Category: MISC

Menu Plan Monday

Weekday breakfasts are always either toast, scrambled eggs or cereal so I don’t post those. Working from home, lunch is “whatever” so it isn’t definitive either, but weekends are usually a brunch and I will start posting those along with the dinners.
I participate in the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Homemaker Mondays hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Making a Happy Home Monday hosted by LL at As for me and my house…, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace, Slow Cooking Thursday & Tips on Tuesday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

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Bathroom Update!

Remember this before picture?
It got worse before it got better!
But now it’s better.

Since this was not planned we had to do all the work ourselves and it has been a long, hard road to tow. We are truly starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Considering we had to take this bathroom down to the studs when we had to rip out the mold infested drywall, this room has come a long way.

This upcoming week hubby will be finishing the trim (he already has the baseboards and floor 1/4 round in since I took the pictures) and the grates (attic and exhaust fan) for the new ceiling and then we’ll give it a final coat of paint. Other than removing the old claw foot tub and changing it to the corner shower we tried to keep it in character for the age of the house by using the bead board, decorative ceiling tiles and old fashioned rounded sink.

We used Laura Ashley laminate flooring in “oiled teakwood” and on sale it worked out to be less expensive and better quality, made in the USA, than the other options – most of a lesser quality and made in China.

I am so in love with the triple pane window that replaced the “ORIGINAL” single pane window. This room is now a warm little haven – just needs a TV & Frig! LOL





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Simply Delicious Sunday – New Meme for 2009

I participate in a few food oriented memes – let’s face it, I like to cook. I participated in Scrumptious Sunday until she shut down her blog. I tried to contact her to keep the meme going, but never heard back. I’d love to keep the name, but don’t feel right doing it without her blessing so I changed the name a bit and hope you will all play along too. I’m still working on some better buttons…but we’ll see about those.

I know that in these busy times I also liked having a theme or two to work towards and knowing about it in advance. I think I’d prefer having a monthly theme and making 3 weeks of the month a free for all. I found a site, American Food and Drink Days, that has not only the months, but specific days also that could be fun. What do you all think?

SIMPLY DELICIOUS SUNDAY 2009 potential THEMES

Of course we’ll have a Mr. Linky every week so you can easily access each others recipes. I thought we’d start fresh with 2009. Are you interested? Let me know your thoughts and we’ll make this a work in progress.

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Ortega Chile Bake ~ $5 DLinner in this Case


$5 Dinners Tuesday is hosted by Erin at $5 Dinner Challenge

It’s cold and snowy here today. A day that just cries for a really hot lunch! SO I took to the freezer and refrigerator to see what there was (we hadn’t planned on being here today so nothing was planned) and I found some leftover BBQ beef (which I drained of all sauce), 1/2 a package of shredded cheddar cheese, a can of cream of celery soup, some pasta shells and a can of diced green chiles. This is the perfect recipe for leftover Pot Roast.

ORTEGA CHILE BAKE
Left over shredded beef (technically 0.00 since it was already accounted for)
1 can cream of celery soup (.96)
3 cups AL DENTE pasta noodles (1.12)
1 can diced green chiles, drained (.89)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (1.12)

  • Drain chiles.
  • Stir soup and chiles together.
  • Stir in beef until well blended.
  • Add pasta and mix well.
  • Pour into a greased 9×9 baking dish and top with cheese.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

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Headphone giveaway at An Island Life

Go check out the giveaway at An Island Life.

From Brain Nadel’s review: “The sound is nothing short of phenomenal, with balanced low, high and mid-range tones, particularly compared to the typical headsets that most schools provide. Capable of reproducing between 5- and 17,000-hertz, the Audeo earphone’s output is accurate, even at low volume. The big payoff is that kids no longer have to turn up the volume on cheap headsets into the danger zone in order to hear what’s going on.”

Check out Hear the World where you can find more information about hearing including how to protect your child from hearing loss. They even have a simulator where you can experience hearing loss for yourself. This valuable tool will make you realize how important it is take proper care of your ears. Win it!

Audeo has generously donated a Perfect Fit Earphones to one lucky winner! To enter:

  • Stop by Audeo before midnight, Dec 21st and check out these cool earphones.
  • Then go to An Island Life and mention in comments why you want to win this. That’s it!
  • A random winner will be selected and notified on Dec 22nd.
  • The winner will have 3 days to claim their prize.

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Photo Hunt ~ Favorite is today's theme

No not the doughnuts, the mug. Coffee just doesn’t taste right unless it’s out of my FAVORITE mug!

About the PhotoHunt: A theme is given for each Saturday. Post a photo that best represents the theme. New and old photos welcome but must be from your personal collection and not photos obtained from the web. Play along once a week by posting your photo on your site.

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Aloha Friday

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would participate and take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link at An Island Life. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

Today’s question is:
What is your favorite Christmas, cookie or candy?

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Favorite Ingredient Friday and Freezer Food Friday


Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy
Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom
Christmas Morning Brunch Casserole*

This is a BIG family favorite and the recipe varies depending on who in the family is preparing it. Some people use Jimmy Dean’s HOT sausage, some use bacon, some use all ham… some use cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom… some use Monterey Jack cheese or a combo of lots of cheeses… some like plain white bread or wheat… There are so many possibilities!


1 package Jimmy Dean Bulk Sausage
1 cup diced ham
6 slices sourdough bread
2 cups milk
1 can cream of celery soup
7 eggs
salt and pepper
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

  • Spray he bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with PURE.
  • Brown sausage and drain fat.
  • Scatter sausage and ham along the bottom.
  • Layer bread evenly over meat.
  • Whisk together the soup, milk, eggs and seasonings.
  • Pour over bread layer.
  • Top with cheese.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

*For Christmas morning I make this ahead a few weeks, but do not bake it. On the evening of the 23rd I take it from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it defrost. When we get up on Christmas morning I preheat the oven and pop it in. When we’re ready, so is brunch!






I participate in the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Homemaker Mondays hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Making a Happy Home Monday hosted by LL at As for me and my house…, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace, Slow Cooking Thursday & Tips on Tuesday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

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Let's all make lemonade together

LEMONADE AWARD

I found this over at Where the Road Takes Us and sitseer put this award “out there for those of you who know you have a positive attitude and work at it all the time too. Here’s to you!” Since I almost ALWAYS have a positive attitude (if you ask hubby it’s too often) I decided to snag this and pass it on to others during this giving season!

Here are the rules:

  • Put the logo on your blog or post.
  • Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
  • Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
  • Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
  • Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.
  • Each of the women listed below has impressed me in lots of different ways. All of them are truly deserving of the Lemonade Award for having a great attitude and have become dear blogging friends and inspirations!
  • Here are the ones I’ve selected to start with ~
  1. Barbara at Candy Hearts and Paper Flowers
  2. Diana at Forgetfulone
  3. Janet at Fond of Snape
  4. Jenn at What I did at School Today
  5. Joy at Joy of Desserts
  6. Kiy at Rocking chairs and a Tricycle
  7. Lucy at Lulu’s Petals
  8. Michelle at Scribbit
  9. Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
  10. Shannon at Shannon’s Moments of Introspection
  11. Tammy at Queen-Size Funny Bone
  12. …and the list goes on and on… Everyone feel free to help yourself and pass this along to anyone who needs a positive attitude!

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1000th Post and the Winners Are…

This is posting as the actual 1000th post a little sooner than I thought, but perfect for the end of the giveaway! Merry Christmas. I loved everyone’s answers. Thank you so much for sharing your stories.

4643
Timestamp: 2008-12-11 15:12:46 UTC

Bloggershopannies said… I would love to win these they are so pretty. I have been blogging myself for a short period of time. You have reached a great point if you have reached 1000… I just posted and forgot what I was doing i was just happy for your for reaching 1000 but christmas for me has meant different things over the years when I was a little girl christmas meant making angels in the snow and waiting to go to grandmas for the biggest christmas eve party ever. As a young mother it was the delight of praying over each christmas present that I wrapped for my 6 children and my excitement to see them so excited christmas morn. Now christmas means all that and more now that I am a grandma and I can buy gifts for my little princess. Oh its begining to look alot like Christmas every where you look….
AND

1111
Timestamp: 2008-12-11 15:16:35 UTC

BloggerShannon H. said… Christmas means being with family and friends and experiencing the magic of the day. Eating lots of food, opening presents (home made or hand made gifts are the best) and signing carols. I miss my parents the most at this time of year but we always talk about them. They are ALWAYS with us.
AND
I know I said 2, but it’s Christmas so let’s do some more.
BloggerKiy said… They are amazingly beautiful! Don’t put my name in your hat, not that I don’t love them (I do!) but we keep moving and things keep getting broken and it would crush me if one of these lovelies didn’t make it. (I have lost too many of my fav’s to moves already). I just wanted to drop a note to say what a pretty tree you have this year. Are you like me? Do you always say “this is our best tree ever”? BUT KIY I believe in eating on the good china and burning the fancy candles so you win anyway!

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Timestamp: 2008-12-11 15:23:16 UTC

BloggerGretchen said… What a great gift! Lets see, to me, Christmas means family. It’s not about the goodies under the tree, but a time when I can be with the ones I love. Life is so short and each Christmas I get with family is precious to me. If we only knew which one would be the last, but I guess it’s better not to. How could we stand it?

Everyone please send me your snail mail addresses and I will get these out in the mail!

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