Caramel Apple Fudge. quick and easy

If you want something a little different and absolutely creamy and delicious at this holiday season..try this fudge! I saw it on one of my blogs I follow and had to try it. It calls for dulce de leche and "Walmart" didn't have it, so I made that part last night. You just boil sweetened condensed milk in it's can with the label off covered in water for 2-3 hours and you have it! I did 2 cans so if it turned out good I could make more for the holidays or gift giving. It's called caramel apple fudge and it has a little sea salt in it so it's like salted caramel..it's good! I was trying not to taste test but the spoon had way too much stuck to it so I couldn't resist! LOL. think the majority of it will be going to work tomorrow or I'd eat the whole pan..not a good plan.  I think it would be good with peanuts in it too..next time I might try that..

http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-and-friends/quick-caramel-apple-fudge/

Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops

I am sick of boring pork chops, so today I searched for a recipe to make for tonight because I had a pack of pork chops I had defrosted.  Plus I needed a recipe I had all the ingredients for because I was absolutely not in the mood to go to the grocery store.  We only have one somewhat nearby my house these days as two of them closed their doors and the one that is open is still about 7 miles away and a little more pricey than the Walmart I usually go to on my way home from work.  Anyway...I found this recipe and Dave and I both really liked it.  The pork chops were moist and super tasty.  I just threw in some squash, baked potato and steamed some broccoli to go with it.  I definitely will be making these again.  The only thing I did differently was browned them and then tossed them in the oven to finish cooking at 350 degrees with my squash and potatoes so I didn't have to watch them so close..I think they were in there about 35-40 minutes.  Here is the link to the recipe. It's one of Giada De Laurentiis from the Food Networks..
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/parmesan-crusted-pork-chops-recipe.html

Another "in progress" Project Done! Enchanted Garden Pillow

Wow, I am feeling productive!  That hasn't happened for a while!  I finally finished the back of my Enchanted Garden pillow I started about 3 months ago and put it together!  I used a cotton yarn from Hobby Lobby and am loving the texture and detail it shows on this.  It's pretty heavy though, but still fluffy and comfy.  Now on to an owl hat I've been behind on too for my GG niece!

 

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!