Mixing Animal Prints in the Dining Room

Now that Easter is over I am getting the decor ready for Spring/Summer.  I'm not sure how much time I will have to switch things up -- so it might stay this way all summer long (with a little of 4th of July mixed in later!).

I decided to do animal prints in the dining area. 

I had everything except the table runner which was a good find on Ebay.

I love this leopard print bowl found at TJMaxx a long time ago -

I have had these candle for quite a while and cannot even remember where they came from -

I thought the mix & match of animal prints came out pretty good -

Wait!!  I still had to do the walls.  Now, I did some searching.  I found this on clearance a couple years ago at Hobby Lobby and it was to go in our Master Bedroom when I redid it in animal print.  Well, that is still in my head so for now here it is -

This was also from Hobby Lobby - last year at 50% off -

Now, what do you think doesn't quite go with the theme?

But, it does go with Spring, right?

I'm very pleased with how it all looks - especially since I had almost all of it.  I wonder if I will unearth any other animal prints?

As the Easter was put away - it became a great place for Lucy to nestle --

I am linking to Life In Grace's Home Linky Post.  Just click here to see all the great ideas.

A Few Lighthouses in Ohio

I live in an area where we have a wonderful lighthouse that is still operational - The Marblehead Lighthouse -

This is the oldest continuous operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes having begun in 1822.  My YaYa's had a picnic there last summer -

It was a very hot July day, but the breeze coming off Lake Erie made it bearable.  You can see Cedar Point from the lighthouse -

You can get this close to the lake -

Just beautiful -

I made a quick stop in December to take a few photos -

Now look at the lake in December -- with Kelleys Island off in the distance -

The YaYa's decided that we should visit more of the lighthouses in Ohio (at least those we can see from land!!).  We have made one trek already and was it a cold Saturday a few weeks ago.  We thought it would be Lighthouses & Goodwills.  There aren't any photos of any Goodwill finds as I did not find anything.  Some of the other gals did -- but nothing was calling my name!!

We started close to home and went east.  This is the Huron Lighthouse -

This is still operational and was built in 1936 -

So cold & windy --

Here is the Vermilion Lighthouse -

This is a replica - the original was moved to Lake Ontario.  This replica was built in 1992, whereas the original was built in 1847.

This was as close as we could get to the Lorain Lighthouse -

It was very windy at this location.  I had trouble holding the camera still.  This was built in 1917.  

We visited Goodwills in these towns after visiting the lighthouses.  We hope to visit more on the east side of Cleveland in the future (and at a warmer time!) and maybe catch some in Michigan, too.  Lighthouses & Goodwills is our theme!!!  One a treasure and the other hoping to find a treasure!!

And, Lucy -- I think she is tired of hearing about it --

Chicken Noodle Casserole

So good!!!!

Chicken Noodle Casserole

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 C. mayo

4 T. lemon juice

2 C. cubed cooked chicken

1 small onion, chopped

1/4 - 1/2 C. chopped green pepper (or use a combo with sweet red pepper, too)

1 C. shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided

1 C. shredded cheddar cheese, divided

12 oz. medium egg noodles, cooked & drained

In a large bowl - combine the soup, mayo & lemon juice.  Add the chicken, onion, pepper, just 1/2 C. Monterey Jack and 1/2 C. cheddar cheese.  Mix well.  Add noodles and toss to coat.

Put in a greased 2 qt. baking dish.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.  Sprinkle with remaining cheeses and bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Here is the soup/mayo/lemon juice combo --

Chicken/onion/pepper/cheese added --

Noodles added --

In baking dish --

After baking - the rest of cheese added & bake til melted --

I decided to bake some crescent rolls at the same time.  

All finished and half gone --

Leftovers are good for lunches, too.

Lucy tried some new food for dinner and it gave her - what we call - food coma!!!  She barely opened her eyes for me and never moved her paw!

I'm linking to Designs By Gollum's Foodie Friday.  Click here to check out all the mouth-watering recipes.

Beef Taco Casserole

Beef Taco Casserole

1 lb. ground beef

regular size can tomato soup

pkg. of taco seasoning

3/4 soup can of water

16 oz. Picante Sauce

2 C. shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese

6 or so large flour tortillas, cut into 2" x 2: pieces

1 onion, chopped

In skillet, cook ground beef until browned, then drain.  Add soup, taco seasoning, and water.  Simmer until liquid cooks partially down.  Add 1/2 C. cheese and continue to simmer until no longer runny.

In 9 x 13 pan that is sprayed with Pam - layer half of these - tortillas, meat mixture, onions, picante sauce, & cheese.  Repeat the layers again.  Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 25 minutes.

A delicious and easy recipe.  This recipe came from one of my YaYa's - Helen Jean!!

Here is the meat mixture cooking -

First layer of tortillas -

Onions -- but it should have been the meat and I corrected it on the 2nd layer -

Cheese -

2nd layers added and all cooked -

Yummy!!

I felt like reminiscing -- here's a photo of Lucy when she was so little -

I am linking to Savvy Southern Styles - Wow Us Wednesday.  Just click here to get lots of ideas!!