Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

I tried a new recipe!  

We had breakfast for dinner (a favorite at my house) last night and I tried this recipe from Lil Luna.  I've had many a Hash Brown Casserole over the years and this one beats all of them.  I think it's the addition of the Swiss Cheese, which I love.  Almost gave it that quiche type taste and texture.  Again, which I love!

Thanks Lil Luna for sharing your yummy recipes.  I'm thinking this would make an excellent Christmas morning breakfast.

Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

An egg and potato casserole made with 3 different cheeses and is perfect for any weekend or holiday breakfast! 

Breakfast Serves: 10-12 Ingredients 

1 pound sliced bacon, diced 

4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed 

9 eggs, lightly beaten 

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese 

1½ cups cottage cheese 

1¼ cups shredded Swiss cheese 

Salt & pepper Instructions 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. 

2. Cook bacon in a skillet until browned and pour into large bowl. 

3. Stir in potatoes, eggs, cheeses and salt & pepper. Pour mixture into greased baking dish. 

4. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. 

ENJOY!

Chandler Christmas Cinema

Loved this Christmas activity idea!  And from what I understand this has been a holiday tradition for several years in the Chandler home.

In lieu of Christmas gifts to friends and neighbors, Amy and her family invite (kids only!) to a Christmas Cinema held in their home.  

As a family they plan and prepare a fun filled evening complete with Christmas movies (age appropriate), popcorn and treats.  They ask kids to come in jammies and bring a blanket to cuddle.  Amy said that they have had as many as 60 children gathered in their cinema seats!

Everyone in her family takes part.  Christmas stories are read, treats are dispersed, movies watched and lots of Christmas care is given.

Parents of children are greatly appreciative of time to shop, wrap, and relax...kid free!

December is here and I can't think of a better way to kick off the spirit of giving than with the... 

Chandler Christmas Cinema.

White Toasted Almond Bark with Sea Salt

I attended a gathering a couple of weeks ago and was invited to lead a discussion and present a gift display of ideas for INEXPENSIVE CHRISTMAS GIFTS.  One of my talented friends who is known far and wide for her bread making abilities brought this yummy gift to share.  

Dawn often gives warm loaves of bread at Christmas time to her neighbors and friends.  She said she worries about her friends that cannot have gluten or are on low carb diets and decided to come up with a gift that was just for them.  She's always thoughtful like that.   

Well...I think this Almond Bark is good for anyone and everyone, including me!  It's delicious!

The toasted taste of the almonds and the white chocolate, with a hint of sea salt gets my taste buds dancing!  Dawn says this is a quick and easy holiday treat. 

White Toasted Almond Bark with Sea Salt 

Ingredients

1 cup whole raw almonds, skin on

2 10 oz bags of white chocolate chips or 20 oz of any good white chocolate, chopped in pieces 

sea salt, ground fairly fine

Instructions

Set oven to 350F

1. Put the nuts on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Give the pan a shake from time to time, and watch carefully for the last 5 minutes. You want the almonds to get dark roasted, but not burnt. Set the pan aside and let the nuts cool on the pan.
2. Line a baking sheet with a silpat mat, parchment paper, or non stick foil.
3. Put the white chocolate in a glass microwave safe bowl and heat on 50% power for a minute. Keep heating, checking, and stirring until the chocolate is melted. If you are using chips they won't look melted until you stir them.
4. When the chocolate is melted and smooth, add in the almonds and quickly spread out the mixture on the lined baking sheet.
5. Dust the warm chocolate with sea salt, being careful to get it evenly distributed across the bark.
6. Set the pan in the refrigerator to cool until fully set, at least an hour.
7. Break apart the bark into whatever size pieces you choose.
8. Try not to eat it all before you can give some of it away.

Notes

If you have trouble melting chocolate in the microwave, you can always do it in a double boiler. Set a bowl or pan over another pan of gently simmering water and slowly melt the chocolate while stirring.

  

Grad Money Card

Tis the season for lots of Graduation Announcements in the mailbox.  This year I needed ONE idea for the masses.  This was it!  

Every graduate appreciates dollar bills rolled up on a clever card, right?

Skip to My Lou created this one for 2017.  

I personalized it just a bit and turned out perfect!

Just print, punch a few small holes for the money diploma, add the cash and tie it up.  Quick and Easy.  

And the Adventure begins now!

Teacher Thank You-Gourmet Apple and GRAD Brochure

I made a SPECIAL DELIVERY yesterday, right before Graduation.  My son's teachers deserved a huge thank you and instead received a Gourmet Fudge Caramel  Apple.  I think they were pretty surprised and happy with the apple.

They also received this HOW TO SUCCEED IN 12th Grade Brochure.

It's a pretty sure bet that Jake's teachers will remember him for quite some time.  We heard a loud cheering roar when Jake received his diploma, from parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, friends and TEACHERS.  

He did it!

Congratulations to all the 2017 Graduates!

Bon Appetite Vegetable Dip

Favorite Family Vegetable Dip

Bon Appetit Dip

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup sour cream

1 Tbsp. Bon Appetit

1 Tbsp. green onion

Mix all ingredients, refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

The Bon Appetit seasoning is no longer produced, which is sad because we loved it.  Instead you can make the seasoning by using this recipe.

If you don't want the hassle of making the seasoning you can also use this product.  Tastes fairly similar.

We use this dip recipe for not only veggies but also chips, and any other snack items.

Mr. McGregor's Garden Relish Tray

My family was invited to my brother and sister-in-law's home for Easter this year.  My assignment was a relish tray. 

Because I was not hosting the dinner this year and had a little extra time, I decided to try something a little more creative than the usual cut up veggies on a tray.  My inspiration came from Glitter and Goulash  

I had just purchased this wooden tray from Jenifer's Furniture and Decor and thought it would make a great "garden bed" for Mr. McGregor's Relish Tray.  That's kind of an Easter bunny thing, right?

By the way I LOVE, LOVE Jenifer's!

I washed the head of some frilly lettuce (butter or anything kind of leafy), then set aside to dry.  Thankfully my husband chipped in to help and washed the veggies and cut them all into stick form.

Then came the time for the very easy process of "planting" our garden.  I layered saran wrap on the bottom of tray and then added leafy lettuce, being sure to "frill it out" over the edges of tray.

If you are serving a dip with the veggies, place your bowl where you want it on the tray.  Then start planting carrot sticks, cheese sticks, celery, pepper, tomatoes, cauliflower, cucumbers, broccoli and radishes. 

Bon Appetit Dip is my favorite.

Add a little plate of truffles and chocolate covered pretzel rods and this would make a lovely, edible centerpiece for a Mother's Day brunch.