Snowflake Patterns

It is currently 107 degrees where I am.  I have worked on snowflakes all day and still have a few days to go with modifications and fine tuning the patterns.  Snowflakes for some reason cool me down.  I am able to walk outside and convince myself the dry heat wind that is blowing is a nice icy cool breeze, well, for about 15 seconds anyway. Always reminds me of the cartoons growing up, that showed an oasis with someone hallucinating that they were by an oasis drinking water and being fanned with a palm leaf, only to realize they were crawling a long through a sand storm and drinking sand or something to that nature.  

I am invited to apply for a spot in a Holiday Craft Fair this year and hopefully my application will be accepted.  These snowflakes will defiantly be one of my selections for my booth.  

I was going to wait until October to present the patterns, but with craft fairs in mind, I need to get them out by the beginning of September for those that would like to make snowflakes and need a pattern.  

Easy and fun to make they are perfect for ornaments, gift tags or appliques as gift or for yourself.  

I hope your day and evening are a delightful one.  

Chillin in the dry heat,  

Debra

Hamburger Casserole

This is a quick and easy casserole dish that I want to share with you this evening.  I don't know the official name, but I call it hamburger casserole.

You you need:

Round casserole dish with fitted lid
1 pound of ground round made into 4 equal patties. (I usually use very lean but on this dish I use an 80/20)
4 medium potatoes
1 medium onion (I am using a red, but use what you like or have on hand)
1 green pepper
3 pinches of garlic salt
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch of pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

If you are using anything other than a glass casserole dish, you will need to lightly grease.

Slice all the potatoes, about 1/4" thick, and put into the bottom of the casserole dish.

Sprinkle about 2 pinches of garlic on the potatoes.

Slice the onion about 1/4" thick and separate the rings and place over the top of the potatoes.

Cut the top and the bottom off of the green pepper and clean the inside out.

Cut the pepper in half and then cut each half into slices about 1/4" thick.  Place these on top of the onions.

Place the 4 patties on the top of all vegetables and sprinkle one pinch of garlic, salt and pepper on the patties.

Cover and place in the 350 degree oven for about 1 hour.  

Check to see if the potatoes are done after an hour, if not, cook in 15 minutes intervals until done. 

You can always use a leaner meat or use ground turkey, just lightly grease your dish, so the potatoes won't stick.   I just prefer the fats from the meats to flavor the potatoes.  

You can also make foil packets and grill these on low as well.  

Enjoy,

Debra