Deer Pillow

My friend, Leslie, gave me an idea for a door prize that I wanted to contribute for our December "Christmas" party at work so today I bought the things I needed and put it together.  I just bought a cheap 16" square pillow form, some canvas and a plaid guys shirt since they didn't have the plaid I wanted at Walmart.  For the back I just made a French pillow/envelope style opening since I didn't want to invest in a zipper for a donation project and this will work just fine.  The canvas background is more tannish/cream than this picture, and the I used the plaid flannel on the back as well as the deer.  I am going to make myself two of them hopefully for the holiday season on my couch because I really like how they turned out...thanks Leslie for the idea and tips and "checking out the supplies at Walmart"!

Cowl to a hat in one easy step!

We are having a December party at work and they asked for craft donations for door prizes.  WELL, I decided I'd make a cowl from a blog site I follow (free pattern) and when it was done I just wasn't that keen on it..I should have made it a lot longer before sewing it together, but she never stated how long it should be, even after asking her the question, just to use up so much yarn, which I did.  I am sure her yarn must have been larger balls, because mine was more like a turtleneck..anyway, I kept looking at it and looking at it, and decided I needed a warm hat for my car stash in case I broke down this winter or went in a snowbank, so transformed it into a hat!  I actually love it.  it's soft and warm and big enough to pull way down on my head.  Now, to make something else for the party..?? (the hat colors are closer to the real thing..

Hamburger, Broccoli, Hash Brown Hotdish

I decided I wanted to try a different hot dish tonight, so found this recipe and luckily I had all the ingredients for it for supper.  I only made half the recipe, which was easy to do, because it's just Dave and I tonight.  The full recipe would definitely feed a family of 5 or 6.  I think it is super tasty and was easy to make .  Would definitely make it again when the kids and mini kids come over to eat, or take to someone who isn't feeling well enough to cook etc for their family.  It has everything in it for a complete meal in a dish.  I am just serving it with my bread and butter pickles.  A salad would be great with it too.

Here is the recipe:

Hamburger, Broccoli, Hash Brown Hotdish:

(full sized version)

1 (32 oz.) bag frozen hash brown potatoes
2 lbs hamburger, browned with a small chopped onion (and seasoned with salt and pepper)
1 (10 oz) pkg frozen chopped broccoli
1 can French fried onions
2 cans cream of celery soup
2/3 cup milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese-or 1 cup cheddar and 1 cup pepper jack if you like the extra kick)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper

Place potatoes in the bottom and up the sides of a 9 x 13 inch pan.  Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes at 400 degrees.  Place browned (salt and peppered) meat and onion, broccoli and 1/2 can of the French fried onions in the potato shell. 

Combine the soup, milk, 1 cup cheese and spices.  Pour over the burger mixture and bake, covered, at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.  Top with the remaining cheese and rest of French fried onions and bake, uncovered, 2-3 more minutes (it took longer for mine to completely melt and brown a little)..DONE.

Quad Birthday Party

The celebration of 4 family members went off without a hitch.  We ate until we were stuffed on bread, fondue cheese, shrimp, steak, chicken, tempura vegetables, benihana sauce, rice and tons of other little side items to dip in the cheese.  Then with 4 different desserts after gift opening I think we were all ready for a nap!  Fun family day!