My Little Crafty Corner

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I have a long list of crafts that I want to make, if only I had time! This part time job, ach rules my life right now. If only the hours were for earlier in the day, then I think I could find the time to craft!

My list:

Knit items

socks (just about have the first pair done, so excited!)
baker sock monkey
stuffed elephant
hats
fingerless gloves/mitts
slippers
sweater (style to be determined)

Scrapbooking

Get caught up, with what pictures I have printed thus far, then to tackle the thousands upon thousands that need to be printed.

Jewelry

Button bracelet (saw on Pinterest)

One day I will be able to just sit and craft!

I am hoping John will like this… he is so anti-casserole anything, but this is spaghetti, so he HAS to like it!

8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1 pound ground beef
1 large can spaghetti sauce (26.5 ounces)
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup chopped green peppers (I usually omit or substitute red peppers)
1/3 cup chopped onions
8 ounces cream cheese
2 tablespoons milk
Fresh grated Parmesan cheese
French Fried Onions (small can)

Directions

Cook spaghetti according to directions on the package. Cook to al dente, drain and set aside. Brown ground beef. Drain excess grease. Add spaghetti sauce to skillet and heat. Combine onions, peppers and butter in small glass bowl. Cover and microwave 4 minutes on HIGH until soft. Add cream cheese and milk to vegetables and stir well. (If cream cheese is not soft, nuke it for 20-30 seconds to make it easy to spread.) Using a 10 x 6 dish, assemble in the following order:
1. Thin layer of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of the casserole dish.
2. Spaghetti
3. Cream cheese/vegetable mixture
4. Spaghetti sauce
5. Parmesan Cheese (amount subject to your own taste)
6. French Fried Onions (added during last 5 minutes of cooking)

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Top with French Fried onion and continue baking 5 more minutes. (This is the secret ingredient–don’t let them burn.)

Notes: Make this ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze without the French Fried onions. Don’t forget to add them 5 minutes before casserole is finished cooking.

Guest post written by Gloria Sherman

I remember when I was in high school my friends and I went and saw the movie Grease and I thought that it was the best thing that I had ever seen in my life! I guess that it was kind of surprising and ground breaking, at least it seemed that way to me. So I’ve always kept the movie dear to my heart as a result. So when I heard that our local community theater was going to put on a production of the play, I decided to take advantage of it.

I looked onlien to get some more information on the community production of the play and whiel I was doing that, I ran across some information on miracle ear texas. I looked through it a little bit and after that I decided to go and get a free hearing test and get fitted with some hearing aids after I got hte results back.

I took my daughter to go and see the play with me and I thin kthat she really loved it. She’d seen Grease before, but I don’t think that she fully appreciated it until now!

I have been in the baking mood for a while now. This just doesn’t mess well with my diet I am on though. I think I am going to be trying this recipe out for my next MomsNext meeting.

Aloha Paradise Bars

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
2 cups white vanilla baking chips
1 cup coarsely chopped dried pineapple
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped macadamia nuts
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 13×9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. Press dough in bottom of pan.

Bake 15 minutes. Sprinkle with baking chips, pineapple, coconut and nuts. Drizzle evenly with sweetened condensed milk.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes longer or until light golden brown. Cool completely. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

Makes 36 bars

John is still busy trying to finish up the guitar he is making for his nephew. He is trying out a new technique, and hopefully he can master it, as I think this will be a cool look for Craig’s guitar. I am hoping that I can stand the fumes that we are smelling with all of the experiments here as of late.

With all of this building and painting, the music has slacked lately. I am still wanting to get a yamaha ypt-300 keyboard, so we can start playing together. It would really be nice if Trent started playing the drums again as well. Now to figure out what Christopher can play, as his singing is out!