A Lovely Surprise

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Day. 

We had a great day and got a beautiful surprise that I wanted to share.

 

Thanks Kathleen!!

My Winter Mantel

I'm back today to share my winter mantel.  I wanted something that I could keep up until spring. 

Here is a day time version.

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up to Christmas Extravaganza at DEBBIEDO'S
Between Naps on the Porch's Met Monday
Cozy Little House's Tweak It Tues
Thrifty Decor Chick's Christmas Party


See you soon,

Gina

A Favorite Go To Meal

My quiche recipe is one of our favorite go to meals.  It's always a hit at dinner, reheats well for breakfast or is a great brunch dish. 

I actually make several versions with the same custard base.

Custard base: 

3 Large eggs beaten

1 cup milk

3/4 cup good mayo (NOT Miracle Whip!)

1 Tablespoon flour

Salt and Pepper to taste. 

Whisk all together.

 Versions I make:

Grated Swiss cheese, and vegetables.  We like mushrooms, chopped red bell pepper and zucchini.  Cook and drain your veggies first or they will make your quiche watery.

Tex-mex version of browned and well drained ground sirloin (season with your favorite spices), shredded Mexican Four Cheese blend or any shredded Cheddar cheese, 1 can chopped green chilies drained, chopped red bell pepper and green onions.

Grated Swiss cheese, browned and very well drained breakfast sausage (Owens or Jimmy Dean), and
green onions.  This was the first version of this quiche I learned from a friend many years ago.
It is the biggest hit at any potluck and people always ask for the recipe.  My father used to request this version for Father's Day every year.

Standard grated Swiss and bacon, very well drained.

I use one of the 9 inch pie plates I have.  One is more deep dish than the other, so I use between
6 to 8 oz of a shredded cheese bag.  I usually use most of the package of sausage and save the rest to freeze and use for eggs or on pizza another time.  Probably 3/4 a pound of the ground sirloin.

Fold in your selected meats, cheeses and vegetables to your custard base.

Use any favorite pie crust recipe you have or as I sometimes do, pie dough from the grocery store.

Bake any version for between 50 to 60 minutes at 350 degrees.  It's done when it's puffed, golden and knife comes out clean from center.  Depending how full you have filled your unbaked crust, it is a good idea to put your pie plate on a baking sheet. 

I have seen many quiche recipes and this is the best (just saying)!  So many have 8 or more eggs and to me are too "eggy" or solid.  The mayo addition makes this one puff like more eggs would, but it also gives the quiche a little more of a creamy texture. 

I hope you will try it and like it as much as everyone I've made it for always have.

Linking up to Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday

See you soon,

Gina

A Snowy Owl Tree

I was able to work on my tree while the weather is too cold to go out much.

I used some little snowy owls, a pom pom garland, snowflakes and glass pinecones.  I have collected the pinecones for years and had seen the garland idea in a Country Living magazine years ago.  I kept forgetting about it until after I decorated my tree each year, but finally remembered to make one this year. 

I usually use a lot of red, and gold, but this year just wasn't feeling the red.   I wanted more of just a winter feel, with more white and green this time.

I didn't do the usual star, angel or bow this year either.  Just a little owl in a nest.

 

There is something funny going on with these little owls.  The last two mornings I have found two little owls at the foot of my bed.  Just sitting there waiting for me to get up and see them.

I feel sure they aren't flying in to my bedroom.  They have some help.

Looks like I have an owl stalker.  This is the culprit sitting high above on her perch.

I'll share my mantel next time.

I'm joining Between Naps on the Porch and Tweak It Tues at Cozy Little House and Thrifty Decor Chick's Christmas Party

Thanks for stopping by!

See you soon,
Gina

Decking the Hill

I've been busy here putting away fall and getting out Christmas. 
I decided to do some purging of things I haven't used in several years.
Timing was good with a notice from charity coming to my street for pick up.
I wasn't feeling like using much red this year, so boxed all of the red together of
things I was keeping.  Then I only had two boxes of things I "might" use.  It felt
good not to have so much to deal with.  I didn't get out much for fall this year, and
it was so easy to put it away.  Fitting into 1/3 of a plastic tub.

A few peeks of my tree.  I'm not done with decorating yet, and will post about it when I'm done.
I might join a few of the blog parties.

Happy decorating to all of you knee deep in Christmas!