Sunning snakes, chirping birds, flying squirrels...

Okay, maybe not flying squirrels, we do have a lot of them running and jumping from branch to branch.  Enough to drive my cats crazy...

The weather here has unusually warm (no complaints here).  We have been spring cleaning the yard!  Gutters cleared, lots of raking...it is always fun to see all the "green"  popping up everywhere.  So, outside we went again this morning...with a rake and camera.

Can you find the frog?

We enjoyed our morning time together.   Spring is my inspiration season.  I have started the "to do" list of things that need to get done inside and outside the house....and it is almost that time again...MENU TIME!  I need to get started on planning next month's menu.  I am excited about April.  We have Easter, Eugene is coming to spend a few days, and I think we should fire up the grill.  That means NEW RECIPES...It also means that the family will start putting in grill requests!  With being outside more I look for quick ideas...

On the menu..

(because I am craving it and it is a quick and cool meal)

Taco Salad

This is not your typical Italian Dressing Taco Salad....

1/2 pound ground beef
Brown and drain.
ADD:
1/2 cup chopped onion
garlic seasoning
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. chili powder
Saute together.
In a double boiler:
Melt 8 oz. Velveeta cheese. Add one can Ro-tel tomatoes.

Cut up a head of lettuce and one large tomato in a large bowl. Add meat and mix lightly. Add crushed tortilla chips (one bag) and toss. Stir in hot cheese mixture. Serve immediately.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with us today...I hope you are enjoying some fresh air and sunshine!

St. Patrick's Day is Almost Here!

Last Sunday we had our St. Patrick's Day dinner.  My Irish husband will be out of town on St. Patrick's Day this year so we celebrated early this year with a new Irish recipe.  It was delicious!  We will definitely do this again...

         

          1 (3 pound) corned beef brisket with spice packet

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 medium head cabbage, cored and sliced thin
• spicy brown mustard
• 12 slices sourdough bread, lightly toasted

Directions

1. Place corned beef in large pot or Dutch oven and cover with water. Add the spice packet that came with the corned beef. Cover pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer approximately 50 minutes per pound until tender. Remove meat and let rest 15 minutes. Slice meat across the grain.
2. Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper in small bowl. Place the shredded cabbage in a large bowl and pour the dressing over it; toss to coat the cabbage with the dressing.
3. Spread a layer of mustard on 6 slices of toasted bread. Place some shredded cabbage and corned beef on each slice and top with remaining slices of bread.       

I found this on www.allrecipes.com .  This is one of my favorite websites! 

  My daughter and I did this one last night.  Pizza Bites! We ate them right out of the oven... served with a pizza sauce.  These will definitely be put on next month's menu.  Go on over to www.annies-eats.com for her Pizza Bites recipe.  They were so easy to make...small piece of cheese and pepperoni wrapped in pizza dough...yum!  There are many good recipes on this site also.

Remember Dippin' Dots...."The Ice Cream of the Future"?  All you need is yogurt (1/2 cup will make a lot), spoon or small icing tip and bag.  Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper and drop the yogurt from a small spoon or the icing bag.  Put the dots in the freezer...When set....enjoy!  You will have to watch them, though.  They melt quickly!  I am not a big fan of yogurt, but I really enjoyed this home made treat.

http://familyfun.go.com/st-patricks-day/st-patricks-day-crafts/to-catch-a-leprechaun-710897/

         Why did I not think of this when my kids were younger??  The idea of catching a leprechaun is so much fun!  Family Fun has some cute ideas to celebrate the day with your children.  Build those memories and traditions!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me today.  The weather today is beautiful!  I think this calls for a cup of coffee and my swing on the front porch.  I'll take some time to start planning my flower beds.  Enjoy your day!