Monday, January 14, 2013

Good Monday morning

Good Morning.It's another January Monday.  Dark and Dreary today. Rain all day in the forecast but the temperature  is still not that bad with a high expected to be in the 50's. Well really we have already had our high of 64 around Mid-night last night. The rain should be out of here by mid-week.  The dogs all seem content to stay inside and sleep in this kind of weather. The cats, as well. Fuzzy came running into the camper this morning and jumped up on the couch beside me to cuddle for a few minutes. (rubbing the rain off her fur, unto me) She then went to the bedroom and cuddled up with Macon.

Today is "Clean the Camper" day, as every Monday is.  I'll be making an on-going shopping list, as I do most weeks.  Some items are always on the list. Salad makings, Bread, Colas... but I'll tell you, I did not put any colas in my cart last night (Jerry didn't shop with me last night, he stayed in the van) I refuse to pay $2 for 2 liters. Not when other stores charge much less for the same cola off the same truck.  I have a Soda Stream and I know how to use it !. . .  I made up some pink Lemonade drink for today, but tomorrow I may make it fizzy.  I have found that I can use the water I make up from the Soda Stream to add "bubbles" to my Jell-O.  Jerry didn't say one way or the other if he liked it, last time I did it.

To make my potatoes today, I'm going to put the last of my white potatoes in the crock pot once I get the dishes done and cook them on low all day. with just a bit of water and the potatoes on top of a steamer basket. these potatoes just don't seem to want to cook well at all. I bought red potatoes to use once these white ones are gone.
 
From the kitchen...
Salad, Burger, Baked Potatoes,

Mexican Meatloaf
 
2 lbs ground beef (or whatever ground meat you prefer)
1 egg
1 taco seasoning packet
¼ - ½ cup crushed crackers or bread crumbs
½ - 1 cup grated cheese (cheddar, marble or mozzarella)
1 cup salsa (optional)
 
Combine all ingredients (except salsa) and place in large loaf pan. If using salsa pour over top of loaf. Cook for approx. 40-45 minutes in a preheated oven f 350F until cooked through.
 
 
Why is it, we have Dish TV and I can't seem to find anything I want to watch on the TV.  I'm not even sure I want to watch anything we have recorded. I have been going though the Christmas Movies I copied before Christmas, right it's "A Dog Named Christmas".  but if I remember watching it, I'll delete it and find another one to watch.
 
 
I am wearing... Brown Sweat Pants and slightly faded top.
 
I am reading... Exodus 24 ,  World War One: History in One Hour. Emails

I am creating... I read about how you can use Permanent marker to write or draw on coffee cups or other ceramic items.. Well, I tried it yesterday, with just black marker on a slightly chipped dessert bowl. I used both black and some red on the bottom.. before I baked it, I experimented by, once I used the red on the bottom, I used nail polish removed see if it would remove the marker. Yes it does.  So, I re-marked the red on the bottom of the bowl and baked in the roasting oven at 350F for 30 minutes, starting with the bowl in a cold oven, letting it warm up, then allowing it to cool down in the oven.  I removed it and wouldn't you know, I tried removing the red with more nail polish remover... and it did remove the red, so baking it didn't really set it but it was a bit harder to remove but it did remove it. Once it was cooled off, I did try hand-washing it and it didn't wash off or fade.  So, although it's not as permanent as I would like, I know I can still pick up white (or other light colored) cup and "fancy" them up a bit. When I was telling Jerry about it. He wondered why I would want to do that.. what he doesn't know is that I plan on making a cup for him, for Valentines day. Jerry isn't much of a coffee drinker but he does like hot tea every now and then.
 
 

 

Billie C

<Goals for 2013
Lose a pound a week. Yx2
Walk around the drive circle twice each day.( )
Complete at least one craft a week Yx2
Read at least one book a week. Yx3


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Friday, January 11, 2013

Hello

Today is foggy out or rather misty. Not sure just what the difference is on that. The dogs had a blast running amok outside for a few minutes. That is, until they got their leads caught up around a tree. I had to untangle them at least twice before it was time to go back into the camper. Even now, they are still playing, mussing up the blankets on my bed.
I fed the cats inside today. I do that when outside isn't very pleasent. Barney and Rocky are good about bringing me the empty cat food cans out of the kennel when the cats are done, for that, they all three get a dog treat.
I have most of the camper cleaned up (again) from the back to getting the dishes done and I still have some time to work on the rest of the camper before Hubby gets home tonight. Payday.. we will eat out. Good thing since I need to make a quick stop at a store for bread and sausage for his breakfast tomorrow morning.
I just painted my nails.. teal with a purple glitter over that. Didn't turn out quite like I thought it would, but I'm still ok with the results.
I'm watching shows I recorded befor Christmas and then deleting them to make room for more shows.  I'm keeping a few of them that are not completly Christmas. I am keeping the ice skating one since I also enjoy the music on it.
I am wearing... Dark Grey Sweat pants and my dark Horse t-shirt that almost looks like your on the back of the horse.
 

Billie C

<Goals for 2013
Lose a pound a week. Y
Walk around the drive circle twice each day.(M XX,T ,W ,T ,F )
Complete at least one craft a week
Read at least one book a week. X



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Monday, January 7, 2013

I hope you had a restful Weekend.

I hope you had a restful Weekend. Ours was at least restful. Jerry had to work Saturday, but only for 8 hours instead of the 10 we expected. It was nice for him to be home before dark. We ate our dinner at Chick-fa-lay.. It was noisy as there were lots of kids . Sunday Morning we ate breakfast at our usual place (Golden Corral) and our dinner was at Wendy's. Did you know if you are "Of a certain Age" you can get senior drinks for free? It's a small cup the size of the kids drink, but you can get it refilled as often as you want.
After breakfast on Sunday, we went back toward the laundry mat we usually go to, and found it full. We decided to drive around a bit instead. We ended up back in South Boston. I was falling asleep, when Jerry said he had to use the bathroom and stopped at the gas station he often stops at on his way into work for his drinks. When he got back in the van, he said "Where to now?" I said We could look for a laundry mat and wouldn't you know, there was one right across the road from the gas station. It cost a bit more than the one in Danville but not that much more. It wasn't very busy when we got there but got busy not soon after wards but there were still plenty of machines. I do have to hang a few items in the camper today, but that dryer was a bit more full and these are the thicker things, i.e. a light jacket, a couple of thick T-shirts and some socks... I got most of them hung last night but I only have 7 hangers (no, I don't want any more than that) and the rest will be hung up this morning when I start my cleaning up.
I forgot to pull the sausage out of the freezer last night and had to cut off what I needed for Jerry's breakfast off the frozen roll. How I hate to do that. I'll have to cut the rest of the roll in a couple of hours while the roll is still semi frozen so I can get even, thin(er) slices for this week.
The News is saying that our Temperatures next Sunday may be in the upper 60's to low 70's. Yikes.. That is NOT winter weather at all. Much as I don't like the cold, We need a good cold snap to kill all the bugs.
(11 am)
I have bagged up the trash and put it outside to go into the van this evening. The dogs and I have had one walk, this morning

Outside my door ... (11 am) Its so nice and bright and sunny and warm. I only needed a light jacket to walk the dogs around the circle drive. Strips decided he was going to "lead" us and I did a couple of turn around's to confuse him. It's bad enough the dogs want to lead me when they don't know where I want to go, It's just downright funny when a cat does it. Now, if I could only get him to "sit" and "Stay" on command like I do the dogs.
The Dogs ... (11 am) Did good after they realized I was not going to let them lead me.. but Barney wanted to see where the cat went after he left us behind and took off over to another campsite. He wanted to chase a bird that got away.
The Cats ... (11 am) Strips came into the camper after our walk, the other two didn't even budge. The don't want outside where it's a little chilly in the shade. I bet they would go outside if I shook the cat food bucket.
From the kitchen...
Taco Pie
8 servings
A pre-baked crust of refrigerated crescent-roll dough is filled with a mixture of browned ground beef and taco seasoning layered with sour cream, shredded cheese, and crushed nacho chips. It is returned to the oven for about 10 minutes."
INGREDIENTS:
1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls
1 pound ground beef
1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
8 ounces shredded Mexican-style cheese blend
1 (14.5 ounce) package crushed tortilla chips
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.Lay crescent dough flat on the bottom of a square cake pan and bake according to package directions.
3. Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the taco seasoning and stir together well. When dough is done, remove from oven and place meat mixture on top, then layer with sour cream and cheese, and then top off with the crushed nacho chips.
4. Return to oven and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 minutes, or until cheese has melted.
Source: Allrecipes.com
When Beth called me this morning I mentioned that I was going to make this for our Dinner and she said she had made it over the weekend. She said that I may want to season the dough a bit as it's a bit sweet. She said that, next time she makes this, She will either sprinkle some Garlic or Onion powder over the crust.. or use a blend of the two. I suggested Season Salt since it has both and she said that may work.. When I looked at the amount of seasoning I had in my Taco Seasoning packet, I noticed it was more than 1 oz so I sprinkled some of that over the dough and put the rest of the packet in the ground beef I had on in the skillet. Since my hubby does NOT like Sour Cream, I'll not put that on.. Beth said she put some sour cream on after it was baked, on her portion since her S/O doesn't like Sour Cream either and she said that's really the way to do it so the Sour Cream stays cool. I used Frito Chips since I'm out of Nacho Chips.
 

Billie C

<Goals for 2013
Lose a pound a week. Y
Walk around the drive circle twice each day. \
Complete at least one craft a week
Read at least one book a week.



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Mexican Corn Bread

 
Mexican Corn Bread
"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004
1 lb Hamburger Meat
8 oz Cheese
1 can Creamed Corn
3 Jalapeno Peppers
1 Onion
1 cup Buttermilk
2 Eggs
1 cup Corn Meal
Brown Hamburger. Mix cornmeal, buttermilk, eggs, corn, and Peppers. Pour half of the batter into baking dish. Then layer hamburger, cheese, and onions in middle and pour remainng mix on top. Bake at 350F for 50 minutes.
 

Billie C

<Goals for 2013
Lose a pound a week.
Walk around the drive circle twice each day.
Complete at least one craft a week
Read at least one book a week.



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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Christmas Card Candleholders

Christmas Card Candleholders

Add a holiday touch to everyday decor with candleholders crafted from Christmas cards.
Materials
  • Two old Christmas greeting cards with a large motif (such as an ornament, a snowflake, or a wreath)
  • 1-1/2-inch wide ribbon: metallic silver
  • Four sheets of cardstock or patterned paper: in coordinating colors or prints
  • Plastic candleholders in two sizes
  • Double-sided adhesive tap
  • Fabric glue
  • Decoupage medium (such as Mod Podge)
  • Self-adhesive gemstones: clear (optional)
  • Two candles
Make the Small Candleholder

1. Cut motif from one greeting card. From cardstock or patterned paper, cut a strip wide enough to accommodate the motif and long enough to wrap around candleholder plus 1/2-inch. Cut a slightly wider strip of coordinating cardstock or patterned paper and a piece of 1-1/2-inch-wide silver ribbon in the same length as the first cardstock strip.

2. Tightly wrap the wider strip around the candleholder and adhere at overlap with double-sided adhesive tape. Center and wrap narrower strip around wider strip and secure in the same manner. Wrap ribbon around center of narrower strip and glue in place. Using decoupage medium, adhere motif to front of candleholder. If desired, trim candleholder with rows of clear gemstones. Place candle in candleholder.

Make the Large Candleholder

To trim the large candleholder, use the front of the remaining greeting card. Cut the cardstock, patterned paper, and ribbon, and assemble the candleholder as directed for the small candleholder.

 

Billie C
"It is only with the heart that one can see clearly, for the most essential things are invisible to the eye."


Andersen, Hans Christian

<Goals for 2013
Lose a pound a week.
Walk around the drive circle each day. as each week passes, I will increase the number of times I walk it.
Complete at least one craft a week
Read at least one book a week.






Garlic Bread

Garlic Bread
 
"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004
 
Butter
Minced Garlic
Fresh chopped Parsley
French Bread
 
Soften Butter, Add garlic and parsley, let set 1 hour. Spread on sliced French Bread and put under broiler to toast. May be spread on bread and wrapped in foil, then put on oven set at 375F for 20 -25 minutes
 

Billie C
"It is only with the heart that one can see clearly, for the most essential things are invisible to the eye."


Andersen, Hans Christian

<Goals for 2013
Lose a pound a week.
Walk around the drive circle each day. as each week passes, I will increase the number of times I walk it.
Complete at least one craft a week
Read at least one book a week.






Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Green Chilies and Cheese Cornbread

Green Chilies and Cheese Cornbread
 
"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004
 
Yellow Corn Meal
Salt
Baking Powder
3 Eggs
Oil
Buttermilk
Cream Style Corn
Canned Green Chilies
Cheddar Cheese, grated
 
Grease an 8 x 8 x 2 inch Glass baking dish, pour half of better in dish, layer green chilies, grated cheese, the pour other half of batter on top. bake at 425F oven until golden brown.
 

Billie C
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BilliesChristmasCorner/


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