Thursday, January 30, 2014

My "Go To Dip" for a last minute party snack...

Last night a group of girlfriends got together to "catch up" since the holidays.  A few of us brought snacks and I made a Taco Dip that I have been making for years.  It is easy, delicious, and disappears quickly, and I almost always have the ingredients on hand!

Taco Dip
Fry up 1 lb ground beef, drain
Add 1 packet of taco seasoning with 2/3 c water and simmer for 10 min
Spread 8 oz cream cheese in bottom of baking dish
Add meat to the baking dish and cover with a jar of salsa.
Cover with 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
Bake for 20 min, until bubbly
Serve with Tortilla Scoop Chips

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Sunday, January 26, 2014

This was an easy chicken recipe!

Lately I have been trying a few new recipes….This one wasn't too bad, a sweet and tangy chicken:

I saw the recipe online and, as always, I changed it up a bit!

Sweet and Tangy Chicken

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Mix together and spread on chicken:
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2T maple syrup
1/2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Spicy Montreal Steak seasoning
Salt & Pepper

Bake for 40-50 minutes @ 350'



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Sunday, January 19, 2014

Lasagna Soup

I tried a new recipe today - Lasagna Soup!  As always, I changed it up a bit and we really enjoyed it!


It was easy to make and perfect for a cold snowy day!


Lasagna Soup

1lb ground Italian sausage
1/2 onion chopped
4 thinly sliced carrots
1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
3 garlic cloves, chopped
4 c chicken stock
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 1/2 cup bowtie pasta
2 cup chopped fresh baby spinach
fresh chives, basil and parsley
shredded mozzarella cheese

Brown sausage. In large stock pan add drained sausage and onion, carrots, mushroom, garlic, stock, 
tomatoes and pasta.  Simmer for 10 minutes (If you want to simmer it longer, do not add carrots, mushrooms and pasta until the last 10 minutes).  Add spinach and herbs and remove from heat.
Serve and garnish with mozzarella cheese

I  also "popped" a can of rolls in the oven and smothered them with herbal butter!

Mmmm good!


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Thursday, January 16, 2014

The Bobbsey twins

Does anyone remember reading The Bobbsey Twins books?


They were my favorite when I was young.

I used to pretend I was Nan!


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Friday, January 10, 2014

A "one of a kind" MacKenzie-Childs Pedestal Platter


...I adhered the dish to the top of the base with epoxy:


Just perfect…..


and a "one of a kind"!


Sharing with:
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

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Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Why set the table?

Would you even bother setting this table?


I get dizzy just looking at the trees below - and I would need to have more than 1 beer to sit at this table!

Sharing with:

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Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Baby It's COLD outside

 The weathermen were in a tizzy last night reporting that the weather would be -20' to -30' this morning.  Schools canceled today's classes before the students were even dismissed yesterday!

It is only 0' outside this morning in Syracuse. 
But the windchill makes it feel like -20'



The highway is closed about 10 miles north of us for about a 45 mile stretch due to lake effect snow - The sun is shining here and the temperature has risen 1' since I started this post!

Winter in Syracuse! - COLD!!


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Thursday, January 2, 2014

My Top 10 Most Popular Posts of 2013

I rarely look at my Blogger stats, but the other day I checked to see which posts were visited the most during this past year.  I was surprised to see that some of these were the most popular:












I am looking forward to sharing many more decorating ideas, favorite recipes, easy crafts, table settings and especially my Mackenzie-Childs knock-offs with you this coming year!
Happy New Year!

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Wednesday, January 1, 2014

MacKenzie-Childs Estate-SOLD!

The MacKenzie-Childs estate finally sold the other day - go HERE for the story.

A few years ago I had the pleasure of touring the home when it was a Bed and Breakfast.  Victoria and Richard's only daughter Heather, and her husband Lars, lived in the carriage house and ran the B&B.  

Lars gave me a personal tour of the home, pointing out much of the original artwork on the floors and walls.  My favorite room was the sunroom which had a tile floor - each tile was a template for their pottery designs.  You can view this on the slide show HERE.

The estate is lovely and it appears that it will become a retreat - a perfect place to relax and reflect - and the MC Aurora store and company are only a few miles down the road!

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