Taco Lasagna- a family favorite

I find that I haven't shared one our favorite recipes. I am sure you could find other versions and the basic certainly lends itself to your own special tweeking! Let me know what you think. It is not a very expensive covered dish to carry, too.



Taco Lasagna


1 lb burger, beef or turkey

1 pkt taco seasoning

8 tortillas, flour or corn

1 can refried beans

1 16 oz jar salsa

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

8 oz shredded cheddar



Brown burger, drain and add seasoning pkt per directions. In a 9x13 baking dish, spread about a half cup of salsa. Cut and arrange a layer of tortillas to cover. Spread half the refried beans over tortillas, followed by half the seasoned burger and then half the corn. Next drop spoonfuls of salsa evenly, then sprinkle with cheese. Repeat these layers. Top with another layer of tortillas, salsa and cheese. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove the foil the last five minutes or so. Nice topped with more salsa and a dollop of sour cream.

Blessings

Handy tips that really work!

I am always looking for nifty tips that REALLY work. I had seen on TV that these depressions in the carpet could be lifted with an ice cube. Well, lo and behold, it really works.

Another great idea, I saw mentioned on Rachel Ray was to store your plastic wrap in the freezer. This cuts down on the static cling and makes it easier to pull out and position. It reverts back to its tedious self when it warms to room temp. Yeah, I know, seems weird to put it in the wrong place, and my husband is much less entertaining to watch using the plastic wrap. But it is a tip that really works.



Last fall, I mentioned a dirty little secret. I really do love this tip. I thoroughly cleaned my fiberglass shower and gave it a coat of car wax. I should stress that the FIBERGLASS shower WALLS were coated. This really repelled the water and soap scum buildup. I did not put it on the floor...wouldn't want to slip. I think this delayed cleaning the walls for several MONTHS.

So, maybe these ideas will make your day a little easier.

Blessings.

The cat ate my Big Red Chaise

I was pretty proud of the finished chaise. I still need to sand and finish the legs. I have already had some wonderful quiet time in my spot.

Allow me to introduce you to Callie. Isn't she sweet and pretty? Who knew?

She is wildly attracted to the under lining of this thing. Callie must like the old smells, maybe. She managed to pull away this whole corner and almost the other side, too. Some call this a fainting couch and I almost needed it when I saw this.

I have introduced her to a more agreeable scratching style. It is even laced with catnip. I will have to ponder how to decorate it to make it blend with the decor. You can't imagine how creepy it is when she goes at it in the middle of the night.

I am just giving her some time to think about what she has done. That'll show her!

Blessings.

Come visit my house!

I am linking up with Transforming Home house tour party, my first linky thingy. I am delighted to welcome you to my home. We really live here...that means that you probably won't see huge, all encompassing photos because I moved the "pile" out of camera sight.

These are photos in my living room. Can you tell we have a gamer in the family? And we have the piano that really has no other home and we must keep even though no one plays it because...?

This is one tidy spot in my bedroom. I have tan walls, lots of white, some kinda denim-ish blue and a few pops of my fav, red. My bedroom is one of those projects that has taken so long that some things are worn out or out of favor. My red chaise is in this room.

My open kitchen/dining room is very casual country. The far wall is dark sage-y green beadboard which matches the backsplash in the kitchen area. To the left is my simple china hutch. I enjoy changing the display on the plate shelf, on the light side now.

And last, I thought I would share my laundry closet. It is painted a fairly bold aqua, with some red (of course). I am loving my machines, by the way. They are LG. I have a folding platform on top that we hinged for easy access if necessary.

Introducing my Etsy shop!

I love to make paper collages...my sweet husband graciously calls them "art"...

Each canvas is unique and original, created with hundreds of hand cut papers. Some designs are familiar quilt patterns, some are more modern artistic interpretations, and some are nature inspired.

This piece is inspired by 2 Peter 3:8-9 and is titled "Like a Thousand Years." I am touched that God is so graciously patient that all could come to know Him. The canvas depicts a day from dawn to twilight and from spring to winter in the same vision.

I have found this passion and I am delighted to share it with you. Come see what is going on at my shop... kelleybdesigns.etsy.com

Blessings.

Make it .....MORE

Thought I would share an idea for making your tub MORE.

Our deep jet tub is pretty simple. Simple is good. But this is the focal point in our bathroom and I wanted special. I used a pair of swing arm curtain rods mounted as high as possible with a sheer white curtain tied back to frame the alcove. The hanging light fixture draws your eye up.

A robin's egg blue ceiling and bamboo shades creates a bit of a spa feeling, don't you think?

I am thinking this sounds like a great place to warm the bones in this winter weather.

Have a blessed day.

The Big Red Chaise

I have had an adventure! I wanted a quiet place in my own sanctuary (our bedroom) where I could escape the TV and the open family space. I thought I wanted a chair and ottoman, maybe a cute little table and lamp. But I happened upon this chaise. It has been sitting in my room for about 4 months while I gathered up my courage to tackle the re-upholstery. I am usually more of a slipcover kinda girl but this piece had been stored in a barn and was just yucky looking.
My first step was to totally strip this thing down to the wood. I knew I didn't want the tufting because I wanted a more cushy feel. I am so glad I stripped it down because it contained a remote control, someones reading glasses, a Christmas light bulb and....mouse droppings and "stains"....EWWGH!

I spent $40 on the chaise, another $80 on the fabric, foam, piping, batting, etc. (I had some coupons at JoAnns and Hobby Lobby.) I have also learned that an electric stapler is just not the same as pneumatic. I LOVE my air stapler! I looked around to see what else needed stapling while I had it out. No one sat still for very long. And I seem to have a pretty quick learning curve...I only stapled my finger once.

So this is the final product...Yep it is very LOUD. My husband said he didn't think he would be able to sleep with this in the room. But here is my thinking: It is for me...I love red...it is really not seen by anyone unless they are welcome in my bedroom....it makes me happy!

So, try something NEW!

Blessings

Treasures on display

At the beginning of the year, I decided to change out as many of my decorative accessories as possible. I don't know about you but after a while, I hardly even noticed my "stuff." The black shelves (which I made on the fly) once held about 10 vintage cameras...not very colorful and no elevation change. Although the empty frame thing bugs my husband, I really like the age and form of these. The dried hydrangeas (see how) are just the right natural element.

These treasures have been in hiding a loooonnnggg time and now they fit the open spot in my kitchen. More hydrangeas...

I am going out today to buy a pneumatic stapler......YEAH! I am working on my first and maybe my last re-upholstery project. I have no idea what I am doing and just winging it. I can't wait to post the photos. (That will mean it is done, LOL!)

Blessings.