I just finished a wall hanging for a neighbor. This is titled "The Artist" since she is, really and truly, a talented artist.
Saturday, December 9, 2023
"'THE ARTIST' A GIFT FOR A NEIGHBOR
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
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.
Thursday, October 12, 2023
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.
Friday, October 6, 2023
"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.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
CHICKEN AND DRESSING CASSEROLE
It's time for another recipe. I just tried this one and it turned out pretty good. With a small salad on the side it made a perfect supper for me.
CHICKEN AND DRESSING CASSEROLE
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Use 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish. Line it with foil and spray with cooking spray for easy clean-up.
Ingredients
1 lb. Chicken Breast, Cooked and Diced
1 10.5 oz can Cream of Chicken Soup
1/8 Cup Whole Milk
1/2 Onion, Chopped
1 Stalk Celery, Chopped Thin
1 6-Oz. Package Stove Top Stuffing Mix
1 Cup Chicken Broth
1 Stick Unsalted Butter, Melted
Seasonings to Taste: Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder, Thyme
Note: I used a 9 x 9 baking dish.
Note: I made my chicken broth using 1 chicken bouillon cube dissolved in 1 cup warm water.
Procedure:
Spread Chicken Pieces evenly on Bottom of buttered or sprayed Casserole Dish. Set aside.
In Bowl: Mix together the Soup, Milk, Onion, Celery and Seasonings. Stir together. Pour over the Chicken Pieces in the casserole/baking dish.
In the Same Bowl: Add Stuffing Mix, Broth, and melted Butter and stir together until the stuffing softens.
Pour this over the ingredients in the casserole dish, spreading out evenly.
Bake in pre-heated 375-degree oven for 40 minutes or until done.
Let is sit for 10 minutes or so before serving.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
HALLOWEEN CALLS FOR BLACK CATS AND PUMPKINS
Its Halloween time and time for fun with wallhangings or in my case doorhangings.
I find my ideas in many places. Sometimes from kids' coloring books, sometimes from greeting cards and sometimes from other patterns that have something I can use.
Sunday, September 24, 2023
MY LATEST DESIGNS READY TO GO
IT'S FALL ALREADY AND TIME TO GET BACK TO MY SEWING PROJECTS.
SINCE I HAVE LOST 20 LBS IN THE LAST 5 WEEKS, I FEEL LIGHTER AND MORE ENERGETIC. IT WAS ALL DUE TO A BROKEN TOOTH THAT I HAD TO WAIT ON TO GET EXTRACTED SO I LIVED ON SOUPS AND SOFT FOODS AND FOR MY PROTEINS ONLY SARDINES, POACHED EGGS, AND TUNA SPREAD. AFTER A TOUGH TUESDAY MORNING AT THE DENTAL CLINIC TO HAVE THAT ONE EXTRACTED PLUS A ROOT FROM A TOOTH LOST 4 YEARS AGO, I HAVE TO ADMIT TO FEELING WEAK AFTER EATING SO LITTLE PROTEIN. BUT NOW I AM BACK TO EATING BETTER, IF A LITTLE CAREFULLY FOR NOW.
WITH THAT NICE LOSS OF WEIGHT, WHICH I WANT TO KEEP OFF FOR GOOD, I HAVE COME UP WITH A NEW EATING PLAN PLUS A DAILY EXERCISE PROGRAM THAT SHOULD HELP ME. FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS NOW ITS GOING JUST FINE AND I DON'T FEEL HUNGRY YET FEEL LIGHTER AND BETTER ABLE TO EXERCISE. PLEASE KEEP A GOOD THOUGHT THAT I CONTINUE.
NOW BACK TO MY SEWING........I HAVE DRAWN A COUPLE OF SKETCHES ON PACKING PAPER TO MAKE 2 HOLIDAY PROJECTS. I LIKE TO KEEP MY ORIGINAL SKETCHES IN CASE I WANT TO WITH MAKE ANOTHER PROJECT WITH THE SAME CHARACTERS IN SOME FORM OR OTHER.
Friday, August 18, 2023
ROASTED MY FIRST TOMATOES
My first batch of tomatoes was frozen yesterday. The house smelled divine.
The recipe is simple.
Wash tomatoes
Cut in Half. If very large, cut in quarters.
In large bowl put tomatoes, adding crushed garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Stir gently.
On foil-lined cooking sheets lay tomatoes out skin-side DOWN.
Roast at 275* for one hour only.
Turn tomatoes so they are skin-side UP. Very important for removing skins when done.
Roast another hour.
Lift skin off tomatoes with tongs.
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
MY FIRST TOMATO HARVEST
YES, I HARVESTED SOME TOMATOES AT LAST.
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
TOMATOES ARE PINKING UP
FINALLY, THERE IS SOME PINK ON A COUPLE OF MY TOMATOES.
Friday, July 28, 2023
A LOOK AT MY 3 TYPES OF TOMATOES
I TOOK A FEW PHOTOS OF MY TOMATO VARIETIES, THOUGH STILL GREEN, LOOKING VERY GOOD.
EARLY GIRL IS A SLICER. THESE ARE LOOKING FINE. I HOPE TO SHARE THEM FRESH WITH MY NEIGHBORS HERE IN MY APARTMENT BUILDING WHEN THEY RIPEN.
HUSKY CHERRIES ARE ABUNDANT ON THE VINES BUT STILL GREEN.
MY THIRD CHOICE FOR THIS YEAR ARE PLUM ROMAS. THEY WILL MAKE FINE ADDITIONS TO CHILI AND MY TOMATO SAUCES AFTER I ROAST AND FREEZE THEM.
THIS WAS TAKEN FROM THE BACKSIDE OF MY SMALL GARDEN BED MEASURING ONLY 4 FEET BY 8 FEET. THE PLANTS HAVE GROWN TALL AND ARE VERY GREEN. I AM GETTING A BIT OF BLIGHT AT THE VERY BOTTOMS, BUT NOT MUCH YET. MY TOMATOES SHOULD BE ABUNDANT BEFORE FALL THIS YEAR.
HAVE A GOOD DAY.
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
JULY 27TH AND STILL NO RED TOMATOES
Its July 27th here in southwestern Maine and still no red tomatoes in my garden. I have lots of green ones coming.
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
GARDEN UPDATE END OF JUNE
ITS BEEN AWHILE FOLKS, BUT MY GARDEN HAS NOT BEEN PRODUCING YET. ITS DOING WELL FOR THIS TIME OF THE SEASON SO NO COMPLAINTS.
Saturday, May 27, 2023
MY SWEET PEPPERS ARE IN TODAY 5/27
MR SWEET PEPPERS ARE TRANSPLANTED. ITS A BIT EARLY FOR THEM, BUT THEY WERE GETTING TOO BIG IN THEIR POTS.
Thursday, May 25, 2023
STRAW IS ADDED TO GARDEN BED
WE GOT A HALF INCH OF RAIN YESTERDAY WHICH IS GOOD.
I MANAGED TO ADD STRAW TO MY GARDEN BED, SOME AROUND THE TOMATOES ALREADY IN, AND IN THE CUKE AND PEPPER AREA WHICH COMES SOON.
Sunday, May 21, 2023
MY GARDEN IS STARTING FOR THE SEASON
ITS FINALLY SPRING ENOUGH TO START GROWING IN MY GARDEN BED. I ADDED SOME GOOD SOIL FOR THIS YEAR AND STAYED AWAY FROM THE BLACK KOW COMPOST. I WAS VERY DISSATISFIED WITH IT LAST YEAR. THERE WERE SO MANY CLUMPS IN IT I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME BREAKING UP THE CLODS.
Thursday, May 4, 2023
My 2023 Veggie Garden Ideas
Its that time again. Gardening is in my future. I have a raised 4' by 8' garden bed which is calling me.
Today I ordered garden soil mix and veggie and herb plants. I was nicely surprised that our local Home Depot delivers. I was wondering with whom I could make plans for chauffeuring me to get plants. Now that concern is behind me.
The soil mix is expected today but the plants themselves not until the 12th. That's just fine since these plants are usually transplanted outdoors no earlier than Memorial Day. Its been a very warm spring so far here is southwestern Maine without any frosts for days. I think I may be able to transplant my tomatoes and some others before then. As long as I watch out for any sneaky frosts and being prepared with covers for said plants.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Annie's Song by John Denver
I just wanted to keep this song in a handy place. Its one of my favorites......
Monday, April 17, 2023
I am sewing again.
Where has time flown. I have been pretty much hibernating thru the end of the winter. Though our winter was not bad at all this year, with little snow and few storms, its still a long wait between fall and spring.
We have some blooming in our patio garden.
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
No Much Happening
Just checking in to let you know I am still around but not doing very much. I cook every week but all the same things so nothing to report to you.
I await spring so I can get back into my garden bed. My plan is already drawn but like most things, may change.
I am thinking of some spring ideas for getting back into my wall hangings. Easter is upon us and things with lambs, ducklings, eggs and the like can be lovely with the right design.
Stay well till I get back to you again.