Tonight's Dinner - Cheesy Tortellini w/ Sausage & Mushrooms

Although we have had similar sauce with other pasta, I had never made tortellini before.  We thought it turned out very good and I plan to use tortellini on occasion for variety.  I'll be trying out more recipes with it in the future.

Ingredients: (approx. and to taste) (About 4 servings)
1/2 pkg, 4 0z, dry tortellini (I used pesto filled tortellini as it was what I found in Trader Joe's.)
2 links sweet sausage, casings removed
1/2 - 3/4 container of fresh mushrooms
3 Tbsp margarine
tomato paste, sm. can
1 can diced tomatoes
1-2 Tbsp sugar
Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, garlic salt, salt, pepper
Parmesan cheese, shredded
Boil tortellini as per pkg directions.
In large skillet  melt marg., add sausage, crumble and stir w/ wooden spoon.  When it's almost cooked through add mushrooms. (You may add chopped onion as well.)  Cook for a couple more minutes then add can of tomatoes and tomato paste.  Add sugar and seasonings to taste.  Mix together.
When tortellini is cooked, drain and add to sauce mixture. 
You may top w/ cheese and bake till melted or just mix in some cheese dish onto plate and top with additional parmesan and serve.

House of the Day - Picket Fence Pink w/Water/City View!

Sunday Drive (continued) - Nature Photos

Today's Outfit

Thrifted Items:  Black skirt, tank, top, shoes, leather Fossil handbag, necklace.

Sunday Drive (continued) - Water/Mountains



Today's Outfit

Thrifted Items:  Denim wide leg capri pants, floral top, purple tank, necklaces, black sandals, Nine West Handbag.

Ring = Target $7.99

House of the Day - Flower Power!

We passed this house on our Sunday drive.  Very eye catching!  I had to stop and take some photos.  And look at the cute little hanging seat amongst the flowers.  I photographed the neighbor's house as well because it had lots of flowers too. 

Today's Outfit

Off to get a pedicure and run through the thrift store.

           

Thrifted Items:  Skirt, brown top, necklace, bracelets, sandals, handbag.

Tonight's Dinner - Chicken Cornbread Bake

Tonight was a first for this recipe.  We liked it and I'll make again.  We have lots of leftovers!

Ingredients - makes about 6 servings
1/2 c. margarine
1/2 lg. onion, finely chopped
1 can whole kernel corn, drained - or frozen, thawed
1 can cream style corn
salt, pepper, garlic salt to taste
2 eggs
1 pkg. Jiffy cornbread mix
1/4 c. sugar
2 cooked chicken breasts, chopped
1 4oz can mushrooms
1 sm. can green chile peppers, chopped
4 oz sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 8oz pkg Monteray Jack cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease (spray) 9x13 baking dish.
Melt marg in a small skillet over med high heat.  Saute chicken and onion.  Set aside.
In lg. bowl, combine corn, cream style corn, eggs, sugar and seasonings.  Stir in cornbread mix.  Pour into dish.
Put chicken and onion mixture in bowl and add green chiles, mushrooms, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and seasonings.  Mix together.
Spoon over cornbread mixture to within 1 inch from edge. 
Sprinkle top with cheese and bake for approx. 40 min or till edges are golden brown.

Today's Outfit - Ocean/City View Drive

It's a beautiful sunny day!  Going for a little drive down by the waterfront.  I plan to post photos later.

Thrifted Items:  Peasant top, cream tank.
Baggy tan crop pants, flip flops and earrings are older, non-thrifted.

Tonight's Dinner - Taco Salad

This is one of our favorite easy meals.

For approx. 4 servings:

1 lb. ground beef

1 pkt. taco seasoning

1 can black beans, drained

1/2 pkg. shredded cheese

1/2 pkg. spinach, torn

1/2 bottle Fat Free Catalina dressing

1/2 bag tortilla chips

Brown ground beef in skillet.  Drain grease.  Add taco seasoning and just a little water.  Heat and mix together.

Empty ground beef into large bowl.  Add Catalina dressing and stir.  Add in cheese, spinach, beans, tortilla chips and mix together, breaking up chips slightly. 

Today's Outfit

Thrifted Items:  Liz Claiborne sweater, shoes, handbag, bracelet, necklace.

Today's Outfit

Thrifted Items:  Off white skirt, brown top, scarf ($4.50), brown purse, locket, bracelets.
Cream/Gold Ring - Target ($7.99)

Tonight's Dinner Recipe

Cheesy Rice w/Broccoli and Walnuts 
I served this with barbequed pork ribs and it turned out really good.

Ingredients
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons marg.
1/2 onion, chopped
garlic powder, garlic salt, salt, pepper - to taste
1 cup uncooked instant rice
1 1/4 cup chicken broth
fresh broccoli florets, microwave steamed
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place walnuts on small baking sheet, and bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until toasted.
2.Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion melted butter for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the rice, add the broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover, and simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 10 min.
3.Add microwaved broccoli to rice.  Add 1/2 the cheese and more seasonings if needed.
4.Pour into sprayed casserole dish.  Top other 1/2 of cheese and w/ walnuts and bake till cheese melts about 10 min. 

Another New Quilt

Thank you to my lovely mother for sending this beautiful quilt to me.  Love you mom!

Today's Hairstyle

Messy Bun - so quick and easy.
        

Cute Little Pink Cottages

This first one is my favorite, but I do love the sweet window boxes on the last one too.

Today's Outfit

Thrifted Items:  Skirt, sweater, sandals, Nine West handbag($8), necklace.
Earrings, butterscotch ring(7.99) = Target.  Bronze ring($5) = Big Lots.

Saturday Night Thai Food

We love eating at this local thai food restaurant about every 3 months.  It's nothing fancy, but it's really good.  Service is the quickest I've ever seen!  I love one certain dish, Orange Flavored Chicken, and order it every time. haha  We also share an order of Crab Delight.  Yummy!

              
              

Today's Outfit - Running Errands

             

Thrifted Items:  Blue skirt, orange sweater, brown t-shirt, shoes, purse, bracelets.

Turquoise earrings, orange ring : Target  -- Bronze ring, turquoise ring: Big Lots $5 each.

Today's Outfit

Thrifted Items:  Denim skirt, green t-shirt (2.50), bracelets, green sandals, green purse.
Floral scarf purchased online for under $3.

Tonight's Dinner

Veggie Pasta

Ingredients: (Approx. Measurements for 2 serv.)
1/3 pkg. angel hair pasta
1/8 c. olive oil
1 can Italian Style diced tomatoes, drained
1 1/2 c. cauliflower, microwave steamed
2 c. broccoli, microwave steamed
parmesan
slivered almonds
garlic salt, salt, pepper
Boil pasta.  Mix steamed veggies, tomatoes and seasonings in a large skillet w/ olive oil to warm.  Drain pasta.  Mix pasta and veggie mixture together in large bowl.  Mix in desired amount of parmesan.  Serve onto dinner plates.  Top w/ slivered almonds.
I served w/ garlic toast.

Today's Outfit - Totally Comfy

Thrifted Items:  Sparkly, beaded, turquoise top, brown capri pants, turquoise sandals, butterscotch Nine West Handbag ($8), shell necklace ($2.50).