Slow cooker meatball stroganoff

Wow: this was one of the BEST new recipes I've tried in a long time. It has that made-from-scratch taste but is very easy to make. Plus anything that goes in the slow cooker gets a thumbs-up from me.

In slow cooker, combine:

1/3 cup cream cheese

1/2 onion, diced

1 cup mushrooms

1 can beef broth

1 can cream of mushroom

dash of salt and pepper

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 lb frozen meatballs (I used the kind from Ikea which are SO good. I'm sure any brand is OK just don't get the Italian spicy kind like for spaghetti)

Mix everything well

Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours

20 min before serving:

Add 1 cup of sour cream to slow cooker, stir well

Cook 1 large package of egg noodles.

Serve stroganoff over pasta.

Best Ever Brownies

Abigail named these brownies. I must admit that I had never made brownies from scratch before. It isn't like they are hard or anything, but I guess I've just always grabbed a box.


1 cup butter (can you see how these achieve "best ever" status?)
2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13.

Melt butter in a large bowl. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one. Add flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt, beating until blended. Pour into pan and bake 30-35 minutes.

For fun, cut out paper shapes and place on top of brownies, then dust with powdered sugar.

Monday Night Special

Monday Night Special is a recipe that joined our family from the Martins. Tim's mom used to make it on Boy Scout troop meeting nights (Mondays).

You will need:

2 boxes kraft macaroni and cheee

1 lb ground beef or turkey

2 cans cream of something (I use mushroom, but others who shall not be named don't like it)

1 t Italian seasoning

Directions:

Brown meat with seasoning.

Meanwhile, make up the boxes of mac and cheese as directed

In a mixing bowl, combine meat, mac and cheese, and soup

Mix well and serve. So easy!

Oops.

I accidentally posted my "Being Jill" entries here.  I'll move them soon, but am too tired tonight.  So, until then, enjoy cute Kate.

Fun in a box

Doesn't she look cute in the box!  Sitting in boxes, bins, baskets - a favorite pastime.  During this little adventure, she also wanted to imitate me.  I was blowing on the open end of these connector toys, making tootie noises.  She looked so cute trying to make the same noise.

Smile for the camera!

Shoes to fill . . .

Kate has really enjoyed walking around in my shoes recently.  And she's usually pretty good at getting them on all by herself.  If only she would put them back when she's done!