Q is for Quickie Casserole ** Recipe Included**

No, this isn't my lame attempt at getting the "Q" recipe done, its actually called that. And its a little misleading because it does take 45 - 60 minutes to bake, but it only takes a few minutes to put together. This isn't a gourmet meal, but a nice, simple, comfort food kinda dish! So here ya go!

Quickie Casserole:

• Preheat oven to 350
• Mix together and pat into the bottom of a 9x9 pan:
• 1 lb Hamburger
• 1 Egg
• 1 small can diced Green Chilis
• Seasoning to taste (You can use garlic powder, salt pepper or premade stuff like a McCormick Grillmate deal)
• A filler if you like - something like rice, oatmeal or bread - I use the heal of whatever loaf of bread we have open!)
• Mix and place on top to Hamburger mix:
• 1 Can Cream O' Something Soup - mushroom, potato, celery, really whatever you have in the pantry
• 1 lb Frozen Hashbrowns
• 1/2 cup grated Cheddar Cheese
• Additional items you might like to add here: onions, peppers, mushrooms (we skip the "yuckies" and go straight meat and potatoes, but I thought Id tell you)
• Bake at 350 for 45 - 60 minutes
• When finished baking, sprinkle on some extra cheese and some crumbled bacon if you like and pop it back in the oven for a few minutes!

This is a real quick deal to put together. Its also a good base to kinda fiddle around with. I really just make this with whatever is is the house at that point in time!

Ready for the pictures?

This is what you need - I forgot to take the cheese out of the fridge!

I like to mix up the egg and the seasonsings.

Chuck in your hamburger and your filler. I use the heal of whatever bread is open at the moment. Its gross, but the best way to mix this is with your hands - just wash up really good after!

Add the green chili. This is my favorite part and what I think makes the meat taste a little extra special (the good kind of special)!

Mush it all into a 9x9 pan. I like to use a fork for this. Make sure you do this evenly and dont leave a big hump in the middle or that part wont get cooked as well.

Mix the soup and the potatoes.

Add some cheese!

Slap the potato mixure on top of the hamburger mixture and throw it in the oven. Cook it.

I like to fry up some bacon while thats cookin to crumble on top.

Ding Ding Ding - Im almost done! Pull it out of the oven and cover it in some bacon and a little cheese to act as the glue and put it back in for a few.

And Voila! Quickie Casserole!

If you are a good healthy eater you would eat this with a nice salad and maybe some veggies. Not here. Just slap it in a bowl and dinner's done. Im the only one whod eat the salad anyway.

Im A Trashy Kinda Girl

While I do own some sweet leggings, a zebra halter top and a pair of awesome cork slings (a combo that would NEVER go together on me!), that's not the kinda trashy I'm talking about. I'm talking about garbage trash, the crap that you throw out.

Mondays at my neck of the woods are trash day and Matt dutifully drags all the trash and recycling out to the curb. Our city does not supply us with trash cans, but we are asked to use the smaller 50 gallon trash cans because actual people pick up our trash and not a fully automated truck. Okay that's fine, that doesn't bother me all that much. We have two trash cans. The city does supply us with one small recycling bin that's probably 15-20 gallons. They will not give you more than one bin. They will not pick up any recycling that isn't in the bin. Example: If you have a big recyclable box and fill it with all kinds of recycling goodies they will pass it by and leave it for the trash people. If it ain't in the bin, they ain't pickin' it up!

So there's all the trash facts. Now here's my main issue: Most weeks we fill our recycling bin within days and after that I just start throwing away perfectly acceptable recycling. BOO, HISS.  So we make a lot of trash. A LOT. We almost always fill both our trash cans and usually have a couple bags to set on the side of the cans. So on Mondays I poke my head out the front door just to make sure that the trash actually made its way out of the garage and 90% of the time its sitting out there in a HUGE pile. And then I look down the street and everyone else has their trash out too. Except they have like nothing in their recycling bin and one half full trash can! Where are they hiding all their trash? Seriously? There are multiple people living in their house and animals and stuff and they only make one bag of trash a week? How is this possible? So now I'm always self conscience about the ENORMOUS amount of trash we put out compared to the rest of the street. I think about it all day, every Monday. Seriously, where are they putting their trash? I wanna know because there is just no conceivable way they just have one half full can of trash. It bothers me. Do they think I'm like a crazy trash lady? I can feel them judging me, I know they are. Why am I so freaked out by my trash? I think I need serious help. Maybe I'll just throw on my zebra halter top and my leggings and sit out by the trash so all the neighbors can grasp the entire spectrum of my trashiness. HAHAHA!

Just Another Manic Monday

Hell hath no fury like a toddler woken up early. We had to drop one of the cars off at the car doctor this morning. Because Matt had a meeting that started before the appointment for the car, we dropped the car off and then dropped Matt off for work. Then Little G and I went back to get the car all checked in! Why is it that the car always breaks a few days before pay day? Here's to hoping that its a cheap fix or it takes a few days to finish and the paycheck hits the bank (let's choose option number one please!). Well Little G was not amused by the car shuffle this morning. He didn't want to eat anything before we left and spent the last few minutes chucking his FULL sippy cup at anyone and anything that came within throwing distance. Then add a major meltdown while I was checking in the car at the desk of the car place. Ugh, it's gonna be a long day, I can feel it. Today might look a little like this:


So to ease the morning pain that has already ensued, I popped over to the drivethru at Starbucks to grab a sinfully good habit of mine - a grande soy chai latte with a shot of vanilla. Yes, I'm one of "those" people. I never thought that I would be the person that had some nonsense jumble of an order at the coffee place, but I guess I am. I like it that way. It tastes perfect and I wouldn't want it any other way. So I order my drink and pull around the corner to wait in line with the rest of the morning coffee crowd. I pull up to the window and the girl smiles big and then tells me that one of the customers inside has already paid for my drink and hands it to me! What?! Okay. That is possibly the most wonderful thing ever! I want to go park my car, run into the store, find this person and give them the biggest hug ever! It was the perfect thing to reverse what was looking like a long, grumpy day! So, wonderful person at Starbucks, thank you, thank you, thank you! Your little gift of free drink was actually so much more than that! My drink tasted even better than usual!

So while I cant necessarily buy you a coffee anonymously this morning, I can share a few cute photos with you that will hopefully make you smile. Ready to play some cowboy hat peekaboo?




Peekaboo! I see you! Happy Monday everybody!

All Good Things

We had the wonderful pleasure of having my dear friends Ray and Scarlette over to the house for the past few days! We talked, laughed, cried, ate, read, played with Little G and just hung out in general. I miss them dearly and wished that we still lived only a few minutes away from each other! I guess I will just have to savor the few days I get to spend with them every year! They are the type of friends you know you will have for life. I love you guys!

I have been busy quilting away in the studio. I have made it a priority to work on my own quilting projects for at least an hour a day (most days that has actually happened!) and I am getting a lot done! Here is some proof:

I'm still busy hand binding my flower applique quilt. I love the look of hand binding, but it takes forever!

I finished the quilting on my happy summer quilt! I kept it simple with an overall hexagon quilting pattern! Now I gotta get the binding made.

This quilt has been a work in progress for many years! I taught myself hand applique with this quilt. I started this quilt about 3+ years ago. The blocks have been finished for about 8 months and I just never got around to putting the blocks into any sort of setting. The original pattern called to set it in flying geese as the sashing, but I accidentally cut a 1 inch boo boo onto one of the background fabrics near the edge that caused me to trim the blocks smaller than the pattern called for. That little boo boo totally deflated me so the project just sat. I decided that this quilt would serve me better finished then sitting in a pile of lose blocks so I am putting it together with a simple 2 inch red sashing with brown cornerstones! Yippee!

What about my colorbrick quilt? Well, that too is making progress. Most of the time it lives here:

I know that everything thrown into the bottom of a big brown bag isn't the best way to store it, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do! I do have 2 rows sewn together with sashing and everything!



Latest book finish: "Flight of Passage: A Memoir" by Rinker Buck. This book was a wonderful tale of two teenage brothers who fly a Piper cub across the country in the mid 1960. It can get a little heavy on the flying jargon which would be a little hard to get through if you didnt know a whole lot about flying. I have flown with my dad in a multitude of small airplanes, so it was a little easier to understand some of it. Even if you arent a flying nut, the basic story and the relationships of the boys and their father is enough for me to give it two thumbs up. I really enjoyed this book. This is the 2nd time Ive read it.

Well I think that's all I got. I'm tired and I think I will call it a night. Or maybe Ill go down to the studio and get some more quilting done. Hmmm. Nope. I hear my bed calling me!

Whirlwind Weekend

Well I made it back in one piece! Did you miss me? You probably didn't even know I had left!

On Friday night I took off to spend the weekend in Colorado. And guess what? I did this alone, by myself! I left the men at home! It was the first time I left Little G for more than a day. Now don't get me wrong, I'm perfectly fine and comfortable leaving him with a babysitter, but I hadn't ever left him for an extended period of time. And it was Wonderful!! A throwback to my carefree days of no diapers, no schedule, no constant "mommy eagle eye". So Little G spent the weekend with his daddy! I missed him terribly. He is my best buddy. Oh and Matt too I guess ;)

The STL airport is still recovering from the tornado that hit it a few months back. A lot of the windows are still covered by plywood! I always have a good experience when I fly with Frontier. Foxy the fox was on our tail on the way out! I was lucky enough to be in a window seat for the sunset. It was beautiful but not easily captured through the super thick window!

Saturday was spent in the kitchen. Mommy had already been busy with party prep and had a bunch of things ready but we worked like crazy to get the rest of the goodies done for the party that night. I made fruit pizza (Ill put the recipe up later!!!). We made maybe 12 different kinda desserts (and by we, I mean mostly mommy with a little help here and there!). I did make it out of the house a few times. A couple trips to the grocery store, a Qdoba run for lunch, and Aubry and I managed to squeeze in a shopping trip to Banana Republic (where we bought the same shirts because they were so good!). The party started at 7 and was open house style so people were in and out for the next few hours. We had a major turn out of about 150 people! That's right, we know how to party!

I was very bad about taking photos at the party. The food was great! And who doesn't love a chocolate fountain? Its always a hit, especially if there are kids present! It is a place where everyone congregates. The flowers were beautiful and smelled amazing. I saw a lot of people that I haven't seen in a long time.

So whats this party for? My not so little, little brother Connor. He decided he wanted to serve a mission for the LDS church. He will be spending the next 2 years serving the people of New Caledonia (where he will also be speaking French!). This is a huge commitment for him and I am proud of him for taking time out of his life to serve other people. So if two fresh faced 20 year old boys come knocking on your door in the near future, be nice to them. They are someones son, brother, or grandson. I'm not saying you have to join their church, or even listen to what they say, just be kind. It will make a difference.

Okay, I'm not short. I'm 5'10''. What the heck? How did you get so tall little brother?

On Sunday, not so little, little brother spoke at church. He talked about treating all people equally and treating everyone with kindness. I saw a new, more mature side of him. He spoke with the wisdom of someone much older than himself and I could see a glimpse of the wonderful man he will grow to be. I have never heard a 19 year old speak with such eloquence. I am so proud of him. He leaves August 31 and I will not see him for the next 2 years. Think about that, 2 years!! A lot happens in 2 years.

After the church stuff was done we headed home. Aubry and I ducked out early and went home to start the worlds best breakfast, Biscuits and Gravy! Well, I made fruit salad and Aubry made biscuits and gravy. It was the best breakfast I have had in a long long time! I mean really, who doesn't love homemade biscuits? Ummmm, yummy! You rock Aubry!

We spent the rest of the afternoon helping Aubry finish up some quilting (yeah I know, I just cant stay away from quilting for too long!), we played dominos, enjoyed talking with one another and put some stuff away. We headed out to DIA that evening and I flew home (with Stan the Ram on the tail of my plane!). Matt and Little G picked me up in STL in the middle of the night and we all crashed into bed when we got home!

Now to get back into the swing of things here. There's lots to do!

Im a simple girl really

I try to take some joy in the little things most of the time. Here's what made me smile this morning;

1)Apparently it was green tank top week at my house!

While finishing up the laundry I realized that the majority of what I own carries the dreaded "Lay flat to dry" label. Here's just part of the LFTD crew on the guest bed. Its like a shirt patchwork coverlet. I really should look at the care instructions before I buy something. Maybe that's why I'm the only one who does laundry, there are too many instructions for what gets what treatment! (This didn't necessarily make me smile this morning but we were talking about laundry!)

2)It rained this morning, so I don't need to water my flowers. Thanks Mother Nature for helping me with my chores!

3)Banana Boats!

Hmm, how is that a banana boat you say? Well that's a toddler version of banana boat. Use your imagination here. Cut the banana so you end up with little half moon shapes (like the photo!). Then add a toothpick in the middle. Its especially effective if you use those toothpicks that have little flags! For now we skip the toothpicks. Giving a toddler 20 pointy toothpicks sounds like a good reason to call CPS. These are a throwback to my childhood. I have a great mommy! Thanks for making bananas fun!

Today is going so much better than yesterday's comedy of errors! I'm determined to make today work! :)

H is for Holiday Bars **Recipe Included**

What is a Holiday Bar exactly? Well, it's a delicious chocolately peanut butter concoction on top of a buttery cookie bar. Why is it called a Holiday Bar? I don't know - maybe its a holiday for your mouth? Maybe its because everyday feels like a holiday when these are in your house? You decide!

• Heat oven to 350
• Cream together:
• 1 C Butter (that's 2 sticks, just channel you inner Paula Dean. I said they were good, not healthy!)
• 1 C Brown Sugar
• Beat in:
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp Vanilla
•  Add and blend until smooth:
• 2 C Flour
• Spread this mixture evenly into a greased 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
• Remove from oven and spread over the top:
• 1 C Peanut Butter
• Sprinkle on:
• 1 package Chocolate Chips
• Return to oven for 1-2 minutes (until the chips are soft)
• Remove from oven and spread out everything evenly over the bars.
• Wait until peanut butter/chocolate mix has set to cut.
• Can be frozen!

Ready for the pictures?

Here's whatcha need:

Cream the first 2:

Add the next 2:

Sift and add the flour:

Spray your pan:

Spread it out evenly in the pan:

Put it in the oven for Gavin and me! Should end up looking something like this when its done:

Smear a giant honkin' glob (yes that's a technical kitchen term) of peanut butter over the top. I haven't ever really measured out a cup, I don't want to get the cup dirty ;)

Sprinkle on the chips and throw it back in the oven for a minute or so:

Smear everything around on the top so it looks kinda like this:

I couldn't wait to eat these but it really is best to let the PB/Chocolate mess set up. You can help it along by leaving it in the fridge for awhile - it can even go in the freezer if you want! It makes it so the aren't a gooey mess - see pic below! I find that the best size for these is really a 1 x 1 square (the ones on the plate are 2 x 2 and really too much for me). They are pretty rich so a little goes a long way. Find a glass of milk and enjoy!

I do not know where this recipe came from! Its on an index card in my recipe box. I know I got the recipe from my Mom, but I don't know what the original source is! Maybe God? Only He could come up with something this good!