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 I'm sitting here at work and just noticed the clock... I have one more hour before I click my heels and repeat, "There's no place like home". Now, if only the good witch of the north could help me bypass the LA traffic... Hey! I can dream, can't I?

An Irish Blessing...

Read this. Loved this. Wanted to share this.

{Image from tinywhitedaisies}

Who's in?

Doesn't this look divine? I could definitely see myself lounging on one of those couches, sharing a Sunday brunch with my best girlfriends.

{photo: A Colorful Mind }

Mama's Enchilada Cassarole

Ok, so my mom didn't invent this recipe, but she made it a lot when I was growing up. So to me, it's Mom's.

My friend, G-Fur (well, Jennifer, but I haven't called her that since 8th grade) came over last Friday and we attemped to make the enchilada cassarole that made my tummy happy as a kid. It was a cold, rainy, and very windy evening; perfect for slaving over the stove and creating a dish from my childhood.

We started with the ground beef. Brown with onions, garlic, salt & pepper. When the meat is just about done, add one beaten egg and sliced black olives.

While the meat is cooking, heat your canned tomato sauce & one can of water in a sauce pan.Once your meat is finished and sauce is hot, you're ready to start the layering.

Dip the corn tortillas in tomato sauce and layer on the bottom of a greased 9x13 dish.

Add your meat and spread evenly over the tortillas, layer with sauce, then sprinkle cheese over the meat. I love cheese, so the cheesier the better for me!

Then, add another layer of tortillas dipped in tomato sauce, pour remaining sauce over, and top with remaining cheese and chives.

Bake at 350 degrees (covered) for 20 minutes. Remove foil and cook for another 5 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

Accompany with chips, salsa, and homemade guacalmole.

I like to add a dallop (or two) of sour cream... and VOILA!

Enchilada Cassarole

1 lb. ground beef
2 medium cans tomato sauce (I used one can of sauce and one can of crushed tomato)
1 large onion, chopped
1 egg beaten
2 cloves of garlic
1 can sliced black olives
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 corn tortillas
Grated Jack cheese
Grated Cheddar cheese
Chopped chives (optional)

If you try it, let me know what you think!

New projects: Organization

Our house is pretty organized in some areas; then there are those other areas that need a little help.

Our closet is one. We both have so many clothes that we don't wear. I know there are people out there that could really appreciate a few pairs of pants and sweaters. A good friend of mine came over a few weeks back and helped me clear things out, and get rid of the clothes and shoes that I've held on to since high school. Yes, you read that correctly... high school! 3 trash bags full of clothes and shoes are now in the hands of those who are in real need of them. Its awesome when I walk in our closet now, I'm able to find things so much easier. Scarves (which I have a TON of), nail polish, shoes, sweaters, hats & belts... everything has its place now.

I didn't get a before photo of the closet, but here's what our bathroom looked like while we were in the process of organizing:

Here's the "after" photo:

Next on my list is our home office. I'm really excited about this project! It's located just upstairs in the loft area. There's a built-in desk, which eventually (years down the road) I'd like to rip out and replace with a pretty work area. But for now, I will do my best to make it look fun, organized and appealing to the eye. I've been looking at purchasing this. They are actually all separate pieces, but I want to accomplish a similar look. I will add a few shelves and some nice paintings to bring some color in, and voila! Our new home office! We will be working on the filing system in the weeks to come, and hopefully start to put things up on the wall soon after. I can't wait to see it all finished; but for now, I will leave you with a "before" photo:

Lastly is our garage. We're forced to purchase our own shelving and cabinest, since the sellers of our home ripped out the ones that were orginally there. It's been a year a half, and still not done. I'm eager to stack our holiday decorations on shelves in the garage, rather than having them take up space in our guest rooms. Hopefully this Spring we can start in here, before it gets too hot. I see boxes & tubs on shelves, paint cans, tools & gardening items in cabinets and out of site. I have a vision. 

"Sweet Love"

Mike and I celebrated Valentine's Day early this year, since he will be working on the actual holiday.

We went to Claim Jumpers for an early dinner on Saturday. Then came home to snuggle on the couch, eat the giant sugar cookie (got the idea from my sister-in-law) I made for my valentine, and watch movies. It was both romantic and relaxing.

Today, we woke up at 630am to cheer on my little cousin, Zachary, at his hockey game. He did awesome, and they won 5-3!! My cousin, Caroline, introduced us to Dink's, a Jewish Deli that serves breakfast and lunch. We ordered omlettes and the BEST bagles I've ever had! I'll be trying their Motzo ball soup, which I hear is amazing. I love trying new restaurants in our area... so refreshing. Lastly, Mike and I attended early mass at church, and came home in time for a nap before he had to go to work.

Wishing you all a lovely and happy Valentine's Day!

Nella's Story

I sat down on the couch Sunday night and read a story that was shared by a friend, and I am now sharing it with you. It is powerful, encouraging, heartbreaking, so inspiring, strengthening, and overall, a beautiful story about how precious life really is. This is the story of little Nella Cordelia. The challenges we face, no matter how big or small, come to us for a reason; for us to look at the positive and know that life really is beautiful.