Crescent Taco Hotdish

Since my family has moved from MN to Washington state, we are in a temporary apartment until we find a house, we left most of our things (including my homemade and canned food). I have had to do a little more grocery shopping to re-stock my pantry. I realize again how much the cost of groceries add up. It didn't seem like much, but the homemade laundry soap, seasonings, jellies, yogurt, etc. really seem to make a difference in the budget. Even if you only make a few small changes, it adds up to big changes in the checkout lane! This recipe is one of our favorites, I actually got it from Tammi but since I left my homemade seasoning..and my cookbooks in MN, I have adapted it a little to the ingredients I had on hand.

Here's what you need:

• one tube of crescent roll (Pillsbury or store brand)
• 1 lb. of ground beef or turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 14oz can tomato sauce
• I substituted both the seasoning and sauce with about 2 cups of salsa
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, or the kind and amount you like
• a few handfuls of broken up Doritos (or nacho flavored chips)

Toppings: shredded lettuce, onion, tomato, sour cream, salsa, etc.
In a greased 9x13 pan, roll out the crescent roll dough and lay it on the bottom, gently pushing it down and pressing the seams together. In a separate pan, cook the ground meat then add seasoning and tomato sauce (or salsa) to the meat. Pour onto the dough, top with cheese and crunched up chips.
Bake 375 about 25 minutes, check the bottom to make sure it's not burning, you might have to adjust your bake time.
When it's done baking you can add the other toppings or serve them on the side for everyone to top with what  they like.
~Simply Angie

Make Your Own Chalk Paint

Before

I'm very excited to tell you about my new DIY project! My daughter's old computer desk was on it's way out of her house, so she asked me if I needed a new computer desk. So once again, here's how it works...mom needed a smaller computer desk/table, which is what I had but I wanted something different. I was looking for a vintage item to re-purpose. But as soon as I saw the pictures of my daughter's desk, I knew something very cool was about to happen here! As you might guess, mom took my original desk and my daughter's computer desk landed at my house! This is how you trade furniture - haha!! My original plan was to buy some Annie Sloan chalk paint but it seemed that it was not to be found in our city (on my first attempts anyway) so I decided to make my own chalk paint. I went to a local hardware store and bought a quart of incorrectly tinted paint (these are really cheap and most paint stores have them, it's the paint that was mixed for someone but the color was wrong so they brought it back to the store). I found the perfect off-white shade. I also bought a small bag of plaster of paris.

Then off to the craft store I went, I used my handy dandy 40% off coupon on a small jar of acrylic paint - I call it shabby blue but the real name is Spa Blue. I mixed the blue and creamy white paints for the perfect color for my new desk. My sister will love this next part because you don't need to sand or prime when using chalk paint (I must confess, I also enjoyed that part!)

Chalk Paint:

3/4 cup creamy white latex paint

1/3 cup Spa Blue acrylic paint

3 T (heaping tablespoons) dry plaster of paris

Mix all together until it has the consistency of cake batter and no lumps. If you find a color you like, you don't have to add any acrylic paint, just use the latex or the Annie Sloan paint. Start brushing, you can brush in different directions, this paint is very forgiving, it also dries quickly. I applied one coat, in some areas I applied the paint a little thicker. On the same day, after it dried, I applied the clear wax, then some dark wax.
Finishing Touches:
I researched the ways to finish the furniture and decided I really wanted to use the correct products for the look I wanted. After numerous phone calls, store visits and internet searching, I still had issues trying to find the Annie Sloan products, then finally I found some at a vintage shop downtown. I was SO excited! I bought the clear wax, dark wax and a paint brush. This was an expensive (about $90) little purchase for me, I would not usually spend that much on any DIY items but I really love this look and I already have my eyes set on a couple of more items in my house. Google the Annie Sloan videos (on You Tube) for help with techniques.

Happy painting!
Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Dad's Homemade Peach Cobbler

Peach Cobbler fresh from the oven!

One of our favorite desserts is Dad's peach cobbler. This is a recipe that I use when I need a quick dessert. I always have the ingredients and it only takes a few minutes to mix it up. I modified it for gluten-free by making a change to the flour type, just in case you're looking for gluten-free. You can use fresh or frozen peaches, or even canned peaches work. I usually freeze enough Colorado peaches to take me through the seasons so I use those. This recipe makes about 6 servings.
Ingredients:
1/3 c butter, melted
1-2 cups peaches, peeled and sliced
1 c sugar (white or organic cane)
1 c all-purpose flour (or white rice flour for gluten-free)
1 tsp cinnamon (this is optional, my family loves cinnamon!)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 c milk (I use organic 2%)
Directions:

• Melt butter and pour it into a baking pan, a 9x9 square glass pan works great. 
• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt (and cinnamon if using it). 
• Add milk and stir with a fork or spatula.
• Pour this batter mixture over the melted butter. 
• If you're using frozen peaches, thaw them first and add some of the juice with them. Using a large spoon, place the peaches over the batter. 

•  Bake 400F for 30-35 minutes. I usually test mine by sticking a toothpick in the middle of the cobbler and pulling it out. If it comes out clean, your cobbler is ready!

I let mine cool on a cooling rack. You can turn your pieces over and serve it warm with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream over the top. Dad's favorite was to pour a little half-n-half or cream over the cobbler. 

It's the best...really!!

Love and peace,
Tammi

Decorating With Vintage Items

Remember in a previous post how I mentioned that we pass furniture around in our family? Well, we're doing it again! This old buggy belonged to our Mom, who thinks it belonged to our Grandma. Several years ago she had it restored and had it sitting in her home for a few years, then she gave it to me to use. I used it for a few years then I passed it on to my sister to use, recently my sister sister gave it back to me! As I'm writing this, it all sounds so confusing and funny to me!
I put the buggy in my craft room, where the children also have their toys. The handmade bear is my sister's bear, a gift from our Dad, so I left it in the buggy.
I bought a small wooden door and painted it, glued a tiny door handle to it, then applied a coat of sparkly glaze, and I placed the "fairy door" by the buggy. The children love it!
Remember, use what you have...or what your family is passing around!
Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi