Spring Topiary: Week Three

I am so anticipating the budding and flowering season of spring, that I decided on a flowering topiary for this week's project.  I have been trying to make use of what I already have on hand, and there-by spend less money at Hobby Lobby.  I happened to have an old falling apart Christmas topiary that I had made about 15 years ago, and decided to make it over for this project.  I did buy a few flowers, birds and bird nests for my project.

Supplies:

1 clay pot

1 styrofoam ball

1 styrofoam base to fit into the pot

1 long  wooden dowel for tree trunk

spanish moss

silk flowers

little birds from the floral department of your craft store

little nests from same

floral pins

ribbon

1 small strand of twinkle lights (2o light set) 

glue gun

craft paint

Instructions :

1).     Begin by painting your clay pot as instructed in week one, or leave it plain if you prefer.

2).     Once your clay pot is dry, put your topiary together by inserting dowel into styrofoam ball in one end of and the styrofoam base on the other (you can sometimes buy these topiary forms already put together). and place into pot.

3).     Using hot glue gun, glue spanish moss to base of topiary and around the ball on top.

4).     Using floral pins, pin string of lights around topiary ball

5).     Glue flowers all around on top of spanish moss.

6).     Glue nests and birds where desired.

7).     Tie ribbon underneath the styrofoam ball (around the dowel). 

Saddle Bag Sandwiches

So now it is time to tell who our mystery guest was, and whether he ever got here or not.  His name is Michael Martine Murphy  along with our friend, Donna.  He is to become our neighbor for a short season, because he is going to rent our little house next door while he and his wife build their house here in our area.  He did finally come; but a few changes in the meal plan were necessary.  and the now compacted schedule of too many things combined from 2 days into 1, our "get together" had to be shortened somewhat.   This was our final menu:

Lunch

Saddle Bag Sandwiches

Chili Rellenos Casserole, sliced, warmed and wrapped

Spring mix salad with apples, sugared walnuts etc. ; placed into disposable tupperware

Cranberry walnut vinaigrette in tiny jar

Tres Leches Cake cut and wrapped

plastic forks, 

paper napkins

bottled water

Saddle Bag Sandwiches

When Steve was young and when he would help his Grandfather work cows for the day, they would always pack a lunch for a day in the mountains. The best part  of that lunch was what was referred to as the saddlebag sandwich.  It was the perfect sandwich, made with homemade bread and left over meat from dinner the night before.  There is something about that hearty fresh bread, and delicious slices of  Roast Beef or Chicken that just makes this sandwich unforgettable 

Here is what makes a great saddlebag sandwich;

Sliced homemade bread

Sliced homemade roast beef

Fresh sliced tomatoes (actually a true saddlebag sandwich probably wouldn't include tomatoes, because they would turn everything to mush in the saddlebag, but you and I can just slice them up and put them in a separate container to be added just before eating.

Fresh lettuce

Mayonnaise

Put it all together as is customary.  Wrap in wax paper; I like to wrap sandwiches in wax paper; it  reminds me of the days when we were young before saran wrap or ziplock bags... something sweet about it.

Over a foot of snow and more coming

Well, It is coming down.  The weatherman says we could get 2 to 3 feet. "Whewie".  Im glad we filled up the bird's feeder yesterday.  They are out there like little fat gentleman gathered at the morning coffee house.  Our special company was delayed from last night to some time today due to all the snow and blizzard conditions.  We'll see if they will be able to get through or not. Here's the new menu: 

Lunch Menu:

Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches: Hot Roast Beef in Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes and slices of Homemade Bread

Chili Relleno Casserole Re-warmed

Lovely Spring Mix Salad with  Apples, Cranberries, Sugared Walnuts and Blue Cheese Crumbles

Tres Leches Cake (still delicious)

Coffee/Iced Tea

Roaring fire in the the wood stove (atmosphere)

We've called  ourselves a holiday with all this snow.  I can't get out at this point to go to my painting group, so I will paint here.  Perhaps I will finish my Mom's painting so that it can go with Steve on Friday (if he can get the truck up to the house and loaded) to Henderson.  Steve has cleared the roads with the tractor and the snow plow has gone through once (although not enough to make me want to get out in it (I did a 360 a couple of weeks ago when it was snow packed; that van isn't the best snow vehicle).  We might have to get the sleds out with the kids later on.

Tres Leche Cake

Ok, this is an easy recipe that your family will go "gaga" over.  I first had it when Marie fixed it for us in Ohio.  She brought me a piece, warm from the oven but I have to say, that one piece is not nearly enough two pieces are almost impossible to resist. I knew our other kids would love it.  Tres Leche means 3 milks.  Most recipes have you mix a small can of evaporated milk, and whipping cream and 1 can of sweetened condensed milk; thus the tres leche.  When Marie made this, she simply poked holes in the top of the cake and poured the sweetened condensed milk over the top, and then added a dollop of whipped cream.  It was great served warm, although most recipes call for you to chill it first, then add the milks, I wouldn't change this one at all.  Its difficult to see in the picture, but this cake is wonderfully moist and the sweetened condensed milk is a little like caramel soaking up the cake.

Ingredients

1 white or yellow cake mix (follow cake mix directions)

1 large can sweetened condensed milk

whipped cream

Bake cake according to package directions.  While it is still warm, pierce the cake all over with a knife or a fork and make holes, then pour sweetened condensed milk over the top.  Cut and serve with a dollop of whipped cream. Yummmm.

Chili Relleno Casserole

Here is a family favorite that is a wonderful main dish, but I also often serve it as a side with Roast Beef, or with Mexican food.   I usually make a huge batch, because it goes fast.  You can cut the recipe in half if you would like, or make two smaller pans; One for dinner and one for the freezer.... but I always just make the one big ol pan, and it is never too much. 
Chili Relleno Casserole

2 and 1/2 pounds whole green chilies or approximately 24 whole chillies (a little more or less is okay) Update: I just made this with store bought green chills and this is how many I used 2  27 oz cans whole green chills (this is a little over 3 pounds total).

2 pounds Cheddar  or Monterrey Jack Cheese (8 cups), shredded

18 eggs

1 and 1/2 cup milk
1 and 1/2 cup  half and half
1/2 cup flour

sour cream

Layer chilies and cheese in a greased 10 x 14 casserole or lasagna pan.  (Lay the chilies out open and flat , side by, then cover with cheese).  Repeat a second layer.  In a mixing bowl, whip eggs, flour and milk, together;  I usually use a hand held blender, which , I think, does the best job;  Pour  this over the cheese and green chilies.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes, or until lightly golden brown and firm.

Cut into  squares and serve with a dollop of sour cream and/or salsa.

  Lay first layer of chills down like this; but add more to fill in the gaps.

...then cover with first layer of cheese.

Add a second layer of chilies, and then a final layer of cheese.

In a large bowl, put eggs, flour and milk....

Blend with hand held blender or mixer until well blended.

Pour egg mixture over cheese and chilis.

  Bake at 350 degrees for about 50  minutes; or until puffy, lightly browned  and  firm.

Cut into  squares 

Serve with sour cream.
 Enjoy.

Company Menu

Tomorrow we are having some special guests coming for dinner and we are excited for their coming.  I decided to post my menu. Its just an ordinary country meal, but all are our favorites, so I don't think you can go wrong with it.

Dinner

Roast Beef

Mashed potatoes and gravy

Chili relleno casserole

Raised  rolls

Corn

Spring mix green salad with cranberries, walnuts and blue cheese crumbles

For Dessert 

Tres Leche cake

Coffee

Stay tuned for the recipes...

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this, some have entertained angels 

without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2

Spring Time Lamb/Project # 2

For this weeks creative endeavor, I was wanting a lamb to begin spring time decorations. Passover begins March 29th (at sundown) and continues for 7 days.  After that, is Easter on April 4th.  Lambs have been on my mind, because of the "Spring Lambs" being born; the "Passover Lambs"; and the remembrance of the resurrection of  "The Lamb of God", our precious Lord Jesus.  So I decided to try my hand at Paper Mache  for this project and create a Lamb.  I must say I didn't really care for paper mache as a craft, (I used the pre-made paper mache), but I think it can be a fun project to do with kids and can stimulate ideas for modeling projects that always come up with home-schooling.

Supplies

"Fast Mache" paper mache mix

Spanish Moss

a few silk flowers

craft paint and brushes

glue gun

Instructions

1).  The paper mache mixes up easily with water (read proportions on the box).

2).  Shape your lamb and allow to dry for 24 hours

3).  Hot glue spanish moss around lamb for his wool; fill in any white gaps with  small crumbs          of moss.  If Moss sticks out too much, you can use scissors to trim it up.

4).  Use a watery wash of paint and paint lamb with browns and pink. Allow to dry 10 to 15 min.

5).  Paint on eyes and mouth.

6).  Hot glue flowers where ever you like.

Very easy and even though it leaves a mess, clean up is  quick.