SUMMER IS HERE

 Well we have finally reached the summer days.  Ours came in like a lion.  First the heat of a 2nd day in the 90sF and then abruptly around three pm the storm hit.  Furious, it was.  Thunder and lightning and pounding rain.  The good thing is the air cooled down immediately to 72 degrees.  We lost our cable but not our power which is a good thing.  I was able to make my big pot of mashed potatoes. I wanted enough leftovers to try a new recipe, Mashed Potato Cakes.  If it works like I hope it will, I won't have to grate potatoes to make my usual Lithuanian Belinkis which are potato pancakes.  The grating takes its toll on me so if I can find another way, I'll try it.  I will let you know soon.  

Have a wonderful summer my friends.

JUST WANTED TO SY HI!

I am still around and kicking.  I have not been sewing lately so nothing to show you.

The big news is I gave up my garden space.  It's been difficult doing the work to keep my garden neat.  Weeding is not so easy these days.  Time to let another resident enjoy the garden plot since there's a waiting list.  I am happy that I got a decent harvest of tomatoes this past season and made some frozen roasted garlic tomatoes to save in my freezer.  They sure add wonderful flavor to dishes when I make sauces.  

I have been reading a lot thru the winter and doing less housework.  Our local library has a librarian who comes to our building once a month to bring us books of our choice.  It's a good way to get to read books without the cost of buying them.  I have been making good use of this free service.

I am hoping to get back to sewing soon.  I have been drawing pictures thru the winter.  I have some new ideas popping up.  It's just a matter of getting myself in sewing motion.

Wishing you all a good season.

"'THE ARTIST' A GIFT FOR A NEIGHBOR

 I just finished a wall hanging for a neighbor.  This is titled "The Artist" since she is, really and truly, a talented artist.

It measures 16 by 17 inches.

She gave me a lovely painting this month which I will have framed soon.

This is "Family Gathering" a family of loons, is 16 by 17 inches.  I adore loons, their beauty and their wonderful and unusual call which is hauntingly beautiful.

It's a month for gift-giving so it worked out just fine.

I will take a short rest before tackling another wall hanging.  I have some winter ones on the roster.

Have a good day.

PORK CHOP AND POTATO CASSEROLE, SMALL AND EASY

 I LIKE EASY RECIPES SO I LOOK FOR THEM ONLINE AND ON YOUTUBE AND TRY THEM OUT.  IF THEY WORK OUT FOR ME, I WILL POST THEM HERE ON MY BLOG.  THIS COMES FROM YOUTUBE'S 'AROUND THE HOUSE' CHANNEL.

PORK CHOP AND POTATO CASSEROLE

9X9 PAN   350-DEGREES    1 HOUR COOKING

INGREDIENTS:

2 BONELESS PORK CHOPS

2 LGE OR 3 MEDIUM RUSSET POTATOES

1 YELLOW ONION, CHOPPED

1 CLOVE GARLIC, MINCED

1 CAN CREAM OF CELERY SOUP (10.5 OZ)

1/2 CUP MILK

SALT AND PEPPER AND LEMON PEPPER TO TASTE

PROCEDURE:

PEEL AND WASH RUSSETS THEN CUT THEM 1/8TH TO 1/4- INCH WIDE (OR USE A MANDOLIN).   PLACE IN COLD WATER TIL READY TO USE.

IN SKILLET:  ADD 2 TABLESPOONS BUTTER TO PAN THEN BROWN 2 PORK CHOPS AFTER SEASONING BOTH SIDES WITH SALT, PEPPER, LEMON PEPPER.  WHEN BROWNED, REMOVE TO PLATE.

IN SAME USED SKILLET:  ADD 1 TABLESPOON VEG. OIL.  ADD YOUR POTATOES.  ADD SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE.  COOK THEM ON MED. HIGH TURNING THEM NOW AND THEN TO COOK THEM ON ALL SIDES, ABOUT 5-6 MINUTES.  REMOVE THE POTATOES TO A PLATE.

IN SAME SKILLET:  NOW ADD THE CHOPPED ONIONS TO CARMELIZE A BIT.  ADD MINCED GARLIC.  STIR TOGETHER.  COOK A MINUTE OR TWO MORE.  ADD YOUR SOUP AND MILK.  STIR TOGETHER AND COOK ANOTHER COUPLE MINS.

SPRAY A 9 BY 9 PAN (OR 8 BY 8).  I LINE MINE FIRST WITH ALUM. FOIL, THEN SPRAY.  EASIER CLEAN-UP.

POUR IN YOUR POTATOES EVENLY, THEN LAY CHOPS ON TOP.  POUR SOUP AND MILK MIXTURE EVENLY OVER IT ALL.  COVER WITH FOIL.  BAKE AT 350-DEGREES FOR 30 MINUTES.  REMOVE THE FOIL AND COOK ANOTHER 30 MINS. 

HERE ARE THE CHOPS BROWNED AND SET ASIDE.

HERE ARE THE POTATOES BROWNING IN THE SKILLET.

PREPARED TO GO IN THE OVEN.

A SERVING FOR DINNER.  WITH A SALAD ON THE SIDE, ITS A COMPLETE MEAL.  YOU CAN ALWAYS SERVE ANOTHER VEGGIE ON THE SIDE IF YOU LIKE.

FOR ME IT'S AN EASY MEAL.  ENOUGH FOR 2 SOLID MEALS PLUS SOME EXTRA POTATOES TO HAVE WITH POACHED EGGS FOR A BREAKFAST.

YOU CAN ALWAYS COOK MORE CHOPS AND POTATOES IN A 9 X 13 DISH TO SERVE MORE PEOPLE.

ENJOY.  I DID.

MY 'BATS ALOFT' IS READY FOR HALLOWEEN.

HERE SHE IS.  NOW I CAN CONCENTRATE OF WINTER DOOR HANGINGS.

STAY SAFE.
 

 

COUNTRY GROUND BEEF, TOMATO AND NOODLE CASSEROLE

 Its another day and another recipe.  I found this one on youtube on Catherine's Plate and it got good reviews from my neighbors and me.   I like her easy recipes.  Its a good site so check it out.

Pre-heat oven to 350-degrees F.

You will need a deep pot for boiling and a 9 x 13" casserole dish or baking pan.

COUNTRY GROUND BEEF, TOMATO AND NOODLE CASSEROLE

INGREDIENTS:

A 12-OZ. PCKG of EGG NOODLES, COOKED

1 1/2 LBS GROUND BEEF

1 YELLOW ONION, CHOPPED

1 SWEET PEPPER, CHOPPED

SEASONINGS: 1/2 teas. GARLIC POWDER, 1/4 teas. SALT, 1/4 teas. BLACK PEPPER

1 10-OZ. CAN TOMATO SOUP

1/2 CUP TOMATO SAUCE OR PIZZA SAUCE

1 10-OZ CAN CREAM OF CELERY SOUP

1/2 CUP MILK

1/2 CUP GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE

4-6 0Z. SHEDDED SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE

WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE, IF DESIRED

PREPARATION:

1.  BOIL THE EGG NOODLES WITH 2 TABLESPOONS OF SALT IN THE WATER.  COOK AL DENTE, DRAIN IN COLANDER AND SET ASIDE.  (THEY WILL FINISH COOKING IN THE OVEN).

2. RINSE AND DRY THE SAME POT AND ADD 1 TABLESPOON OIL TO IT.  BROWN THE GROUND BEEF WITH THE CHOPPED ONION AND SWEET PEPPER.  STIR TOGETHER WHILE COOKING.  DRAIN OFF EXCESS FAT WITH PAPER TOWELS DIPPED IN THE FAT.  ADD THE SEASONINGS AND STIR IT ALL TOGETHER.

3.  ADD THE TOMATO SOUP , SAUCE AND CREAM SOUPS, THE MILK, GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE AND STIR TOGETHER.  IF YOU USE WORCESTERSHIRE, ADD IT NOW AND STIR IN.

4.  ADD THE DRAINED EGG NOODLES AT THE END AND STIR TOGETHER WELL.

5.  SPRAY A 9- BY 13-INCH CASSEROLE DISH OR BAKING PAN. POUR IN EVERYTHING.  COVER WITH FOIL.  BAKE AT 350-DEGREES F FOR 20 MINUTES.

UNCOVER,  TOP WITH THE SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE.  BAKE ANOTHER 5 MINS. FOR CHEESE TO MELT.

I TOOK THIS PHOTO AFTER I HAD SHARED MOST OF IT WITH NEIGHBORS.  FORGOT TO TAKE ONGOING PICTURES BUT YOU GET THE IDEA.

COOK'S NOTES:

1. I COVER MY BAKING DISH WITH FOIL FIRST THEN SPRAY FOR EASIER CLEANUP LATER.

2.  YOU CAN ALWAYS ADD MORE SALT AND PEPPER AT THE TABLE, TO SUIT YOUR PALATE.

3.  I TWEAKED CATHERINE'S ORIGINAL RECIPE TO ADD 1/2 CUP TOMATO SAUCE OR PIZZA SAUCE.  I FELT IT WAS A BIT TOO DRY FOR ME.

4.  I USED A FEW OF EACH MINI-SWEET PEPPERS IN YELLOW, ORANGE AND RED COLORS.

5.  I DID NOT USE WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE.

IT'S EASY TO MAKE AND IT TASTES VERY GOOD ACCORDING TO MY NEIGHBORS.....AND ME.

ENJOY.

"KITTY IN A PUMPKIN PATCH' WH IS DONE

 Its finished today.  My "Kitty in a Pumpkin Patch" is completed.  Its hanging on my front door.  

It finished at 13" by 16 inches so a good size.  Its nice to have another project finished.

I am not sure which I will start on next.  It may be Halloween or Winter or even my little Dragon.  Decisions, Decisions.

Have a nice day.