WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY - NOVEMBER EDITION

I'm linking to WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY with some of my favorite bloggers!

Make sure you also check out these favorite bloggers - Shay - Mel - Sheaffer.

WHAT WE'RE EATING THIS WEEK -- Mr. Cardigan had a birthday a few days ago and we celebrated with food!!!!  We had dinner one night at the Marblehead Galley, pastry for breakfast the next day & dinner that night at Famous Dave's!!

WHAT I'M REMINISCING ABOUT -- My two grandsons and how they are getting too old for me to handle!!!!  The older one is now a freshman in college.  Here is a collage of his mother (Little Cardigan) and me at his high school baccalaureate.

The younger grandson is now a sophomore in high school.  He is on the basketball team & I edited just him from the team photo taken last week.

WHAT I'M LOVING -- My almost fully decorated home is nice & tidy (aka stashed/hidden).  I love all the decorations and trees lit at night.  This is a little preview of my Mittens & Skates tree.

WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO -- Continued to celebrate Mr. Cardigan's birthday with a trip to the Cleveland Horseshoe Casino & it was a good trip for him!!

WHAT I'M DREADING -- This is not the time of year for dreading!  I'm trying to enjoy & look forward to it all!!

WHAT I'M WORKING ON -- My gift to all my Ornament Exchange Party guests.  I have it on a 'secret' Pinterest board & can share it with you on a later post.

WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT -- Everything about this time of year excites me.  The decorations, food, holiday movies, sending Christmas cards & the enjoyment of it all makes me so happy!!

WHAT I'M READING/WATCHING -- I'm way behind on my favorite shows & hoping this weekend to catch up.  But, always watch Big Bang Theory (hint - it's on earlier than my other favorite shows!!).  

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO -- Christmas Music!!!!!

WHAT I'M WEARING -- It's getting colder here so I'm breaking out the scarves (blanket, fringe, etc.).

WHAT I'M DOING THIS WEEKEND -- The 'Plan' (I made a very intensive decorating schedule!) is to be all decorated by this Saturday (9 themed trees 3' & higher plus tons of other decos) and then do my Christmas Cards while listening to Christmas music while sipping my drink in a holiday glass.

WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH -- Just every single holiday filled day!!!  I plan for each day to be filled with Christmas Cheer, holiday plans & special foods.

WHAT ELSE IS NEW -- Our high school basketball season starts next week and I'm so excited to watch the grandson I was telling you about play.  He is on both jv & varsity so I'll be staying for both games this year!!!

BONUS - WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS TRADITION -- Christmas morning food (You notice there's a lot of talk about food here?) -- since Christmas 1984 we have had shrimp cocktail, nut rolls, & kielbasi.  Even once when in Florida for Christmas we had all but the kielbasi.  Hauling the nut roll in a carry on & going to the store for the shrimp and sauce was enough!!

We received the best Thanksgiving card from Little Cardigan and I couldn't believe what a match it was to Lucy.  In fact, I think Lucy is looking a bit shocked herself at the similarity.

Spinach & Mozzarella Egg Bake

An easy and delicious Breakfast/Brunch Food or could use as an Appetizer.

4 C. packed fresh spinach

olive oil

1 1/2 C. shredded mozzarella

1/3 C. sliced green onions

8 eggs, beaten

dashes of salt, pepper, garlic powder 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray 9 x 12 dish with cooking spray.

Heat some olive oil in a skillet.  Add spinach and stir until the spinach is wilted.  Put the spinach in the bottom of the 9 x 12 dish - spreading it around so the bottom is all covered.  Layer the mozzarella cheese and sliced green onions on top of the spinach.  

Beat the eggs & seasonings.  Pour this mixture over the other layers.  Make sure everything is evenly combined.  Bake approx. 35 minutes - until it is set.  Cool for 5 minutes before serving.  

Could be served with sour cream, hot sauce, etc.  

Again, with so much that I make, any leftovers are good microwave.  

Cooking the spinach until wilted --

Wilted spinach in bottom of dish --

Mozzarella cheese & onions on top --

Egg mixture poured over --

All baked --

I haven't had much time (or inclination) to cook lately as I am in the thick of my Christmas decorating.  The plan is to put up 9 trees (3' & higher -- all themed) this year.  I made a pretty intensive breakdown of weekdays & weekends starting on Nov. 1 with several days planned of taking down all my Fall & Halloween decos.  I did great for the first week.  But, I am now a good 5 days behind schedule.  I am hoping to be all decorated (and I have a ton of decorations!!!) by Thanksgiving weekend as I am having a gathering here on Dec. 6.  You'll see all the decorations here soon.  Thank goodness that retired Mr. Cardigan is willing to help with the cooking chores (that & calling from one of the pizza places for delivery!!!).

This is what Lucy thinks of all my Christmas decorating!!!!

I am linking with Finding Silver Pennies Sundays Link Party.  Just click here to check out all the great ideas!!!

Remembering Summer with Peaches & Cream Bars

Whenever you wish to remember the fun you had this past summer - just make these delicious Peaches & Cream Bars.  These use a can of peach pie filling and I am completely sold on these now!!!

Peaches & Cream Bars

Bottom layer

1 C. butter, softened

2 C. sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

3 C. flour

1 tsp. salt

Middle layer

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 C. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

1 - 21 oz. can peach pie filling

Top layer

1 C. powdered sugar

2 T. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 9 x 13 dish with cooking spray.

Bottom layer -- Cream together the butter & sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs & vanilla and beat well.  In a separate bowl combine the flour and salt.  Slowly add this to the butter mixture just until combined.  Take half of this batter and spread into the bottom of the 9 x 13 pan.

Middle layer -- Beat the cream cheese & sugar together.  Add the vanilla & egg and beat until combined.  Spread evenly over the butter layer.  

Spread the peach pie filling over this cream cheese layer.  Drop the remaining half of the butter mixture over the pie filling.  This will spread as it bakes.

Bake 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown.  Let this cool completely before drizzling the glaze.  After it has cooled, mix the powdered sugar, milk & vanilla and drizzle over the top,  

This is just the best!!!!  As you can see -- I loved it with vanilla ice cream!!!

Bottom layer being combined --

Half of this is spread in the dish --

Now, the cream cheese mixture on top of this --

Pie filling on top next --

The other half of the butter mixture dropped on top --

All baked --

Glaze --

Drizzled glaze --

If you are more into pumpkin, apple & all the fall foods, then please file this or 'pin' to try after the holiday season where you will find yourself reminiscing of the summer time!!!!

 I love looking back at pictures when Lucy was a baby!!

I am linking to Flamingo Toes Show and Tell Link Party.  Just click here to see all the fantastic ideas!  

Goulash

Keep this recipe in mind for the cold winter months ahead --

GOULASH

8 oz. macaroni

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

1 large onion, diced

dashes of salt, pepper, & garlic powder 

2 - 14.5 cans stewed tomatoes, undrained

2 T. ketchup

2 - 11.5 oz. cans tomato juice

Cook the macaroni according to the package directions.  While this is cooking - brown ground beef & onion together in a large skillet.  Drain.  Season with the spices.  Add the stewed tomatoes & ketchup to the meat.  Mash the stewed tomatoes, if needed.  Add the drained cooked macaroni to the beef mixture stirring well.  Add as much tomato juice as you would like and heat thru.  (I used 1 1/2 of the 11.5 oz size.  I added the remaining 1/2 can to the leftovers as the macaroni tends to draw the liquid.)

Enjoy!!

Meat mixture browning --

Stewed tomatoes & ketchup added --

Macaroni & tomato juice --

This reminds me of a dish my mother used to make.  And, another one that is really good for lunch during the week!!

Lucy doesn't care about the cold winter months.  As long as it's a sunny day then she has her spot all ready!

I'm linking to Rattlebridge Farm's Foodie Friday.  Just click here and be prepared to get lost in all the ideas!

It's So Nice To Take A Long Weekend Trip

Well, in our case it meant leaving on a Sunday and coming back on Tuesday due to a Saturday night commitment.  We only traveled about 2 hours from home, but it can be so nice to get away.  This was for our Anniversary - but you know any excuse can be made.  Fall?  Celebrate the sunshine?  New places to eat & shop?  Yep!  I'm for all those & more!

Our first stop was Hale Farm & Village in Bath, Ohio.  This is an outdoor living history museum.

Mr. Cardigan enjoyed watching the Blacksmith.  (Secret -- I knew that he would & I made sure that we went on that path first so it would set the tone for the visit!)

Farm animals on the grounds --

 More of Hale Farm --

After a nice visit we made our way to our hotel in Macedonia, Ohio.  After unpacking & relaxing we trekked up the road for dinner at Outback.

The next day found us in a shopping mood - imagine that!!  After some stops at Old Navy (had Super Cash to use & it was the last day!), Ulta, and a pet store (Lucy food!!) in Solon, we drove towards downtown Cleveland and the West Side Market.

After West Side Market we made the drive back to our hotel (we always bring a cooler with us on trips!!) for more relaxation.

Changing clothes after our rest we went just 10 minutes down the road to the  Hard Rock Rocksino.  We have been wanting to visit here for a while.  I love Hard Rock Cafes and there is a casino here, too!!!

We gambled some and had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.

I love their Chicken Mac & Cheese!!!  It was a good Anniversary getaway!!

The next morning I'm finishing up another crocheted infinity scarf --

Before we make the drive home -- we stop at Bob Evans for brunch --

A great little trip and not too far of a drive.  I'll be looking for more trips close to home.  This is what I love to do -- a little shopping, eating, & local tourist attractions.  Can't wait til the next one!!!

Of course, Lucy is pretty much dreading us going when she sees the suitcases come in.  She sticks to us like glue when we come home from a little trip like this.  We can't even go back out to the car to bring our things in -- one of us has to stay with her in the house.  She must think we are leaving again!!  I imagine this is how she is while we are gone -- waiting & watching for us!

I am linking to Coastal Charm's Show and Share.  Just click here for inspiration!!

Tailgate Food -- Pepperoni Squares

Our new tradition of Tailgate Food on Cleveland Browns Sundays is still going strong!  Another keeper of a new recipe...

PEPPERONI SQUARES

2 C. milk

2 C. flour

2 eggs

dash pepper

2 T. parsley

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

16 oz.cheese, cubed (I used 8 oz. of mild cheddar & 8 oz. monterey jack marbled)

8 oz. pepperoni, cubed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, flour & spices.  Mix in gently the cheeses & pepperoni.  Spread into a greased (I use Pam) 9 x 13 dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

This will be greasy because of the pepperoni.  When finished baking -- gently drain any grease from dish & also blot with paper towels.

Cut into squares.  This is to be served hot/warm.

This is the liquid mixture --

Dry ingredients have all been added & put into the baking dish --

Finished --

Mr. Cardigan thought this tasted like a homemade pepperoni pizza.  This was the perfect tailgate food & was great heated for lunch, too.

Now, this is the Lucy that we know & love!!!!!

I am linking to Finding Silver Pennies Sunday Link Party.  Just click here to see all the fabulous ideas!