My Easter Decorations

I don't know how April has gotten away from me and my lack of blogging.  I am hoping that this will motivate me to get moving and do more so I have some interesting items to tell you.

Here are my Easter decorations for 2011.  Not everything was put out - nor did I get all the Easter crafting finished (or started!!) that I wanted to do -- but still it all is very pretty, especially the tree all lit.

This is my side door that everyone uses -

These are all in the kitchen/living/dining areas -

The cake stand is the one found at Hobby Lobby for $2.49 -

Cute fuzzy little chick -

The Easter Mantel -

I love my purple Easter Tree! 

Easter Hat Topper -

A few decos in the Master Bedroom -

Some Easter cheer in the Master Bathroom -

Finally, Easter Bunny Lucy -

I am linking to Boogieboard Cottage's Masterpiece Monday.  Click here to see some great ideas!!

M & M Holiday Cookies

I bake these for every holiday - using the appropriate holiday colored M & M's --

M & M Holiday Cookies

1 C. Crisco
1 C. brown sugar
1/2 C. granulated sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/4 C. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 pkg. of M & M Plain Chocolate Candies (appropriate holiday colors, of course!!)

Blend Crisco and both sugars together.  Beat in vanilla and eggs.  Stir in the remaining dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, & salt).  Add 1 cup of M & M's to the mixture.  (save the remaining M & M's for topping)

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet (I line mine with parchment paper).  I top each cookie with 3 M & M's.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. 

I get about 3 dozen cookies with the way I scoop them.  I have been making these cookies for years and years!!  Of course, you don't have to make these just during the holidays -- you can use the regular colors of M & M's too!!  (Our WalMart has containers of one color - I know I have seen red, white, green, and I know that there are more.  You could do these cookies in your team colors, too!!)


Here is the dough in the mixing bowl -

Of course, the Easter colored M & M's --

Ready to go in the oven -

After baking - cooling on the wire racks --

Ready to enjoy with some sweet tea in an Easter glass -

I am trying to get Lucy in the Easter spirit.  I thinking I am going to have to try harder!  Maybe she's the Easter Grinch!!

I am linking to Under the Table and Dreaming's Sunday Showcase Party.   You can click here to see lots of great projects!

Magnificent Casserole

This is the best casserole recipe I have found!

Magnificent Casserole

2 lbs. ground beef
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1-2 T. green peppers, chopped
1/2 C. sour cream
1/2 C. swiss cheese, shredded
8 oz. noodles
16 oz. cottage cheese
6-8 green onions, chopped (use half of the green with the onion)
1 - 8 oz. can & 1 - 15 oz. can of tomato sauce

In a large pan, cook noodles until tender (according to directions).  Drain and set aside.  In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream.  Add onions and green peppers to this.  Set aside.  Brown ground beef and drain any fat.  Add the tomato sauce to the ground beef.  Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with Pam and arrange the following layers:
1/2 of the noodles,
1/2 the cream cheese mixture,
1/2 the meat mixture,
then repeat again.
Top with the shredded swiss cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  I like to cover it with foil so it doesn't dry out.

Here is the cream cheese mixture & the noodles -

Ground beef & tomato sauce cooking on the stove -

Ready to go in the oven - just need to put aluminum foil over it -

Straight from the oven -

I recently served this with green beans and rolls.  A salad would be great, too.  This is very good as leftovers which is a plus!!

I just love looking at pics of Lucy when she was little.  I can't believe how fast she grew -

I am linking this recipe to Food Friday at Designs by Gollum.    You can see more recipes by clicking here.  Enjoy!!