We are not usually home Christmas day. We visit a lot that day.
Eight-Layer Casserole
ingredients
3 cups dried medium noodles (6 ounces)
1 pound ground beef
2 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 ounce carton dairy sour cream
8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup chopped onion (1 small)
10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, cooked and well drained
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
directions
1.
Grease a 2-quart casserole or a 2-quart square baking dish; set aside. Cook noodles according to package directions; drain and set aside.
2.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet cook beef until brown. Drain off fat. Stir tomato sauce, basil, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into skillet. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
3.
In a medium mixing bowl beat together the sour cream and cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Stir in milk and onion. In prepared casserole or baking dish, layer half of the noodles (about 2 cups), half of the meat mixture (about 1 1/2 cups), half of the cream cheese mixture (about 1 cup), and all of the spinach. Top with the remaining meat mixture and noodles. Cover and chill remaining cream cheese mixture until needed.
4.
Cover casserole or baking dish with lightly greased foil. Bake in 350 degree F oven about 45 minutes or until heated through. Uncover; spread with remaining cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with the cheddar cheese. Bake, uncovered, about 10 minutes more or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
5.
Makes 8 servings
It's my babies Birthday tomorrow!!! And he will be 15...
A gift made with love and thought. Like a knitted hat & scarf or a quilt made with your favorite color. The cute little gifts you kids make for you at school.
A gift you asked for. It meant you really listened to them, which means you heard them, you payed attention to them. That gift you asked for but thought there was no way you would get it.
I did't go to church today. I don't go every sunday but most sundays I do. It was raining really bothering my RA. I stayed in and rested. later in the afternoon I prepared for my son's Birthday tomorrow JC will be fifteen...WOW time flies. He requested lasagna and of course Peach cobbler nope no birthday cake for him. So I started preparing the lasagna and told him he had to help me so he could learn to make it for himself and my son says" mom you could have bought a frozen lasagna" My reply "who wants frozen lasagna for there birthday?" I use to always make it fresh, until I met my ole man he claims he can't cook so to help when I was working late he prepare frozen lasagna. By the way everything he cooks taste great I think I got duked. Tried another cookie recipe needs some work. But I had this butternut squash from the boutifulbaskets.org(food co-op) that I need to use so I made butternut squash soup, it was good so here the recipe.
Butternut Squash soup
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
2 medium potatoes, cubed
1 medium butternut squash - peeled, seeded, and cubed
1 (32 fluid ounce) container chicken stock
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions
Melt the butter in a large pot, and cook the onion, celery, carrot, potatoes, and squash 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Pour in enough of the chicken stock to cover vegetables. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer 40 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender.
Transfer the soup to a blender, and blend until smooth. Return to pot, and mix in any remaining stock to attain desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
**** I Baked my squash first @ 350 degrees for 1 hour then peeled, seeded and cubed. Really brought out the flavor.****
My family has so much to be grateful for, it just warms my heart and my eyes fill up with tears of joy for the many blessing we have received this year, Health, Fiances and spiritual growth. That cover everything...
First off if you know me you know I love paper, So I could stop there...
Pretty wrapping paper is not precious to me, its the one time I love use it unlike me & scrapbook paper. To wrap a present correctly you must have the right supplies:
good sharp scissors
scotch tape-splurge
ribbion
bows
tags
table with plenty of space & good lighting.
Know your cuts must be straight and your corners neat and tight. Be sure to take your time, and experiment with your ribbons & bows, but most of all have fun.
I ordered from my first food co-op (boutifulbasket.org) I toke my dad to keep me company, it was quick. I thought it would be like a farmers market it was not, the volunteers had our items boxed and ready to go. Oh my I added on to my order big mistake sooo much produce!
Day 11
Oh Christmas tree
First of all I love the smell of a fresh tree but I hate when the needles fall off and I always forget to keep it watered. Adding lights scares me the most and I must have lights.
Artificial trees do the job, they always the right shape, mine is pre-lit. The down fall is I don't like packing it up and putting it away.
Today was a day of rest, ran a few errands with the ole man
Day 12
Christmas past - it ain't what it used to be...
I remember growing up believing in Santa. Watching all the Christmas movies & cartoons on TV, cause we had not DVD's. Shaking my presents that where under the tree, sometimes sneaking and opening the box...I now I was a nosey kid. The smell of my mom baking her famous Red Velvet Cake, german chocolate cake and sweet potato pies, yummo. On Christmas morning all our toys laid out under the tree ready to be played with. Those where the days.
This was a bad mental day for me. I couldn't catch a break so I made one the class I was teaching was the last night so we left early. Once I made it home I had a taste for something sweet... I struck gold so I thought I would share Fudge Crinkles should be called crack.
Preheat oven to 350°. Stir (by hand) dry cake mix, oil and eggs in a large bowl until dough forms.
Dust hands with confectioners' sugar and shape dough into 1" balls.
Roll balls in confectioners' sugar and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until center is JUST SET.
Remove from pans after a minute or so and cool on wire racks.
Day 13
Christmas music
My favorite song:
Day 14
Gifts
It's christmas morning around 8am everyones up all the gifts are piled up for each recipient. each person sits in front of the tree and opens their presents. I take a bunch of picture and a few videos. everyone gets a pair of PJ's, lately I have added Itunes cards.
Today was a great friend day I spoke with all my good friends for hour we caught up laughed, cried you know girlfriend stuff.
I'm having fun sharing my Christmas planner/journal sheets. This is great for gift exchanges. Maybe next year I'll make them fancier. But for now simple works.
We start counting down christmas right after Thanksgiving. I have a app on my iphone, and cute little block counter I made.
day 6
Tales of two Christmases
I remember the Christmas I took my kids to Disney Land... it was a surprise. We arrived at our hotel at night. They were tired and payed no attention to all the disneyland signs. The next morning we caught the shuttle bus from the hotel. When we entered the gate...I just remember my son saying" oh my god we are in disney california"
day 7
Todo list
Very short this year, orders from my doctor and my wallet. My doctor said my immune system where down to get rid of all the stress possible in addition to most of my extra money being used in my business, No worries. Not buying or making alot of presents this year. only shopping for the ole man and my kids. everyone else gets fudge crinkles.
day 8
Sights of the seasons
My favorite store is Target. I love to roam down the Christmas section, they are always so colorful. My ole man takes me to investigate all the houses decorated with lights we drink hot coco and rate the decorations. We have high standards...LOL
day 9
Traditions
we don't have a lot of traditions, but the one have are dear to me
Putting up Christmas decoration the weekend of the Thanksgiving holiday
Drinking hot coco and driving around looking at christmas lights on houses
My ole man buys me a Christmas Bear each year
Going to my best friends house in our PJs on Christmas morning
This prompt is a hard one for me today. I usually make my cards or find a set that I just can't put down while shopping in the store. This year I have done neither, I saw a few card I thought I would enjoy making but I knew it would be really time consuming and I really want to focus on the important things this year. I saw a set early, way before Halloween but my money was funny so I told myself later. Now I'm a little sad, but not to worry this Christmas... simple is my goal. So my money is funny(on a budget, very little extra) I took a deep breath and thought "what to do" recycle! All the card you have left over whether I made or bought them I will send out. Ok the irony to this is I started a business this year and ordered those cards two months ago.
JYC - Christmas Dreams
A dream Christmas would be.... The week before the day of Christmas everything would be done, all presents bought, made and wrapped. All decorations put ups. Two days before Christmas I would prepare cookies, cakes and pies. For my ole man (boyfriend) I'd make his Potato Salad and Dressing he thinks its better when the seasoning set. The day before I would cook everything except the ham. We have not spent Christmas at home for years. This is the only thing I would change... Lucky Me.
I am fortunate to have two best friends one from childhood and another here in Las Vegas. My Vegas friends throws a Christmas Breakfast Party every year. One word to describe it is SPECTACULAR!!! We wake up pretty early exchange gifts at our house, put on new PJ's...you have to wear PJ's to the breakfast party. When we arrive at my friends house, all of her family, friends and our coworkers are there. We run in the same circles so I know almost everyone there. She has a buffet style breakfast with all the fixins. Yes I said fixins, any thing you may want for breakfast will be served. You will leave her house with the itis pronounced I-tis (eating so much you just want to lay down and take a nap). After we eat everyone gets to open a present and I do mean everyone, I think she buys extras just in case. We hang out until about two or three o 'clock then we head to one of my family's house last year we all met at my Dad's house which worked out great... I hope we can do that again this year, not sure about my older sister, she has a cabin in Duck Creek Utah which see loves so may not see her this year. We eat dinner because my Dad has to feed everyone who comes to his house. Keep in mind we still have the itis. Now its about five or six or seven and we are home for a the rest of the night. Talking about all the events of the day. This is my perfect Christmas I love the full day and would only change the beginning of the Christmas week
Just some of the presents under one of her two trees we call her... Ms. Claus.
The winds have died down, even though we are use to high winds in the valley, it turned cold suddenly. Dust was blowing like crazy killing anyone with allergies, clouds covering the mountain peaks of our valley. I really felt bad for the people living in California, they are not use to high wind gusts or should I say wind storms. 40-50 mph wind are not unusual for Las Vegas. California had gust upward of 100 mph...WOW. I watch the weather channel most of the day Thursday. Tonight we have a freeze warning in effect....brrrrrr.
All said, I didn't let bad weather keep my Christmas spirits down. I just grabbed my Naughty or Nice Santa hat and seized the day. I giggled to myself as people stared, probably thinking it's kinda early for that santa hat, but I held my head up high.
I like when I visit other blogs and they have free stuff so I thought I try my hand at it. I use these worksheets every year for JYC and December Daily journaling. They are very simple & I enjoy playing around making them up. I found one problem...I should be ahead of the class, so I will try my best to have them up before they are needed. Happy journaling...
Yesterday was the first day of Journal Your Christmas & December Daily I'm so excited. Here is my album cover.
Below is the what I used to make my album:
** note some of the items may not be available, I finally used my stash**
I like to journal everyday even if I don't do a layout right away. So at lest I have everything written that I want to remember for later. I use these journal worksheets each Christmas and I thought I would share. This is my first attempt at giving away a download so here goes.
I have attempted each year to complete my holiday albums with no success to date, I have journaled every year since 2008 except last year (due to being sick), but I have never completed an album- pictures, journaling & layout. This year I announced on the JYC forum my intentions of completing my album by January 15, 2012, so I can be held accountable. I'll keep you informed of my progress. I am using last years completed album so I have a head start.
I love participating in these two classes, and hope my kids will enjoy looking through the albums years down the road.
I had a great Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, I cooked at my own pace, not as much as I usually cook which made for an easy day. Dinner was on the table by three o'clock a first for our house.
We put up our tree Friday and Saturday we started our outdoor decorations.
I could not let this month go by without sharing what I am grateful for in my life
I am thankful for:
being alive...waking up each day
having a relationship with GOD!
that I am learning what is truly important...
my daughter
my son
my ole man
family
great friends
Edonna... friends for 25+ years
Quel
Carole
Monica & her great job that allow us the get comps into vegas show...
I have more female friends then ever before in my life...and I'm ok with that.
my business
all the stuff I own
that I knew its just stuff and its not important
I can get off the floor without help
I can get out of my chair on my own...any chair for that matter
I can walk up & down stairs again
I don't hurt all the time... any more
my hair & nails are growing again
my skin has cleared up
I'm still a work in progress
I took two vacations this year.
The fun I had in the Bahamas for my birthday
I went Parasailing and loved it.
going to New York City
seeing a broadway play... Lion King
my Ole Man spoils me...I love him so and he loves me
I communicate better
I've learned to say NO
my truck is paid for and runs well
that this christmas I won't have a lot of money & I'm looking forward to the experience so my kids will know both worlds...
my swim class at the YMCA
my two camera's that bring me much joy
my apple tronics...yea I'm a MAC HEAD
My black suede boots they are so comfy
that I can say that being injured on the job has made my life so much better
my son is hilarious" mom I used to think your closet was the gate to Narnia cause you had so much stuff in there".
my daughter the down to earth kid
my nephew Ash... he keep hope alive
most of all having a peaceful state of mind....
that this is just a few things I can recall to be thankful for
I start my Business and it's actually doing well, I have gotten a few contracts and working hard to continue that flow
My Sons Birthday is next month he will be 15 wow...
I've started thinking about my Thanksgiving menu, not like there is a lot to think about in my family, we are pretty southern traditional in my house.
My Ole Man..."I want Turkey & cornbread dressing", his vegetable of choice potato salad.
My baby Girl... Who turned 17 this past friday wants couscous.
My Son.... his usual Mac & cheese, peach cobbler.
Myself...I always pick and new recipe that appeals to me, this year its a dessert pumkin layer dessert found here I always substitute sweet potatoes instead of pumpkin.
Our Christmas tree would have been up this weekend but I got lazy and actually didn't work, took three days off... yelp cause I'm the boss! So it well be up this coming weekend have not decided my colors yet. I have this cool blue/turquoise & silver, Or my red, green & gold. Hmmmm so many choices.
My goal this year is to complete my holiday journals. I either finish the journaling or the album but never both, this year I'll use my album I finished last year and just journal.
Yes that means Shimelle's Journal your Christmas is starting soon and my girl Ali Edwards December Daily Album.
Back to the highlight of my weekend. My Baby Girl is 17 time flys...
My Facebook post...
HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY-GIRL... She has come a long way, 4 months early, 2lbs, 1oz & 14 inches at birth, spent 6 months in sunrise nic unit, sick in the hospital monthly until the age of 4. Now a beautiful young lady that is an AP honor roll student who is an talented artist & bakes the best tasting prettiest looking cupcakes in the world. I'm soooo proud of her. She is my trooper! Love you Chantel...mom
Well I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the classes offered on BigPictureClasses.
After yesterday post... WOW two post in a row :)
I signed up for the Album of Awesome workshop it Starts today. I'm looking forward to taking the Good Life workshop by Amy Tan and they have started offering other types of classes besides scrapbooking, this fall Big Picture Classes will offer a knitting-felt workshop called Fabulouss Felting, thinking about this we'll see how it works out.
I have missed you but there were a few things I needed to do:
[x] Get control of my health [x] Get my spirit/soul in a better place [x] Find a career that makes me want to get up and go to it [x] Finding something AWESOME everyday
Things I'm still working on:
[] Smiling naturally (family says there is always a frown on my face... I use to smile all the time) [] daily Journaling [] balancing family, work, play
Thinking of something AWESOME has become a daily thing in my life and I actually look forward to it. So I wanted to share this on my blog
Well its been two months since I posted and I don't feel guilty at all. Glad to say I was living life...I enjoyed Christmas to the fullest, no worries, the lest amount of stress I have experienced in a long time.In January I decided what really made me excited enough to wanna get out of bed...and it's not Cisco. So I'm in the process of making that happen, more about that later. I've been more creative lately. Having to much fun at my craft parties...thanks to my friends. My Health is pretty good right now, minimal pain, Yay! I can almost go in any clothing store and shop, again Yay! 20-30 more pounds and a little toning, I should be a size 10-12, I'm a 14-16-18 now, I had gotten up to a size 26. I am getting ready for the red, white and pink holiday on Monday. I plan to give way some goodies I've seen on some of the cutest blogs, they have great ideas. I'm acting like June Clever today... got up early made breakfast for the family, started a load of laundry, pull my stove out and cleaned that area everyone tries to forget about.I must have been out of my mind...to late it" done. Last but not lest, I posted on my blog by 11:00 AM. WOW Hope your day is as good as mine...
