Monday, January 19, 2015

Crash Hot Potatoes

This is my 1000 post!

Crashed Potatoes have been on my list of "foods to try" for some time now.

Today was the day.

I baked 4 red potatoes.  You can also boil or microwave them.

In a small bowl I mixed some course salt, fresh ground pepper (from Guadeloupe) crushed red pepper flakes, garlic salt, a pinch of mixed dried herbs and paprika….


…and at the last minute I decided to mix in a little parmesan cheese.


I crushed the cooked potatoes with a potato masher and drizzled EVOO on a baking sheet and on the potatoes.  I sprinkled the dry mixture over the top and baked at 400' for about 15 minutes.


These were SO GOOD and I will definitely make them again!

On a side note….It was only 12' here today.  I stayed in my pjs all day.  I puttered for hours, dusting, putting things back where they belong, sewing, ironing, catching up on emails, browsing through magazines, hanging prints I bought in Europe, and going through recipes I have cut out of magazines.  It was a great day!

I just might do the same thing tomorrow!

I began my blog on March 6, 2009 as a way to journal.  This is my 1000 post and I wanted to thank all of my readers.  Sometimes I am so surprised and humbled when I check my stats and see who is reading my blog and how many are reading it!  I hope that I have entertained, inspired and made you smile now and then!    There is certainly more to come!

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Saturday, January 17, 2015

Spaghetti Pie

The other night a friend mentioned that she had never heard of Spaghetti Pie.

Never. Heard. Of. It?



Well, Jean, this is the recipe I have used for over 20 years:

Cook 4 -6 oz of angel hair pasta, drain.  
Mix together: 1T butter, 2T Parmesan Cheese and 1 egg and stir into pasta.
Spread pasta in a greased pie plate.  
Cover with about 1/4 c cottage cheese:


Fry up 1/2 - 3/4 lb ground beef, 1/4 cup chopped green pepper and 1/4 cup chopped onion.
Add 1/2 cup diced tomatoes in juice and 1/4 cup tomato paste, 1/8 t sugar and 1/8 t oregano, salt and pepper:


Spread meat mixture over cottage cheese:


Bake for 20 minutes and then cover 1/2-3/4 c shredded cheese
(I like a mixture of mozzarella and cheddar) and bake for 5 more minutes:


And it's as simple as that!


Slice and serve it with garlic bread!



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Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Keeping busy, keeping warm...

This is what has been going on in "my neck of the woods"...

My baby turned 28 (left)….


..this was a good read…it only took an afternoon to finish...


…our weather has been cold, perfect for soups, stews and hearty meals...


…and I saw a great Barbra Streisand imitator the other night...


January can be a cold, snowy month in Central NY, so I have spent a lot of time inside, organizing, cleaning and being lazy on the couch!

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Friday, January 9, 2015

Marty's Pasta

Have you read Marty's Blog, "A Stroll Thru Life"?

I have been reading her blog for years….


...and tonight I made her "go to casserole"...


….a cheesy macaroni dish with a little sauce and ground beef!


It was a hit and I will definitely make this again - and in our home it will be called "Marty's Pasta"!

I added lots of garlic and black pepper, and she also suggests a way to give it a tex-mex twist!

 While you are there, check out her lovely home!


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Wednesday, January 7, 2015

How I plan on spending my day….

It's a cold, cold day today….


…and I plan on spending it reading this book..


…with a cup of hot cocoa….


…inside, where it is nice and warm...


…just a "ME" day!



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Saturday, January 3, 2015

Baby It's Cold Outside….


It's cold. 
Freezing cold. 
The roads are icy. 
And it's snowing. 


It was a perfect afternoon to watch movies on TV.


And a good excuse to make turkey noodle soup.


How's the weather in your neck of the woods?



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Thursday, January 1, 2015

A Quick Review of 2014




Happy New Year!

Here are a few of my favorite and popular posts from 2014.  I appreciate all of my readers and the special orders you have requested.  I look forward to new inspirations and trying some new ideas this year!  














Winter Table Setting

 My Hand Painted Checked Pots






Let the new year begin with lots of unique ideas to share with each other!


The Dinner Table ~ APRES!

This photo makes me laugh every time I look at it.

After setting pretty tables all month for lunches and dinners, I thought you might like to see the table after Christmas dinner.  The table was set for 14 and as you can see, we had crackers/poppers that were filled with confetti, hats and ornaments.  We drank plenty of wine and we had only one winner with the lottery tickets!


BUT, this is how it began:




Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Sharing with BNOTP and Flaunt it Friday
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