still here....

...adding new goodies to my Etsy shop and trying to create a new site that you can go to and easily print out my Recipe Box Wednesday recipes, stay tuned!

oscar fun

Last night found me in front of my little tv in my bedroom, watching the beautiful people smile for the cameras.  Mike and Charlie have no interest in awards, so they claimed the nice tv in the living room.

As I watched the gorgeous gowns and handsome men, my memory went back to previous Oscar nights. 

As a teenager, I would make up my list of my favorites, make a bowl of popcorn, and groan when my favorites didn't win.  In 1978, I just watched to see the actresses, as I wasn't old enough to see any of the movies that were up for best picture.  Ingrid Bergman was there, I loved her elegance and grace.  So was a very young Meryl Streep, (nominated for her first time, in just her second movie) for her role in Deer Hunter, which ended up winning Best Picture.

Fast forward to 1985, and I was living in a studio apartment in Grand Forks.  My TV was a 9" black and white, and I watched "Out of Africa" win Best Picture while I dreamed of having a handsome man wash my hair.  I imagine I was also doing homework, as it was my last year at UND. 

The late '80's and early '90's found me in Bloomington, and Oscar nights were spent with my friend Beth.  We loved to critique the hair and fashions, and drink lots of wine.  Beth even texted me last night during the show, reminding me of fond memories!

A few years ago I had an Oscar party, red carpet leading to my door and all.  It was great fun, I even made Hollywood 'jewels' for all of my girlfriends.

I enjoyed the show last night.  Never mind that of the ten Best Picture nominees, the only one I had seen was "Toy Story 3"....

I thought Anne Hathaway was a hoot.  Her exuberance really showed through.  At first I was annoyed by her whoops from the sidelines when presenters came on stage, but then I thought, if that was me, I would probably be doing the same thing!!!  She was fun, and it was enjoyable to see what she would be wearing after each commercial.  Which gown was your favorite?  I think the shimmery blue would be my pick.

It was worth watching the entire show just to see Colin Firth's acceptance speech.  So eloquent.  Why do the British seem to have such a much larger vocabulary than Americans?  I like him just the way he is...(name that movie...)

Natalie Portman was just gorgeous, and her acceptance was sweetly heartfelt.  I can't wait to see "Black Swan".

 

My only complaint is that the Oscars no longer hold any suspense.  Being at the end of the awards season, the winners were pretty much foretold.  But it's so fun to see the stars!

(I apologize for my lack of pictures, I found old movie posters images and such to post today, but Blogger is not cooperating....)

recipe box Friday?

(I really did write this on Wednesday, I was waiting for Mike's pics to publish  it...)

First, back to the snow.  I take back Tuesday's statistics I shared.  I found them on-line, but have seen conflicting information in other places.  Second snowiest, fifth snowiest, whatever.  All I know is it's TOO MUCH.  Just hoping we will have a repeat of last March, when we didn't get a DROP of snow.  Or a flake, or however we want to measure it...

Here is our house, Monday morning after the guys shoveled. 

I am guessing I won't be reposting this in the summer, longing for those wintry days...Here is our house, from the side, before the shoveling:

And here is my poor little car.  It was parked under our carport, so you can tell how much blowing was going on:

The sun has been shining most of the week, so melting has been going on. but it's dang cold today, so the gutters won't exactly be running with water.

Enough weather talk, on to comfort food!

Today's recipe is one you have all made, at some point in your life.  I throw in a couple of twists, so thought I would share.  We enjoyed it immensely Tuesday night.  And leftover lunch was something to look forward to.

TATER TOT HOT DISH

1 32 oz pkg. frozen tater tots
1 14 oz. pkg. frozen peas
1 pkg. ground turkey (1.25 lbs)
1/2 c. shredded cheese (I used Swiss )
1/2 c. sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 Tbsp. minced shallots (I used Penzey's dried)
Montreal Steak Seasoning (I used "Spicy" )

Brown the turkey, season well with Montreal Seasoning.  It gives bland turkey a really nice kick!  Throw in the shallots (mine are dehydrated, if you use fresh you would want to cook them before the turkey hit the pan). Stir in the soup and sour cream (1/2 c. measurement is approximate, I just spoon some in).

Spray a baking dish or casserole (the one I use is a little smaller than a 9 x 13) with cooking spray, layer in the meat mixture.  Sprinkle the cheese over the meat, then sprinkle the frozen peas (or whatever veg you like-I often use mixed veg) over the top.  Use as many or as few as you like, I generally use nearly the whole package.  Then it's time for the tots.  You can get creative, I like to use different layouts each time.  Once the tots have topped your dish, bake at 375 for about 45 minutes, let it cool 5 minutes or so, or you will burn your tongue on the hot tots.

Hot tots.  Sounds like a band name or something.

I will be back to more regular blogging next week, I have been using every bit of free time to sew Matilda Jane goodies.  I will be going to a show on Saturday, and then anything left from the show will get posted to my Etsy shop on Sunday.  Hopefully next week I will even have time for a haircut, and to give the holes in my fingers time to heal.

Happy last weekend of February!

snowmagedon, again!

What are the chances that we would get two snowstorms of more than a foot twice in one winter?  (Paul Douglas said it is 1 in 100).  With this snow, we are having the second snowiest winter ever, and we only need 4 more inches to beat the all time record.

I am not exactly giddy about these statistics.

Especially since last week I was out walking in 50 degree temperatures, and there were patches of green grass in my front yard!  I had even started envisioning my back yard gardens.

Instead of taking a picture of the snow, I will remind you of what it looks like in April, on a walk through my neighborhood.  It IS coming, right?

For now, I think I just need to make a tater tot hot dish and hibernate again.

foggy gloomy rainy drizzly...

..but it's warm, and the snow is melting rapidly, so I am trying to look at the glass as half full.

This will help:

and this:

Come on Spring!