Sunday, December 13, 2015

I pinned it, I made it! Sunday Supper review

 
Today's meal is a side dish that most everyone enjoys....Macaroni & Cheese. 
 
If you are like me and you belong to Pinterest (who doesn't at this point?!), you probably have so many recipes "pinned" and only have made a handful of them!  Well, I decided it is time to change that!  Like seriously, what is the point of saving all them recipes, if I never make any of them?!
 

 
So, I decided that I would start making some of the Recipes I have "pinned" and let you know how they really turn out.  I am by no means a Baker or a Chef, but I do like easy, delicious, have-the-ingredients-in-my-cupboard, kinda food! So simple foods are what I enjoy making.  The kind of dish you can take to a potluck dinner or party and don't have to explain what it is?! 
 
 
Today's dish was done all in my crockpot.  LOVE this method of cooking...just dump it in and go!!! This Crockpot below is One (of the few...lol) of my favorites that I cook most my meals in.  I like the fact it has a 4hr/6hr/8hr/10hr timed settings...and when the time is up, it switches itself to warm automatically!  So, no coming home to over cooked and burnt meals, if you are running late.
I decided to give this Crockpot Macaroni & Cheese Recipe a try. 
 
 
 
 
I did however, add a can of "broccoli & cheese" condensed soup to the ingredients just to make it a little more creamier.  I added that right in the beginning with all the original ingredients.  I am pretty sure if you don't have that, you could add any condensed cheese soup (I might even try Cream of Chicken soup next time!) to this recipe. 
 
 

Easy Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe


3 cups milk
12 oz can of
evaporated milk
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz brick of cream cheese
16 oz box of elbow macaroni
1 tsp ground mustard
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

OPTIONAL: 1 can of condensed soup (cheese, cream of chicken, broccoli & cheese)

 Place all in
Crockpot and set heat to low. Cook for 2-4 hours or until noodles are soft and sauce is the consistency you like (slow cookers vary a lot, especially with something like pasta, so you’ll have to start checking it at about 2 hours and stop once noodles are soft and sauce is the consistency you like.

My review:  It was really good, very creamy, very tasty, had everything in my pantry and very easy to make!  But I have to say, it was definitely done in about 2-1/2 to 3 hours.  At 4 hours, the noodles were a little overdone.  This is in my opinion...A KEEPER! 

This recipe was found over at:
 
This is one of my favorite Blogs, so be sure and stop on over and check it out!!!
 
 


Saturday, December 12, 2015

Sending Salutations

What has happened to the Tradition of sending Christmas Cards? Sending Salutations to friends & family?


 Is this another lost tradition that we will soon look back on and say, "Remember When?"  Or something we will tell as a "story of days past" to our children & grandchildren? 

 
Like the days of when Christmas Carolers would ring your doorbell and you would open it to hear beautiful Christmas Carols to just brighten your spirits!



Looking back 20 years ago, I can remember the frame of my doorway being filled with Christmas Cards that I would tape around it (yep, got that little tradition from my Mom)!  From Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, I would love to open my mailbox to find BEE-U-TEE-FULL Christmas Cards sent from friends and family!  Just a small greeting wishing my family a "Merry Christmas & Happy New Year" from their family. 
 

 
How I miss those days!!!  Now, I literally can count on just a small handful (like myself) who actually take the time to pick out Christmas cards and sit down to sign and address them to family & friends. I am actually saddened, by the thought of this possibly being another "Tradition" gone one day.
 
 
 
Is it just all the hustle & bustle that we have made our society feel?!  Is it the fact of the rising cost of the stamp?  Or that we rely SO much on technology anymore that we feel if we just make a "Post" on Facebook that this will cover the time of sending a Card? 
 
Whatever the reason may be...please, slow down, take a moment, and "Send a Salutation" this year to your family & friends and just brighten their mailbox with the thought that you was thinking about them this Christmas Season!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 


Thursday, December 10, 2015

Plaids vs. Tartans

Sounds like maybe a football game ready to take place?!  But, recently I have been seeing these BEE-U-TEE-FULL prints all over Pinterest & in some Shops.  So, I decided to dig in and find out if there really is a difference between the two...or is it just a "marketing" name each designer gives to their line?  Well, there truly is a difference!!! 
 
Here is some fun facts:
 
All Tartans are plaid
but not all Plaids are Tartans!
 
A true Tartan pattern 
has a matching pattern both horizontally
and vertically with a center point
meeting at a 90 degree angle, and
Stripes can be wide or thin
and woven in many different colors!

Here are a few Tartan Plaids...don't they just scream Christmas?!
 
I need to find me a pair of these!
 
Would love to have a blanket scarf like this one!

 
Just coziness!


 
 
Adorable Mugs!


 
 
So homey!
 
 
Here are a few Plaids:
 
Just loving these Maxi Skirts!



 
So, do you personally love them or hate them?!  I know they are "trending" at the moment...so spending a small fortune on them is not reasonable...which means I will be "thrifting" this week on the search atleast one Plaid or Plaid Tartan pattern! 
 


 

 

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Well Hello there!

Welcome everyone and thanks for stopping in!

It's been almost 5 years now since I took a break from "Blogging" and I miss it...most of all I miss all of you!  So, I have decided to take on a new Blog with a whole new look.  I will be sharing some crafts, some great bargains and where to find them, some Pinterest "inspired" posts, and just a little bit of everyday life with all of you.

So, sit back, grab a cup of tea (or coffee if you prefer) and please leave a comment to just let me know you stopped by!