Mesh Christmas Wreath --Rookie Attempt

I don't think that it came out too bad for my first mesh wreath attempt.  It only took me about an hour, too!!!! 

I found this red wreath form at our regional craft store - Pat Catan's --

These 2 rolls of mesh I also purchased at Pat Catan's - but I bought them last year.  I have seen them this year, but I'm not sure if they have the same colors --

I just took about 6-8" of mesh and kept it in a pouf and secured it with the red tips.  The tips had a set on the top and the bottom.  So, I alternated securing it at the top and then the bottom.  I started with the red/white pattern.

When finished with this mesh I then did the same with the green mesh.  I tied it to the opposite red stems as before --

In my stash I found these ornaments left from last season with a pipe cleaner already attached.  I secured them using the pipe cleaner around the red stem.  This also hid the red stem from view --

It was so easy making this mesh wreath using this type of form.  If you find any -- grab them!!!!  I know they also came in white.  I missed them for Halloween in black and only saw them on a demo -- wished I could have gotten one of those.  Maybe next year!!!!  Anyway, this was so easy and I love it!!!!  There is no right or wrong way and so many ways to fluff them or add more decos to them.  Try it -- you will love it!!!!

Lucy on the other hand does not want to be bothered.  She recently has gone back to sleeping on top of the couch in the same spot she used to sleep in when she was little.  She hasn't been up there most of this year -- and now it is her new spot!!

I am linking to Hi Sugarplum who is having a Christmas Craft Linky Party.  Please see more great ideas by clicking here.

I am also linking to the Answer is Chocolate's BFF Open House Link Party.  You can check out other handmade items by clicking here.

Pear Bread

Doesn't this look so good to have with your coffee in the morning?

Pear Bread

3 C. flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 T. cinnamon
3/4 C. vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 C. sugar
2 C. pears, peeled and chopped finely
1 C. pecans, chopped
2 tsp. vanilla

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt & cinnamon.  Make a well in the center of the bowl.

In a separate bowl, combine the oil, eggs, sugar, pears, pecans, & vanilla.  Blend well.  Add into the well of dry ingredients.  Stir until just moistened.  Spoon batter into 2 greased loaf pans.  (You can use use mini loaves and get more.)

Bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes (original recipe said for 1 hr. and 15 minutes, but my gas oven bakes these in 40-50 minutes so you might have to adjust this depending on your oven.)  Cool before removing from pans.  This is so good served with butter.  A very moist bread!

(I got this recipe from a friend on my Christmas Yahoo group.  Thank you, Sandy, I have been making and enjoying this recipe for several years now!!)


Here is the flour mixture -

The pear mixture -

All combine and poured in the loaf pans -

All baked and removed from the pans -

This baking has tired Lucy and she fell asleep right on the arm of the couch and not in her favorite chair (of which she has 3 now!!) -

I am linking to Designs by Gollum's Foodie Friday.  Check out all the recipes by clicking here.

I am also linking to Life In Grace's Christmas Breads, Breakfast & Drinks Linky Party.  See lots of great recipes by clicking here.

Calzones

 Calzones

1 lb. Italian bulk sausage
1 C. chopped onions
1 C. green pepper, cut in strips
garlic powder
1 T. olive oil
2 - 8 oz. cans crescent rolls
1/2 C. pizza sauce
1 C. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg, beaten

additional pizza sauce for dipping, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In medium skillet brown sausage.  Drain and set aside.  In same skillet saute onion & green peppers in olive oil until tender.  Sprinkle with garlic powder to your taste.  Stir in the browned sausage.

Keep in mind you will be using 8 rectangles of dough for this.  Place 2 rectangles on either your parchment covered cookie sheet or I use a dough board and place on the cookie sheet when assembled.  Overlap the long side about 1/4 inch.  Firmly press the edges and perforations to seal.  Press or roll into a 8 x 8 square (approx.).  Spread 2 T. of pizza sauce on half of dough to within 1 inch of edge.  Spoon 1/4 of the sausage mixture on top of the sauce and 1/4 cup of the cheese on top of that.  Fold dough in half over the filling.  Tuck in the edges and press to seal.  Put on the cookie sheet if it is not already.  Repeat until you have a total of 4 calzones.  Brush with beaten egg.

Bake at 350 degrees for 115-20 minutes until deep golden brown.

You can cut this recipe in half and just make 2 calzones, if desired.

I like to serve with heated pizza sauce to dip in the calzone.


Sausage browning -

Onion & green peppers all chopped and ready to go -

Sausage & vegetable mixture all ready -

Dough ready to go -

Sauce, sausage mixture & cheese on dough -

Fresh out of the oven -

A close up pic -- maybe a little too close!!!

Ready to eat with pizza sauce on the side -

Well, I am starting to put up my Christmas decor because I have tons of decorations and it takes me forever!!!  I have no idea how many trees I am putting up this year - sort of going with the flow - but I am moving things around and not putting all in the same spot as in the past.  We had to get a new tote for some of the Fall decos and Lucy had to play 'inspector' -

Can you see her now??  She must be happy because her tail is up in the air (Mr. Cardigan heard that on a TV program!!) -

I am linking to Designs by Gollum's Foodie Friday.  You can see lots of great recipes by clicking here.

Asian Beef & Noodles

So easy!!!!!

Asian Beef & Noodles

1 lb. ground beef
2 pkgs. Oriental Ramen Noodles
2 C. frozen vegetable mixture (I like the California blend)
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
2 T. thinly sliced green onions

In a large skillet, brown ground beef.  Remove with slotted spoon and put in a bowl/dish and pour off the drippings.  Season beef with 1 seasoning packet from the noodles.  Set aside.

In the same skillet, combine 2 C. water, noodles (broken into several pieces), vegetables, ginger, and remaining seasoning packet.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for 3 minutes or until noodles are tender.  Stir occasionally.

Return the beef to the skillet.  Heat through.  Stir in the green onion right before serving.


Here are the ingredients -

The ground beef mixture after removed from the skillet and seasoning packet added -

The mixture on the stove prior to stirring in the beef -

All mixed together and heating thru -

I like to serve some type of bread with this -

The finished product is the first pic in the post.  I like to have mine in a bowl, but Mr. Cardigan prefers a plate.


I wanted to show you Lucy and my oldest grandson on Halloween night!! 

I thought she was going to fall off the sofa!!!!

I am linking to 33 Shades of Green Tasty Tuesdays.  You can see some great recipes by clicking here.