With two trips in the last few months to visit our sons and their families– we will be staying home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It has been a long time since we have done that and I am really looking forward to it.
On A Personal Note
Instrument of Peace
I first heard this song in November this year and cannot stop thinking about it-playing it over and over-and striving to become an instrument of peace to those around me. The song is found on The Canadian Tenors Christmas album and I want to share the words with you in hopes that it will change this Christmas season for you too.
Avocado Basil Pasta
Ingredients:
2 medium avocados, halved, seeded, peeled, and chopped
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
2 medium ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
2/3 cup chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions:
2. In a large bowl combine the avocados, chopped tomatoes, crumbled bacon, basil, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, pepper, and salt. Add the pasta and combine, then sprinkle with cheese.
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cake
Good thing I use my own blog to access my recipes. Reminds me when I have forgotten a really good one – like this one!
Pour 1 3/4 cups boiling water over 1 cup oatmeal
Add:
1 stick butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tablespoon cocoa
Pour into a greased and floured 9X13″ pan. Spread 12 oz. chocolate chips over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes. (Don’t over bake or it will be dry. Should be a bit gooey.)
Love how fast and easy this is. Because you top with chocolate chips there is no need for frosting! Everyone loves this.
Uh Oh – This Is Gonna Get Me Into Trouble!
Spaghetti Casserole
Once in a while I come to my blog to look for a recipe-imagine my surprise when I could not find this one! Truly one of the favorite when my boys were teenagers.
1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground sausage (Italian is especially good-you may have to buy the links and remove the casings)
1/2-1 onion, diced
1/2-1 pound fresh sliced mushrooms (optional)
1 pound bacon, cut in small pieces
1-2 cans of your favorite spaghetti sauce
1 16 oz pkg spaghetti
1-1.5 pounds grated cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese
Brown ground beef and sausage in a skillet with diced onion and mushrooms (if desired). Drain off excess grease. Brown bacon in skillet to desired crispiness (you may cook the bacon with the beef and sausage if you like it soft-I prefer mine crispy). Add spaghetti sauce-I like mine pretty moist, so I tend to add more sauce, but if you like a drier spaghetti, start with 1 can.
Cook noodles to desired consistency. Layer 1/2 noodles; top with sauce and meat; sprinkle with cheese. Repeat layers. Top with Parmesan cheese if desired. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and melted. NOTE: You can also add cheese to the meat sauce before layering for more cheesy goodness. There is something about the combination of flavors that makes this divine. I grew up eating “baked” spaghetti and prefer it over the noodles with sauce spooned over the top variety. LOVE that this can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen. Babysitters used to love me for leaving this for dinner. 🙂
Just A Little Thing…..
BEFORE |
AFTER
Sometimes I get kind of antsy for a change. Just a little one. |
I was getting tired of the couch pillows and had been looking for just the right ones to no avail. Went onto Etsy and did some “research”. I ended up ordering these covers from The Pillow People (ww.thepillowpeople.etsy.com). Mandy was very fast and I had them within a week (mail time included). They are very well constructed and I love how bright and fun they are! Check her out if you are needing a little pick-me-up! LOVE me some red!