Lone Star Style Cheesy Fries

1 bag frozen Spicy Ore-Ida French Fries
1/2 lb cooked bacon, crumbled
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese

Cook fries according to package directions. Sprinkle with cheese and bacon. Return to oven till cheese is melted. Serve with dip.

Dip Recipe-

Combine-
Small bottle Ranch Dressing
1/2 package of taco seasoning.

Food For Thought

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast,
The young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean", she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry,
The young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a
Nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:

"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly.
I wonder who taught her this."

The husband said, "I got up early this morning and
Cleaned our windows."

And so it is with life. What we see when watching others
Depends on the purity of the window through which we look.

Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

Makes 18. Preheat oven to 375.

1 3/4 c flour
1/2 c cocoa powder
2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
1 1/2 c sugar, divided
2 eggs
3/4 c milk
1/2 c vegetable oil
2 t vanilla
1 c chocolate chips

Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, whisk together 1 c of the sugar, eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture just until combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Do not over mix. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Sprinkly evenly with the remaining sugar. Bake 25 minutes or until tested.

Create Your Own Casserole

1 cup sour cream
1 cup milk
1 cup water
salt & pepper to taste

Choose one sauce maker-
10 1/2 oz can cream of celery, mushroom or chicken soup
29 oz can Italian style diced tomatoes

Choose one frozen vegetable-
10 oz broccoli
10 oz corn
10 oz peas
10 oz spinach
16 oz yellow squash

Choose one pasta/rice-
4 cups egg noodles, uncooked
2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
3 cups shells, uncooked
1 cup rice, uncooked

Choose one fish/meat/poultry-
12 oz tuna, drained and flaked
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
2 c ham, cooked and chopped
2 c chicken, cooked and chopped
2 c turkey, cooked and chopped

Choose one or more extras-
1/4 c bell pepper, chopped
1/4 c black olives, sliced and drained
1/2 c celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
4 1/2 oz green chilies, chopped
3 oz drained mushrooms
1/4 onion, minced
1 package taco mix

Choose one or more toppings-
1/2 c bread crumbs
1/2 c shredded cheddar
1/2 c shredded mozzarella
1/2 c grated parmesan
1/2 c shredded swiss

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease 13 x 9" baking dish. Combine sour cream, milk, water, salt and pepper with sauce maker (omit sour cream and milk when using tomatoes), stir in vegetable, pasta, meat and extras. Spoon into prepared dish and sprinkle with topping. Bake, covered for 70 minutes, uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes.

Ways To Spice Up Rice!

-butter, lime juice and chopped cilantro
-wild mushrooms sauteed in butter, thawed frozen petite peas and Parmesan cheese
-diced tomatoes and basil pesto
-heavy cream, sugar, cinnamon and browned butter
-sliced green onions, salted cashews, toasted sesame seeds and rice vinegar
-dried cranberries, chopped pecans, sliced green onions and Parmesan cheese
-red beans, coconut milk and chopped cilantro
-heavy cream, sliced bananas, chopped pecans and chocolate chips
-thawed frozen peas and chopped smoked ham
-grilled chicken strips cut into bite-sized pieces, chopped sun dried tomatoes, basil pesto, provolone cheese cubes and balsamic vinaigrette
-chopped roasted chicken, toasted sliced almonds, sliced green onions and orange marmalade
-black beans, salsa, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese and chopped cilantro
-kidney beans, caramelized onions, sour cream and asiago cheese
-crisp bacon, cheddar cheese, sour cream and chopped chives
-smoked cubed gouda, smoked turkey breast cut into bite size pieces, chopped tomatoes, sliced red onion, ranch dressing and chopped cilantro
-crushed pineapple, green pepper slices and chopped fresh mint
-fresh green beans sauteed in butter and toasted sliced almonds
-scrambled eggs, chopped Canadian bacon and chopped chives
-orange segments, toasted sliced almonds and sliced green onions
-granola, vanilla yogurt and golden raisins
-mushrooms sauteed in butter and chopped, steamed asparagus
-cashews, chopped roasted chicken and chopped chives
-thawed frozen peas and finely chopped mint
-butter, lemon zest and fresh lemon juice
-grilled shrimp, corn, crisp bacon bits and chopped sun dried tomatoes in oil
-minced garlic and mushrooms sauteed in butter
-fresh corn off the cob, chopped tomatoes and chopped fresh basil
-sliced kielbasa sausage and barbecue sauce
-sauteed okra and chopped stewed tomatoes
-navel orange slices, chopped red onions or chives and vinaigrette dressing
-steamed asparagus tips, toasted pine nuts, sliced red or yellow pepper and Parmesan cheese
-diced tomatoes, sliced green onions and shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
-vanilla ice cream and dash of cinnamon
-scrambled eggs, crumbled sausage, cream cheese cubs and sliced green onions
-yogurt and fresh fruit
-zucchini and carrot matchsticks sauteed in butter and Parmesan cheese
-heavy cream, raisins, sugar and vanilla
-minced garlic sauteed in butter and toasted pine nuts
-sliced apples sauteed in butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, chopped nuts and vanilla yogurt
-black beans, minced red onion, chopped bell pepper, chopped cilantro and vinaigrette
-sauteed mushrooms, dried apricots and toasted almonds
-chopped fresh spinach, asiago cheese and toasted walnuts
-fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries, heavy cream, vanilla and sugar
-currants and toasted pine nuts
-thawed frozen corn, mild green chilles and sour cream
-feta cheese, chopped Kalamata olives, chopped sun dried tomatoes and chopped fresh basil
-finely diced carrots, thawed frozen peas, scrambled eggs, grated ginger root and soy sauce
-chopped rotisserie chicken and sun dried tomato peso
-grilled shrimp, lime juice and fresh pico de gallo
-grilled chicken, cut in bite sized pieces and chile con queso

67 days until Christmas!!

Zoo Animal Mittens

This is my second pair of mittens-the first was a practice pair before using the yarn for these. The yarn is A Blend of Zoo Animals (alpaca, wool, camel hair) by Woofer Wearables in Alaska. Lucas and Erin bought this yarn for me last Christmas. Even though I was a little nervous about using it, wanted to finish them so they would be reminded to BUY yarn for my Christmas present this year, lol!!

These mittens took 4 oz (about 200 yards) and were knit with 44 stitches on size 3.75 circs. Wasn't sure I would like making mittens.. but they are an easy, fun knit and I will be making more!!