Hamburger Noodle Casserole

As the autumn air starts to cool us down, and the rainy weather closes in, I can't help but get giddy!  I see some jammie days, extra snuggles with my kiddos, and LOTS of comfort food in the very near future.

 

Speaking of comfort food, my mom used to make this warm-your-heart casserole all of the time--it is one of my faves!  Layers of flavor, ooey gooey cheese, and a very rich sauce.  If it makes you happy to even just think about those things, then wait until you actually taste this yummy dish! :-D

 

Hamburger Noodle Casserole

 

8 oz. wide egg noodles

1-2 beef bouillon cubes

1 1/2 lb. ground beef

1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste

6 oz. water

1 (10.75 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

8 oz. sour cream

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

 

 

Boil noodles w/bouillon cubes, according to package directions.

 

 

Drain noodles; set aside.

 

 

Brown ground beef; drain.

 

 

Stir tomato paste and water (use can to measure 6 oz.) into browned ground beef.

 

 

Heat mixture thoroughly; set aside.

 

 

In medium bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, sour cream, and soup.

 

 

Now that all of our ingredients are combined (then set aside) as above, we are ready to layer this beautiful masterpiece of colors and flavors!

 

Place noodles in buttered casserole dish.

 

 

Layer ground beef mixture on top of noodles.

 

 

Spread soup mixture over meat.

 

Cook in oven preheated to 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

 

Sprinkle cheese over top.

 

Cook in oven for another 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

 

 My family enjoys when I serve this with  a veggie (usually peas) and garlic bread. 

 

I hope you enjoy this rich, gooey dish as much as we do!

Enjoy! <3

Spinach Artichoke Dip (Best ever!!!)

As I ease into my very first "Yumminess" section post, I thought I would share a recipe that I have been making for years--Spinach Artichoke Dip! 

I absolutely love ALL spinach artichoke dips, and try them as often as I can, anywhere I can.  Some have Alfredo sauce and some have sour cream (this one has neither), and they are all beyond delicious, but this is the recipe that has never once failed me.  I must warn you--there is nothing healthy about this version (although, you are more than welcome to substitute *lighter* versions of each ingredient), but this is my fave way to make it.  Comfort food all the way!!!

Spinach Artichoke Dip

 

8  oz. Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded

1 c. Parmesan cheese, shredded (NOT grated!)

1 c. Mayonnaise (NOT Miracle Whip!)

5 oz. Frozen chopped spinach

2 jars (6.5 oz. each) Marinated Artichoke Hearts (NOT in water!)

1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder

Tortilla Chips, Veggies, or Sourdough Bread for dipping

Because, for some weird reason, I can't seem to find pre-shredded jack cheese in our supermarkets, I have to grate by hand.  Hopefully you can find pre-shredded, and can skip this step! ;-)

Hint: I like to measure out the 1 cup of mayo in the Pampered Chef measuring cup thingy (don't know the "official" name), then I pull it down to the 2 cup level to measure out the Parm cheese.

 

 

In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mix jack cheese, Parmesan cheese, mayo, and garlic powder.

Remove frozen chopped spinach from package and put in microwave safe bowl.  Thaw in microwave for approximately 2 minutes (on high.)  Squeeze out as much liquid as possible.  Shred spinach (with fingers--caution, it may be hot!), then add to bowl with other ingredients.  Mix well.

 

 

Drain marinated artichoke hearts.  Hint: Line a cup (disposable or not) with a ziploc bag. Drain the marinade/oil into the ziploc bag. When drained, you can zip up the bag and toss it in the trash without any fear of it leaking all over your trash can/bag!

Coarsely chop drained marinated artichoke hearts. Add to cheese/mayo mixture.

 

Spoon mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish.

 

 

Heat, uncovered, in a 350 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until bubbly.

 

 

 

Serve with tortilla chips, sourdough bread pieces, or veggies.

 

Enjoy!!!  <3

Has it really been that long?!?

Wow!  It's amazing how fast time flies by!  Logging in to attempt another blog post, and I realized it's been a whopping 5 months since my very first post!  Eeek!!! 

Well, life really has been busy.  This summer was all about the kiddos--keeping them entertained, keeping them educated...and keeping them from fighting with each other. ;-)  We actually tried to keep the summer very low-key. 

As much as we would love to travel, I feel like the summer is our time to recover from school work and all of their activities.  My middle girlie did do a one-week gymnastics camp, and we participated in VBS (my two girls were crew members, while my son and I were crew leaders for the Preschool Games--holy smokes those little cuties wore us out!!!)  Other than that, we took it easy. 

No fixed plans each day, just go-with-the-flow, spending quality time together, and taking the time to relax and actually have conversations with each other (imagine that!)  There's nothing like the relaxing/lazy days of summer.  But, boy-oh-boy, by the end of our 8 (eight!) weeks of summer, we were ALL ready to start school and activities.  I tend to forget how amazing it is to be on a schedule!!!

Funny thing is, we started the year as slow as possible--easing back into homework schedules, not signing up for activities...but, at the end of the month, the three kiddos are signed up for 5 activities in all, and we are pondering signing up for another 4-5 more!!!  Why do we do this to ourselves?!? :-P  On top of that, hubby's job is picking up, requiring more travel, and my Three Sweet Smiles Designs business has been growing in wonderful ways! :-)

I guess that's what keeps us going--busy-ness!  Laziness is impossible if you don't even give yourself the *chance* to ponder the thought of stopping.  As long as we are keeping our lives balanced, and keep our distance from the border of being busy and being burned out, I think we'll be okay. <3

My "First" Blog

Welcome to my blog! I have been wanting to start a blog forever, but could never figure out what to write about. Being that I am very similar to my dear mom, once I start talking, I have a hard time stopping... So, I will just put one letter in front of the other, and see what comes about!

 

I guess I will start by introducing myself--my name is Julie. I am a wife to my loving and hard-working husband, and mommy to my three sweet and amazing kiddos. We moved from California to Colorado almost six years ago, both for a lifestyle change, and for me to continue to be a stay-at-home-mom to my "babies." And, as my dear husband recently said (who was initially a bit reluctant to move here...), "I feel like I was born to live in Colorado!" Well, I feel the same way--we absolutely love it here!

 

Of course, now that my kids are getting older (and, being that I am a Capricorn...), I have a VERY hard time sitting still. Thankfully, I was introduced to the beautiful world of Pinterest last year. This has sparked a revitalized passion for my first love--CRAFTING!

 

I gradually taught myself many of the basic techniques for hair bows and hair clips. Learning through tutorials and advice from some extremely talented crafters/designers/friends, spending time watching many females in my family (mom, grandma, aunts, cousins) craft in my presence, and the hours of self-taught trial and error, I decided to start my own business. Thus, Three Sweet Smiles Designs was created!

 

With this blog, I am planning to share tutorials on making many crafts (including hair bows), as well as hairstyles (generally little girl styles, but there may be an occasional mommy 'do!) and will also share many recipes, both old family recipes, and new creations (being that I love to cook AND eat!), as well as fun ideas for the kids. I'm sure you are thinking, what the heck--hair AND food AND kids?!? But, that is my life, and that's what I know. :-)

 

If you have made it this far, I must thank you SO much for letting me share my thoughts with you! I look forward to sharing many wonderful ideas, creations, and overall love of life with you!

 

<3 Julie :-)