Reviewing the Lazy Day Easy Lasagna Recipe....

After much goofing off and just a little procrastination, here is my review of the recipe for an easy lasagna that I saw on Facebook.

I thought the idea of using the frozen cheese ravioli was genius. The ingredients didn't break the bank and I already had some of them. Turns out, I didn't have garlic salt but had garlic powder, so went with that along with a few grinds of salt. When I first put the frozen raviolis in the bottom the the pan, I wondered if they would cook all the way in just 35 minutes...so I boiled them for 2 minutes first

and then placed them in the pan.

I browned the 1/2 pound of ground beef and couldn't resist adding some dried onion...

I just love the smell of it cooking with the ground beef. I poured in the crushed tomatoes and spices and also sloshed in a bit of cooking wine too.

After cooking and stirring for a couple of minutes,

I started layering it in the pan...raviolis. sauce, mozzarella cheese, repeat.

Popped it in the oven

for 35 minutes

and waited with anticipation. 35 minutes was the minimum time, but it was bubbling like it was supposed to, so I took it out to set for 15 minutes.

My mouth was watering at this point! I dished it up for Bill and I and we dug in. So, my opinion? It was bland; and the mozzarella cheese seemed too chewy. I thought that maybe you could use some Prego sauce and add some Italian sausage, mushrooms, cooking wine, and Italian seasoning and go light on the mozzarella but after thinking about it, save yourself all the layering and baking and just boil the ravioli following the package directions and pour your doctored or homemade sauce over them, add a little Parmesan and enjoy! The recipe ingredients cost almost as much as a Stouffer's lasagna and I guess I'm easy to please, cause I like the frozen one better....not so much clean-up either. So that's my review, happy cooking and have a great day!

I Love Saturday!

I couldn't get to sleep last night so wandered into my shop to start putting together one of the fabric bolt cabinets. Dear Hubby was contentedly snoring, so I didn't think he'd hear me making a ruckus in the shop. I pulled out this cute little hand sander that I found in my toolbox.

The sandpaper strips stick with velcro and the yellow part is a soft foam that doesn't hurt your hand and I can't for the life of me remember where I got it! It's an inch wide and 3 1/2 inches long and I searched the internet and couldn't find it anywhere. I will keep looking as I just love this thing and I think you will too. It worked perfectly sanding these little hutches and got into corners that my fingers couldn't. As soon as I find the place I bought it, I will let you know so you can buy one too. Once I cut off the overhanging parts of the hutch, I glued the parts together and into the clamps it went.

I used pony beads for the feet on these and the feet on the first one have snapped off a couple of times. I tried this glue on the feet for this one, hopefully it will hold better.

Here it is ready to paint!

By then it was 1 in the morning, so I decided to go to bed rather than start the next one. Today, I decided to make some homemade cookies as it has been awhile since I made any. I had this recipe held up with a magnet on the side of my fridge so thought I would give it a try.

Mmmm, looking good so far.

I took the first batch out and turned to put the next one in. When I turned back around, there were the minions each claiming a cookie!

I was a little hesitant to take this guy's cookie away...

They came out delicious, even with the minion footprints. I used mini chips and I think they would be just as good with 2 cups of chips instead of 3 but I will leave that up to you. :) I wandered out to Dear Hubby's shop and he was cleaning out his old toolbox...guess what I scored:

Even if I don't use them, when Bill is working in the house, many times I have the tool he's looking for so he doesn't have to go all the way out to the shop. So it is 70 outside today and the sun is shining, hope you are having a great day!

Lights and Minions and Catch Ups!

Just have a few things to catch up on today. Between running to Walmart for groceries and staring at a pile of shirts that need ironing, not much time for minis today!  Thought I'd catch you up on a few things while I'm here. Remember Doc's waffle recipe? Not only did the bowl of batter overflow in the refrigerator, I couldn't get them to cook right either. The waffles were either soft and raw in the middle or as crispy as potato chips! LOL! As I typed that, I could hear a chorus of "Potato" from all the minions....by the way, there are more of them now.....don't know where they all come from! I think they jumped into my cart at Walmart....;) Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, waffles. I think Doc must have a magic touch with them because when he cooked them at his house they were delicious! Another thing I wanted to mention was the amber bracelet I made. Doc thinks I have the beginnings of osteoarthritis in my thumb joints so I was wondering if the amber would help. After wearing the bracelet for about a week, it does seem to help some. The pain is not as intense and I can move a little better. Baltic amber is supposed to be the best one to use...got some on Ebay. Anyway, I figured it couldn't hurt and was inexpensive to do. Oh, and remember the magnifying lamp I wanted? Well, dear hubby came home with one for me! Woo!Hoo!

Now I just have to find a better spot for it. It's a little precarious where it is right now. It works great and is really beefy...couldn't complain about the $31 price tag either....with the coupon of course...good old Harbor Freight! And the highlight of the day was spray painting the ladder for the minions. It looks a little more like wood and the minions have been inspecting it.

They said it will work for now but think it needs some dry brushing for more realism..always coming up with more work for me!

Well, all this worked up an appetite! Thought I would make a blast from the past for lunch....Beefy Mexican Lasagna. It was as good as we remembered. My kids loved this and we have friends who love it too. Here's the recipe:                                                     

                                                 Beefy Mexican Lasagna

                                                  1 Pound ground beef

                                                  1 can (14 0z.) diced tomatoes

                                                  1 package taco seasoning

                                                  1 can (2.8 oz.) Durkee French Fried Onions

                                                  1 12 oz carton cottage cheese

                                                  1 1/2 Cups shredded cheddar cheese

                                                  2 eggs, slightly beaten

                                                  Tortilla Chips

In large skillet, brown beef; drain. Add canned tomatoes and taco seasoning; simmer , uncovered. 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 can French Fried Onions. In bowl, combine cottage cheese, 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese and eggs. Grease an 8x12" baking pan and put down a layer of tortilla chips. Spoon meat mixture evenly in dish. Top with another layer of tortilla chips then the cheese mixture. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese and french fried onions. Bake uncovered 5 minutes longer.  If desired, garnish with lettuce and chopped tomato before serving. Enjoy! (Should have taken a picture before, but we were hungry! :) LOL!)

Had an afterthought after I posted the recipe. The first time I made it, I used foil to cover it and all the cheese stuck to the foil. After that, I kind of tent the foil over the top. Give this a try, I don't think you will be sorry.

Have a great evening!

                                                  

                                                    

Hay Bales and Waffles!

Went with DH this morning to finish up a project for a friend who served us the most delightful waffles I have ever had!  He gave me the recipe which I will put here at the bottom.  We live next to a small field and heard a tractor out there this afternoon. When I looked out, there was an older John Deere pulling a small round baler.  I had never seen this process close up before so I got out my camera and went outside to film him.  He even came over close so I could get a good shot!  Hope you enjoy this:

We had more fun making goofy photos of us with the hay bales later for the grandchildren.   

So about that waffle recipe!  He makes the batter the night before and used a double waffle iron---now I really need to get me a waffle iron! LOL!

Doc's Waffles

1 Pkg.(2 1/4 t) active dry yeast

1/2 C warm water (115)

2 C warm milk (115)

1/4 C melted butter

1 T sugar

1 t salt

2 C all purpose flour

_________________________

2 Large eggs

1/4 t baking soda

Prepare yeast so it's really going; add other ingredients except eggs and baking soda.  Beat until smooth, cover with plastic wrap, let stand overnight after risen some, then refrigerate.
When ready to cook, beat eggs and baking soda, add to mix...batter will be very thin, keeps several days in refrigerator.  Most waffle irons use 1/2 to 3/4 cup of batter per waffle.

Going to try this next weekend...I will let you know how they come out. Have a nice evening!

Thoughts and Laundry

By Debra from Olde Cape Cod, 26 June

The laundry pile again beckons. Well, not really beckons, kind of hollers and grabs your ankles until you wash it all! LOL! The Captain's list will have to wait for today. Rose is keeping him company by suggesting they go on a picnic down by the river. So he is mollified for now especially since she promised him some of her famous Lumberjack molasses cookies! She shared the recipe with me and my DH loves them too. So in case you would like some, we'll do something a little different today and I'll share the recipe with you:They smell wonderful baking!

Saw something else too that kind of pertains to this hobby of ours.  Yes, indeed, keep the magic alive! Have a great day all!