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Sunday, April 4, 2010

HAPPY EASTER!

Well Happy Easter to all my faithful friends! How are you doing this fine morning? I am fairing decent… expecting my usual bunch for some delicious hams, sides, breads, and fun!



I did a lot of sewing yesterday as I was feeling the love so I had to utilize it! I started the day by making this huge shopping bag. Roomy and bright and colorful and sure to turn heads. Tell me what you think and how much would you pay for something like this?



Then I made 3 makeup bags with different colored zippers. They just happen to be the first ones I pulled out of my zipper box and it’s a good thing they match too, huh? LOL!



Then I did some luggage tags. The first one came out a little smaller than normal, but the rest were just fine.



I also did a couple of visors covered in the autism fabric. I love these things really! Light weight and you can customize them with any fabric you want and they come out cute every time! They are those little foam visors you can pick up at Hobby Lobby for like a buck and then decorate them however you want. It doesn't take much fabric either. And from what I have learned the kids (even high schoolers around here) love them, as well as the adults! So go on... make some summer lovin' visors! LOL!



I only got 1 of these done today as these take a little bit of time. But as you can see when its folded and ready to carry, open and empty, and then open with goodies in it. I think I am going to make one of these for each of the kids in Alex’s class for a gift the last day of school. I think they would enjoy it really and maybe could use them this summer. Still debating that… what do you think?

When you clean up from a picnic or party do you find dozens of half empty cans? This quick project will help guests identify their can... and hopefully finish their can before getting another. These are SOOO quick and easy that you could whip out a ton of these in a very short time! I whipped out 3 yesterday in the cute autism fabric.



Craft Idea of the Day: Insulated Can Wrap

Materials:

Fabric Scraps - 20" by 4 1/2"
Batting or fleece - 10" by 4 1/2"
4" strip of 1" wide Velcro® or Hook and Loop tape
Thread

Directions:

1. Fold fabric, right sides together, to make it 10" by 4 1/2". Place batting under the fabric, lining up all the edges.

2. Using 1/4" seams, stitch the long edges and 1" in from each corner on the 4 1/2" edge. Leave the center of the end open to turn through.

3. Clip the corners to eliminate bulk. Turn right sides out.

4. Turn in the un-sewn seam allowance 1/4" on each side. Press the seam allowance closed.

5. Place one part of the Velcro® along the 4" edge and stitch the long edges in to place, closing the seam at the same time. Turn the fabric over, and place the other part of the hook and loop tape on the other end, on the opposite side of the fabric.

Optional:
- Top stitch 1/4" from the edge along the long edges.
- Quilt the wrap.
- Embroider names on the wrap to use them as party favors.

Well mom asked a question yesterday, that I feel I should answer. YES, Lasagna IS considered a casserole. A casserole, from the French for "saucepan", is a large, deep pot used both in the oven and as a serving vessel. The word casserole is also used for the food cooked and served in such a vessel, with the cookware itself called a "casserole dish". Casseroles usually consist of pieces of meat (such as chicken) or fish (such as tuna), various chopped vegetables, a starchy binder such as flour, potato or pasta, and, often, a crunchy topping. Liquids are released from the meat and vegetables during cooking, and further liquid in the form of stock, wine (for example coq au vin), beer (for example lapin à la Gueuze), gin, cider, or vegetable juice may be added when the dish is assembled. Casseroles are cooked slowly in the oven, often uncovered. They may be served as a main course or a side dish, and may be served in the vessel in which they were cooked.

So, to finish out Casserole week, I figured I would give you a unique concoction that is a sure tummy pleaser to kids young and old… but SHHHH! Don’t mention the veggies LOL! The best part about this casserole is that you can customize it to fit your family’s tastes too!



Pepperoni Pizza Casserole

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked rotini pasta
1 pound ground Italian sausage
2 (16 ounce) jar pasta sauce
2 (12 ounce) containers cottage or ricotta cheese
1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced black olives or mushrooms
12 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
2 (3 ounce) packages sliced pepperoni
1 cup fresh or frozen (thawed and drained) spinach, chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium casserole dish.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place pasta in the pot, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain.

In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until evenly brown.

In the prepared casserole dish, mix the cooked pasta, sausage, and pasta sauce. In a bowl, mix the cottage cheese, olives, spinach, and mozzarella cheese. Spoon the cheese mixture over the sausage and pasta mixture. Top with pepperoni slices.

Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until bubbly and lightly browned.

Ok ladies and gents… the Easter Bunny has made his presence known and I have chocolate fiending kids yelling for my attention LOL. So I am going to sign off for today. I bid you a Happy Easter Day and have fun and eat good food and be safe in your journeys today! Until tomorrow… HUGS!

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for the lasagna answer. Thats gonna be my casserole favorite! Yum! And I can puree some veggies to use as one of my alternating levels besides sauce and cheeses and noodles. Got to eat the veggies! Have a great Easter.

    ReplyDelete