya Monday.

St. Patrick's Day Favorites

I don't usually decorate much for St. Paddy's day.  I am not sure why.  It's a fun holiday.  This year I am determined to try some new St. Patrick's day crafts and start some kind of traditions with my family!  Here are some fun crafts I found to help celebrate the Green holiday!

When I saw this banner on the Fiskars site, I just about drooled on my keyboard!  It is so pretty and isn't your typical Green St. Paddy's day decoration.  You could leave it up all Spring!

Don't these look DIVINE?  I love the bright colors!  The colors of the rainbow:) I found this on Family Fun.  My kids would love these!!

Here is a cute craft that looks super easy to make!  I found these on Thoughts in Vinyl.  You can order the kit!  How easy is that!!

Craft on....

Super Cool Subway Art and help me out PLEASE!!

I had to post this lovely Subway art that I won from Blooming Words!  If you have never been to their website you have got to go take a look:)
Tiffany was so sweet and I love the loot I won!  Take a peek:

Isn't that just the cutest Subway Art you have ever seen?  I was so giddy with excitement when I opened the package!  I love all the words she chose, especially the "Pucker up Buttercup!"  LOVE IT-

 I also got this really cool 12 x12 canvas with red polka dot vinyl on it.  Then separately I received the pair kissing birds.  But my problem is I don't know what to do with them.  I am having a crafty brain block!
 I need the help of all my talented bloggy friends!!  I don't know what to do with this canvas and the love birds!  I love both of them, but there has got to be something cute I can do with them!! Help:)  I could use all your crafty ideas.....PLEASE!

 If you send me a great idea and I use it, I will send you a few goodies!!  I really will:)  I can't wait to see what suggestions I get.  I'll be waiting patiently....