New Year's Swap.....

OH what a week! We have attended party after party and the "big" New Year's Eve party-ing hasn't even begun yet! whew! Anyone else in the same boat?

Well as look to the new year maybe some of you are wanting to start out "fresh". Clean a few closets, cupboards or toy boxes out. And if even if you are not quite ready for that yet, it won't be long until SPRING CLEANING is creeping up on us!

I ran across this great idea in Better Homes and Garden Magazine - Swap Till you Drop! Basically it's a clean out your closets party and trade! No one spends any money and everyone goes home with something "new to them" to use or re-purpose. All the leftover items get donated to a local charity or shelter. It seems like a win win all around! The article gives all the details, plus some helpful hints! Have fun cleaning out and swapping!

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Is this a cooking blog????,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

*snicker* - the answer is no, but I do want to share a few more recipes if you will endulge me. :) 

I have been trying to get back in the habit of planning out a couple of weeks worth of menus and then doing my grocery shopping - been feeling in a bit of a recipe "slump" and would love to infuse some new easy, family friendly meals. Enter the Nanny Goat blog - and just in time! I stumbled across their blog right when they are having a recipe swap! How perfect is that???? They posted some of their favorites and then others link up and post some of the favorite recipes too! 

So to help un-slump my recipe box I am hopping on the band wagon! Here goes!

Mexican Beef and Bean

1 lb ground beef

1/2 c. chopped onion

1 clove garlic minced

1 can corn (drained)

1 can pinto beans or red beans (drained)

1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup

1 8 oz tomato sauce

1/2 c. water

1 4oz. chopped green chili peppers (drained) - I usually leave these out b/c my kids don't like them

1/2 cup olives (sliced)

1 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

Brown the hamb., onion and garlic. Combine the rest, heat through and serve over crushed tortilla chips. (optional - sour cream)

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Sloppy Joes

Brown 1 lb. Hamburger with 1/4 c. chopped onion

Add: 1 can Tomato Soup

2-4 T. Sweet Pickle Relish

1 T. Brown Sugar

1 T. Vinegar

1 T. Worchestire Sauce

Serve on Buns

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Chili Bake and Cornbread

1 1/2 lbs Ground Beef

1 pkg. Taco Seasoning

1/2 c. water

1 can corn, drained

1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce

1/3 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Brown meat, drain. Stir in Taco Seasoning, water, corn and tomato sauce. Pour into a 2 qt. casserole dish. ( I sometimes like to stir in a can of chili or an extra can of beans)

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 min. 

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Yummy Cornbread (moist and cake like)

2 c. Buttermilk Baking Mix (like Bisquick)

6 TB. Cormeal

1 c. sugar

mix above ingredients

Beat 2 eggs with 1 cup milk. Add 1/2 cup melted butter. Mix wet and dry ingredients. 

Bake in a greased 9x13 at 350 for 20-25 mins.

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I bake the chili and cornbread at the same time. Serve the chili over a square of cornbread in a bowl. Top with sour cream (optional)

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