Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

I made this Saturday morning and it was AMAZING! INGREDIENTS 1 bag Southwest Style Shredded Potato Hashbrowns, 1/2 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 8oz container sour cream, 1 bag shredded cheddar cheese, (1/4 cup goes on top) DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients together and top with 1/4 cup cheese. Place in a greased baking dish and bake for 30 minutes or until slightly brown on top.

Creamy Beef Stroganoff

This is creamy and rich! INGREDIENTS 1 lb beef stew meat, (if chunks are too big cut in half); 2 TBL olive oil; 1 container Philelphia Cream Cheese Cooking Cream - (10 oz) 1 small yellow onion, chopped; 1 package mushrooms, washed and sliced; 2 cups of water,; salt, pepper, garlic powder, Tony's cajun seasoning (all added to your taste preference); a few dashes of Crystal hot sauce; 1 package noodles, cooked DIRECTIONS Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add beef and onions. Brown for about 10 minutes until cooked thru. Add mushrooms and water - simmer for about 25 minutes (this will make the beef strips tender). There should be a little water remaining, if not add about 1/4 cup of water. Stir in cooking cream and spices. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Serve over noodles.

A Day at the Park

My friends and I wanted to hang out at the park yesterday because it was such a beautiful day. I have to admit, I haven't done this in a while. They have 2 kids, so it was fun watching them run around. People were flying kites and it brought back many childhood memories! Although, this time, I was indulging in amazing food - not the playground! We grilled hotdogs, deer meat sausage and jalapeno poppers! All were amazing. If you want a fun, inexpensive way to hang out on a weekend - be creative and grill up some grub!

Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo

This was dinner last night and it was sooooo yummy!!! INGREDIENTS 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped; 3 TBL butter; 2 cups heavy cream; 2-3 dashes of Crystal Louisiana Hot Sauce 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated (add more if needed); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 pound jumbo gulf shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped in half 1/4 cup green onions, chopped; fettuccine, cooked; SEASONINGS sprinkle of salt and pepper; garlic powder; cayenne pepper (however spicy you would like it - a little sprinkle goes a long way!) 1/2 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning; -Remember the seasoning level is however much you prefer as far as salty, spicy, etc. Start off with a little sprinkle of each seasoning, taste-test and gradually add more. DIRECTIONS Saute yellow onion in butter - about 3-5 minutes. Add cream and bring to a boil. Add seasonings, including hot sauce. Let simmer over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes, stirring constantly. Add cheese and stir until melted. Once sauce is thickened, stir in cooked fettuccine and green onions. Serve with garlic bread and a side salad.

Steakhouse Anniversary Dinner

To celebrate our 8 years together (we have been married 2 - but known each other for 8!) - my husband and I went out for a delicious dinner! We went to my favorite steakhouse, but I don't get the steak. I CRAVE their crab cake! It looks like this...

I also get the shrimp & lobster bisque. AMAZING! Then, because it was our anniversary - they bring out a delicious cheesecake for desert!

Along with a few glasses of wine, it was the perfect dinner! A wonderful celebration. Can't wait till our 40th anniversary!

Mardi Gras Part II

So it's been another weekend filled with parades and fun! I love to use my beads to fill up vases around the house. This is one of my favorite vases I got as a wedding gift!

It looks perfect on my little marble side table in the living room!

We caught a lot of beads last night!

It's been a great Mardi Gras - I can't wait till next year! Until then - Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!!!!

Ash Wednesday & Lent

Ash Wednesday is next week. It's the day after Mardi Gras - everyone parties until midnight - and then is stops. The season of Lent leads up to Easter (40 days). It lasts from Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday (Easter Eve) and it's a spiritual time, especially for the Catholic faith - a time of reflection. My husband is Catholic and I'm Episcopal. They are pretty similar in beliefs - we have a Bishop instead of the Pope, being a major difference. No meat on Fridays - so in my household I will be making a lot of seafood. A lot of people "give up" something for Lent. One of my friends gave up alcohol once. I have chosen to give up Facebook. Can I REALLY go 40 days with no status updates,check-ins, looking everyone's cute baby and pet pictures? I will have to because I have already made a promise that I will not be on Facebook. It may require prayer - when I have the temptation. I will still have Instigram and my blog though. I'm going back to the era of no Facebook!