Re-Growing Scallions

On today's episode of Frugal Living, pinch that penny til it squeals...

Whether it's for some thrifty fun, a curiosity, or as a little gardening experiment with the kids... Re-Growing Scallions is easy and really does work. They will grow in water or soil, and it only takes a couple weeks to have green onions for another meal. You can click the links to see the progress below.

I've done both, on the windowsill:

And in the garden:

Try something just for fun and 

Have a Happy Day:@)

Creamy Garlic Turkey Tetrazzini

Years ago I started a label on the blog called 'new food to me'. The idea was to challenge myself to try new things. Turkey Tetrazzini was on the list. I've heard about it forever, never used spaghetti in a white sauce, and this sounded like a nice meal. My twist on the recipe is, I added two very large cloves of garlic and took a shortcut by using cream of mushroom soup (we are not mushroom connoisseurs here at Pig in Mud:@) There is a ton of flexibility here, alter amounts and additions as desired, and it's a great way to reinvent leftover holiday turkey. We all liked this dinner, the garlic was really nice, and it will be added to the rotation. Although, I will say the 9x13 recipe below will feed a lot of people... I'll scale it back to 8x8 the next time.

Turkey Tetrazzini-what I did 

Leftover cooked turkey, about 2 C cubed, or as much as you'd like or have

12 oz thin spaghetti, cooked, drained and run under cold water to cool.

onion, medium, diced

celery, one large stalk sliced

red bell pepper, about 1/2 C, diced

garlic, 2 large cloves, minced

2-3 Tblsp butter

(2) 10 oz cans cream of mushroom soup

1 C half and half

1/2 C chicken broth

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

up to 1/2 C parmesan cheese-I used a 2.5oz jar of grated

1 C (or more) frozen peas, thawed

S&P to taste

1. Cook onion, celery, and red pepper in butter, cook for about 5 minutes.
2. Add garlic and extra butter if needed. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes to release flavor.
3. Stir in soup, half and half, broth, and cheese.
4. Heat and stir until all is incorporated.
5. Add some salt and pepper.
6. Stir in spaghetti, turkey and peas.
7. Pour into 9x13 casserole dish.
8. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes or until heated through.

Eat Well and Have a Happy Day:@)

My New Foods List:

(If my sons happen to read this... relax! I still promise fairly "normal" Sunday dinners...)

hominy ~ artichokes ~ fish sauce (I'm scared) ~ leeks ~ almond paste ~ oyster sauce (scared again) ~ gorgonzola ~ dates ~ brisket ~ parsnips ~ adobo ~ meringue powder ~ fennel ~ goat cheese (I'm told to be scared) ~ souffle ~ red velvet anything ~ curry ~ capers ~ chow chow ~ pot stickers ~pho ~ ponzu sauce ~ fondant ~ fire roasted tomatoes ~ Gruyere ~ Quinoa ~ Tetrazzini any kind ~ Divinity ~ Meyer lemon ~ lemon curd ~ shallots ~turkey tenderloin and Chipotle Powder ~ Smoked Turkey Sausage

Easy Canned Pear Cake with Pumpkin Spice

When it comes to fall flavors we mostly think of apples and pumpkin, but pears are a fall fruit too, and pear goes well with the warm spices of autumn... I whipped up this Easy Canned Pear Cake with Pumpkin Spice for Sunday dinner. It was the day we stacked fire wood, so I thought it best to treat the boys to something sweet after dinner:@) This batter will be very thick, that even worked well with the wetter canned fruit. And I thought the whole walnuts would be pretty, but do recommend using chopped nuts so you get some nut in every bite. This is a nice recipe to tuck away folks, easy enough to change up the fruit and spices as desired, or to use what's on-hand.

Nothing fancy,

but great with a nice cup of coffee or tea:@)

A busy day:@)

Canned Pear Cake with Pumpkin Spice-adapted from here

3/4 C sugar

2 eggs

1/3 C oil-I mixed half oil, half applesauce

1 tsp vanilla

2 Tblsp butter, melted

1 1/2 C A/P flour

pinch of salt

1 3/4-2 tsp pumpkin spice

15oz can pears, diced and drained well

1/2 C chopped walnuts or pecans

Powdered sugar for serving

1. I mixed first 7 ingredients by hand with sturdy spatula, mixture will be very thick.
2. Fold in the pears.
3. Pour into sprayed or buttered 8x8 baking dish. Even mixture out.
4. Top with nuts.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool, top with powdered sugar for serving.

Enjoy a piece of cake and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Zucchini Salsa -Doctored Store Bought Salsa, End of July Garden & Barbie...

2024 will not go down as the Year of Zucchini in the PIM raised bed garden, but... I did have a half of a zuke leftover in the fridge and decided to doctor store bought salsa to use it up. I simply grated the zucchini, wrung some of the liquid out in a dish towel, and mixed it half and half to make this Zucchini Salsa snack. It added a little freshness and ~maybe~ made it a tad more healthy:@) 

Thought I'd share a few pics of the garden, these were taken on July 28th. First time I've planted coleus in the anchor bed, I love the pretty pop of color and that it has been a fairly maintenance free plant.

Things have gotten a little... unruly. I've been growing vegetables my whole life and have never had cucumbers last this long into the season. Now, for clarity, the -plants- are very happy, I'm not saying they are producing tons of cukes:@) But I do occasionally find one or two. And as you can see, the large tomatoes are ripening up nicely, and I've had plenty to share.

On the left is the pepper side of the garden, small plants, but as I posted on Wednesday, they are making peppers:@) Experiment for next year: Pick every blossom and itty pepper off of the plants in the beginning of the season. I don't know if that's what stunted the plant growth, but guessing it didn't help... Zucchini, yellow squash, and zinnias have all been pulled out already, but I still have lots of color and plenty to eat!

The planter 8/3/24: 

That grape tomato plant is amazing!!!

What has Barbie been up to as I'm sweating (and swatting mosquitoes) in the garden??? While I doubt they'd be very helpful in keeping a drink colder or floating a can upright on top of the water... These inflatable beverage holders sure do make cute pool toys! This is a fun idea for pictures and dioramas, or if your girl would like to take Barbie swimming with her. And the best news, they only take about three breaths to fill:@) I've seen several designs at Dollar Tree.

Doctored Zucchini Salsa

50/50 ratio:

1. Equal parts store bought salsa and grated zucchini that's been squeezed dry.
2. Mix and serve with chips or as a condiment.

Eat Well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Summer Tomato, Cucumber, and Pepper Pickled Salad & Best Yellow Tomato Variety

This Summer Tomato, Cucumber, and Pepper Pickled Salad is something I'll throw together for Sunday dinner when the garden is producing. There really isn't a recipe or anything very specific, and it can be more on the vinegar side, or the sweeter side, you know your crowd:@) My family leans more towards vinegar... What makes this different than my normal quick pickled salads for dinner is the addition of oregano and a drizzle of olive oil, giving it a little Italian flavoring. Isn't this gorgeous folks... Summer on a plate!

As a general rule I stay away from terms like the best or the greatest here on the blog, that's all subjective... But just look at the color of those tomatoes... I really wanted a yellow cherry tomato plant this year and honestly, spent more money on it than I normally would... But I have to say, This Bonnie Sun Sugar plant has incredibly over-produced, we've had tomatoes for over two weeks already, and it will be ripening for weeks to come (they say until frost, we will see). Ma calls the tomatoes candy, and I've been very happy with this variety:@) *This pic is from the Bonnie site.

Summer Tomato, Cucumber and Pepper Pickled Salad

Whatever amount you have of the vegetables cut bite size

Whatever amount of vinegar use about 1/4 that amount sugar to start and adjust to taste

Sliced Onion

Light drizzle of olive oil

A few hearty shakes of dried oregano

Light sprinkle of garlic powder

S&P to taste

~Mix everything, let sit on counter for a couple hours stirring occasionally.

Eat Seasonally and Have a Happy Day:@)

Pickled Corn Salad with Cumin, $1.25 Barbie Size Food & Minions...

I had a couple ears of corn to use up and we were having burritos for dinner so I thought I'd try to make a Pickled Corn Salad with Cumin. The idea was, we could either add it to the burritos or eat it as a side dish. We liked it as a side dish salad. This was easy and surprisingly tasty, and the boys said it was perfect for summer:@) I love cutting it off the ear and leaving some of the kernels attached in little rows so folks know it's fresh corn. Recipe below...

Dollar Tree has this set of Barbie Size Food Erasers in with the back to school things. It has a good variety of items, hot dog, hamburger, French fries, soda and personal pan pizza, and would be perfect for doll play:@)

And I hear there's a new Minions movie out... Thought I'd share my silly Minion Deviled Eggs from back in 2016:@)

Cumin Pickled Corn Salad

For each two ears of cooked corn:

Hearty 1/4 C green/red bell pepper

Small jalapeno, cleaned diced

About 1/4 C onion, diced

3 Tblsp apple cider vinegar

2 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp oregano

S&P to taste- or your favorite seasoned salt

Fresh parsley or cilantro if you have it-optional

~Mix everything, cover and let sit in fridge for a couple hours.

Have a Happy Day:@)

Summer Garden Side Dish & Raised Bed Garden Update

This Summer Garden Side Dish/Salad is another super simple way to use up some of the veggies the garden gifts us. Just mix and match whatever is in season, whether plentiful, or you just have a few... I had some green beans, a cucumber, a few cherry tomatoes, chives, and fresh parsley. Dice and mix with your desired amount of Italian salad dressing. I have to say, this was amazing with a grilled chicken breast for dinner:@) 

Pics from July 1st: Two pots of green beans in the background, one heavily producing and coming to the end, and I just planted seeds in the second pot. The little Dollar Tree bird bath has been very popular this year:@) Mostly wasps and brown finches so far, but I'm glad I picked it up. 

By the time July gets here the garden has gotten pretty large and overgrown... The tomatoes have reached the top of the stakes and now I'm beginning to pinch them back and cut branches to allow sunlight and airflow. Cucumbers are doing ok and I have made a batch of my favorite Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles. If you only try one pickle recipe from Pig In Mud folks, this is the one I recommend:@) You can use the brine for Jalapeno Pickles too...

Planter has a small yellow squash plant I rescued from the garden center, I'm hoping it catches up soon. Pepper plants didn't get very tall (yet), but they are happy... 

Mini sweet multi colored peppers:

And my jalapenos:@)

Zinnias add more color every day:

And I'll leave you with the long view:

Summer Garden Side Salad

1. Whatever garden vegetables and herbs you have on-hand, diced bite size. If using string beans, toss into boiling water for about 2 minutes. Immediately run under cold water to stop the cooking process, dry and add to the rest of the veggies.
2. Mix with liberal amount of your favorite Italian Salad Dressing.
3. A few grinds of fresh black pepper would be nice...
4. Chill and serve.

Eat Well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Sauerkraut Breakfast Hash & Sauerkraut Tip...

This is different folks, and one of the best breakfasts I've had in a while:@) Even though I forgot to top it with the cheese... It's also a nice way to use up some leftovers. Sauerkraut Breakfast Hash is a hearty way to start the morning and loaded with vegetables. Very similar to a Farmer's Omelet, only with the addition of kraut, and it's a scramble instead. It does call for draining the kraut, I pressed mine against a mesh colander. And since I used a fresh potato I did take the time to rinse the shreds under cold water and squeeze that dry. I'm sure you could use frozen hash browns without a problem if desired. Even though sauerkraut and eggs might sound a little odd... Don't hesitate to give it a try, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

As someone that lives alone, it's hard to use a whole can or jar of sauerkraut... My tip: Sauerkraut freezes well. I'll portion the extra out into single serving baggies, then put the bags inside a Lock and Lock so the fridge doesn't smell like kraut. Works great!

I've also been finding these glass jars of sauerkraut at Dollar Tree recently. They are nice because it lasts longer in the fridge stored in the glass jar.

Sauerkraut Breakfast Hash-from Frank's Kraut

2 C potatoes, shredded

1 small onion, sliced

2 bell peppers, any color, sliced

1 C ham, sliced

1 C sauerkraut, drained

4 eggs, beaten

1/2 C cheese, swiss or any flavor

1. If using fresh potatoes, rinse until water runs clear, then squeeze dry.
2. Brown potatoes in butter.
3. Once they begin to brown, add sauerkraut, onion, pepper and ham. 
4. Cook until potatoes are brown and vegetables are softened.
5. Pour in eggs and scramble with everything else.
6. Top with cheese.

Eat well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Pierogi Quesadillas

These Pierogi Quesadillas are great for everything from breakfast to dinner, to a fun game day snack:@) It's also a good way to use up some leftover ham and mashed potatoes. I found the recipe on Taste of Home, but honestly, just wing it and simply layer what you have on-hand. To make it extra special, add sour cream, applesauce or sauerkraut on the side. Best tip: Heat mashed potatoes in microwave to be able to easily spread on tortillas. Or whip up some instant potatoes, anything goes... Super easy and very filling, don't hesitate to give it a try folks.

Good stuff:@)

Other flavor combos: Buffalo Chicken and Cheddar & Pumpkin and Cheddar

Pierogi Quesadillas

Can be made with all leftovers:

Tortillas

Mashed potatoes

Ham, diced

Cheddar cheese, shredded

Butter

Sour cream, applesauce, sauerkraut, etc, for serving

1. Place pat of butter in pan, use low heat to melt and spread around.
2. Place tortilla in pan and top with mashed potatoes, ham and cheese.
3. Place second tortilla on top. Press down as cheese melts.
4. Carefully flip quesadilla to lightly brown and crisp the other side.
5. Remove to board or platter, cut into serving size with a pizza cutter or knife.
6. Serve with dippers or sides as desired.

Eat well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Giardiniera Pickled Onion Deviled Eggs

On today's episode of Frugal Living, Squeeze that Penny Until it Squeals...

I thoroughly enjoy Giardiniera and even have a couple pickle forks I hang on the jars for easily fishing the veggies out for a snack. But I never know what to do with the mini onions... And I'm not a member of the martini crowd:@) So in an effort to use them, I diced them up and made some Giardiniera Pickled Onion Deviled Eggs. Nothing ground breaking here, simply mix up some deviled eggs and stir in some minced pickled onion. But I will say, the pickled onion adds a great briny bite, and it's good stuff folks. 

My best tip: Don't add any salt to your mixture until after you mix in the onions. Then adjust to taste.

The pickle forks I hang on jars:

📌My Pinterest Boards here.

Giardiniera Pickled Onion Deviled Eggs

1. Mix up your favorite deviled egg recipe but omit the salt. 
2. Stir in some finely minced pickled onions that were blotted with a paper towel. Maybe one onion per egg, or more, you know your crowd... 
3. Taste, adjust salt if needed and fill egg whites.
4. Garnish with dusting of freshly cracked black pepper and sliced giardiniera vegetables if desired.

Eat well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Apple and Marshmallow Salad

I love it when I see something a little different and realize I already have everything on-hand to make it:@) That was the case with this Apple and Marshmallow Salad. This is cool and creamy, and what I like best is, it calls for mayonnaise, so no need to run to the store for pudding or Cool Whip. I also feel that the mayo tames the sweetness a bit, and makes it a little more of a side dish as opposed to a dessert. But, you can honestly call it either/or, or both. One son would eat it with dinner, one after dinner. Good stuff folks, and easily cut in half for a smaller batch. My apple was a little sad so I peeled it, the pretty red would add some nice color.

Other sweet apple salads:

Snickers Apple Salad ~ Fruit Salad w/Pudding

I've added a Marshmallow Love Pinterest Board...

All Pig In Mud Pinterest Boards here.

Apple and Marshmallow Salad-from Taste of Home

3 C apple, 1/2" diced-peeled or not, your call

2 Tblsp fresh lemon juice

1 C celery, sliced

1 C miniature marshmallows

2/3 C mayonnaise-original calls for fat free, I used regular

1/2 C pecans or walnuts, toasted is best

1. Mix apples and lemon juice in large bowl.
2. Mix in everything else except nuts, store covered in refrigerator until ready to serve.
3. Mix in nuts and serve.

Eat well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Spin-Achos *Spinach Nachos & Early Spring Garden...

My spinach plants got big and needed a little trimming, so I thought I'd whip up a little snack. These Spin-Achos came together quickly and used just a few ingredients, all were items on-hand. I added sliced spinach and cheddar cheese to a bed of tortilla chips, then I asked, what could make it better? Bacon:@) Now, the bacon is truly optional, but highly recommended... I gave it a few seconds in the microwave, and topped them with a little drizzle of ranch dressing, some reserved crunchy bacon crumbles, and freshly chopped chives. Spinach and chives from the garden-yay!

I gave this a rough chop, about 1/2" wide. Want your spinach more wilted? Simply slice it thinner. My test batch was about 1/8" wide, and the spinach did cook more. Baby spinach will wilt faster than the mature curly leaves I used too. Another good addition would be some small diced fresh tomatoes.

My thyme has been replanted several times, this is the second year in its final home. Thyme has a tendency to grow tangled and maybe even get a little matted. I like to run my fingers through it in an upward motion, to free up the stems and give it a little lift. The best part about this, the stems are lighter and sway gently in the wind. I likey:@)

And finally, every September I buy one small 3" pot of pansies to add to the large planter on the patio. They are in bloom at the time, and depending upon how harsh winter is, may send up occasional flowers all winter. But by March and April they are spectacular! I always consider this $3 well spent:@)

📌All of my Pinterest Boards here.

Spin-Achos with Optional Bacon

1. Lay a bed of tortilla chips on microwavable platter.
2. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and sliced fresh spinach.
3. Add bacon to above if using.
4. Microwave for a few seconds, until the cheese melts. About 10-12 seconds.
5. Top with more bacon, a drizzle of ranch dressing, and some freshly minced chives.

Have a Happy Day:@)

Two Ingredient Sugar Free Jello Fluff or Whips -Retro Recipe

This Sugar Free Jello Fluff or Whips Recipe has been around forever and was on my to-try list for a long time. As we're looking forward to warmer weather (hello...  Mother Nature???) I thought it was time to whip some up. This is a light and creamy dessert or snack, and honestly, a pretty one too:@) I like the foamy fluffy tops. Choose any flavor of sugar free Jello, and maybe even a make a couple colors for a Mother's Day Brunch. The only other ingredient we need is non-fat plain Greek yogurt, it will add a little tang. This is a diabetic friendly, low carb, low Weight Watchers points, treat. Ma tried this with me and we both give it a thumbs up. Don't hesitate to give it a try folks, I think it will appeal to most. 

A great way to use up that last yogurt that may be flirting with the expiration date:@)

📌All of my Pinterest Boards here.

Sugar Free Jello Fluff or Whips

Four serving size sugar free Jello, any flavor

3/4 C boiling water

1 C ice water, add ice, fill to equal 1 C

8 oz yogurt

1. Dissolve Jello in boiling water. 
2. Add ice water to Jello, stir.
3. Add yogurt and Jello to blender, blend on high for 30 seconds.
4. Pour into glasses or bowl. Makes 4 servings.

Eat Well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Baseball Marshmallows -Take me out to the ball game...

I was curious to see how these Baseball Marshmallows would turn out, and I think they're kinda cute. In a perfect world, I would have had a red food writer marker, but I didn't. So I added a couple drops of red food coloring to a small bowl and painted the laces on with a paint brush. Once they dry they can be added to a serving bowl, or mixed in with some peanuts, and maybe even some Cracker Jack:@) This is just a neat little idea to add some fun to your ballgame, whether tailgating or enjoying it at home. Or maybe a little something extra for a baseball theme'd birthday party...

*The food writer pens would be best though. I also suggest Googling a baseball, the laces are in more of a V shape... I used the Chocolate Stuffed Marshmallows from Dollar Tree.

⚾Make something just for fun, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Candy Cane and M&M Cookies -aka Leftover Christmas Candy Cookies

Sometimes towards the end of the holidays I end up with leftover candy. Maybe not enough to make a whole batch of cookies or take to the office, but I still want to do something with it... These Candy Cane and M&M Cookies make a small batch of about 6 full size cookies, and are pretty darn tasty! I was determined to make a successful batch of candy cane cookies after Frosty's Really Bad Day bloggy blooper a couple years ago here:@) These cookies would be perfect with a nice cup of hot chocolate, tea or coffee.

Barbie says, let's use up the last of the goodies before the diets start in the new year😉

Candy Cane and M&M Cookies-6 Cookie Recipe

2 Tblsp butter, softened

2 Tblsp brown sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla

1 egg yolk

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 C A/P flour

2 candy canes crushed

1/4 C M&M's

1. Cream butter and brown sugar.
2. Add vanilla and egg yolk, mix well.
3. Add baking soda and flour, mix until incorporated.
4. Hand stir in the candy canes and M&M's.
5. Drop by tablespoon (I used a cookie scoop) onto parchment lined baking sheets.
6. Bake at 375 degrees 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
7. Remove from oven, allow to sit on sheet for a couple minutes, remove to rack to cool completely.

Enjoy a cookie and have a happy day:@)

Pie Crust Cinnamon & Sugar Pinwheel Cookies

These Pie Crust Cinnamon & Sugar Pinwheel Cookies are truly a use it up idea folks. I had an extra store bought pie crust so -keeping things super easy- I unrolled it, liberally sprinkled with cinnamon, then used colored sugar, rerolled, sliced and baked. Were some a tad smaller than others? Yep, I liked it. Any extra small or scraps... Well, let's just call that the cook's treat:@) I took a pic with a few un-iced so you could see the color. I do think they need the drizzle for a little extra sweetness. 

Truly bite sized little cookies, 

perfect with coffee or tea...

Pie Crust Cinnamon & Sugar Pinwheel Cookies

1. Unroll pie crust (or roll out some homemade).
2. Liberally sprinkle top with cinnamon.
3. Liberally sprinkle top with stripes of red and green sugar. Cover the whole top. I added mine in diagonal stripes. Alternately, make one side red, the other half green, then you'd have solid cookies of each color.
4. Re-roll. Cut into 1/4" rounds and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Can dip finger in water to help seal the tail to the circle.
5. Optional-Sprinkle tops with sanding sugar (my sanding sugar kinda just bounced all over the baking sheet...).
6. Bake at 425 degrees (for store bought pie crust) for about 10-12 minutes, or until bottoms are browned and crust is done.
7. Place tray on cooling rack for a couple minutes, then remove cookies and cool completely.
8. Drizzle tops with melted white chocolate or candy melts, let firm up.

Enjoy a cookie and have a happy day:@)

Creamy Broccoli Macaroni & Cheese Casserole (or not...)

I mentioned that I thought there was plenty of cheesy sauce in the original recipe to add some pasta... Well, I gave it a try and do recommend this Creamy Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese, and if you have some leftover ham, turkey or chicken (heck, use up that last grilled burger or two)... Toss it in and wa-la, dinner is served:@) If you've ever had a mac & cheese turn out dry, you'll be pleased with this easy, foolproof recipe folks. Using frozen broccoli makes this extra convenient, and the cracker crumb top is totally optional-I my opinion... It makes it a little fancier for company, but I do like the idea of this side dish or casserole for leftovers more.

Be sure to cut the broccoli bite size, this package had some ~large~ pieces. And it's always best to use freshly grated cheese from a block... Full disclosure: I did use a store bought finely grated cheddar here:@)

Honestly, if you want to microwave the broccoli and drain it, just heat everything up in a non-stick skillet until the cheese melts... You can even skip the oven part:@)

Creamy Broccoli Macaroni and Cheddar Cheese Casserole

1/2 C dry macaroni

12 oz frozen broccoli, thawed

10 oz cream of chicken soup

1/4 C milk or half and half

1 C shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp seasoned salt-I'm using Walmart's brand these days

Half of a sleeve of saltines (or Ritz) crackers, crushed

dots of butter for top

1. Cook macaroni in boiling water for 8 minutes, drain and run under cold water to cool off. Drain well.
2. Lightly blot the broccoli with paper towels, cut into bite size pieces. I just give the broccoli a light squeeze with clean fingers to remove some of the water.
3. Mix everything except crackers and butter, pour into 1 - 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.
4. If using, sprinkle crackers over top, dot with a little butter here and there.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until broccoli is tender and cheese is melted.

Let's use up those leftovers and 

Have a Happy Day:@)

Reindeer Round-Up: Ornament from Bulbs, Cookies, Barbie Headband, and more...

I thought it might be fun to gather some Rudolph the Reindeer theme'd posts as we're getting into the Christmas spirit... You'll notice they are all similar, but really cute:@) The best part, these are inexpensive crafts, and one pack of pipe cleaners, pom-poms and eyes will make several projects. You might even already have everything in your craft stash...

I love the idea of Recycling Old C9 or C7 Bulbs into Rudolph Ornaments. Perfect little time fillers for kids Christmas parties and sleepovers.

And if the kids are over for some crafting, they'll need a little snack. These Rudolph's Nose Cookies are really cute, and quite tasty:@) How about having a Rudolph Night. Maybe a little craft, a little snack, and watching the show or a movie...

Creating a gift bucket or basket this year? How about adding a Decorated Reindeer Bottle, it can be beer, soda, or juice. Comes together in no time and adds to the fun!

And we can't forget Barbie, she wants in on the reindeer games too... These Reindeer Headbands couldn't be easier, simply use a recycled bottle ring and one pipe cleaner-done. Of course a little red pom-pom nose adds to the fun:@) Side note: Looking for an Elf on the Shelf idea... Make some antlers for him too!

Five outfits from one pair of Dollar Store socks here.

I mentioned these Ferrero Rocher Reindeer a couple weeks ago, but wanted to add them to the round-up too...

 There you have it folks, some fun ideas, 

and several the kids can help make.

🎄Have a happy day:@)