Wow, best wishes to D! You read my mind ... we're making minestrone in the crockpot tomorrow, as soon as we finish eating up the Alarming Election Chili left from yesterday :-).
I love my crockpot. I make the best chicken noodle soup in it.
Check out this site for recipes: http://www.recipezaar.com/
I went with D the other day to drop off a big Kubota tractor and pick up an ancient one in Seneca. I now completely understand why he is so tired and dirty when he gets home. He eats like a horse now, too. I always cook enough for your brood, so I have a lot fewer leftovers now!