44 degrees, Snow & Hail – WHAT? Oh, it’s April!

Hello, everyone! Yep, it’s another Spring in good old Michigan where you learn to expect almost anything with our weather. There’s an old expression around here: “Don’t like the weather? Wait a few minutes, it’ll change.” Earlier this morning the blog title fit perfectly – 44 degrees, lightly snowing, followed by hail! Right now it’s around 47 degrees F., sun shining and a bit windy; the sky’s sporting the kind of clouds that usually are precursors of snow. Looking at the projected weather report for the rest of the week, looks like highs of low 50’s and some rain (oh, joy . . . ). Oh well, what’s that old saying: “April showers bring May flowers” – looks like that’s coming into play here.

How was your Easter? Did you enjoy some time with family & friends? If you read my last post, we ended up moving our Easter dinner to Monday (yesterday) and that worked out just fine. Lots of food, good family time together – a great evening altogether.  Today I went out to lunch with a lady I’ve known about 15 years or more; we were friends at another church and now are attending this church. She took me out to lunch back in January as a sort of ‘now that you’re done with treatments’ thing, today I treated her to lunch. We went to Bob Evans and I had their “Ham & eggs special” – normally that wouldn’t be something that appealed to me, but today it was just perfect. 2 eggs ‘over easy’, a nice slice of ham, hash browns, and 2 slices of cherry bread & coffee – who could ask for more?  I guess, because the Easter church ham was so tasty, and also because we had ham again last night, it just fit perfectly that I have ham again today!

Nothin’ much new around here – tonight is Knit/Crochet night and I’m back to working on the cotton knit dishcloths for the historical society. I sent out a group email earlier today to see if I can get my ‘ladies’ inspired to join me in making dishcloths – we’ll see how that turns out. (I figure if I give them enough time, and try to encourage them, they should be able to produce a few – the event isn’t until June).

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Slowcooker Pizza

 

1 1/2 lb. ground beef

1 onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

1 (16 oz) jar spaghetti sauce

1 (16 oz) jar pizza sauce

1 bag egg noodles or penne

pasta

4 oz. pepperoni or Canadian

bacon

1 small jar mushrooms, drained

1 (8 oz) pkg shredded mozzarella

cheese

1 (8 oz) pkg shredded Cheddar

cheese

Brown ground beef, onion &

pepper together. Add spaghetti &

pizza sauces; simmer. Cook egg

noodles; drain. Layer in crockpot:

meat mixture, noodles, cheeses,

pepperoni & mushrooms until full,

ending with cheese as top layer.

Cook on Low until cheese melts,

approx. 30 minutes.

(recipe: Linda N-Marys Recipe

Exchange)

——————-

Strawberry Cream Cheese Delight

16 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 C. granulated sugar
1 (16 oz) pkg. frozen sliced
strawberries
1 C. whipping cream, whipped

Thaw & drain strawberries; set
aside. Beat cream cheese &
sgar with mixer until light &
fluffy. Fold in strawberries &
whipped cream. Turn into a 
5-Cup mold; freeze at least
8 hours. Let stand at room
temperature 30 minutes;
unmold.
(recipe: KStabby-Marys Recipe
Exchange)
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Chili Rellenos Casserole

1 T. butter
1 C. onion, chopped
9 oz. can green chilies, 
drained
6 oz. grated Cheddar cheese
6 oz. Monerey Jack cheese,
grated
3 large eggs
3/4 C. sour cream 
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 C chopped tomatoes, seeded

Preheat oven 350 degrees F.
Lightly grease an 8 x 8 round
or square pan. Melt butter in a
medium sized skillet over medium-
high heat. Add onion, cook & stir
until crisp tender. Stir in drained
chopped chilies; spoon mixture into
prepared pan. Sprinkle cheeses 
over onion & chilies. In a small
bowl, beat eggs slightly, then
beat in sour cream & pepper flakes.
Spoon mixture evenly over cheese
mixture in pan. Sprinkle chopped
tomato evenly over all. Bake 35-45
minutes or until a knife inserted
near center comes out clean. 
Makes 6 servings.
(recipe: RDJ 04/06/12)
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Creamy Ham & Cheese Casserole

2/3 C. mayonnaise *
1/3 C. milk
2 C. chopped, cooked ham
2 C. croutons
1 1/2 C. shredded Kraft
Three Cheese with a touch of
Philadelphia
1 tomato, chopped
1/4 C. chopped red onions

Preheat oven 350 degrees F.
Combine all ingredients & 
spoon into a 2 qt. casserole
dish. Bake 35 minutes or until
heated through.Serves 6.

*since this is a Kraft recipe;
they suggest Kraft Mayo with 
Olive Oil Cracked Pepper
Reduce Fat 
(recipe: Kraft foods)
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Fresh Tomato Salsa

3 tomatoes, chopped (1 lb)
1/4 C. finely chopped red onions
1/4 C. chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper, finely
chopped
1/4 C. Italian dressing

Combine all ingredients,
refrigerate 1 hour.
(Kraft foods)
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Banana Cake Balls

1/2 C. cold milk
1 (3.4 oz) pkg. vanilla
instant pudding mix
1 small fully ripe banana,
mashed
1 (10.75 oz) frozen pound
cake, thawed & crumbled 
into fine crumbs
3 (4.4 oz,ea) milk chocolate
bars, chopped
2 T. multi-colored sprinkles

Stir milk & pudding mix in
medium bowl with large 
spoon just until mix is
moistened. Immediately add
bananas & cake crumbs; mix
well. Shape into 36 (1 inch)
balls; place on waxed paper-
covered rimmed baking sheet.
Freeze 1 hour. Melt
chocolate in medium micro-
wavable bowl in High 1 1/2
minutes, stirring after 1
minute. Dip balls in chocolate,
return to baking sheet & top
with sprinkles immediately.
Let stand until coating is
firm. Makes 36 balls.
(recipe: Kraft kitchens)
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Hoping you're having a good day; I'm 
still trying to remember it's Tuesday,
not Monday (they extended the school
Easter vacation through Monday this
year, so now I'm all off-balance as
to what day of the week it is! Feels
like a MONDAY!!!)
Hugs;
Pammie