Recipe Exchange: Hamburger Stew

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This week’s Recipe Exchange: Hamburger Stew, has been floating around Facebook for months! I liked it immediately, and tried it out after only a few weeks. It was hard to find again for awhile, although now it’s super easy to find on Pinterest. I think I know why. It’s super yummy and makes lots of leftovers or enough for a crowd! So worth the try!!

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I always adapt recipes to my own tastes, and sometimes change it from the get go, as I did with this one.  There are certain times when I break my own rule and don’t make a new recipe exactly as is, like when it calls for onions, ew!

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I added olives the second time…so yummy!

Here’s the recipe:

Hamburger Stew

2 pounds ground beef

2 medium onions, chopped

4 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) stewed tomatoes

8 medium carrots, thinly sliced

4 celery ribs, thinly sliced

2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 cups water

1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice

1 to 2 tablespoons salt

1 to 2 teaspoons pepper

1 cup water

In a Dutch oven, cook beef and onions over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the tomatoes, carrots, celery, potatoes, water, rice, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables and rice are tender.

Uncover; simmer 20-30 minutes longer or until thickened. Freeze in 3-cup portions for up to 3 months.

To use frozen stew: Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Transfer to a saucepan; add water. Cook until hot and bubbly. Yield: about 5 batches (15 cups total).

These are the changes I made: no onions or celery (just don’t usually have celery), brown rice, olives, and I like diced tomatoes over stewed (like them smaller).

A warm and cozy meal for our lovely rainy days we are having right now. Yay! We NEED rain!!

Old Fashioned Recipe Exchange 02/25

Modest Monday: European Style Then and Now

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We had a busy Sunday, especially my Sweetie, so I didn’t feel I could ask him to take outfit photos. I also wasn’t feeling very well, so I thought I would share some of the fashions I observed while in Europe last June, specifically Ireland and Scotland , for this week’s Modest Monday post.

DSCN5566_2 Here are some of the wedding fashions we saw at our friend’s wedding in Ireland. Above is a photo of a little girl’s dress at the Haymaking Festival, a living history sort of event.   DSCN5822   Modern styles reminiscent of earlier days.   DSCN5799   DSCN5883   DSCN5971   I waited a LONG time for people to leave him alone so I could snap this one with the bicycle also!   DSCN6128_2   The younger crowd.   DSCN6046   The older crowd set dancing, my absolute favorite after ballet! It isn’t odd for women to dance together as there is always a shortage of men when dancing, here too!   DSCN5920   The ’80’s style (and most popular/common) Irish Step Dancing costume.

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The even younger crowd.

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I like to take photos of fabrics that interest me, like all of these kids are displaying. :>

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Loved these matching coats at Hill Top Farm, Beatrix Potter’s house!

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The Scottish crowd at Edinburgh Castle. These also remind me of the Irish kilt my Sweetie wore for our wedding! :>

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What inspires you and your fashions?

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Recipe Exchange: My Copycat Dairy Queen Peppermint Ice Cream Cake

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This year for my birthday (in December) I decided to try to tackle the yummy Dairy Queen cake I’ve had a few times. Armed with a few times from HERE  and a refresher from the Dairy Queen website (but I remembered it VERY well), I tackled it and was VERY happy with the result!

Unfortunately, I was only able to take quick photos with my little Sony Cyber Shot camera…sigh. So here you go. Here’s today’s Recipe Exchange yumminess!

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In all honesty, this photo was taken the next day with my good camera, and after having a chance to freeze post decorating. We ended up eating it the day after my birthday and the family was in hurry to get on the road, so we rushed it a bit. Regardless of how melted or messy it was, this cake was DELICIOUS!!

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Filled with ooey gooeyness, it really did remind me of the original cake!

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Here’s what it looked like as we sliced it. :>

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An ooey gooey, delicious mess!

All right, so here’s the scoop:

(Haha!)

Peppermint Ice Cream Cake

2 cartons peppermint ice cream

20 oz chocolate fudge (not hot fudge)

4 Tbl chocolate crunch (from cake decorating shop) or crumbled chocolate wafer cookies in pinch

Stabilized whipped cream (1/4 pint or so unless you “ice” the entire cake)

Decorations

Spring form pan

This is an easy recipe, but takes patience and time. :>

Soften the first carton of ice cream, then spread on the bottom of pan and freeze for 1 hour. Next spread chocolate fudge over first layer and freeze again for 1 hour. Sprinkle crunch over fudge and freeze again for 1 hour. Soften the 2nd carton of ice cream and spread over all, then freeze overnight.

Ahead of presentation time, spread stabilized whipped cream over sides (or all) of cake and decorate as desired. Then freeze at least 1 hour before serving to avoid the melting mess we had! :>

As you can see, I chose a few pink sugar sprinkles, pearls and a cute gingerbread boy as my decorations.

I was happy with the adorableness he added to the festivities, especially since I have a bit of an obsession with all things gingerbread!  :>

Happy cake making!!

Old Fashioned Recipe Exchange 02/18

Every Tuesday Afternoon

Babies {Welcome Home Wednesday Homemaking Link Up on Raising Arrows}

New Line of Embellished Fabric Hoops

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I’ve recently added a new line of Embellished Fabric Hoop Art pieces to my ETSY SHOP! Each piece uses a unique piece of fabric that I’ve embellished with a combination of embroidery, buttons, beads and/or mini pom poms. I will be adding more designs regularly as I discover fabrics and designs. It’s been so much fun!

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Adorable Woodland Embellished Fabric Hoop Art

It all started when I found a bolt of fabric that seemed to lend itself to a perfect circular scene. Ideas began running through my head as I bought the fabric and planned the embellishments! I made one for myself, then ended up giving it to my first momma, so I need to make myself another one. :> Here is the one that started it all:

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I LOVE these adorable woodsy scenes!!

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Pretty Flowered Embellished Fabric Hoop Art

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Eclectic Blue and Green Flowered Embellished Fabric Hoop Art

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Eclectic Blue and Green Flowered Embellished Fabric Hoop Art

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Eclectic Blue and Green Flowered Embellished Fabric Hoop Art

It’s always great to have hand work at the ready, and this project easily lends itself to my changing moods or tastes or the different sides of my personality! :>

So many patterns and colors to catch my whimsy! I’m already working on the next unique and special piece!

So hop on over to my SHOP and peruse…keep checking back for new hoop artwork!

Modest Monday: Lace Valentine Dress

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It feels so good to get back to a Modest Monday post! I feel like the past few months have literally just flown by! I was in Oregon for two weeks, then arrived home the day before Valentine’s Day. My Sweetie had a very busy two weeks at home. We were both exhausted, so, needless to say, we  had NOTHING planned to celebrate and chose to plan something ON Valentine’s Day, as we relaxed and rested up.

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Before I left town, I had nothing prepared, no gifts, nothing! Thankfully I was able to pick up a few surprises in my travels, including a couple of special treats we don’t often get to enjoy, as they aren’t exactly local. :>

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Special occasion Krispy Kreme I picked on my 4 hour drive home after landing, celebrating my sister-in-law’s birthday early and spending the night.

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Heart meringues from my favorite Solvang bakery, Olsen’s. But they were out of my favorite Swedish Delight. Good thing I had a Krispy Kreme, another favorite of mine. Meringues are a favorite of my Sweetie. :>

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So on Friday night we enjoyed a home cooked meal, our Krispy Kreme and Miss Potter. We’ve been wanting to re-watch this ever since visiting the Lake District in England last June. It’s such a GORGEOUS area!! I’m ready to go back and spend a whole lot more time there!!

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Isn’t my Sweetie handsome? :>

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We decided to go to an early dinner on Saturday to a local restaurant overlooking the water. It was foggy when we arrived, but cleared up quite a bit in time for Modest Monday photos!

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There’s a bit of pressure to hurry up with your photos when it’s cold and others are waiting to take their own photos!

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GORGEOUS views!!

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My FAVORITE photo of the day!! I LOVE his expression!!

I think it’s my favorite expression of his!!  :>

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My BEAUTIFUL newish jewelry from Etsy, cameo necklace with matching rose earrings!

Coincidentally, my new dress has a bodice detail similar to many figure skating dresses and it’s winter Olympic time right now! I LOVE it! To make it more modest though, I a little perfect match tank underneath.

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A special little pink stoned ring from a craft faire I worked a few years ago.

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Lovely coat I don’t get to wear often enough here. A black Friday deal a few years ago.

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Frankly, having no plans until the last minute took a lot of the pressure and expectations off of our date. The most fun for me was finding this new dress on my drive home and spending special time with my sweetie after a long separation. And his face when I came out in my new outfit! ;>

So, here’s what I’m wearing:

Beautiful pink lace dress and black leggings from Maxx Plus

Pink/peachy modesty tank from  garage sale

Black shrug from Ross or Marshall’s

High heeled black boots from PayLess

Frizzy, big hair is why I try not to shower the day of an event. Sigh…

A great time was had by all, celebrating our love for each other knowing that next month will mean 15 years of marriage!

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Welcome to Oregon

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This week I’m visiting family and friends in Oregon and having a wonderful time! Here are a few scenes from the first couple of days. ;>

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Mt. Baker?

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Fantastic clouds!

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Trees, glorious trees!

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And more trees!

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Glorious views from the Astor Column in Astoria!

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The Astor Column!

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Would you believe I left my good camera back at my cousin-in-law’s house for these amazing views? I had to use my old Sony cyber shot.

Have a fantastic day!