Blog post challenge - Weeks 1 & 2

I am going to participate in a 52 week blog challenge.
Not sure I am up for this, but going to give it my best shot.

I participate in many photo challenges…..which has led to my blog sighing in the wind, but never a blog challenge.

So…here goes.

"Meet my best friend"

I'll leave people out, so here is my trusty, always makes me happy "friends"--
Meet my laptop, cell phone & iPad.
Pretty sure I couldn't live without them.

"My favorite things"

camera 

iPhone & iPad

garlic press & garlic

backup for all my photo loves

wine

my recipe binder

my tervis tumbler & water

my cake stands (even though I don't bake cakes)

I almost forgot my coffee - and this mug, which I really ADORE!!!

There are so much more…..but this is what I chose for today.

OK - that was catch up….


Next up this week for Week 3…. "meet my family"

Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

I made this Pork Tenderloin for a family holiday party and again for Christmas Eve.  It has been a big hit.

Even raw, it looks good.  All that garlic in between.......YUM!!!!

This is the cooked version.  It is a picture I took last year when I made it, so the difference is that this year I added a rub on top of the meat.  I wouldn't make it again without the rub.  I think it makes a huge difference.

I used McCormick Grill Mates "Brown Sugar Bourbon."

It also is delish on steaks.

Here is my recipe card, but it does not mention the rub, so add that for sure.



http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/balsamic-roast-pork-tenderloins-recipe/index.html

Spaghetti with a twist.....

My friend recently made this recipe....it sounded yummy.

I knew I had to try it.

Today was the 2nd time I have left the house since two days before xmas.

I have been stuck on the couch with a pinched nerve.....but am feeling much better now.

Time to start this new year!

Time to move on!

Time to start cooking!

I did some Target shopping and picked up some fresh sour cream, cottage cheese and cream cheese for this lovely recipe.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 can spaghetti sauce

8 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup sour cream

8 oz cottage cheese

1 stick of butter

Minced garlic

8 oz of thin spaghetti noodles, cooked

shredded cheese of choice, I like to use mozzarella, but the original recipe uses cheddar.

Boil your noodles.

Brown your ground beef.

I added several garlic cloves, salt & pepper and parsley to the beef.

Add the spaghetti class.

Mix all your cheeses, except the cheddar/mozzarella, together in a bowl.

Add slices of butter to the bottom of your dish.

Put 1/2 a layer of noodles on the bottom of your pan on top of the butter slices.

Spread the cheesy mixture on top.

Add the 2nd half of noodles on top of the creamy mixture.

Layer more butter slices.

Pour the meat mixture on top of that and spread around.

Preheat your oven to 350.

Place in the oven for 30 minutes.

After that, spread the shredded cheese around.  I used a mixture of Mozzarella & Cheddar in the pictures.

Bake for 15 more minutes.

I put it on Broil for 5.5 seconds....might have over done it.

Yummy--none the less!!!

Any my kids liked it.

That's always a plus!

originial source from:  http://ashleykaitlin.blogspot.com/2011/01/million-dollar-spaghetti.html

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to my long lost blog!!

I haven't been very interactive with you lately.  I apologize.

This is my 1st resolution for the year....

I have asked my family to perform (at least) ONE random act of kindness towards One family member that we wouldn't normally do.

I have to say, as of Day Two.....it is working.

Elf on the Shelf...well kinda

For two years now, we have done the whole Elf on the Shelf thing.

Except ours isn't an elf.  It's a reindeer.  His name is Jingle.

The elf looks creepy to me.  Yes, the elf is more flexible and you could probably do more things with it.  Oh, and it is an ELF.  Well, Reindeers can be elves too.  Apparently......

At least in this house.

My little was asking this morning if Jingle was going to come down from the attic.  Wait.....I just got that. Does she think it is a Christmas decoration???

Anway....here are some situations our Jingle found hiself in.

The first two pictures are how he appeared both years.....

Year One....he just showed up in our tree.....it was magic from then on out.

  

The 2nd year he thought he would help decorate the tree...and he apparently needed a little help, so he used lots of stacking devices.

tsk, tsk....trying to take money from my wallet

Watching Elf....popcorn, syrup, m&m's, tootsie rolls

Looks like a little parade was going on...guest feature with Rudolph

 

I guess he decided to check out the whole painted nails thing.

....little bit of wii time

 Where IS Jingle?

Playing a little bit of Black Ops

My little must have sneezed on him......feeling a little under the weather

 Reading to friends

Seeing what it feels like to be a penguin for the day

 "Listen up class, today we will be learning about maps"

Somebody had a craving for a popscicle.....or maybe it just felt like home

He needed some hot chocolate to warm himself up after spending the day in the freezer.

Playing cards with friends

They are looking a little tipsy after all that sugar consumption.

Where do you think you are going?

"Leaving on a jet plane and taking the misfits with me."

That's more like it.....feel free to wrap as many presents as you would like.

More game time with friends....Hungry Hungry Hippo

so sweet.....trying to help make teacher treats.....or was he eating them????

Singing Christmas carols OR playing Godzilla??

Bath time (first year)

Bath time in the sink (2nd year)

Peace out with some Christmas Tunes