Cooking Thursday

 Today's recipe is mashed potatoes!  Who doesn't like mashed potatoes?  These are a little fancier version, but are really easier to make than regular because you don't have to peel them!  I like to make them as a side when I don't have gravy to go with them.  Check these out - they are yummy!

Red Skinned Mashed Potatoes

3 pounds redskin potatoes
8 ounces cream cheese
1 stick butter
seasoned salt and pepper to taste

Wash potatoes, do not peel!  Half or quarter them, depending on size.  Then boil them for 30-45 minuts until fork tender.
Drain potatoes, then place them back on low heat to evaporate any remaining water. Leave heat on for about 1 minute, then turn off.
Put cream cheese and butter into pain, mash all together using hand held potato masher.
Stir in seasoned salt and pepper to taste.
You can now place them in the crock pot on low if you aren't ready to serve them, or put them on the table and enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

 

Works for me!

 I've purchased a few things lately that I really like and thought I would share them with you! 

I love tulips and often buy fresh ones this time of year.  However, they don't last long, and need to be trimmed every day. I saw these ones linked in a design blog as being very lifelike so decided to give them a try. I popped them in a vase and they look real unless you look close.  They are available in lots of colors.  Here's the link if you are interested.

My friend Terri, from Your Friend from Florida, recently posted about a blue diamond pan she got and loved. My stove top griddle was in bad shape so I decided to take her advice and order one.

It works great!  The non stick surface is truly non stick, and it makes for an easy clean up!

Here's the link for this pan.

Here's an example of what we used it for.  Grilled cheese made on cinnamon raisin bread.  Very good and nothing stuck to the pan.  Thanks Terri!

Here's something else I got on the recommendation of a blogging friend.  Arlene from Nanaland posted about these candles she ordered from Miller Farm Candles.  I'm a candle lover and loved the look of these.  I ordered 3, they came so quickly and I got a small one for free, along with a sweet handwritten note!

Isn't this a cozy, sweet candle?  And it smells wonderful!  Here is the link if you want to check it out.

Here's another thing I saw posted on a decorator blog.

Here's our garage door.  It looks nice, but the blog I saw mentioned something you could do to make it look nicer for a very reasonable cost!  Magnetic pieces that looked like hinges and handles for $11.95!  I wasn't sure if they would work, but for that price, I was willing to give it a try.

They work!  They look nice and have been up for several weeks with no issue.

Here's the link for them if you want to try it yourself.

I didn't get anything for mentioning these.  They are just things that I really do like, so am sharing them, because you might like them too!

Peep houses

 We had the girls overnight this weekend and had fun as usual. One of the fun things we did was to make Peep houses!  I saw this on FB and knew the girls would have fun with it.
All you need is graham crackers, frosting, green sprinkles, some Easter candy (we used jelly beans and M&M's) and some marshmallow peeps.  (We used bunnies, but any type would work)

We started by spreading frosting on a disc that we put on a paper plate.  We then put green sprinkles on it to represent grass.  
We then took 3 graham cracker halves, put frosting on the edges and stood them together in the frosting
grass and pressing the seams together, with an opening in front.
Then we took 2 more graham cracker halves, put more frosting on the edges, and put them on top for a roof.

We added frosting to the top and put M&M's over the top to decorate it.  This is Ruby working on hers.

Here's Bob helping Alaina hold her house together while she decorates it.
We put jelly beans in the "grass" and then added our Peep bunnies inside the house.

Here's the house Ruby and I did.

Here's Bob an Alaina with their creation.

And here they both are!  Fun to make, and they stayed together long enough for us to get them back to the girls houses.
I will say that there were quite a few jelly beans, M&M's and even a few Peeps eaten during construction!

The girls made a few other construction projects while they were over.  They were pretty proud of this castle they made and asked me to take a picture of it.

And they love playing with Lego's too, and had great fun making lots of things with them.

We sure love spending time with them!

Friday Funny

 

Cooking Thursday

 Here's a recipe to try the next time you have banana's to use up.  I usually make banana bread, and I know a lot of you do too.  However, I sometimes make these banana bars, using a recipe I got from a dear friend who passed away last year.  The bars are very good, and the memories I have of her are also!

Frosted Banana Bars

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 ripe bananas, mashed

Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla
3-4 cups powdered sugar

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Add salt, baking soda and flour to creamed mixture, then stir in bananas.
Spread into greased 15 x 10 x 1 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Do not overbake. Cool.

For frosting - in large bowl beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually beat in enough powdered sugar to reach the right consistency and frost cooled bars.
Store in refrigerator.

Wordless Wednesday

After working the night shift, my car windows were covered withy frost, which looked so pretty in the morning sun!

Cassie at 3 months!

 Heather and I did a little shopping last week, so I got to spend a little time with Cassie who is now 3 months!

She still has lots of hair that gets quite curly after her bath.  She is cooing, batting at toys, is less fussy, likes to hold her head up and look around...  She is very tall for her age, she's at 60% on the weight chart and off the top on height.  She's now wearing 6-9 month size clothes!

And she is smiling!

Bob's been busy!

 Bob has been hard at work at our place.  We decided it was time to pull up the carpet in the living room and put down vinyl flooring.  The carpet had been there for some time, had some stains and was looking worn. The problem was that carpet ran right next to the dining room and kitchen which had flooring we had put down several years ago.  We couldn't have two different floorings next to each other, so the kitchen and dining room had to be done, and that meant the entry way needed to be done...  So, you get the picture.  Lots of work for Bob!

This has also meant furniture moving, lots of things put in the spare room, things shoved against walls.  I'm happy to say it's almost done and things are getting back to normal here. I think Bob's happier than me though, his knees are sore!

Here's a little shot part way through the Dining room.  You can see the new floor where Bob is standing and the old under the table.

Here's the finished hallway.  

This is the living room. I found this rug in several sizes and got one for the living room, one to go under the table, and then a few small ones for the front entry and in front of the sink.

This is the view looking from the kitchen to the Dining room.

This is the back entry.

Everything is done now except for a half bath that's between this entry and the kitchen. Bob had to order a little more flooring because of some damaged pieces, so this project will soon be done!
We're very happy with the finished result.  I'm so thankful for a husband who is able to do all of this work.  He's a blessing for sure!

Friday Funny

 

Cooking Thursday

 This recipe is a long time family favorite.  Chicken, in a creamy sauce, wrapped in tortilla,  a little more sauce and cheese.  What's not to like?

White Chicken Enchiladas

2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon garlic powder
4 ounce can of diced green chilies, with juice
3/4 cup sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups cubed, cooked chicken
2 cups shredded, cheddar cheese, divided
10 large flour tortillas
1/3 cup milk

Melt butter; add onion and garlic and saute. Stir in green chilies, sour cream and soup. Remove 3/4 cup of sauce and set aside. Add chicken and 1/2 cup of cheese. Fill tortillas with chicken mix and roll up. Place in greased 9X13 pan, seam side down.
Add milk and 1/2 cup cheese to remaining sauce. Pour over enchiladas. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheese over top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.
Serve with green onions, sour cream and salsa if desired.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Foggy, foggy day

The weather has changed here recently.  It's been lots warmer and the suns been shining.  That means the snow is melting.  One day when I was coming home from work the warm weather and melting snow made everything quite foggy.  

Here's a few photos I took on the way home.  

Some areas were very foggy!

I think there is a strange beauty to fog.  What about you?  

Making Snowmen!

 I have a cute craft to share with you today.  I did this one with Alaina and Ruby the last time they were over and they turned out so cute!

To make these, you need:
glass salt or pepper shaker
glitter
1 1/2 inch wooden ball
ribbon
buttons
toothpick
paint
hot glue gun

Open the salt shaker and fill it about 3/4 full with glitter.
Paint the wooden ball white, add eyes and a mouth.
Break about 1/3 off the end of the toothpick and paint it orange, when dry glue it onto the middle of the wooden ball for a nose.

Ruby, hard at work painting her snowman head.

Alaina is happy with her snowman's head.

Glue the heads onto the salt shaker.

Tie ribbon around the top of the shaker for a scarf, and glue the buttons onto the front.

Then glue the top of the salt shaker onto the head for a hat.

Here's the girls with their finished snowmen.

Aren't they cute?

Friday Funny

 

Cooking Thursday

 The recipe I'm sharing today is a family favorite.  I've been making it for years, it's easy and it's good!

Open Face Cheeseburgers

1 pound ground beef, browned

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons minced onion

1 tablespoon mustard

1 tablespoon catsup

8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

8 hamburger buns

Mix all ingredients except buns together.

Split buns and spread ground beef mixture over all.

Place under broiler on high until lightly browned and cheese is bubbly.

Can't get much easier than that!

Wordless Wednesday

 

Happy Birthday Dad!

 My Dad is going to turn 90 this week Thursday!  We had a party for him on Saturday.  Most of the family was there.  Our Andy and Nikki are in KY so couldn't come, there were 3 other grandkids that couldn't get off work or were out of state, but the rest of the family was there.

Here's my Dad. I don't think he looks 90.  He still lives at home, bowls 3 times a week and is doing well except for his vision because he has macular degeneration.  He is rarely seen without a smile, and I'm often told by people what a great guy my Dad is.  I agree and have been so blessed to have him all these years.  I grew up thinking everyone had a happy home like I did, and when I got older, I realized more and more how very blessed I was to have the family I did.

Here's a picture of him as a kid.  I love this picture.  Can you see the mischief in his eyes?  He is the middle kid of a family of 10 kids.  The 4 older than him have passed away.  The younger ones love to share stories of the naughty things he did as a kid, and he still loves to tease and joke around.

I had prints made of some old pictures and framed them.  We had a table set up with all these pictures, and some balloons too.

We had some yummy food catered in; Chicken Parmesan, Pasta with meatballs and homemade marinara, bread sticks and Ceaser Salad.

Everyone enjoyed the meal!

Here's Cassie getting some love from Laura, Alaina and Ruby.

After we ate we played some fun games.  One was naming prices of things in 1931, which was the year Dad was born.  Then next was guessing if things were younger or older than him, and the last was choices he made - like would you rather have cake or cookies, live in the artic or the tropics, be lucky or wise.  

After that we took some pictures.

Dad and Ann.  They are cute together, and still holding hands after 12 years of marriage.  Ann will be 92 in June.

Here they are with the great grandkids; Alaina, Cassie and Ruby.

My brother Duane, sister Terri with her husband Dave in front of her, Ann, Dad, sister Cheri with her husband Mark, and me with Bob in front of me.

After taking these pictures we showed some slides.  My Dad still has slides from years ago.  Cheri snuck into his house to go through some and show pictures from years ago.

I took pics of them as they were projected, so they aren't the best pictures, but I thought these were sweet.

This is my mom with me as a baby.

Here's Dad with me at the same time.  The dog's name was Poncho and I remember having him as a kid.

After the slide, each of the grandkids shared memories of Grandpa.  This was so sweet and had us all tearing up, including Dad.

Alaina and Ruby had made this big banner.  Alaina remember swinging on the porch swing with him, Ruby remembers sharing fries and sneaking his chair!

My sister Cheri was reading all his cards to him.

We ended with birthday cake.  Such a fun celebration for a very special man.