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Kielbasa Skillet Meal


I always have Kielbasa in my freezer for a quick meal. If I'm having a busy day or I'll be getting home late it's a sure winner! It thaws quickly and can be used in so many recipes. I sometimes pair it with sauerkraut or with cabbage...
 like in this post



This one is my own very simple recipe. ( I have no amounts listed, you can adjust to your family size)
Ingredients:
Kielbasa or summer sausage
Olive oil
Chopped onion
Canned or cooked frozen green beans
Egg noodles
Jar of Alfredo sauce
Seasonings of your choice

See how easy it is...you can't go wrong!
Directions:
Chop the kielbasa into bite-size pieces. Add to a large skillet with one tablespoon of olive oil and chopped onion. Brown on medium heat.

Boil the egg noodles and drain.
 
Then add the green beans, cooked noodles, and your choice of seasonings to the skillet. Add the alfredo sauce. Stir. Cover and let everything heat through on low for a few minutes.

 Simple and filling!
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Pretty Painted Ladies

Along the way, I have photographed many beautifully restored and preserved old victorian homes. I refer to them as "Painted Ladies", a term often used to describe their color schemes. This is one I found recently in the next county and I believe it's a bed and breakfast. 


Some are small...

 But still beauties!





 What a job it would be to paint one of these!  I would be afraid I would get confused about which color for which detail and have to do a lot of repainting!! lol


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SOMETHING TO PONDER

SOMETHING TO PONDER — an essay by George Carlin

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more but learn less. We plan more but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.   

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight or to just hit delete.

Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, ‘I love you’ to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin



Amish Country Casserole


Ingredients:

  • 12- oz medium egg noodles, spirals, elbow, any pasta you desire
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 (10.75-oz) can tomato soup
  • 1 (10.75-oz) can cream of mushroom
  • 1 cup milk
  •  tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • ¼ tsp garlic
  • 2 Tbsp onion flakes
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Cook egg noodles according to package directions and drain.
  • In a large skillet, cook ground beef until no longer pink. Drain fat.
  • In a large bowl, combine tomato soup, cream of mushroom, milk, salt, pepper, Worcestershire, garlic, and onion flakes. Stir in cooked ground beef and cooked noodles.
  • Spread noodle mixture into prepared pan. Top with grated parmesan cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes.

Notes:

Can assemble casserole in advance and refrigerate or freeze for later.
When ready to cook, thaw in the fridge for 24 hours and bake according to directions.

Easiest furniture redo ever

About eight years ago, I decided I needed to replace my dining room furniture. The china cabinet and table were purchased back in 1982, soon after we were married. We used the table practically every day and it was showing plenty of wear. It didn't take long in my search to discover that china cabinets were a thing of the past. They had been replaced with low buffet - type liquor cabinets. After all, I don't think new brides are interested in using fine china. I used mine to display my teacup collection ( which was all the rage back then) and some pieces from my grandmother. Maybe I could just find a new table in light oak? Nope, everything in style was dark, nothing would match... now what?

 I re-evaluated my china cabinet, which was still in great shape and the style was plain enough and decided to refinish it dark and buy a new table. 
Now the search began for how to do that with the least effort. I had refinished a few pieces before...I remembered the endless sanding, the mess, the strong smell...

Then I found this article at Monica's blog!
She stated that you could successfully refinish a project without all the sanding and smell. Her directions were very easy to follow and plenty of the comments on her post were helpful.


I decided to take it on. In hindsight, here are a few key things to remember:
  1.  I followed her instructions to the "T", no shortcuts. Yes, there are precise waiting periods between coats but they pay off in the end.  
  2. Using a tube sock instead of a brush was so much better! You can use your fingers to get into corners or any ornate details in the wood.  
  3.  Use the product she used General Finishes... no substitutes. There are plenty of wood shades to choose from. I chose the Java shade Monica used. I only bought a quart and when I was finished, there was over half a can left. I did several other pieces before the can was empty. It really stretches! I found it at a local furniture store but I've also since purchased this brand from Amazon.
  4. IMPORTANT: This product is only for stain over stain. I don't believe it would work over paint.


This is the dining room set when it was purchased. Light oak with a very high gloss. I lightly sanded the piece for 15 minutes to remove some gloss as instructed. If you are redoing kitchen cabinets you will need to thoroughly clean them with a degreaser. No need for heavy sanding. This is a very easy product to work with. It's a gel that sits on top and doesn't need to soak into the wood. You do not wipe it off.

   After putting on thin rubber gloves, I used my hubby's old tube socks. They will reach up to your elbows and you'll be glad of that. lol
 Dip into the stain and apply. I referred back to Monica's instruction many, many times to be sure I was following exactly.


 Don't be discouraged at how the first coat looks, It's all going to work out...trust me.

Finished off with the General Finishes poly as suggested...

I used the same hardware because they were plain and not outdated. I gave them two coats of Rustoleum oil rubbed bronze spray paint.
Now, to purchase a table. There were plenty in a dark shade to choose from...


 This is the table I chose! It's a perfect match! You would never believe that they weren't purchased together.

 It's been eight years and it still looks like new. No wearing off, no fading, and the finish is scratch-resistant.
 Again, here's the link:

https://monicawantsit.com/staining-oak-cabinets-espresso-color/


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Flower Power

I don't know about you but I've had my fill of this lockdown. Even though I have plenty of hobbies to keep me busy, the monotony of every day repeating itself is driving me crazy. I feel like I'm trapped in the "Groundhog Day" movie! So I'm going to think good thoughts about Summer and my flower beds and how much I enjoy tending them.
Here's some shots from previous years...


I hope you enjoyed your visit!

Here's where I'll be sharing:
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An Amish Gathering

An Amish gathering in a home to worship on a chilly, Sunday morning. The Amish don't gather in a church building because they believe that they don't have to. They believe God can be worshipped anywhere and consider their daily lives part of worship.





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Homemade Vegetable Soup


There's nothing better than a piping hot bowl of homemade vegetable soup when it's chilly outside!

This recipe is one that I make often and I use just about every vegetable under the sun...the more the better, right? I don't even measure most of the ingredients...just add as much as you like.


Here's the recipe:

2-pounds ground beef, browned and drained
1/2 head cabbage, chopped
1  onion, chopped
2 large diced potatoes

Add fresh or frozen ingredients:
carrots
green beans
 corn
chopped broccoli
chopped cauliflower

Add:
2-14.5oz. cans of diced tomatoes, chopped
1 - 8oz. can tomato sauce
2  teaspoons minced garlic
parsley
celery seed
salt
pepper
and my favorite ingredient for flavor...1 envelope of beef stew seasoning.
Serve with some crusty bread or crackers... yummy!!


A visit from the Easter Bunny...

This is our first great-grandbaby, Luke. It's his first Easter and that's his Grandma in the Bunny suit!

 She keeps him a couple days through the week when they are working. She is off work for two days and she has been visiting the homes of her co-workers and the kids can see her out the windows (social distancing). When it gets dark, she comes back and hides plastic eggs in the yard so that they will be able to have an egg hunt on Easter morning! Today is her birthday and this is how she's spending it!