Stuffed Shells

This is another Pinterest hit!!

I originally found it at Baby Blackwell Makes 3 Blog.  It is very similar to my Inside Out Ravioli.  We liked this so will definitely make it again.

Stuffed Shells
10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed & drained
16 oz. cottage cheese
1 red pepper, chopped
1 egg white
1 envelope (0.7 oz) Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix
8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
20 jumbo macaroni shells (cooked, drained & cooled)
large jar your favorite spaghetti sauce

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl.  Stir in 1/2 C. mozzarella cheese.  Spoon this into the shells.  Spread about half the sauce onto the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking dish.  Put the shells on top of the sauce.  Cover with remaining sauce and rest of mozzarella cheese.  Cover the dish (I just use aluminum foil) and bake 30 minutes.  Uncover and bake 10 more minutes.

Here are the shells -

First 5 ingredients mixed together -

Prior to going in the oven -

All ready to serve -

It's 4 months til Christmas and we finally caught Lucy playing with her big toy from Christmas 2011!!!!

Of course, a little bit of tissue paper added to the fun, too!!

I am linking to Designs by Gollum's Foodie Friday!!  You can check out all the amazing recipes by clicking here.

Quick Mexican Hamburger

This is one of Mr. Cardigan's favorite meals -

Quick Mexican Hamburger

1 to 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 C. milk
1/2 C. green peppers, chopped
1/2 C to 1 C. chopped onions
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 C. chili sauce

Brown ground beef, onions, and green peppers.  Drain.  In a bowl - combine cream cheese, milk, mushroom soup, and chili sauce.  Add to meat mixture and heat thru.  Serve over biscuits.


What an easy meal, right????

Here is the meat right after the cream cheese mixture has been added -

Now it is all heated thru and ready --

Biscuits done -

This is how I like to do my plate.  I break up the biscuits and then put the Mexican Hamburger on top (as shown at the top of this post) -

Now, you just know that Lucy is hungry all the time!!!!!  She'll get up from a deep sleep when she hears me cooking in the kitchen and just hangs out around me.  She must like this meal because just look at her smacking her mouth (that's why it's a little blurry there!!!) -

I am linking to Savvy Southern Style's WOW Us Wednesdays.  Just click here to see all the great ideas.

Beaded Cross Bracelets

I have loved the sideways crosses since I saw someone wear a necklace that was designed with the sideways cross on the Rachel Zoe show in her first season.  I found the crosses at Pat Catan's craft store and wanted to make some bracelets for myself and some friends.

You will need some stretchy threading, beads (make sure the hole is big enough for the threading to go thru), some glue, and, of course, the cross -

I like to lay a piece of felt down - to keep the beads from sliding around.  After you have figured what size is good for you - cut off plenty of threading so you have enough to work around.  I attached the threading securely with several knots to the cross - then added the beads -

With the other end of the threading - secure the other end of the cross with several knots.  These type of crosses have the holes at the top and bottom - thus being able to be sideways -

Trim the ends with good sharp scissors.  I found a couple styles of crosses -

I couldn't help myself -- I made them all up.  I gave 3 to my good friends the YaYa's and 2 to generous gals in my Christmas internet group that have been planning and arranging this year's convention that will be in Frankenmuth next month.  Of course, I had to make some for myself, too!!!

When I was finished I secured the knots with some E2000 glue.  I think this helps with holding the knots but allows for stretching.  I find it better to do them assembly-line style and do all the gluing at once.  I use a toothpick to dab on the glue.  Allow to dry for several hours -

If you see these crosses in one of your craft stores -- grab them up and give it a try!!  Lucy is trying to decide if she wants one or not --

I am linking to Craft-O-Maniac Monday Linky Party.  Check out all the great craft and recipes by clicking here.