A Little Red, White and Blue...

Time seems so "off" these days. A week can feel like a month and so many people have commented to me that they can't keep track of the date in our new norm. Now it's almost May and since that's the month I decorate with patriotic décor, I did a bit today while I was cleaning the solarium.

I enjoy using my patriotic pillow each year from May through July. The state names make the stripes of the flag.

A vintage-looking birdhouse, a granite bird, patriotic basket of vines and the runner all make me think of the approaching red, white and blue season.

Are you ready to begin thinking 

about a little red, white and blue, too? 

Italian Casserole

As I have been meal planning, I decided to make this casserole. The recipe was given to me by a friend many years ago. 

Italian Casserole
1/2 pound medium or wide egg noodles
1 pound ground sausage or ground beef (I use all natural sausage which has no MSG and is very lean; if you opt for using ground beef, you will need to add salt to the meat.)
1/4 tsp. onion powder 
1/8 tsp. pepper
8 ounce can tomato sauce
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/8 tsp. pepper

Cook noodles per package directions. Rinse and drain. Brown meat and drain, if necessary.  Add onion powder, pepper and tomato sauce. Simmer 5 minutes. Mix prepared noodles, cottage cheese and sour cream. Place noodle mixture in a greased glass casserole. Spread meat mixture over noodles. Top with shredded cheese. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes, or until cheese is melted. 

For a printable version, click here.

A big green salad goes well with this casserole.

                     Have a happy day!

Tuesday Tablescape

It's definitely the season for gardening and birds, which is the reason I chose these napkins for today's table. 

Outside yard work has begun and I have been watching, with interest, busy bird parents preparing for and caring for their broods!

A boxwood wreath, miniature garden can and garden tools make the centerpiece.

Have a blessed day, everyone.

In Stitches

Back in very early January, I downloaded a free Valentine cross stitch pattern. The small project would be a perfect accent for February décor and I told myself that I could certainly stitch it in time to use. We don't watch a great deal of television, but I reasoned that I would work on it when we do see something. Well, life is busy and although I began my little endeavor with much gusto, it ended up on the back burner...and I should mention that I am absolutely famous for snoozing when, and if, I sit down in a chair during the evening! As we have all been staying home the past many weeks, I rediscovered my work-in-progress and decided to finish it even though it's now April.

I'm sorry about the shading along the edges. It is an overcast day and hard to photograph.

I changed the called-for colors because I wanted to use red cross stitch fabric and vibrant thread. I had the small frame in my craft room, which was just the right size. I enjoyed stitching a bit at a time and it really did go quickly.

I may have you "in stitches" when I now ask if you  will you be my Valentine? 🤣

Cauliflower Salad

There has not been much to blog about this week. I have been catching-up on things around the house and that it is not of interest to anyone! I have not engaged myself in any "fun" projects the past several days and my décor still represents spring, so nothing new there. Although I am enjoying doing plenty of cooking, only one of the meals this week was from a new recipe. Unfortunately, it was an only so-so chicken entrée and not worth sharing. Tonight we had the following salad along with our dinner and while the recipe is far from being new, it is worth sharing. I actually highlighted it in a post back in '16, so maybe you remember seeing it before. 

Cauliflower Salad
Combine and set aside:
1 cup mayonnaise
(scant) 1/4 cup sugar

Prepare:
1 small head of cauliflower, raw, washed and broken into little pieces

3/4 pound cooked bacon, crumbled
1 green pepper, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Mix all ingredients and refrigerate. It tastes better after it has blended several hours in the refrigerator.

Please note that I substituted red and yellow peppers for the green since we are all using what we have on hand while sheltering-in-place. 

If you would like a printable version, click here.

The reason I stated that this is certainly not a new recipe is because I have been making it for years. As a college student, I worked part-time at a preschool and one of the mothers prepared this dish for the staff. We all loved it and, to this day, I always think of that family whenever I make this cauliflower salad.

Have you tried any new recipes this week? 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

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This Easter will seem very different to all of us due to these unprecedented times. Even though everyone is apart, we are still together in the celebration. May the Easter message be especially meaningful to you this year.

Blossoms and Bunnies

It's sunny here and seems like a good day for a walk in the yard. Do you want to come along? There are a few blooms to enjoy now before things really explode in color.

PROFESSOR SPRENGER CRAB

SAUCER MAGNOLIA

CLOUD NINE DOGWOOD

TULIPS AND HYACINTHS

LENTEN ROSE

TOOTHWORT (SPROUTING UP NEXT TO COLUMBINE)

VOLUNTEER DANDELIONS

These "bunnies" accompanied me on the stroll. Despite my very best efforts, I was unable to get a picture of the two of them together because one or the other flipped off her headband multiple times! 

Some'bunny' hopes your day 
is the blooming best!

Tuesday Tablescape

I'm certain that you, too, may be spending some of your "at home" time catching up on tasks. For me, it's been an opportunity to do some sorting, purging and organizing. I have been working on files and bookcases and I should tackle closets next. One little treasure which I came across in my teaching files was this sweet booklet. My paternal grandmother mailed it to me, from IN,  in 1968 (according to the copyright). I am pretty sure that qualifies this publication as an antique! 😉 

 See Grandmother's writing at the top? 

I was nearly five and back then, children enjoyed paper crafts like this and paper dolls, etc. I had kept it and, later,  some of the little cut-outs graced springtime bulletin boards. Still in good shape, I decided to utilize two of the brightly colored finger puppets as napkin rings for today's table.

Our crab tree is exploding with blossoms and I couldn't resist snipping a few branches for the centerpiece. 

The two small candles and the lace gloves are also from my childhood. I sometimes pull out these items to use with my Easter decorations.

Without the initial intention, this came together as a childhood tablescape! I was really just trying to have something bright and happy. 

I hope your day is bright and happy. Take good care, all! 💮

Easter Basket Centerpiece

Years and years ago, my in-laws gave us my husband's childhood Easter basket. Over the years, I have filled it with eggs and flowers for springtime décor. I used it for a centerpiece that I created a few years ago and thought replicating it would be a cheery addition these days.

 I put styrofoam in the bottom to anchor faux spring stems and top-dressed it with reindeer moss (which is available at dollar stores).

My little mercury-looking bunny seemed a good addition nestled beneath the blossoms. 

Have a good weekend.

Tuesday Tablescape (?)

Tuesday's tablescape on Wednesday? I'm just fooling around since it's April Fools' Day. 😉 Some believe the origin of this silly day has something to do with the turn of the seasons, so here is my light-hearted table in honor.

We have a spring place setting for Easter and...

 one for summertime's Independence Day.

Autumn offers a place for Thanksgiving and...

Christmastime represents winter.

Fresh spring flowers and these beautiful candleholders make the April 1st centerpiece.

The two candleholders are new to me and were a gift from a very sweet friend. I am honored to have them and that's no joke!

I hope your day is happy!