Spring Cleaning & Out Of Hibernation (From My Friend, Sandy)

http://homenotes08.blogspot.com/2010/03/spring-cleaning-out-of-hibernation.html

Pasta Fagioli Soup

I made this tasty dish a while back, but haven't had time to post it until now....

PASTA FAGIOLI SOUP

1 lb. lean ground turkey
1 large onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
3 cups water
1 can (16 oz.) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 cans (8 oz. each) tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 Tbsp. dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 can cut green beans
1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

In a Dutch oven coated with cooking spray, cook the turkey, onion, celery, carrots, and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add the water, beans, tomato sauce, tomatoes, parsley, salt, oregano, basil, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the cabbage, green beans, and macaroni; cover and simmer 8 to 10 minutes longer or until the cabbage and macaroni are tender.

Triple Coupon Day

Today was 'triple coupon day' at one of the grocery stores we frequent. They were tripling all coupons worth 50 cents and under. Some of my coupon bargains today include:

- 3 cans of Red Gold petite diced tomatoes - $1.17 (39 cents per can)
- 1 bottle of Dawn dish soap - 9 cents

- 1 bottle of Joy dish soap - 9 cents
- 2 rolls Bounty (white) paper towels - 79 cents each
- 3 bars of Ivory soap - 62 cents (21 cents each)
- 2 bars of Zest bath soap - $1.00 (50 cents each)
- 1 tube Crest toothpaste - 50 cents
- 1 container Hiland French Onion dip - 23 cents

- 1 bottle Mrs. Dash seasoning - $1.69
- 1 container of Ovaltine - $2.28
- 1 pkg. light string cheese - $1.98
- 1 pkg. Sara Lee mini bagels - $1.33
- 1 roll Bounty (Spring Prints) - $1.32
- 1 bottle of Fabreeze - $1.50

Total coupon savings today - $15.40

More 'First Day of Spring' Photos

Happy First Day Of Spring!!!

Today is the first day of spring, and, boy! It's arriving with a vengeance! Yesterday it was sunny and 73 degrees; today we're having a winter storm. Here is a picture of the miniature daffodils that are blooming outside my front door. They sure looked a lot happier yesterday than they do today, but, still, it's awful pretty!!!

St. Patty's Day 2010

St. Patrick's Day has always been a favorite in our family. Yesterday afternoon we had a houseful of dear family, good friends, good food, and music. Thought I'd share a few images of our day...

Emerald Isle Cake

(One of our favorites! This recipe tastes sort of like those dunkin' doughnut sticks. It's very good!)


1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk


Mix all ingredients together well, then pour into an 8 x 8 square baking pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Make glaze (below) and pour over hot cake
fresh from the oven. Allow to cool, cut into 4" x 2" pieces and serve with tea
or coffee. Delicious!

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk

Stir together until smooth. Pour over hot cake fresh from oven.

Craft Project - St. Brigid Cross

I found the pattern for this pretty craft project in a current copy of Disney's FAMILY FUN magazine on a recent trip to the doctor's office with my daughter and grandchildren. I preferred to make my cross out of plain raffia, but found the pattern on-line. For instructions, click here...

http://familyfun.go.com/st-patricks-day/st-patricks-day-crafts/luck-of-the-straw-841010/

Diaper Cake

Our daughter, Amber, is doing a baby shower for a friend, and came up with this really nifty idea...a diaper cake!!! Isn't this beautiful! Here is a link for instructions...

http://www.creative-baby-shower-ideas.com/diaper-cake.html

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Depression Era Cooking With Clara - Eggplant Parmesean

Depression Ear Cooking With Clara - Dandelion Salad

A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Meal

I stumbled on this quick and easy dish by accident one day, and it has become one of our favorites...

Saute a whole onion in a little olive oil. To that add a can of black beans that have been rinsed and drained, and a can of Ro-Tel tomatoes. Sprinkle with a teaspoon of ground cumin (more or less according to taste), and heat through. If you want to, make a little brown rice on the side, and add it to the mixture (about 1 1/2 cups), or serve separately. Serve as is, or serve wrapped in tortilla shells. Garnish with a little fat-free cheese and light sour cream. It's very good!

Homemade Waffles Served With Powdered Sugar and Blueberries

Our 14-year-old son made these delicious waffles for breakfast yesterday morning. We make our own homemade syrup, but I preferred mine served with powdered sugar and fresh blueberries.

Productive Day

Full day of school, got van inspected and licensed, went to the Amish store and stocked up on whole grains and spices. Visited with several people, including an Amish lady who is going to come along side and help me learn how to use my pasta maker correctly. What a blessing!